Anyone interested?

Greetings everyone,

If anyone has the time and interest I am willing to keep this blog going as long as there is interest.  I know that several people that were really interested have had major changes in their life that has drained them of time and energy for a while. Let me know if you want to continue this, if you didn't like the book but would be interested with a different book, or if blogging is just not for you.  

God bless you and I hope to hear from you.

Ruth

Ruth: Chapter 8: Unanswered Prayer

I am writing this from NY where I am helping with the care of my mom. It is Good Friday, I am tired but feel I should post. So here goes.....
This is the age old question...Does God answer our prayers? The author doesn't write all that has to be said on the subject but I think he does a good job of getting to the central questions. Does God say NO to our prayer requests and if so Why? The author reassures us that God does hear all prayers but he answers them in His time and in the way that is best for us. The author, using the wisdom of the saints, suggests that there are three reasons why God sometimes says no. But even considering some "wrong" ways of praying we are directed to consider the importance of "expectant" prayer. Do we believe that God has the power and desire to answer our prayers and if so do we pray knowing that God does have the power and desire to meet our needs and requests? Do we ask, seek, knock and expect an answer? ... Lord strengthen our faith and teach us all to perserve in prayer... so that we CAN see the Lord's answers and with thankful hearts may we give witness to others of the power of prayer. I would like to give examples but I am just too tired right now. I look forward to the postings of others on this topic. Good night.

Ruth: Chapter 7: Discerning God's Will

This is a practical chapter as we should be attempting to discern God's will in ALL aspects of our life.  I was just talking yesterday with my spiritual director about the opportunity we have of possibly joining a secular order of Discalced Carmelites. Discernment needed. We also talked about how much time I can realistically take for prayer each day and still handle the other responsibilities of life. Discernment needed ... and what about that car I want to buy. Is that God's will or should we keep the old one?  It is not always easy to discern God's will even when we are intentional about it yet our book reminds us that "anything we do has meaning and value only if it is according to God's will."  I appreciated the reminder that even Jesus prayed to do the will of the Father. This is again an example for us.

It was good to have a couple guidelines:

1.  Pray daily for the grace to know and do God's will faithfully. Ask the Holy Spirit to act in and through us to keep us from doing anything against the will of God.

2.  Know that God usually reveals His will gradually as we are ready to handle it while often only later grasping His meaning and purpose.  

I have a good example of this.  One day my husband and I were traveling to a Catholic conference about 7 hours away and we were with another couple.  I had been having these thoughts that it was too bad there were not good Catholic women's conferences in our area.  I finally mentioned this thought to the girlfriend who was with us.  We just kind of lightheartedly joked about it but the thought had been verbalized finally and the seed planted.  When we were at the conference there was an awesome female speaker who we ended up talking to and, yes, six months later we hosted our first conference and we are now co-chairs of a Catholic apostolate that offers Catholic conferences and retreats in our area. (for more of the story read: http://www.springtimeofhope.org/roadtriptoreality.html).  If God had told me in a dream to start an apostolate like that I would have ignored the idea or thought I was delusional to even dream about it. It started by the Lord giving me an idea that matured into us doing His will. He gradually led us to we are at today.  Now we are still and very intentionally trying to discern our way.  We do the same in our private lives.  I see the Lord's hand in bringing me to meet my spouse but only in hindsight. There are so many examples when we look in hindsight.

I also like the reminder that "He who is faithful in little things is faithful also in much." LK 16:10.  I also like how the author reminded us that we have to be living as faithful Christians before we can expect the Lord to use us. I can't be living the 10 Commandments according to me and expect to hear the voice of the Lord or walk humbly with our Lord.  It takes humility of spirit and submission to God's will. Thank God for Reconciliation.

I am so appreciative that I have a guide to help me on my journey who can question my motives and give another perspective on a spiritual issue.

The last quote in this book "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" is one I have been praying for years .... but do I always listen?  .... "We want to prepare ourselves to hear the Lord when He speaks and then, in humble service, be ready to faithfully carry out His will."  That last sentence to this chapter is a great goal. 

Ruth: Chapter 6: Spiritual Reading

This has been a busy week.  I thought I had posted on Chapter 6 prior to my retreat but I see that I did not so now I will have to review the chapter as I post.  I have always loved reading faith related books. In fact they are the only reading I do anymore. I use to read a lot of historical novels, and I still enjoy them,  but I hate to "waste" my time reading them when I can read something of spiritual value. My favorite books are the lives of saints and conversion stories like Rome Sweet Home, etc. Along with the book we are reading for this blog I am also now reading Introduction to the Devout Life which is a spiritual classic written in the early 1600s. I thought it would be a hard read but the translation I have is great. It is another book we could post on down the line.  

I hope that, as the book states, God's grace can work in our souls as we read these books, as we resolve to imitate their heroic virtues, love Christ ardently and serve Him as men like St. Ignatius and women like St. Therese did. Books can be prayer starters.  At the beginning of this week, I was on retreat and read an awesome little book on St. Gertrude the Great.  It strengthen, in my soul, the desire for deeper prayer and union with the Lord. I was just filled with such joy and eagerness to read more, learn more and love more.  Our book notes on p. 40 that St. Teresa said that the Lord is more eager to speak with us than we can ever be to speak with Him.  Seeing how the saints expressed the inner movement of the soul helps us understand what is happening to us.  

On p. 40 it also notes that we need to read solid spiritual authors. That is so important and sometimes it is difficult to discern solid authors.  There are Catholic authors who have accepted New Age and other false theologies and incorporated the falsehoods into their writings and teachings.  There are Catholic retreat programs that I will not attend because they incorporate crystals, reiki, Course in Miracles, or liberal theological attitudes in their programs and teaches. So I guess what I am doing is reinforcing that we need "solid" materials to read. The author gave great suggestions.  (As "book" person for our parish I can always try to help you with recommendations for solid Catholic books or at least I will try to help or send you links that will help.) We are really blessed with great resources available to us but now the challenges is to make the time to read and benefits from them in our walk with the Lord.

How have spiritual books helped or challenged you recently and what are your favorites?

Elaine on Chapters 3, 4, and 5

Please excuse me if this appears twice.  I don't know what I did the first time, but it seems to have disappeared.

Whatever our preferred methods of prayer, whether it be formal, mental, or spontaneous, they all strengthen our relationship with God and make us more God-like as we strive to emulate Him.  Simply put, "Prayer is meant to be an uncomplicated gesture of love" per Joyce Rupp.  I have a little prayer that I say every evening and it starts out with "Jesus, I know that when I can't pray, you listen to my heart".  I find this very comforting.

One Sunday, the priest was discussing that people sometimes say that they don't have time to pray.  He said that the more we pray, the more time you will have time to pray.  How true!

Chapters One and Two

Chapter One.  Each of the five purposes of prayer reminded me of the many, many times in my life when I especially felt Jesus by my side.  

I have a very stressful job.  Every work day I ask Jesus to be there with me to ease my way and smooth out my day.  He never lets me down.

God loaned us four of his beautiful children to raise, and he was right there giving us advise through it all.  

He was by my side the whole time I cared for my loving aunt (who raised me) while she waited for Jesus to take her to heaven.  She actually grew impatient!  This experience was such a blessing for me and our whole family.  It taught all of us that dying is not something to fear, but a natural process of living.  It was such a peaceful transition, and I still picture her up there in heaven smiling from ear to ear.

I especially feel the presence of Jesus during times of anguish and sorrow.  I feel his arms around me comforting me and reassuring me through it all.  He is my strength.  Thank you, Jesus.

Chapter Two.  After reading this chapter, I have committed to giving one hour a week adoring Jesus through the Holy Eucharist.  I have thought about it for quite some time and reading this chapter has cemented it.  

beginning

I received my book today and am very excited to begin.  This is my first attempt at blogging.  My name is Elaine, and I live in upstate New York.  I was told about this blog by Carol, a member of my "Why Catholic" group and a friend of Ruth's.  I joined this blog because I am always looking for ways to deepen my faith.  

Posting

I would like to encourage everyone to post. Don't underestimate what you have to share. 

You are a beautiful creation of God. Your "story" is important. You will not be judged by how well you write or by where you are in your faith life. This is YOUR reflection, YOUR thoughts not mine or anyone else's. This is what makes it so special. 

We are all walking different paths in our spiritual life and bring to this blog our own experiences. I have always found that other peoples thoughts and reflections have enriched mine. I hope you feel better about sharing the gift of you.

Hesitant about posting?

This thought came with me this morning after a friend told me she is hesitant to post because she doesn't think she can express her thoughts as nicely as others.  This made me think of a friend who about 6 or 7 years ago joined a bible study my husband was in.  It was this friend's first Catholic  bible study and most of the people in the group had been studying together for several years.  This friend felt that she couldn't measure up so she dropped.  But just think. If this friend had persevered she would now have 6 or 7 years of bible study experience and she would be helping to welcome new students.  We all have to start somewhere. We all have to swallow our pride and, for the sake of growth, begin somewhere.  I invite all of you who may be hesitant about blogging and about posting your reflections to dive into this blog and, with a prayer, start blogging. .... This is not for everyone but give it a try and see if it helps your spiritual journey.

I will be attending an Opus Dei silent women's retreat in Valparaiso, Indiana from Monday - Wednesday of this week. Please keep me in your prayers and surprise me with a few postings when I return.  God bless you all.

Ruth

Carol: Chapter 6--The Importance of Spiritual Reading

The last two sentences of the opening paragraph really capture the whole concept of this chapter. Sometimes we are unable to express our thoughts and then we pick up something to read and there it is, right there, just the way you had wished that you could have stated it. I really enjoy reading the lives of saints. Some times I'm glad that I didn't live back then because I doubt I would have had what it took to live their lives. Sometimes while reading the Bible, I wonder if I would have been a good Christian or not been receptive to the Word. I feel very blessed to live in this era.

This chapter comments on the four particular benefits of spiritual reading. First it strengthens our faith. What's wonderful is that when we don't understand something or if we want to expand our knowledge on a certain topic all we have to do is ask and we receive. With the help of the computer, we have an inexhaustable fountain of knowledge at our fingertips. I feel like a sponge that can't get enough at times. The sacred teachings, Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, are clarified by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The book asks if it is merely an academic study. I feel it just clarifies items and makes it easier to meditate on them. It says what is in the sacred teachings but in a clearer, more understandable form.

The second benefit is it nourishes our prayer. It fuels our minds with ideas and thoughts.

The third benefit is it teaches us principles of Christian growth. On page 40 it states "solid spiritual authors can provide a kind of general spiritual direction in such essentials as growing in Christian virtue, overcoming temptation and controlling disordered passions."

The fourth benefit is it affords inspiration and motivation for the journey. The more I learn and read the more I crave. I really enjoy reading something spiritual during Adoration. I don't have the luxury of a quiet place at home and so I just enjoy that special hour at Church.

The last paragraph recommends at least 15 minutes a day. That doesn't seem so hard. I have been negligent of doing daily readings, but this goal seems attainable. I am going to try harder from this day on! Pray for me.

Carol: Chapter 5--Do You Talk to God in Your Own Words?

I'm having computer problems at home so I hope work will be slow tonight so that I can make sense of my blogging. Please bear with me!

I found the two different takes on talking to God interesting. I think that when I talk to God I realize that it is prayer, but I'm not quite sure. Meditating is hard for me but as my husband will attest, talking comes quite naturally. I find when I am in distress that I can really express myself to God, but at the same time, I am constantly asking for help. I, personally, need to become more comfortable with "true prayer" (speaking heart-to-heart with the Lord, sharing my thoughts and experiences with Him). Affective prayer, or prayer of the heart, ( as described in this chapter) is definitely an area I need to work on.

On page 31 under "A Movement of the Heart" it states that affective prayer completes the stages of growth or ordinary active prayer, building upon formal and mental prayer. We experience affective prayer when the affections or sentiments of the heart predominate in our prayer time. This paragraph also lists the four purposes of prayer: adoration, contrition, thanksgiving and supplication (ACTS). The next paragraph went on to include prayerful expressions of the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. The last paragraph of this section goes on to include a prayer of resignation (this is where I believe I fit in most of the time).
This prayer is for when we are suffering and without human comfort. Joy is a special prayer sentiment and I do find myself at time praising and thanking God for different things; for example, if I'm driving and the day is georgeous, I just praise and thank God the whole time and really enjoy the moment.

In the section "Affective Prayer, Day by Day" on page 32 it states that "affective prayer is spontaneous in character, it allows us to speak to God from the heart." It goes on to say "This enables us to be more in touch during prayer with what is going on within us. We recognize more easily those feelings that have remained hidden and those issues that touch us in an unconscious way. In fact, those whose relationship with God has grown very trusting can be quite frank with Him." I am spontaneous sometimes. I am still a work in progress! I am most spontaneous when something is troubling me or when I'm really happy. I need to work on the stuff in between.

On page 33 it states "affective prayer is not only spontaneous; it's often conversational in form as well." In that same paragraph it goes on to state: "We aren't likely to hear God speak to us audibly in response to our words to Him, but we sense things in our hearts at times." This is happening more and more to me. Not too long ago, I was praying for a dear friend who had a problem. I was reading in my Bible and I had a small prayer cut out of a Church bulletin which was marking my place. The prayer seemed like an answer to her problem and I sensed that I should e-mail it to her. She was very appreciative of it and said it really helped her.

On page 34 it states "Over time, affective prayer tends to become shorter and simpler. When we know someone very well, we need fewer words to get our point across." This comment just seems to speak to me.

The last sentence really sums up what this chapter is all about. "I talk to God all day long."

Ruth: Chapter 5: In Your Own Words

I think that this chapter could be summarized as "talking to my best friend".  This idea is exemplified right at the beginning of the chapter when it gives an example on p. 30, "she was comfortable speaking heart-to-heart with the Lord, sharing her thoughts and experiences with Him." That sounds like a best friend relationship to me. The author described this kind of spontaneous prayer as affective prayer or prayer of the heart. 

Have you heard the song, "Step by Step He Leads Me" by The Hands? (I love the song). Anyway the following quote brought that song to mind. "...one goes from the prayer of the lips, to the prayer of the mind, to the prayer of the heart."  Step by step he leads us to Himself.  How awesome our God is yet He does not push Himself on us. He is the hound of heaven but it is like the Lord can try to give us the gift of faith or prayer but He honors our decision not to open the gift.  I really want the Lord to lead me step by step but I think I am like a child wanting to "grow up" immediately yet step by step he leads me.

On p. 32 the authors brings up the use of short aspirations in prayer....like "Lord Jesus, save me" "Lord, your will be done" "Here I am Lord, use me" and "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus". Brief prayers like these all help us to pray unceasingly in the midst of cluttered and challenging lives yet they keep our focus on our Lord.  

Getting back to the spontaneous prayer it says "we naturally converse with those we love, so why not with God?" Wow!  How much do I talk to my spouse, children, co-workers, etc? Contrast that with how much I talk with the Lord. I have lots of room for improvement.  This calls us to examine our priorities in life.  Step by step He leads me.

Affective prayer it says tends to become shorter and simpler. We are called to persevere in affective prayer and at the same time try to live a true Christian life.  It is a union with Christ that we strive and hunger for, not for the things of this world that don't last. We are satisfied only by intimate time spent with our Lord... just being with Him and chatting as best friends. May we all be challenged by this and the other chapters to give the Lord a bit more of our time, our hearts and our love.  

These have been great little chapters on prayer and it looks like we will now move into other areas.  I think just these first 5 chapters have been worth the price of the book as they called us to get down to or back to the basics of our walk with the Lord.  

I am looking forward to reading all posts and comments.  Hope you find the time to post soon.  A  friend, who lives in Washington, just informed me that she bought the book but just has not had time to join the blog and post yet. Remember you can join at any time and post when you have time. 

 

waiting for book

I have just ordered my book today, so it will be at least a week before I can actually post my thoughts.  I'm anxious to begin.

Carol: Chapters 3 & 4

I had the opportunity to read the next two chapters twice; once I just read through and the second time I did it with a highlighter. I found quite a bit in these chapters. Very informative.

Chapter 3-Lord, Teach Us How to Pray: "Prayer is one of the most important things we can do because when we pray, we speak with God." I find this opening sentence to be so important and true. Our whole day should be a prayer or conversation with God. This Lent I have found myself praying more especially when I am alone. In the car I pray a little prayer Ruth passed on to me and I would like to share it with all of you. "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner." or I pray "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." I repeat it over and over and sometimes I get the notion that I should shut up and just listen for the Lord to talk to me. I make sure the radio is off and I try to be still in my mind (except for watching the road). Sometimes I get thoughts that are spiritual and other times I wonder where in the world that thought came from. The following two sentences also spoke to me: "if we pray well, we will live well; if we live well, we will die well; and if we die well, all will be well. It's very important, then, to know how to pray well!" Wow!!! I can't say anything more that isn't already said here.

This chapter deals with the inexperienced using formal prayer because they do not know how to pray. They need help regarding how and what to say when speaking to God in prayer. I still need help and I have been praying for many years. Praying the Rosary and other common prayers are like a safety net especially on days when I have trouble focusing. There are formal prayers that I still don't know by heart, like my favorite prayer, the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis. I just love this prayer, but have a mental block as far as memorizing it. The following is also very comforting to see in writing: "--you know it's not possible for Our Lady to turn a deaf ear to your need." I have been turning to Our Lady more and more in the past few months and I do see Her help.

Concentrating on the individual words in my formal prayers helps me to refocus especially when I'm in Adoration. My prayers are now becoming more spontaneous and confident. My greatest challenge some days while praying is to stay focused. I am very easily distracted. It was very comforting to see the comment "distractions are natural". That was like taking a load off my mind. I always have felt guilty when this happens. Some times I even have trouble bringing my mind back. Knowing that my prayer connection with God is broken only when I willfully allow distractions into my mind was very soothing to me. "Involuntary distractions don't offend God" was another soothing comment. Sometimes when trying to refocus, I fall asleep. When I come around I usually feel awful. Someone once told me it's because I feel at ease there and the Lord doesn't mind, but I still feel guilty. When praying with others and I have trouble focusing, it was nice to read that my heavenly Father knows of my trial and will reward my efforts anyways.

This chapter says we never outgrow our need for formal prayer. Truer words were never spoken. I never realized that the psalms covered all aspects of life. This gives me something more to focus in on.

The last two sentences really sum up this chapter. "God gives His gifts as He chooses. But whoever uses formal prayer effectively has already taken the first step into a deeper relationship with the Lord." I couldn't have said it any better.

Chapter 4--Mental Prayer: An Important Help to Growth in Holiness: "If our spiritual life is going to develop properly, we must learn how to meditate, to practice mental prayer." Wow! These opening sentences can really knock your socks off. I have been working on mental prayer for a while but it isn't coming as easily as I hoped. I am very easily distracted and that isn't very good. I end up trying to read in the Bible, read a religious based book, pray the Rosary, etc. After a little while, I try to return to meditating. I try to focus on something that I just read or prayed. I try to get a conversation going with the Lord, but I'm not quite there yet. Pray for me to conquer this hurdle. I talk on this end but I don't really hear anything back. Sometimes I meditate so much on a topic, my mind wanders and bingo, I'm asleep. Other times, I feel the Lord wants me to be quiet and to just listen, but I think I am leading the thoughts. I haven't learned how to discern what are my thoughts and what is coming from the Lord.

Last year during Lent, I watched a documentary on the History channel regarding crucifixtion. The Lord must have endured more pain and humiliation than we can all imagine. When all else fails, I meditate on this. I try to place myself at the Cross. This really hits home with me.

Another topic I found interesting was the comment regarding sentiments of the heart needed for loving and serving the Lord faithfully. The book states that these sentiments lead us to talk to God; otherwise it is just an exercise.

I've learned from this chapter that there are four benefits of mental prayer:
l. It promotes a greater understanding of the teachings of our Catholic faith.
2. Our reflections stir up the vital sentiments of the heart so needed for loving and serving the Lord faithfully.
3. We achieve prayer from the heart or Affective Prayer.
4. It helps us form the resolutions we need to grow in the love of God and neighbor through a conscious and consistent practice of Christian virtues.

The closing sentence, "Mental prayer is a must for growth in Christian holiness.", sums up this chapter. Sounds like I need to work overtime in this department!

Post on Chapter 1 though 6

This is Sunday so we add two more chapters.  Please feel free to post  or comment on the Introduction through chapter 6.  We really look forward to everyone's participation. Don't give up. 

Quote from St. Alphonsus De Liguori

Here is a quote on prayer that I just read:

He who prays is certain to be saved; while he who prays not is certain to be damned.  All the saints were saved, and came to be saints by praying: all the accused souls in hell were lost through neglect of prayer; if they had prayed, it is certain that they would not have been lost. And this will be one of the greatest occasions of their anguish in hell, the thought that they might have saved themselves so easily; that they had only to beg God to help them, but that now the time is past when this could avail them. (from The Necessity of Prayer by St. Alphonsus De Liguori.) 

This is the view of this saint but when one reads the lives of saints one finds they were "prayers" having intimate relationships with the Lord. I think the quote shows the importance of the chapters on prayer that we are reflecting on.   .... May our prayer lives bring us closer to the Lord. 

Ruth: Chapter 4 Mental Prayer

When we are walking humbly with our God we want to communicate intimately with Him.  This chapter shows us the second step that usually occurs in prayer.... that is Mental Prayer. There is a bit more intimacy described here in this chapter.  The author here notes that he began his meditation periods by "thinking about Jesus in the gospels...."  This reminded me of a conversation I recently had with my pastor.  We were talking about prayer and he suggested I meditate on the times when Jesus was alone.  He was alone in the garden, when he was tempted, on a boat, etc.  Sometimes I want to talk to Jesus in those settings and other times just be with Him trying to experience what He must have experienced.  

In my experience of both formal prayer and mental prayer both bring me to desire a deeper union with Jesus...a thirsting for a water that really quenches the thirst. Both help me to know of the love of Jesus and Mary and my call to respond to that love. Page 27 brings that out when it says, "In formal prayer, when we focus on the words of the prayer with our minds, the heart is then moved to love God with the sentiments contained in those words." p. 28 " " our reflections stir up the vital sentiments of the heart so needed for loving and serving the Lord faithfully."  And as it says on p. 29 this is all to lead to a deeper knowledge and more intense mutual love. 

So I think formal prayer and mental prayer are like taking baby steps toward the Lord in the hopes of being caught by arms that are reaching out in love to catch us. We are reaching out to God and He is always there, even when we are not conscience of it, He is reaching out to embrace us into the depths of His love. 

Ruth: Chapter 3 - Lord Teach Us to Pray

I liked how the author did not knock formal prayer but showed its rightful place in our Christian prayer life.  I think that Fr. Apostoli did a nice job of clearly and briefly explaining this basic element of prayer.

In this chapter, we begin to look at the development of our spiritual life by looking at how we speak with God through the use of formal prayers. The author says the following about formal prayers "Often these prayers have a depth or beauty or inspirational quality that pulls us in and helps us draw near to God." ... "in praying them we make them our own."  In these prayers we lift up our minds and hearts to God praying the words as our own.  Some of the simple formal prayers that I love to pray are: "We adore them O Christ, and we bless Thee, because by they holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world." "Jesus, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner" "Oh, Sacrament most holy, oh, Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be ever moment thine." There is also the Prayer of St. Ignatius, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Stations of the Cross, etc.  These are all formal prayers that we can pray individually, as families or in community settings. To me they are often prayer starters that lead me deeper into prayer.  .......What are your favorite formal prayers?

As much as I yearn for uninterrupted blissful prayer times I find myself easily distracted just as the author noted. The book suggests that when distractions come we should try to gently refocus on God.  What I have been doing for a long time now is to pray for the distraction (person or thing) before casting it aside to refocus on the Lord. ...... I look forward to hearing about how you deal with distractions in prayer.  

Following this Blog?

Please let us know if you are just following this blog or hope to post.  It would be interesting to know who is following it and who wants to participant but doesn't have the book or time yet.

I hope to post tomorrow on chapters 3 & 4. I have had company this week so I am behind on my posting. 

Ruth - Update

It is Sunday, so we add two more chapters. Please feel free to start posting on Chapters 3 and 4. 

Please don't let this scare you off if you are just starting to post.  Carol caught up in one evening. The chapters are short which is a helpful to all of us with limited time available to post.