Catholic tradition has long differentiated between vocal and mental prayer, with vocal prayers being done through the usage of pre-written formulas such as the Pater Noster or Ave Maria, and mental prayer being a way to turn the mind and heart to God without relying only on the recitation of memorized formulas.
St Teresa of Avila described mental prayer simply as “nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.”
The ends of mental prayer:
- To unite ourselves to God
- to obtain grace from god
why:
- it enlightens the mind
- disposes the heart to the practice of virtues
- helps us to pray as we should
mental prayer is indispensable to attain perfection
All mental prayers method have three parts: Preparation, Body, Conclusion.
There are three types of preparation in mental prayer: remote, proximate, and immediate.
A life of vices and distractions hinders all movements towards God. It fills our heart with mundane affairs, making it harder to turn our attention to Godly subjects. The remote preparation consists in leading a life of less distractions, pride, and hypocrisy. Through the emptying of our egos, we will be better fit to talk to God and cultivate the interior silence needed to pray well.
The proximate preparation is non-essential, but
The remote preparation
- Preparation
- Remote
- Proximate
- Immediate
- Act of faith in the presence of God;
- Act of humility and of contrition;
- Act of petition for light. We may perform these acts in the following manner:
- Body
- Colloquy
- Meditation
- Considerations
- Acts / Affections
- Supplications / Petitions
- Resolution
- Silence
- Conclusion
- Spiritual Bouquet
- Silence
- In thanking God for the lights received.
- In making a purpose to fulfill the resolutions made.
- In asking of the Eternal Father, for the sake of Jesus and Mary, grace to be faithful to them.