Ok, ok I am working on posting more regularly again. Lets just hope I think about it at a time (i.e. not driving to work) and place (i.e. not church) when I can actually do it… In my defense I had written a whole other post last week, but after reviewing it I’m not sure if I want to post it. One of the main reasons is that the content is something important and meaningful to me, but looks almost lame and boring just written out on paper (or typed out on a blog). Some things just aren’t meant to be shared. We shall see.
I am reviving an old theme I used when I first started this blog. On the recommendation of the author by my spiritual director I picked up the book Time for God by Rev. Jacques Phillipe. In one sentence, it is a wonderfully simple and wise book about mental prayer.
Of course you are going to get more than one sentence from me!
The subtitle of the book is “a guide to mental prayer” but the author is quick to point out that mental prayer doesn’t have “a method”, meaning that there is not just one set of things one can do and BOOM you can do mental prayer. As someone who sometimes struggles with mental prayer – the kind with just you and God – this was good to read.
The first section is well worth your time and is entitled: Mental prayer is not a technique but a grace. Father then goes on to describe elements and attitudes that are important for mental prayer. One part that was particularly helpful to me was about fidelity and perseverance. He says:
“Someone who sets out on a life of prayer should aim in the first place at fidelity. What matters is not whether our mental prayer is beautiful, or whether it works, or whether it is enriched by deep thoughts and feelings, but whether it is persevering and faithful.”
I think this is really important to understand. As people who strive to be closer to our God and Savior, we can sometimes get worried that we aren’t good enough or doing it right. But that is not the important part. That whole section is quite enlightening.
The other sections are also very interesting. One section deals with how to use time in mental prayer (again, formed on the foundation that there is not “one method”) and another deals with the material conditions for mental prayer (time, place, physical attitudes).
Finally, Father does give some methods of mental prayer. But not in the “do 1, 2, 3 and then you are in ecstasy” type of method. But just some traditional ways of doing mental prayer that one might try. He talks about the rosary, meditation and the Jesus Prayer of the Eastern tradition. While this was interesting, I found that the core of the book was about putting yourself in the right place for prayer and understanding what mental prayer is and is not.
I highly recommend this book, for those starting in a life of mental and those a bot more advanced. It has that simple wisdom that can really be transformative in your life.
Just read the book.
Your sister in Christ,
~K
