Practical Steps for Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores how to integrate Ignatian meditation and contemplation into daily life by offering practical methods for selecting scripture passages. He highlights two primary approaches: using the daily Mass readings for a structured connection to the liturgical year or systematically working through a Gospel with flexibility to revisit passages that resonate deeply. Using simple spiritual commentaries to enrich understanding, he suggests finding a balance between structure and adaptability to sustain daily prayer.

Perseverance is crucial through spiritual ups and downs. Drawing from saints like St. Catherine of Siena and St. John Paul II, who advocate for prayer as the foundation of spiritual growth, Fr. Gallagher shares a practical spiritual program from Venerable Bruno Lanteri, encouraging daily meditation, spiritual reading, and an examen. He concludes with an encouraging reminder from Romans 8:26 that the Holy Spirit aids our weakness in prayer, offering hope and strength for a faithful prayer life.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Incorporating Scripture into Daily Prayer: How can I structure my daily prayer using either the daily Mass readings or a systematic reading of a Gospel while remaining flexible to the Spirit’s promptings?
Utilizing Spiritual Commentaries: What role can a simple spiritual commentary play in deepening my understanding of Scripture during prayer?
Persevering Through Spiritual Highs and Lows: How can I remain faithful to daily prayer amidst both spiritual consolation and desolation?
Following Practical Spiritual Practices: How can I incorporate daily meditation, spiritual reading, and an examen into my life as recommended by Venerable Bruno Lanteri?
Relying on the Holy Spirit in Prayer: How can I trust in the Holy Spirit’s assistance when I feel weak or unsure in my prayer life?

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio, which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org

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