Prayer and the Spiritual Life

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What is God's Answer to Human Suffering?
by Dr. Peter Kreeft

"The answer must be someone, not just something. For the problem (suffering) is about someone (God—why does he... why doesn't he ...?) rather than just something. To question God's goodness is not just an intellectual experiment. It is rebellion or tears. It is a little child with tears in its eyes looking up at Daddy and weeping, "Why?" This is not merely the philosophers' "why?" Not only does it add the emotion of tears but also it is asked in the context of relationship. It is a question put to the Father, not a question asked in a vacuum..." read more

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Maturity in Knowledge
by Deacon Mike Bickerstaff

Service of God through service of others must flow from an ever-deepening love of God for it to be effective and life-giving in the life of grace. Such love of God, to be authentic, requires that we know God as He is and not as we imagine Him to be. Thus the order of the instruction in our catechism teaches us that we are to know, love and serve God in this world through which we journey to our true home with Him in heaven. This is why continuing to grow in authentic knowledge of God by both study and prayer is so important to our spiritual growth in love of God... read more

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"Jesus": The Shortest, Simplest, and Most Powerful Prayer in the World
by Dr. Peter Kreeft

I am now going to tell you about the shortest, simplest, and most powerful prayer in the world. It is called the "Jesus Prayer", and it consists simply in uttering the single word "Jesus" (or "Lord Jesus", or "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner") in any situation, at any time and place, either aloud or silently... read more

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Listen to Podcast I Fall To My Knees - A Reflection on Eucharistic Adoration
by Randy Hain (6 min 34 sec)

In the True Presence of Christ, I fall to my knees. I am humbled to be so near Him in the form of the Eucharist. A feeling of peace and joy comes over me. I start to pray in earnest because our Lord hears our prayers... read more

(originally podcast on The Integrated Life on July 17, 2009)

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An Examination of Conscience
by Fr. John A. Hardon S.J.

If there is one part of the spiritual life that St. Ignatius stressed, it was the daily – and even twice daily – examination of conscience. As we read the Spiritual Exercises, we may be overwhelmed by the minute detail of St. Ignatius' treatment of what he calls the particular examination of conscience. At the same time, he is careful to provide, "Some Notes on Scruples." It is very important, therefore, that we form a clear and correct conscience. This means that we cultivate a sensitive judgment which is alert to the least offense against the Divine will and, at the same time, protect ourselves against the wiles of the evil spirit... read more

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Listen to Podcast A Journey in Prayer by Randy Hain (12 min 50 sec)

I was recently reflecting on my faith journey over the last few years. I converted to Catholicism in 2006 with my wife. I was raised in the Baptist church until I stopped attending as a 15 year old and had no relationship with God until I experienced a powerful personal conversion in late 2005 while attending my second mass. My 23 years in the “spiritual wilderness” were challenging in that my life revolved around only work and then after my marriage, family and work. God was always watching over me during these years, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him and I certainly didn’t pray to Him until after my conversion and surrender to His will... read more

(originally podcast on November 10, 2008)

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Lesson One in Prayer by Dr. Peter Kreeft

Let's get very, very basic and very, very practical about prayer. The single most important piece of advice I know about prayer is also the simplest: Just do it! How to do it is less important than just doing it. Less-than-perfect prayer is infinitely better than no prayer; more perfect prayer is only finitely better than less perfect prayer... read more

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Time and Prayer by Dr. Peter Kreeft

Recently I was late getting a manuscript to an editor. My excuse? By far the most popular one in America: I had "no time." Let's examine that excuse. Why do we all seem to have no time for anything, much less for prayer? I am constantly feeling guilty about this, and I suspect most of you are too. I think the single biggest obstacle to our relationship with God (after sin, of course) is "no time." ... read more

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Daily Examen for Busy Business People

Taken from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, these few minutes of prayer reflection and self-examination will help you stay focused on the work of God in your life and grow in holiness... read more

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Why Men Don't Pray by Fr. Thomas D. Williams, LC

Ask any catechized Catholic whether prayer is important, and he will immediately assure you that it is. He may even enthusiastically spout a series of reasons why we should pray. Then ask him how much he prays. He will probably look at the floor, shift his weight nervously from foot to foot, and murmur an inaudible excuse as to how tough it is these days...with work and all...and the family... read more

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