Learn how to improve your prayer life with a 4-part roadmap proposed by Fr. Mike Schmitz. Dive into the impact of distractions on prayer, navigating distractions with gentleness, and enhancing prayer through presence and reflection.
Showing up is foundational in good prayer, setting the stage for a meaningful connection with God.
Actively combat distractions and reflect on prayer experiences to deepen engagement and foster continuous dialogue with God.
Deep dives
Showing Up in Prayer
The key aspect of good prayer is showing up. Being physically present and willing to engage with prayer forms the foundation. Father Mike emphasizes that the act of showing up is a controllable aspect of prayer, setting the minimal yet essential criterion for a fruitful prayer experience. By acknowledging the significance of simply being present, individuals lay the groundwork for a meaningful connection with God.
Navigating Distractions and Seeking Reflection
Father Mike delves into the importance of actively participating in prayer by addressing intentional and unintentional distractions. He highlights the need to combat distractions such as phone usage or wandering thoughts through gentle redirection back to a focus on the Lord. Moreover, he suggests reflecting on prayer experiences by capturing insights or struggles from the session. By seeking to carry a significant takeaway from each prayer moment forward, individuals deepen their engagement with God and foster a continuous dialogue through introspection and written reflection.
Does good prayer feel out of reach for you? Do distractions plague you unceasingly? Are you wondering if you're supposed to be getting more out of prayer time?
Fr. Mike proposes a simple 4-part roadmap to better, more fulfilling prayer time. It's not difficult—it just takes practice.