Difficulties in Prayer: CarmelCast Episode 5

Anyone committed to a life of prayer will face the difficulties of distractions and aridity at different times. These experiences can be extremely frustrating and disheartening. However, even the greatest saints faced these same trials in prayer, and they show us that they are actually opportunities for growth in our relationship with God. In this episode, we examine the experiences of distraction and aridity in our times of prayer based on the teachings of the Carmelite masters.
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[@ICSPublications]

What are your tips for dealing with distractions and aridity in prayer?

[@PraisebeJesus4ever]

I was told not to be upset and return to prayer.

[@BridgetSpitznagel]

(I'll reply first and watch the video second) - Make sure you are getting enough exercise. Set aside time for mental prayer first thing in the morning (quietest part of the day) and do not think about the day's "to do" list until afterwards. If a thought arises that you "need to" act on ("I need to buy more milk!"), ask your guardian angel to "remind me later if it's important", make an act of trust in God, and return your attention to prayer without running downstairs to write it down. Worry or anger usually makes me distracted and when I realize the cause I try to gather it up into a ball and lob it into the Blessed Virgin Mary's lap and ask her to deal with it (may need to do this multiple times); or, my prayer might consist of "mutely" showing God my "misery" at being unable to concentrate (someone had a phrase about beggars' greatest eloquence being just showing their sores/disability/wretched condition) due to worry, or my inability to forgive without his help. For distraction during Liturgy of the Hours, place yourself again in the presence of God; my confessor also recommended variety (sometimes he prays along with a podcast). Aridity is harder for me to address because I am not sure what people mean by it. I told my previous SD that sometimes I stay up too late because I am afraid to meet God in prayer at the end of the day (it can sometimes be really painful; and even overwhelming consolation can seem scary at times) and he suggested having a little wine with dinner (it seems to me that this is also the classic remedy for a nervous bride. For those who like that imagery.)

[@ICSPublications]

This is great advice, Bridget!

[@Catholicity-uw2yb]

ST. MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA: “We create all kinds of difficulties in our prayer. Let us go back to what Jesus has taught - the intimate and simple prayer: ‘Our Father...’ Even little children can pray this.”

[@abassage655]

This came to me at EXACTLY the best time!! Thank you!! And I thank Him Who is clearly guiding you. My rosary recitation this morning was nothing but a series of distractions. God bless you!

[@cathryndarcy6447]

As a Secular, I sometimes have problems shutting off my daily life and work to devote to prayer. So I say the Jesus prayer and I pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, I put my trust in You!"

[@kirbyspixiecraft]

I'm slowly making my way through all of the CarmelCast episodes, and this one in particular I love. Prayer is a daily struggle, but hearing you talk about all of these common difficulties in prayer gave me some consolation. Thank you for continuing to do CarmelCast.

[@jeevantauro4562]

Quite informative, inspiring and useful. Thanks Brs. Que el senor os guie mas!

[@scsteeldrums]

This is tremendously helpful. Please keep doing more videos!

[@storytellingbyprofessorwaf9987]

Thank you for bringing clarity with trusting in jewels of the Soul and living the mystical Carmelite Prayer

[@luliperez226]

❤️🙏❤️

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

Very useful, I am going through difficulties in my prayers lately, but I persevere...

[@ICSPublications]

Keep it up, Alejandro, and know of our prayers!

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

@@ICSPublications God bless you. A priest blessed me with holy water and said a prayer over me in Latin, when he put me the brown scapular, he also blessed the scapular and told me to kneel. My questions: do I belong to the carmelite family now? Does our Lady protect me from dying in mortal sin? I always pray to Jesus so He may grant me the grace of final perseverence and not to be separated from Him. I take Holy Communion daily and pray the rosary.

[@ICSPublications]

@@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy, yes, having been enrolled in the scapular, you share in the graces of the Carmelite family and the protection of Our Lady. May she bring us ever closer to her Son. Know of our prayers for you, and please pray for us!

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

@@ICSPublications I will. God bless you.

[@dfgodfirst7884]

💓💓💓💓💓

[@janicebustamante5311]

what is a super natural distruction in us in prayer?

[@ICSPublications]

Hi Janice, a supernatural distraction in prayer could be a distracting thought, feelings, or temptation presented to us by evil spirits and meant to lead us away from God in prayer. God allows these types of distractions in order to strengthen our faith (and He gives us the grace to persevere through them!).

[@FTWbiology]

The acts of love spoken of around the 12:00 mark, could you give some examples of what this looks like or what the acts are? Is this the use of a short aspiration prayer repeated once or many times to become recollected again. Is it simply saying the Name of Jesus slowly to assist the faculties of the soul in returning to the attentiveness to God present there with you. Is it a petition made in your own words asking Jesus to help you remain there with Him. Or is this a much more subtle and simple movement of the mind and heart that has no accompaniment of a vocal prayer (said silently in the mind) or meditation?