Twenty years ago, when I returned to the Lord and our Church after more than a decade away, I found that I had forgotten all those rote prayers we learned in grade school. Coming into it “cold” so to speak, I came up with my own way of praying which consisted of laying on the living room floor with my headphones on and listening to instrumental music. I would imagine myself with Jesus or Mary and “talk” to them from my heart or just let the music conjure up emotions of love or joy and bring them to God.
Little did I know at the time, but I was engaging in a rudimentary form of mental prayer. Funny, but even after I “remembered” those beloved rote prayers such as the Rosary, Act of Contrition, etc., this type of one-on-one prayer remained my favorite, and I can understand why. It’s always fresh, never the same every day, and can be so enlightening as to be downright life-changing.
For instance, take a moment to imagine what it would be like if Jesus showed up on your doorstep. He might be dressed as He often appears on holy cards – in a plain white tunic that reaches to the floor and a scarlet cape draped over one shoulder. His hair would be long and brown and clean and slightly curled at the ends. His eyes would be remarkably easy to look into, gentle and clear and full of quiet joy.
Of course you would invite Him inside and probably seat Him in your favorite chair. He’d motion for you to come and sit by his feet, then ever so gently ask, “So how are you? What’s been going on in your life?”
Sit back for a moment, close your eyes, and imagine yourself in this scene. What would you say if you had a chance to engage in a one-on-one conversation with the Son of God right in your own living room?
However you might answer that question is immaterial. What matters is what you’re doing when you attempt to answer it – engaging in mental prayer.
Yes, it’s that simple, that easy.
Spiritual masters have long counseled the faithful that 30 minutes a day of this kind of prayer can do more for one’s spiritual life than two theology degrees and a whole library of spiritual books.
This is what prompted St. Teresa of Avila to say, “The person who is fully determined to make a half hour’s mental prayer every morning, cost what it may, has already traveled half his journey.”
As simple as it is, however, for many people, it’s the most difficult kind of prayer for a variety of reasons. Some find it difficult to pray without the “props” of vocal prayer. Others find it too difficult to sustain for long before being assailed by distractions. Then there are those who feel unworthy of such intimate one-on-one contact with God. Heart-to-heart is a tad too close for comfort!
The good news is that God already knows what is preventing us from having the kind of closer contact with Him that mental prayer affords; we’re the ones who need to make these discoveries. But once we do, we can immediately turn to Him for help, which is the first step toward overcoming these challenges.
From there, the beginner’s next step is to commit some time every day to this kind of prayer, usually just a few minutes at first, and stick to it no matter how many distractions or how “poorly” it seems to be going. God will reward your efforts in due time.
St. Teresa suggests that we use a picture of Jesus to form an appealing image of Him in our minds, but warns us not to strain or overtax our minds in this practice.
“I am not asking you now to think of Him or to form numerous conceptions of Him, or to make long and subtle meditations with your understanding,” she says. “I am asking you only to look at him.”
See Him sitting on the couch in your living room, content just to be there with you, whether you are speaking to Him or not. Once you are conscious of Our Lord’s presence, she says, the soul needs only to look upon Him and conversation with follow.
I have found that the perfect place to start is to talk about what you’re feeling as you embark on this new prayer path: “Lord, this feels awkward!” or “I can’t think of what to say!” The more honest and heartfelt, the better.
Give it a try and consider keeping a journal as you do. Jot down the different insights and inspirations that might have come to you during this time. You’ll be amazed at what this will reveal about you – and the Lord – over time!
