The Battle of Prayer
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Responding to the Gift (2725)
Prayer is a gift to which we must respond. This presupposes effort. All the great scriptural figures (including Christ himself) show that prayer is a battle, both against ourselves and against Satan the tempter. We pray as we live because we live as we pray. Therefore, we must habitually live by the Spirit so we can pray in the Spirit.
Four False Ideas (2726)
There are some erroneous notions of prayer:
- Prayer is a psychological activity
- Prayer is concentration to reach a mental void
- Prayer is mere ritual
- Prayer is an occupation for which the believer "does not have time"
Discouragement comes about because people do not realize that true prayer comes from the Spirit not from ourselves.
Four Wrong Attitudes (2727)
There are wrong attitudes (coming from the mentality of this present world) which believes that:
- Only what can be verified by science is true. Prayer deals with mysteries.
- Only producing is important. Prayer is unproductive.
- Only sensuality and comfort are exalted. Prayer involves being caught up in the glory of God.
- Life means activism. Prayer seems to be a withdrawal from the world.
Four Problems in Failure (2728)
There are four failures in prayer:
- Discouragement from dryness
- Sadness caused by material attachments
- Disappointment over not being heard
- Refusal to accept prayer as an unmerited gift
All these lead to the conclusion "What good is it to pray?" Three virtues are needed - humility, trust, and perseverance.
Distractions (2729-2730)
Distractions in prayer are an habitual difficulty. The secret is to turn our heart away from their causes (our attachments). We must have a preferential love for the Lord. This leads us to a purified heart and a choice to serve the right master.
This battle demands vigilance (a sobriety of the heart). Jesus spoke of his own coming, each day and on the final day. Even if the bridegroom comes at midnight, our lights must be lit. "Come, seek his face" (Ps 27:8).
Dryness in Prayer (2731)
The problem of dryness belongs to contemplative prayer when the person has no taste for thoughts and feelings even spiritual ones. In this moment of sheer faith the person must cling to Jesus. If this dryness comes from "lack of roots," the battle requires a conversion.
Lack of Faith (2732)
The most common temptation is a lack of faith which comes from the thousand cares which vie for priority in our life. What is our real love? Do we really believe in the Lord? Do we really believe his words? "Apart from me, you can do nothing."
Spiritual Sloth (2733)
Presumption can lead to acedia (spiritual sloth), a depression coming from lax ascetical practices and decreased vigilance. Discouragement, although painful, is the reverse of presumption. For the humble, this distress can lead to greater constancy in prayer.
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