Prayer

[Brigid]

'Prayer is, beyond doubt, the most powerful weapon the Lord gives us to conquer evil passions and temptations of the devil; but we must really put ourselves into our prayer: it is not enough just to say the words, it must come from the heart. And also prayer needs to be continuous, we must pray no matter what kind of situation we find ourselves in: the warfare we are engaged in is on-going, so our prayer must be on-going also.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

[Brigid]

it is not enough just to say the words, it must come from the heart.

But what of when you're feeling dry? How can it be from the heart then?

[martin]

It could well be that it's more from the heart in dry times than it is when feeling very fervent.
We all know that feelings aren't everything and in fact it can be quite humbling to find that even in obtaining this  feeling of devotion we are totally dependant on the grace and mercy of God.

Here I go again, I know a saint said this but I don't know which one, "One Our Father said in times of aridity, is worth many prayers offered during times of consolation.

[Shin]

I often find that my prayer is dryer the more distracted I am.. and trying to pray and do something else at the same time..

On the other hand it is normally very hard to simply set everything aside and completely focus on prayer too.

Sometimes timing my prayers a little with my breathing helps.

Taking it just a little slower (not a lot slower)..

[Brigid]

If in doubt The Jesus Prayer (actually the "Hail, Mary" can be done with breath, too).

Martin, you're probably right that dry prayer is more from the heart than when we 'feel' it. It's hard not to think in terms of what this culture defines as 'from the heart'.

[martin]

If in doubt The Jesus Prayer (actually the "Hail, Mary" can be done with breath, too).

Martin, you're probably right that dry prayer is more from the heart than when we 'feel' it. It's hard not to think in terms of what this culture defines as 'from the heart'.

Good point Brigid.. and many other words and terms too.

[CyrilSebastian]

Have you ever attended a Mass and the congregation seems to be reciting a prayer     
so fast that what happened to the solemnity of the prayer?