How to Build Your Prayer Life This Year
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- čas přidán 14. 06. 2024
- Father Mark-Mary shares a goal-setting technique that helped make Google...well, Google. But instead of using this goal-setting technique for worldly gain, Father shows you how to use it to establish a prayer routine that will change your life.
First, you’ll need to develop a taste for prayer. You’ll start with 20 minutes of prayer a day (two sets of 10 minutes). You’ll learn how to make a weekly examen, and you’ll visit the Blessed Sacrament once a week. After three months, you’ll be ready for the next steps.
After developing a taste for prayer, you’ll move on to forming a habit of prayer. You’ll continue your regimen of 20 minutes of daily prayer (10 min, twice daily) and your weekly examen, but you’ll make two of your prayer sessions full, uninterrupted 20 minute periods. And, you’ll add one more visit to the Blessed Sacrament. After three months of establishing this habit, you’ll be ready for the next level of deepening your prayer life.
Once you have formed a habit of prayer, you’ll begin to develop a taste for silence. You’ll continue with your weekly examen and increase your daily prayer time to 30 minutes of prayer. Within those 30 minutes of daily prayer, you’ll pray with scripture 3 times/week, for 10 minutes at a time. Lastly, you’ll make 10 minutes of your daily prayers silent prayer five times a week.
In your final three months of the year, you’ll move on to forming the habit of listening in prayer. At this point, your prayer regimen includes 40 minutes of daily prayer, including 20 minutes of daily silent prayer, 40 total minutes of prayer with scripture weekly and a weekly examen.
It sounds like a lot, but remember, you’ll be getting there by making small incremental changes that build upon steps you’ve already taken. It’s a simple principle, but if you commit to following this goal-setting method, you’ll be a prayer warrior by the end of the year.
Also check out these products on prayer from Ascension:
Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer (ascensionpress.com/collection...)
Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina (ascensionpress.com/products/p...)
How to Pray Like Mary Book + Online Video Access Bundle (ascensionpress.com/collection...)
Pocket Guide to the Rosary (ascensionpress.com/products/p...) - Zábava
Im not a rich man by any means...but i have everything ive ever wanted in life but noticed i still always felt like i was missing something in my life...i started praying the rosary every day and its GOD that i want !!...nothing more...GOD IS WHAT MAKES LIFE HAPPY AND FULLFILLING ..NOT MATERIAL THINGS....GOD IS POWERFUL !
Thank you for all you do. I was confirmed this past Easter and am so happy. I had wanted to join the church since I was 5 years old . I am 48 now. Sometimes I feel lost and disconnected. I think it's because I neglect my prayer life. I read the bible and I pray the rosary but I need more. This plan is wonderful and very doable. God bless you.
This is excellent timing! I have been stressing out about how I'm going to reform my prayer life, since I want to improve it, but can't seem to find anything that works. This is "achievable but challenging" and I'm going to give it my all! Thank you so much for this, Father!!
I like the acronym for the Daily examen given in my diocesan news paper: GRACE. G=Gratitude I write 3 good things (big or small) R=Reflection the good and the bad A=Act of Contrition C=Calendar [actually I get A and C missed up. Plan of Action and Contrition. Either way they work out the same] I write my plan of action into my calendar. End with Exultation. Prayer life/exercise plan. Start slowly and build to ingrain the habit.
@ Deborah Wilson,
Nice! Thank you. :)
Here's one I recently saw:
G.O.S.P.E.L.
G-od's
O-nly
S-on
P-rovides
E-verlasting
L-ife
I wake up at 5:30 to pray everyday I’m slow in the am but I feel at peace when I pray in the am.
These are very helpful suggestions! For anyone that just wants to jump right in, consider praying the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary in one sitting. It takes about 50 minutes. You could also do 30 minutes of Eucharistic Adoration on alternate days. You could also go to Mass a few times a week and Confession twice a month.
Service to the lord and his worship is our destiny, it sure sounds like a resolution for the coming year ahead.
Thank you again Fr. Mark-Mary
You Friars are such joyful men of God. My heart is full watching you and joining you monthly at CATHOLIC UNDERGROUND GOD BLESS!
Give yourself the time and liberty to spend time with Christ in prayers, you will know all your answers well!
As I expected, another exceptional video by Fr. Mark-Mary. Thank you Ascension Presents, too.
This is inspiring, Fr. Mark-Mary! The video hardly started and I was already excited.
I have two questions:
1. What is silent prayer? Is it not speaking outloud, but thinking the words, or is it being quite and listening for God's voice?
2. Would you be willing to do a follow-up video for each transitional phase, as it is arriving, in order to encourage and give further insight?
Great suggestion for follow-up videos.
Great questions! Sorry for using the phrase "silent prayer." I think "mental prayer" is probably the less confusing phrase. I want to encourage "pondering these things in your heart" like Our Lady did and also speaking to God from your heart (as opposed to a prayer life which is strictly vocal or formal prayers -- like the recitation of litanies.)
I'm open to the follow up videos, but as long as people show interest. If this suggestion gets a lot of feedback, I'd definitely be willing to make it happen.
I think follow-up videos are a great idea!
I'd also really benefit from doing a quarterly checkup video on this.
@@fr.mark-maryames3916
Who is your "Lady"?
Surely prayer should be to God in the face of the Lord Jesus Christ!
I'm trying this for 2021, and I'll be back here next year :)
Father Mark Mary your videos are my absolute favorite!! Thank you for this video!
Would you consider making a video on the best way to read holy scripture & the catechism in a year (in addition to the mass readings).
Wishing you a blessed Christmas ❤️
Pax Christi ~
Deena
3 chapters a day =15 minutes/day. Can read cover to cover in one year. I currently have a subscription to Our Daily Bread which gives an OT and NT reading (minus the books only in the Catholic Bible). Fr. Mark Goring just did a CZcams video with a pamphlet that has a yearly plan that includes an OT/NT reading plus an excerpt from the CCC. It would have been nice if the video had a link to the flyer. You may like to watch Fr. Goring's video. The flyer would fit nicely inside your Bible.
@@deborahwilson6970 A little longer than a year at that pace (unless you aren't considering the Psalms as part of your chapter count). I've been reading cover to cover for the past several years and at 30 chapters a week it takes over 10 months. (And that's just Sacred Scripture; doesn't include Catholic Wife's Catechism question - basically we have a lot of reading to do.)
@@paulmiller3469 When I first started reading cover to cover on a daily basis, I did include the psalms. I did leave out the part of the instructions that my Sunday reading was 5 chapters. I started by reading the NAB, since that is the translation used in the United States for the liturgy. Following the example of somebody else, I began to read different translations each year using the pacing method. The first time I had actually read the Bible, not using any particular pacing method was when my mother gave me a children's version. It's easy to read 10 chapters of Genesis in a day, not so easy to read several chapters of Chronicles. In high school, I was the only student reading the Douay-Rheims while everybody else read King James when we had a unit on the Bible as literature. For those just beginning, a person does not need to feel overwhelmed when committing 15 minutes to Scripture reading. If it takes a little longer, or a day is missed, don't worry about it. Like an exercise program, or a diet, come back to where you left off. It's about the transformation that takes place, more than the information gained. When I reached the point where Moses took off his sandals because God commanded him to, that is when I began to take off my footwear during my prayer time.
@@deborahwilson6970 I read NAB for the reason you mentioned. I have an RSV translation at home and thought about switching it up, but so far just haven't. Maybe when I get to the point where I've internalized all the NAB notes...
Deborah Wilson funny you should mention Fr. Mark’s video! He actually did that video because 🙋🏻♀️I asked him to. ☺️ He even mentioned my channel (A Catholic Wife) at the beginning of that video.
I’m trying to come up with a plan for 2020 so I’m asking lots of people to share their ideas with me on how they read the Bible.
Pax Christi ~
Deena
I was lucky enough to meet a Father from your order today 12/29 in Sun City West, Arizona. He was wearing sandals in 35 degree weather! Thank you for the videos! Thank you for helping me go deeper with my prayer life!
Thank you! I already do prayer early morning liturgy , office of readings and night liturgies with the Divine Office audio app but I struggle to slow my mind and need silence! silence ... it’s hard! Visiting time with the blessed sacrament I definitely need to increase. I live in a rural area but work in the city so lunch is my primary time for periodic confession, mass, adoration when time and then based on necessity for which I most important at the time! I will work out a schedule!
Thank you !
My goal is to pray to God and obey him more.I need change.
Happy New Year to you all in Christ!
Will that kind sister who talks with uou make more videos?
Fr. Mark-Mary, thank you so much. Your videos are awesome, and this one on prayer goal setting is as well. One of my shortcomings in prayer is a lack of silent prayer. Like a lot of people, there are a thousand things, worries, responsibilities, etc. floating around in our heads, and it's hard to settle down and concentrate on prayer in silence. I will work on it. Thanks again and God Bless.
And I'll be praying for you!!
Thank you Fr Mark Mary!
Exactly what I needed!!! Thank you Father Mark Mary!
Thank you Fr. Mark Mary, I pray everyday but it lacks structure (I struggle with discipline). This is helpful and I feel these goals are attainable for myself. Thanks again and God bless.
Thank you a lot, father Mark-Mary!
Love how this is broken down! Thanks
This is so wonderful, thank you!!
Thank you! 🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Fr. Mark.. Happy and blessed new year.
Thank you for your videos. Happy New Year. God Bless you.
Thanks from Brazil!
Just what I needed! I've been thinking for a long time that my prayer life needs to become more consistent, but now I have a plan! Thank you so much for this :)
You’re awesome! Happy New Year and thank you again ✝️ 🙏🏻 videos are always so timely!
Thanks 🙏
And many happy returns
God bless you
Thank you Fr Mark-Mary excellent plan
You are a blessing for us 💖
Thank you and happy New Years.
This is Great!! Thank you soooo much! Father Mark Mary you are awesome! Thank you for your Priesthood!
GOD is LOVE:)
Thank you father I shall try this
This is awesome plan! Thanks! Gonna try with my husband. I’m thinking a journal is a necessity. For someone who can’t even remember what I ate for breakfast, I’d have to write every thing down every day to keep track and be honest during the examen...😂🙏😀
My resolve to pray more just got stronger! Praise the Lord 😄
Analise D Mello mine too!
It’s so important, and so powerful. We can do it!
stmtraps Yes we can ! ❤️
Thank you for this!
Poco a poco. Beautiful!
Thank you!! This is awesome 🙏🏻
Thank you Father!! Love your prayer plan! I’ve been doing an hour of prayer for a long time but kinda on my own, I like the accountability aspect for the “hard” parts unique for me. Also praying the rosary daily a must do!
Happy 2020 Onward Christian soldiers!!
Thank you may God continue to bless and strengthen you always
Awesome! I’m ready for this...I hope. ❤️
God bless you for this vlog! I want to start this coming year with this plan. My birthday is New Years and what a wonderful gift you gave me.
Thanks Frear Frade! I will follow up thi
I made my plan & have been following it. I have had hills & valleys but this has really helped to guide. Even during this time it has helped me to focus on prayer & praying. Thank you for this.
Thank you....
Thank you
*_.."Without prayer," says St. Alphonsus Ligouri, "it will be difficult for the soul to continue long in the grace of God." "In all thy works," says the Holy Spirit, "remember thy last end, & thou shalt never sin." Without prayer there is neither light nor strength for us to walk forward in the way of God: because without prayer we ask not God to give us His help; and hence, not praying, we must certainly fall. Hence, Cardinal Bellermin says, that it is morally impossible for a Christian who does not meditate upon the eternal truths to continue in the Grace of God...🇻🇦_*
✝️📿👉😇
This video was exactly what I was needing right now. Thank you so much for this! God bless you! 🙏🏻
You're welcome!! God bless you!
So great, thank you so much, keep it up
Thank you 🙏🏻
Father Mark-Mary....you are true to your word.....authentic.....so worthwhile listening to for so many people...... Amen ....poco a poco......
Thank you.
Very organized plan that sounds super applicable to our busy schedules
Oh, amen! This sounds fabulous! I’m thinking that I won’t be able to do it, but at least I’ll start, and get to some point along the way...
Much needed, thanks to you!
Thank you for this prayer plan. I can try... I need help with quiet or listening. How do you do that?
A video on guidance on that would be helpful for me as well.
An old woman told me that depending on what creeps into your mind, just offer it up to Jesus as a weakness and ask for help and if it is unholy cast it at the foot of the cross and ask Jesus to deal with it. Once it is done in humility, God understands our weakness.
This is awesome!
Now I can pray more!! :) and learn to examine my conscience!
Thank you so much Father Mark. Today was my first day of following this prayer schedule. Please keep me in your prayers so that i will be able to achieve this through the grace of Jesus and Mother Mary. Greetings and wishes from India
Fr. Mark Mary, love your videos! Thank you for vlogging. !
Thanks Carol!!
Thanks so much for sharing with us God Bless what you do and love this video!!!!
Also I’m all in on the prayer routine 🙏
Didn't expect to see Ascension Presents breaking off some OKR's... amazing!
Great wee snippet.
A great challenge and a concrete plan. We have about 50 people in our parish bible studies. I think we're going to be hearing about some spiritual exercises!!
Hi Father I happy new year. I have added these to my Google Calender on my phone. I needed to hear this!!
Good Bless you
Great idea!!
Amazing video! Bless you guys. Let's let people in on this, maybe we can inspire some to join along the way 🙏
We get to church 30 minutes before it starts. The Legion of Mary pray the Rosary 📿 before Mass. but I know I need to work on spending more time in prayer.
Gina Hernandez I was in a chapel once where the faithful prayer the whole rosary (all 15 decades) before the holy mass started.
I’ve never experienced anything like it. The man who spoke the salutations had such a confident voice, bold but not egotistical, calm, but sure. He spoke them at exactly the right tempo.
And then...
Then the faithful would respond, kind of softly, but I KNEW that “bombs were dropping” in the spirit world!
The rosary is POWERFUL!
💣 💥 💣 💥 💣 💥
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This is war.
Thank you for the inspiración!
Despues de muchos años alejada de Dios en Oct del año pasado aprendi a Orar gracias a ti y al Padre Mike! y este 2020 precisamente quiero Constuir una vida con oracion.
Curiosamente desde el inicio yo ya tardaba 40 min - 1 hora en oracion, porque me gusta reflexionar y escribir. Pero me encanta tu metodo, sobre todo el de oración en silencio y quiero implemenarlo de esa forma.
Me hace falta escuchar más...
Gracias de nuevo! y Feliz año nuevo!
Hola Fabiola, creo que 40 minutos esta mas q excelente!! El plan que da el Padre es una estructura que poco a poco la haras propia de acuerdo a tu propia necesidad. Sigue adelante y como dijo el Padre compartela! Dios te bendiga!
Thank YOU father!! I am so excited for this!! This is exactly what I needed!! Praying for you father and the brothers!!!💗🕊💗🕊💗🕊🙏🙏🙏
Great idea ...will do!
Thank you father, i will try my best to accomplish this little by little. Happy New year to you too!
Amen!!
This is very helpful. Thank you:)
I’m
Doing this!!!!
Wow! Going on the time this video was published this goal was easy.
Please pray for me to put my phone down so that I can pray and be with God. Even though I used my phone to learn about God but I feel that just learning without the relationship is wrong. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing
My Notes:
Goal setting techniques applied to prayer.
Repurposed from book measure what matters.
Propose a goal of 40 minutes of prayer a day.
If you are new to prayer no worries, we will start in small increments
Jan-March
develop a taste for prayer:
1) 20 minutes a day...10 minutes in the am and 10 at night
2) one extra trip to church a week
3) examine conscience once a week
Do for three months then advance
April - June
Form a habit of prayer
1) 20 minutes a day of prayer (10 minutes twice a day)
2) 20 minutes uninterrupted prayer twice a week
3) 2 weekly visits before the Blessed Sacrament
4) weekly examination of conscience
July-September
Develop a taste for silence
1) 30 minutes a day in prayer
2) 10 minutes prayer with Holy Scripture, 3x a week
3) 10 minutes silent prayer 5 times a week
4) weekly examine
October- December
Form the habit of listening in prayer
1) 40 minutes a day in prayer
2) 20 minutes of silent prayer
3). 40 minutes with Holy Scripture
4) weekly examine
Awesome!! Thanks! This is super helpful.
Fr. Mark-Mary Ames you’re welcome 🤗. Great plan, I had to take notes🥰🎁
What they call in the gym, “progressive overload”!
Thank you, Father! I hope to pray the rosary (5 decades) every night. From there, I hope to progressive overload. I figure that I can add in either the “Three Hail Marys” prayer or perhaps the “Angelus” in the morning.
I LOVE ❤️ the prayers of the Mother Church!
So good!
Just like the gym, it doesn’t work unless you actually DO it!
No need to fret that I am too sinful to pray. I know what St Louis de Montfort said.
Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us.
Saint Louis de Montfort, pray for us!
By July we will be “cooking with gas”!
Last Quarter is GOING HARD.
Last Quarter is the “conversational prayer”!
This is Catholicism!!!
YES
It was awesome meeting you this year with CCO for our new york mission!! I am definitely doing this challenge 😃
Be yourself! do not always get carried away by expectations.
Your willingness to commit to God's path is admirable.
Anna!! It was great meeting y'all!! God bless you and an early Happy New Year!!
@@fr.mark-maryames3916 Thank you & same to you.
I’m starting late but that should still work
I'm a single. I don't like tv. I got tired of "fake news" and there aren't much interesting. Though I watch "a bit much" youtube, and there's about 60% of my Catholic Faith who listen to religious sites, some of yours, or priest speeches or saints. Thre was a "good period" of Catholic apologists, as some sites of Muslim convertions by graces they got from Jesus (as visions of Jesus) as they describ themselves.
But through "my formation", I would attribut it to Mary.
I "had my own period" in my life where I prayed a lot.... and now I moderated it....;-) Nah. Seriously, I'm joking.
Seriously, there are "period of waves in prayers". I keep trying a rosary daily. It still needs some discipline.
But, I really agree with you're teaching. Now, I prefer silence.
But, in my case, if it wasn't from a job that I got from a priest's praying over me and St-Joseph and certainly by the grace through Mary, if it wasn't for my Job, I would have get nearly "out of social relation health".
Though, since, I worked really hard, I admit, it's "easier to get tired from a job" that asks all my concentration all day.
Nevertheless, when I'm driving to my job, I need that contact with Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit and the Love of Mary with a part the whole of a rosary.
Lately, a beautiful church closed nearby me. I asked the priest to take some pictures inside before it closes definitively. I got there while a theologian student was administrating the edifice. The church was desacralized... the feeling was "a building without the Presence"... Some beautiful statues, great pictures, beautiful marble hotel, etc. But, I felt a good part of emptyness.
Then, I realise, how our existence without God could be a none-sense.
Before my job, I was more "an artist hoping for opportunities". Now, "I might have got old also", I'm aware of talented people around but realize more of our "short existance" on earth and wonder more of what i could better of my life before God, our Father.
We have also a short living. I'm single, everything is possible to God. But I wonder what would be the best that I couod get of "a place in paradise". St-Paul said, "Get married, it's good. But if you don't, it's better..." (Funny guy St-Paul...He might have been an artist also and we might not know). Maybe, my angel had a chat with St-Paul... For the rest, the most important is what receive from Mary and Jesus while we're praying.
Ok, I'm done
Thanks for your job well done!! ;-)
God bless you all!!
My struggle is that my mind goes blank and can't find the right words. I stumble to find words. Then when I do find the right words they are brief. I struggle so much.
Persist, you can try different ways of praying like starting your prayer by reading the scriptures so you will have something to meditate about, or start by recalling all the good things God has given you, being small or big things, and giving thanks to God for that. If you're struggling, I believe your prayer is even more meaningful as you're actively and persistently doing an effort to maintain a close relationship with God through prayer
@@urielmora2283 Thank you.
Can you elaborate on how "silent prayer" is done? Would that be something like Eucharistic adoration, reflecting on a Bible passage, or a comptemplative meditation on the image of the Sacred Heart? Would it be done kneeling, sitting, walking? What's to stop the mind from wandering?
Yes, yes, and yes.
You, with God's help. Just ask for it while you're there.
@@BoomerAnn Lol, exactly the answer I was about to post.
Sorry for using the phrase "silent prayer." I think "mental prayer" is probably the less confusing phrase. I want to encourage "pondering these things in your heart" like Our Lady did and also speaking to God from your heart (as opposed to a prayer life which is strictly vocal or formal prayers -- like the recitation of litanies). All of what you mentioned would be great mental prayer, and can be done walking, sitting, kneeling, etc, whatever works best for you and the circumstances you're in. Journaling is also a great way to keep the conversation with the Lord grounded and avoid one's mind from wandering too far/too often. Helpful?
@@fr.mark-maryames3916 thank you very much.
@@fr.mark-maryames3916 Can you make a video on Mental Prayer too please?
JESUS CHRIST bless🙏
Wonderful messages and teaching father 🙌
""Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, "sit here while I go over there and pray". [ Mattew 26 : 36]
""Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?" He asked to Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but flesh is weak." [ Mattew 26 : 40 - 41]
The bible is the story of two garden; Eden and Gethsemane. In the first, Adam took a fall, God sought Adam. In Eden Adam hid from God and Satan led Adam to a tree that led to his death.
In the second Jesus took a stand, Jesus sought God. In Gethsemane Jesus emerged from the tomb, from Gethsemane Jesus went to a tree that led to our life.
Pray! Jesus ask to us only 1 hour per day sit and pray with Him.
Don't worry about everything but PRAY! About everything 💓
God have Mercy on us and whole the world. Amen.
Love from 🇲🇨💓🇲🇨
This video is a blessing! Thank you Father Mark-Mary. Hopefully, by following
your advice I will be able to have a more consistent prayer life.
I do have one question regarding 6:00 chapel. Are you allowed to drink coffee
before attending chapel?
yes!!
Father Mark Mary, could you please do a video (or several) on listening prayer/silent prayer. Thank you and God Bless you and all Franciscans!
I think that's a great idea! I'll have to make some more specific videos on listening in prayer or doing mental prayer down the road. But I think there might be a couple we've already done which may be helpful: How to make a Holy Hour -- it's talking about prayer in Adoration, but a lot of the tips can be used for mental prayer in general, Give God Your Struggles with the Rosary of Trust, How to Pray with Scripture Like a Friar, and How to Pray the Hail Mary Well are either examples of mental prayer or offer some general tips. May God give you the grace of deep prayer!!
@@fr.mark-maryames3916 I would be interested in such a video too. I used to pray with a group of women practising contemplative prayer but they started adding new age elements like drawing mandalas and following Catholic writers whose works I do not subscribe to. Since leaving the group though I have struggled with my prayer life - reading about prayer rather than actually praying.
Thanks so much for sharing this, I don't think I'm going to do it like this, but I will try to get back to my daily rosary to start with.
It does seem extremely helpful tho, and Id like to know exactly what people mean by "praying" and how to do it (other than the rosary or novenas).
Prayer is an umbrella term for adoration, contrition, thanksgiving and petition. It can be spoken or silent. Prayer basically is our communication to God; contemplative listening is how we hear God's communication to us. Here, Father lays out a plan for us scheduling time for both. How to pray? Big question, but the easiest answer that covers all bases is go to Mass (and pay attention, join with the priest as he directs prayer). The Mass includes all types of prayer. Outside Mass, keep God in your thoughts, and maybe focus on those categories - know when you are praising and adoring Him, or expressing your sorrow for your shortcomings, or giving Him thanks for all your blessings, or asking Him for help. My suggestion for beginners is to keep a journal noting when you have done something in each category each day (the journal entries only take a minute or two each night - after a week or two you may begin to see things on which you may want to work further). Also, remember, a single Our Father gives you some prayer in three of the four categories (as does a rosary); throw in thanks for all my blessings before journaling and you've got something in each category for that day.
@@paulmiller3469 Thank you SO MUCH for your answer, I had been struggling with this topic for a bit, and your comment is as complete as one could hope for. Thanks so much for taking the time to explain this to me! :)
@@luisfck2119 Anytime, Luis
This is really helpful I’m going to try it I’m going to try it I’ve been doing the rosary for a while now most days it’s really helping I’m going to use your plan okay so check in with us please to check that we are doing it thank you so much I needed this brilliant
Challenging. Really challenging. But if people can achieve and stick with this, I bet it changes their lives.
How do you fit in the Rosary?
Thanks for the video! I would like to know what do you mean by prayer? There's a rosary and ways to talk to God. Could you explain more?
Father Mark-Mary, I am wondering if the months from July to December should include any visits to the Blessed Sacrament? Also, my current habit is to say the beatitudes a few times a day, and to say some litanies, and to say 1 or 2 rosaries. Can I include those in the non-silent prayer sessions?
Every year, at the beginning of January I plan to like okay, I am going to read the Bible every day, minimum 5/10mins per day! I am going to pray minimum 5/10 minutes per dayetc., and it works but only a few days lol. I've noticed that planning especially praying or reading the bible isn't a good idea, of course, if you really really really want to do it, you will but it might be a problem for you and then you're disappointed that u failed that and you will have no motivation to do it again. For me, if you want to build your prayer this year, just start to do anything. don't plan to, like this day I'll do X next day I'll do Y etc., just start to read the Bible or start to pray. If you notice that okay, i'm good at that after one month, do what father Mark-Mary said.
Don't agree (Scripture reading and prayer are hard work, and if you give yourself an out, you'll most likely end up taking it). This is where Father's comment about not trying to do it on your own comes in. The problem with new year's resolutions isn't the resolutions; it's the lacking discipline when you try to do what you resolved to do by yourself.
Hello Fr.Mark-Mary do you have this Prayer Plan written down like you did with the Rosary plan? I think it's helpful to have a written Prayer Plan like the one with the Rosary plus I didn't understand some of the divisions of time, so such a guide would be really helpful 😁 #AskFrMark-Mary
Fr., my family is doing the BIAY/CIAY and the Rosary every evening. How would u suggest enhancing our prayer and study time?
What's the difference between prayer and silent prayer? Does thinking about God count as praying? What about thinking about Scripture or meditating on things above? Are songs to God also considered prayer? I often find these things running through my head throughout the day. Is it the same as prayer?
Prayer is communication. If your thoughts (in the case of silent prayer) are directed to God, that's prayer. If directed to yourself, that's just thought. Only you (and God) will know. Luke 18, in a parable, takes an obscure shot at a notional Pharisee in noting that he was only 'praying' to himself, as contrasted with a tax collector who prayed to God.
Sorry for using the phrase "silent prayer." I think "mental prayer" is probably the less confusing phrase. I want to encourage "pondering these things in your heart" like Our Lady did and also speaking to God from your heart (as opposed to a prayer life which is strictly vocal or formal prayers -- like the recitation of litanies). All of what you mentioned is absolutely prayer!! Sounds like you've already got a solid prayer life going!
@@fr.mark-maryames3916 Thanks for the reply. I know I had like 20 questions haha. Could you talk about using silence in prayer and how to hear God in a future video? Sometimes I think I'm just having conversations with myself when I pray. How do you know when you're being guided by the Holy Spirit vs when you're just giving yourself some okay advice? I struggle with "feeling" God and I'm always looking for ways to walk closer.
Does listening to your video count as prayer?
I’m going to try this. I’m torn because all I want to do is pray the rosary 📿 I feel like I do not have any time for my other prayers. I pray while I’m driving in the am. But I knows those prayers by heart the others I need my prayer book
hassie araya have you tried mental prayer? That’s my favorite type!
God also wants to hear the prayers of your heart in your own words. The formal prayers are beautiful and give us a structured way to join our mind and heart to the mind and heart of others in expression to God, but there's also an intimacy to being able to tell Him what's on your mind, or what hurt you, or what you would like to do for Him because of your love for Him, or all that He means to you, or what sins you want to give to Him so that He can give you more of Himself, etc.
Thank you I am adding this to my discernment process. Question: Is it ok to put prayer on a checklist? I am afraid it would seem too proud.
When I speak to other priests they recommend setting a dedicated time for prayer which is kind of like a checklist. The disposition of your heart will define whether it's pride or not: are you doing it for love of God and to build your relationship with him? To open yourself to receive the graces of each day? To console the heart of Jesus and keep him company?
Peace on your journey of faith 🙏🏾
I was hoping you'd say more about Google!
Also, what's recommended for the content of the quiet prayer periods?
God bless you! You may be interested in check out "Measure What Matters," the book I was referring to. It's really interesting/insightful.
I think there might be a couple of videos we've already done which may be helpful: How to make a Holy Hour -- it's talking about prayer in Adoration, but a lot of the tips can be used for mental prayer in general, Give God Your Struggles with the Rosary of Trust, How to Pray with Scripture Like a Friar, and How to Pray the Hail Mary Well are either examples of mental prayer or offer some general tips.