Byzantine Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I feel like I'm just talking to myself/thin air or repeating a mantra. Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Don't repeat mantras then. Talk to Jesus as if He were sitting beside you and open up your heart to Him. Then just sit in silence and let Him speak to your heart without words. Listening is more important than speaking, but listen with the ears of your heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byzantine Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 Thanks nunsense! Just to make it clear, it [i]feels[/i] like I'm repeating a mantra. I'm actually saying the Jesus Prayer, a short and ancient prayer of the Byzantine Churches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 [quote name='Byzantine' timestamp='1331431734' post='2398904'] Thanks nunsense! Just to make it clear, it [i]feels[/i] like I'm repeating a mantra. I'm actually saying the Jesus Prayer, a short and ancient prayer of the Byzantine Churches. [/quote] Byz - I assumed it was a Christian 'mantra' like the Jesus prayer. I often simply use the word 'Jesus' when I am praying so I do understand. But since it is feeling like a mantra to you rather than a prayer of the heart, perhaps it is time to stop reciting it for a little while, and just sit in silent adoration. The hesychast prayer of the heart comes to mind, allowing God to warm your heart while you simply sit and adore Him. It can be a bit more difficult to do without hanging your mind on a repetitive phrase or word, but it does allow you to let God speak without interruption. Perhaps looking at an icon or crucifix and simply asking Him to come into your heart and teach you how to be with Him might help in the beginning. Think about Him but without words. Let your mind wander over His life, His love for us, His passion and death, and His final triumph. Be with Him by allowing Him to be with you. A really good place to do this kind of prayer is in front of the Blessed Sacrament, when you can adore His presence. He already loves you more than any words could convey, so just bathe in His beauty and love for you. I'm no one to teach you how to pray - these are just some ideas that have helped me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 (edited) I agree with Nunsense about just talking to Jesus and opening your heart to Him.. When it's difficult to pray, I found it's helpful to just go pray by the Blessed Sacrament and talk to Jesus as you would talk to your best friend. (because He is that ). Try to pray with trust and faith that He is there and hears you. Sometimes I've found we block God's graces because we don't trust enough (not saying that's the case for you, but just a general comment). God bless Edited March 13, 2012 by MarysLittleFlower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Sometimes, that "talking to air" feeling just happens. It's not always a sign of something wrong. A lot of people feel like that when they pray most of the time, even. Switch it up. If something isn't feeling beneficial for you right now, move to another form of prayer. Start reading a new book. Come back to the Jesus prayer at another time. I have a similar, on-again, off-again relationship with the Liturgy of the Hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 [quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1331661630' post='2400162']I have a similar, on-again, off-again relationship with the Liturgy of the Hours.[/quote] me too! we're off again right now. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 [quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1331664375' post='2400191'] me too! we're off again right now. lol [/quote] I need to send you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I go for Lectio Devina when my normal prayers of the Liturgy of the hours, Rosary, and silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament need a bit of a lift. I find it a wonderful way that God often shows me something and lets me talk to him about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) i must add the compendium of the chatechism states with such prayer of the spirit(simple coversations with god) one is best to add an our father at the end. Someone taught me to say the our father really slowly sometimes and really chew on the words that helps when i'm semi arid too. hope that helps Edited April 9, 2012 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) probably even good to say the our father slowly sometimes whether arid,semi arid or in a garden and just chew the fodder completely before digesting like a sheep lol Edited April 9, 2012 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autumn Dusk Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 There's something to be said for repeating. Humans are direly in need of habits and rituals, which is why God worked through the Church as we know it. I wouldn't actually be afraid of this "mantra" theory becuase perhaps there is something to it. God has spoken atleast a little bit of truth through all faiths, so even if it feels a bit new-agey as long as you're sticking to the Church's prayers I wouldn't worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Yes. It's always helped me to know that St. Teresa of Avila used to shake her hour glass to make the sand fall faster. Makes me feel more like I am in the club, know what I mean? And Teresa was a great one for repeating prayers slowly and using a book. So yes, I think you pray as you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Sometimes I feel when I'm talking to God He isn't paying attention, so instead I sing to Him My current favorites are "Jesus, rememeber me" and "Dona nobis pacem". You can also open the Scriptures to a Gospel, read a pericope, ponder it, and then in silence see what God is telling you about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 I understand your feelings. Recently I began to say the Rosary a couple of times a week. I was speaking to a Pentecostal friend of mine, and he couldn't really understand what I get out of repetitive prayer or how it motivates me (or why I even say a Marian prayer, but that's opening up a new can of worms). I find that when we learn a prayer well enough to recite from memory, we are able to move beyond the words to focus on a deeper meaning. Now that I know how to say the Rosary, instead of trying to remember the words to "Hail, Holy Queen" I'm occupying my mind with thoughts of and praise for Mary and Christ. My mind travels down new, glorious avenues. So I do believe repeated prayer is useful and important. Find a mode of prayer that best suits you. I like to combine repetitive prayer with reading Scripture or prayer books, listening to sacred music, or just sitting and thinking about God and His splendour. It varies from person to person. Just follow a path that leaves you feeling the most fulfilled and that gives you the greatest opportunity to be one with Our Lord. I will pray for God to give you strength and guidance. He's always with us, it's just a matter of searching for Him always in every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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