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School of Prayer Night 2 School of Prayer Night two Frustrations in Prayer I. Jesus sleeping on the boat "They came and woke him saying, “Master, master, we are perishing!” He awakened, rebuked the wind and the waves, and they subsided and there was a calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” But they were filled with awe and amazed and said to one another, “Who then is this, who commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey him?”" Luke 8: 24-25 II. Why we struggle "Jesus’ example of fidelity to prayer challenges us to examine the time and effort we devote to our own prayer. While prayer is a gift of God, it is also an art learned through constant practice. Jesus teaches us to pray constantly, but also to bear witness before others of the beauty of prayer, self-surrender and complete openness to God." -Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI “Let nothing disturb you, nothing dismay you. All things are passing, God never changes. Patient endurance attains all things….God alone suffices.” St. Teresa of Avila III. Consolation and Desolation "Spiritual consolation is an experience of being so on fire with God’s love that we feel impelled to praise, love, and serve God and help others as best as we can. Spiritual consolation encourages and facilitates a deep sense of gratitude for God’s faithfulness, mercy, and companionship in our life. In consolation, we feel more alive and connected to others. Spiritual desolation, in contrast, is an experience of the soul in heavy darkness or turmoil. We are assaulted by all sorts of doubts, bombarded by temptations, and mired in self-preoccupations. We are excessively restless and anxious and feel cut off from others. Such feelings, in Ignatius’s words, 'move one toward lack of faith and leave one without hope and without love.'" Ignatianspirituality.com Night two Frustrations in Prayer IV. Sacred Scripture "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." St. Jerome “I would like so much for all Christians to be able to comprehend ‘the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ’ through the diligent reading of the Word of God, for the sacred text is the nourishment of the soul and the pure and perennial source of the spiritual life of all of us.” Pope Francis V. Lectio Divina "In this context, I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of 'Lectio divina': the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart." Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Steps to praying Lectio Divina, alone or with a group: 1. Lectio - Read the passage slowly and prayerfully at least three times 2. Meditatio - Meditate on the passage, paying attention to the text 3. Oratio - Pray to God, speaking from your heart based on the passage 4. Contemplatio - Quiet your heart and let God speak to you 5. Actio - Concretely allow the Lord to change your life through this encounter VI. The Holy Spirit "And no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:3 "But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:7 "In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings." Romans 8:26 "The Holy Spirit continues today to act with power in the Church, and the fruits of the Spirit are abundant in the measure to which we are ready to open up to this power that makes all things new." Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI "The Holy Spirit comes where He is loved...where He is invited...where He is expected." St. Bonaventure School of Prayer Night two Frustrations in Prayer Notes:.
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