Finding God through Meditation - Starting a Prayer Routine

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 [email protected] or call 818-646-7729.