How is mental prayer different from meditation? Or are they same? This lesson discusses how to begin meditating on Sacred Scripture, why it is important to do so, and some of the many varieties of meditation.
Discussion Questions Answer these questions in our private Forum:
What is your preferred method of meditating on Scripture? Do you pray mental prayer at a specific time and place daily? Sources and Further Reading Below are links to the sources used in this lesson, as well as other resources to supplement your learning.
Sources
1. The Book of Her Life by St. Teresa, ch. 8, no. 52653 , 2705-8 The Soul of the Apostolate Into the Deep, Novo Millenio Ineunte ,Rom 8:26
Additional Free Resource
A Simple Method of Meditation on Scripture (blog post)
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Now that we’ve covered the basics, we will spend the last 4 lessons digging more deeply into how to grow in prayer. We start by learning why we should pray the Rosary and how to improve our praying of it.
Discussion Questions Answer these questions in our private Forum:
How can you deepen your personal praying of the Rosary? How has the Rosary made a difference in your life? Sources and Further Reading Below are links to the sources used in this lesson, as well as other resources to supplement your learning.
Sources
JP II, On the Most Holy Rosary (RVM) , CCC, nos. 2673–82 Time for God, Additional Free Resource
Dan Burke and Connie Rossini on At Home with Jim and Joy on EWTN, talking about The Contemplative Rosary and growing in prayer.
Additional Paid Resource
The Contemplative Rosary by Dan Burke and Connie Rossini
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When we understand the different categories of Christian prayer, we can begin to talk about the importance of each. This lesson presents three ways that theologians traditionally divide types of prayer.
Discussion Questions Answer these questions in our private Forum:
How do you incorporate the different forms of prayer into your personal prayer? Which of the expressions of prayer currently has most meaning for your life? Sources and Further Reading Below are links to the sources used in this lesson, as well as other resources to supplement your learning.
Sources
St. Teresa of Avila, The Book of Her Life, CCC, nos. 1069, 1174, 2597, 2623–54, 2697–2724 Additional Free Resource
Beginning to Prayer from the Heart (blog post/newspaper column)
Reminder Questions about the course of prayer in general? Submit your questions here if you haven’t already.
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Prayer or meditation (or both) are found in every religion. What makes Christian prayer unique? We discuss some problematic prayer practices to get at the heart of what it means to pray as a Christian.
Discussion Questions Answer these questions in our private Forum:
Have you ever fallen prey to erroneous teachings on prayer? Tell us about your experience. How do you make your prayer into a dialog with God? Sources and Further Reading Below are links to the sources used in this lesson, as well as other resources to supplement your learning.
Sources
ON SOME ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN MEDITATION , My Soul Thirsts for God, for the Living God, esp. nos. 8, 12, and 24 (see Materials tab to download Veronica Salazar’s translation)Additional Free Resource
Christian Prayer is Much More than Eastern Meditation (blog post)
Additional Paid Resource
Buddhism from a Catholic Perspective by Paul Williams
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Sometimes it seems that God ignores our prayers or even turns His back on us when we ask for something we truly need. How can we make our prayers more efficacious?
Discussion Questions Answer these questions in our private Forum:
Share with us a time when you persevered and finally had your prayer answered. Share a time when your prayer went unanswered. Are you still struggling to understand why? Sources and Further Reading Below are links to the sources used in this lesson, as well as other resources to supplement your learning.
Sources
Epistle of St. James; Luke 11:9–13, 18:1; Mt 6:8, 15:21–28 Three Ages of the Interior Life by Fr. Reginald Garrigou-LagrangeCatechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2559, 2735 Additional Free Resource
Seeking the Face of God in Praye r (an old blog post that connects the theme of this lesson with that of Lesson 5)
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In this lesson, we discuss Mary and Martha and the “one thing necessary.” How do we balance prayer and good works? What about the duties of our state in life or vocation? Can we really serve God if we do not spend time with Him alone daily?
Discussion Questions Answer these questions in our private Forum:
Are you naturally more like Mary or Martha? How has this affected your spiritual life? What are some concrete ways you personally can put prayer first? Sources and Further Reading Below are links to the sources used in this lesson, as well as other resources to supplement your learning.
Sources
Thirsting for Prayer Luke 2:19, 6:12, 10:38–42, Matthew 3:9 CCC, nos. 2739, 2744–5 The Soul of the Apostolate ,Additional Free Resource
Time Alone with God (blog post)
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