Do you have questions on prayer? What causes aridity in prayer? Dan and Melissa discuss topics of aridity and distractions in prayer. They also share some important aspects of their personal prayer routines and what they have learned in life about prayer.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• How can we fight the feeling of not being engaged when we pray?
• In what way is the soul like the weather?
• What are some causes of aridity in prayer?
• Dan shares some specific aspects of his personal prayer life.
• Looking for God in our everyday life.
• Prayer as a commitment to God.
• What part do the sacraments play in prayer life?

Resources:

• Divine Intimacy Radio on SpiritualDirection.com website
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• Philippians 4:6-7 - "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - USCCB Bible link
• Liturgy of the Hours - about. New Advent link
• iBreviary (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry, mobile version, widgets): Contains the Liturgy of the Hours and also all the readings from the Mass
• How do I Set Up a Home Altar? - post on SpiritualDirection.com
• 30 Days with Teresa of Avila - Dan Burke and Anthony Lilles
• The Interior Castle Study Edition
• Keeping Faith Alive During Life's Dark Nights - Series of posts on SpiritualDirection.com by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
• Daily Examen Prayer Guide - Avila Institute via spiritualdirection.com
• True Devotion to Mary: with Preparation for Total Consecration - St Louis de Montfort
• EWTN - Global Catholic Network
• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link
• Questions? Send an e-mail to Questions@myavila.com or call 818-646-7729.

What does St Peter of Alcántara think are the six things necessary to prayer? How can we use the six things to begin a daily prayer routine? Listen as Dan and Melissa list and explain these six things, and continue their discussion of the book Finding God Through Meditation by St Peter of Alcántara.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• What are some ways to get through the difficult beginning period of developing a daily prayer routine?
• Creative ways to pray when you are physically or mentally tired.
• How can we prepare our mind and soul for prayer?
• What does St Peter recommend we read after we prepare for prayer?
• What are some things to meditate on when beginning a daily prayer routine?
• How to incorporate thanksgiving into a prayer routine.
• What does affective meditation look like?
• Oblation - What can we offer to God as a sacrifice?
• Petition - Putting our desires before God.

Resources:

• Finding God Through Meditation – St. Peter of Alcántara
• Finding God Through Meditation ebook - St. Peter of Alcántara
• Divine Intimacy Radio on SpiritualDirection.com website
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• 30 Days with Teresa of Avila - Dan Burke and Anthony Lilles
• Pray As You Go - website, provides assistance with daily prayer
• Your Advice to Young Mothers Regarding Prayer? - post on SpiritualDirection.com
• EWTN Religious Catalogue - online
• Centering Prayer's Misunderstanding of Contemplation - post on SpiritualDirection.com
• The Divine Praises - prayer
• Lectio Divina, A Guide: What It Is & How It Helps Prayer Life - Post on Spiritual Direction.com
• John 4: 4-42 - The Samaritan Woman (The Woman at the Well) - USCCB Bible link
• John 11: 1-44 - The Raising of Lazarus - USCCB Bible link
• Luke 19: 1-10 - Zacchaeus the Tax Collector - USCCB Bible link
• Affective Meditation Defined - Navigating the Interior Life - post on SpiritualDirection.com
• The Four Waters of Prayer, Part II of II - Post on SpiritualDirection.com by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link
• Questions? Send an e-mail to Questions@myavila.com or call 818-646-7729.

Want to start a new prayer life? Dan and Melissa answer a listeners question on getting started in prayer. Join them as they offer suggestions on developing a prayer habit and reflect on the book Finding God Through Meditation by St Peter of Alcántara.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

• How can I begin a new prayer life if I’ve never successfully established a daily habit?
• How long does it take for a practice to become a habit?
• Why is prayer considered an ascesis?
• Three key points to developing a prayer habit: clarity, community, and accountability.
• How does vocal prayer lead to mental prayer?
• Why does the enemy care about our prayer life?

Resources:

• Finding God Through Meditation – St. Peter of Alcántara
• Finding God Through Meditation ebook - St. Peter of Alcántara
• Divine Intimacy Radio on spiritualdirection.com website
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• Catechism of the Catholic Church - Part 4: Christian Prayer
• The Interior Castle Study Edition
• Luke 11:1-4 - "He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."" - The Lord's Prayer, USCCB Bible link
• Matthew 6:5-8 - Teaching About Prayer - USCCB Bible link
• Lectio Divina, A Guide: What It Is & How It Helps Prayer Life - Post on spiritual direction.com
• The Way of Perfection - St. Teresa of Avila. Contains her explication of The Lord's Prayer
• If Only You Knew...Saint Teresa and the Waters of Prayer - post on spiritual direction.com
• The Book of Her Life - Teresa of Avila
• Catechism of the Catholic Church - Prologue. I. The life of man - to know and love God
• James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds." - USCCB Bible link
• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link
• Questions? Send an e-mail to Questions@myavila.com or call 818-646-7729.