Fiery life

If we permit the love of God to replace our cares in the world, and if we give ourselves over to steady prayer and meditation, we will soon find our attitude and behavior changing. We will stop racing from one thing to another. We will rest in tranquility and peace.

A stable. spiritual life requires much prayer and devout singing of psalms. Evil is only conquered by continual prayer.

Prayer can become habitual. Whether praying or meditating, it is possible to focus our attention on God. In this kind of prayer we do not think of anything in particular. Our whole will is directed toward God. The Holy Spirit burns in our soul. God is at the very heart of our being. Our prayers are made with affection, and they become effective. If our prayers require words, we do not rush. We can offer every syllable as a prayer in itself. The love burning in us will give fiery life to our prayers.

Prayer of this kind is a delight.


--Richard Rolle, The Mending of Life
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Waiting until God is heard

As my prayer became more attentive and inward, I had less and less to say. I finally became completely silent… This is how it is. To pray does not mean to listen to oneself speaking. Prayer involves becoming silent, and being silent, and waiting until God is heard.

-- Søren Kierkegaard

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Perhaps you are not able

Perhaps you are not able to pray silently. Many people are poor at this. Here is an easy way to get started. There are several ways in which you can place yourself in God's presence.

Consider how God is present in all things and in all places. Wherever the birds fly, they are constantly in the air; wherever we go, God is always there. Instead of merely assenting to this, it is necessary to make the realization of its truth live for us. Since we can't see God physically present, we need to activate our consciousness. Before praying we need to remind ourselves of God's actual presence. A good way to do this is with Bible verses. If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. Remember that God is not only where you are, he is actually in your heart, in the core of your spirit. "For in him we live and move and have our being." ... When you know God is present, your soul will bow down before his majesty and ask for help. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

--St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life

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How to pray the rosary

Another straightforward explanation here.

p.s. If you aren't Catholic and think you're not into this, it may be worth praying with the beads using more familiar prayers. For example, pray the Jesus prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner) for each of the decade beads, ending with an Our Father and Glory Be.... The repetition aids meditation.