well, I don't think you should be too impressed...I fall down quite a bit and sometimes can't even complete a daily rosary. I was in a dry patch from a prayer perspective until recently. What brought me out of the dry patch was a combination of things, but it started with super-storm sandy, the US election results, and Padraig's feeling that something big/catastrophic was going to happen in the US soon. Both Padraig and Mark Mallet were writing how the period of warning is pretty much up and the events are really, really upon us. That made me much more determined to pray for my family, as most are quite far from God if they even believe in Him at all. Then the Medj Nov 2nd message really made me realize I need to act more like an apostle (praying & fasting), and not just taking this responsibility lightly. It was the Nov 2nd message that also made me add the prayer for priests and the beautiful threads here recently on the souls in purgatory inspired me to add the prayer for souls in purgatory, which I plan on doing through November. So, it's really only recently I've begun praying extremely hard again, and my inspirations for why are above. I believe these times require us to pray as much as we can and we need to use any and all inspirations that move us to act.
Learning to pray did not come easy to me. First thing in the morning on my knees, I yawned,was sleepy: FAIL Last thing at night, on my knees, I yawned,was tired: FAIL Any time I got on my knees in my house I was distracted, of course all these attempts were to pray the rosary and on my knees and it didnt work. But there is a saying 'Pray as you can, not as you can't'. I eventually figured out, that I could take a nightly walk and pray the rosary. There is a nice little park nearby which mostly provides solitude. That habit lasted a few years. Then I questioned why I wasnt starting my day in prayer, this easily led to praying in the morning on my knees the rosary (but still troublesome at times procrastination)...finally could work up some prayer discipline on my knees. Not immediately upon waking but after 20,30 or so minutes,after some coffee etc. If I dont get started soon enough, then I go outside for a rosary walk instead of procrastinating longer. I've had a 2 rosary a day prayer habit for some time now. With extra devotions at either noon or 3pm if I can fit them in--not mandatory for me yet. Most recently, I've added immediately upon waking: rising from bed, sitting on side of the bed, looking at the crucifix and BVM I start expressing my feelings/praise from the heart,eclectic prayer ....this is appx 3 minutes or so in the morning. Essentially you need to build up your devotions or habits. Saints dont become saints overnight, they build up step by step. From my experience, I suggest establishing a 1 Rosary a day habit, the rest should proceed. . . .
I have just learned about contemplative prayer about 4 months ago. When do you know that you are ready. Can you still do contemplative prayer in grave sin. When I miss church on Sundays because I oversleep, I feel unworthy to even attempt contemplative prayer. I've tried seeking spritual direction from my local priest but he hasn't really told me what to do besides it is good to contemplate God, nature etc.
I don't believe Contemplative prayer is aquired but given. I don't believe one could be given such a gift unless one were avoiding grave, habitual (mortal ) sin. On the other hand I think people accuse themselves of grave sin often too easily. We call it mortal because it causes soul death. Sometimes I think people talk of going into and out of mortal sin easily like a revolving door. I think far better than , 'Aiming' for Contemplative pratyer is a mistake. Better just to aim to keep up ordinary prayer. THe roasary is in my opinion the Queen of Prayers. Its no accident that MAry when she appears carries the beads in her hands. I wouldn't worry about, 'Failing' so long as we are trying.
I think I understand what it is you are saying. That contemplative prayer should come from God and we should not be trying to learn how to do it. Maybe you can give me some advise Padraig. I truly believe that out of the many times I have laid down and meditated on Our Lord after saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, that I experienced this "unknown", about 5 times. The first time I experienced it, I didn't know what to make of it so I held back from relaxing in that moment. 4 years later, I learned it was called contemplative prayer. So I tried it again, this time without holding back and there was such a peace, I just knew Our Lord was there with me. When I would get up, the happiness I experienced was like nothing I had ever before. But these are rare experiences for me and thats why I had questions about it. I thought maybe, I was doing something wrong.
THere is a part of scripture that I think of when I read of prayer gifts like this.It speaks of angels, 'Going up and down'. John 1:51 New International Version (NIV) 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you,[a] you[b] will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’[c] the Son of Man.” In this we are like the angels in prayer,we move about. As in all libing ,vibrant relationships we go , 'up' and 'down'. I think this is one of the great beauties of true prayer that one minute all can be calm the next the Lord reaches down and hugs us.
