Posted on 07/02/2013 3:31:25 PM PDT by NYer
In his attempt to discourage the faithful, Satan will often tap into the idealism of those who have chosen to pursue a special and dedicated spiritual path. In effect, he will tempt them with a false piety by sowing the thought that they have not done all they could do, that if only they would do more, pray more, fast more etc., they would have better results, or that other souls, or that the world would be in better condition.
Not only do such a thoughts seem pious, but, in fact, such thoughts have some roots in reality. Our finite abilities and capacities mean there will always be more that we can do, more that can be accomplished. Frankly, commitment, for limited creatures like us, can always be expanded in wider directions! And this how Satan discourages the devoted and dedicated soul.
But the trap is this, when you could always do more, you have never done enough! And thus discouragement and the sense of being overwhelmed sets in. Presuming that the call to pray more and more is from God, the vexed soul starts to experience God more as a task-master and slave driver, than as a savior and deliverer. And this is just where Satan wants us: discouraged, angry and fearful.
Therefore, it is important for the dedicated, yet scrupulous or afflicted person to consider, along with a spiritual director, a path and prayers that can reasonably be said, given one’s state in life. And, having done so, to pursue that path steadily, not allowing Satan to discourage them by guilty thoughts and false piety, which says they should do more, and more.
In this regard, St. Ignatius, in the Spiritual Exercises advises the faithful: Age quod agis (Do what you are doing). In other words, stay the course, hold fast and be constant to an agreed-upon, and reasonable spiritual program.
St. Francis De Sales says in his Introduction to the Devout Life, addresses a similar concern when he writes: The practice of devotion must be adapted to the strength, to the occupation, and to the duties of each one in particular…Tell me please, whether it is proper for a bishop to want to lead a solitary life as if he were a monk, or for a working man to spend all day in church like a religious. Is not this sort of devotion…unorganized and intolerable?
St. Augustine also says in his Letter to Proba: More things are accomplished in prayer by sighs and tears, than by many words.
St. Paul does say that we should “Pray always” but by this he means that we should seek the gift to be in living conscious contact with God all through the day. He does not mean prayer in the sense of having suspended all other actions or neglecting other duties.
And thus one should pray daily, but other duties ought not be neglected, including duties to yourself, to sleep, work, family and communal involvement etc. Prayer is to be integrated into our lives, and by God’s grace support us in our other duties. It will be helpful to speak with a pastor, spiritual director or other wise soul to ensure one does not neglect prayer, but neither is one scrupulously anxious of never having done enough.
Each day, having prayed, serenely move to the other duties of the day and do not be unsettled by discouraging thoughts from the devil that you ought to pray longer and with more words. The Lord knows your heart, and your desire for deliverance, and for holiness. And when thoughts occur that you ought to pray more and more and in often burdensome ways, simply say, “Jesus, I trust in your love for me.”
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Prayer, ping!
Since we are to pray without ceasing, the is no enough.
Thank very much you for posting this.
thanks for posting,,
I needed to hear this..
ping for later read
marking
8 Ways to Pray During Lent [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
How do you pray?
How (and Why) of Daily Prayer
Passionate Prayer – Part Two
Passionate Prayer – Part One
Prayer the Great Means of Salvation: Ch.1: The Necessity of Prayer, Sect. 3 Invocation of the Saints
Pray Always
The Mystery and Power of Personal Prayer
The Three Ways of Attention and Prayer; Orthodox/Catholic Caucus
Lesson One in Prayer
Prayer and Suffering
Prayer, Charity and the Joy of Forgiveness (some spiritual catechesis from Cardinal Sean)
Does Prayer Work?--Research and ‘Unanswered’ Prayer
Long-Awaited Medical Study Questions the Power of Prayer
The Power of Prayer
Prayer Study: Humans Fail to Manipulate God
Study fails to show healing power of prayer
Explanation of the Prayer of Saint Michael [Father Robert J. Altier]
24-7 prayer movement spreads on college campuses
Confession for RCIA Candidates And More on the Prayer of the Faithful
Yes, by all means, pray. But if prayer seems not to help enough and life is torture, some people with scruples might have OCD. Medication can help them. Some people have grown up in a Hell-and-Brimstone, Jansenistic atmosphere. Counseling with a compassionate priest might show a scared person the Merciful God, that his parents and/or teachers were unable to communicate properly. The book “He And i” is also excellent at communicating God’s Love.
I prayed and fasted on each debate day last October then on election day. I believe millions of others were prayering too so I was sure the “prolife” candidate would win. I saw it before. But this time I believe the greater good is the future revival after the coming war on our soil. This will bring a real revival of the spirit in Christ. Watch what you pray. Amen!!!
Since we are to pray without ceasing, we must understand what prayer is. When we understand prayer as placing ourselves in the presence of God, and dedicating ourselves to Him ... then everything we do can be, should be, prayer.
Philipians 4:
"Rejoice[c] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.[d] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
If we do not do we will not have the results........." And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I show this to Christians who have no peace. When they really do it they always have peace. It is not just pronouncing we are Christians it is doing it that brings real peace. It is message for all Christians. I do not see any exceptions.
Amen!!!!
AMDG
“For the greater glory of God”.
Thank you for this article, NYer!
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