Why Is Prayer So Hard?

Growing up Fr. Mike thought prayer should be like soaking in a hot tub. He didn’t understand why it was so hard when he tried it.
It took him a while to learn that, as the Catechism says, prayer is a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. Prayer always presupposes effort. There’s always some kind of engagement when we properly pray to God. It’s not just about soaking in God’s grace. The required effort in prayer is difficult more often than it is not. Prayer is a battle against ourselves and “the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer” (CCC 2725).
Over time, Fr. Mike discovered that prayer needs to be more than a momentary time where we seek solace and closeness with God. We need to constantly acknowledge our relationship with God throughout the day, just as a husband and wife are constantly thinking of each other. Then when we do set aside time to simply be with God, it happens more naturally.
If you want to improve your prayer life, make the intentional and faithful decision to live the same way outside of prayer as you do within prayer.
Read “The Battle of Prayer” section in the Catechism.
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[@briankelly85]

one day i went into my church in the dead of winter. i was all alone doing my rosary beads. it was very quiet. the light in the church was blue and warm. i lost all track of time. was i there 5 minutes or 1 hour. i cant explain it. but it was a very beautiful experience. i felt like i was truly in gods house.

[@nikkid8834]

Beautiful Thanks for sharing your experience

[@rolandantoniogeldressavche3443]

That sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing. (PD: remember to write "God" with uppercase G)

[@briankelly85]

@@rolandantoniogeldressavche3443 I will.

[@josephdaniel7744]

Wow feels good just imagining that.. God bless

[@buddybrown8607]

I envy you for that!

[@heathsavage4852]

I am an adult with ADHD, so focussing on anything is hard. In prayer I find my mind wanders, as always. This is why Catholic prayers, and the rosary are so good. Learning and reciting them really helps. As an adolescent and in my 20s I really did feel that "pull" from the Father of Lies, who would invade my thoughts as I tried to pray. "Vade retro Satana" works every time.

[@martinkent333]

NORMAL PEOPLE TYPE BIBLE CRITICISM ONLINE AND LEARN THE BIBLE IS FICTION AND THE HEBREW MYTHS ARE TOO. HOW EDUCATED ARE YOU, HEATH?

[@MrWildside87]

​@martinkent333 Unhinged response. May the demon in you be driven out in Jesus Christ's Holy name. Just because people are religious, it doesn't mean they are not educated. To believe that, is to deny yourself the truth.

[@Arckaro]

When I became catholic it was so easy, my heart longed the time of prayer and I rushed towards it. Now it has been a long time of dry walking and it is so hard! Thanks for the help!

[@veronicakerin9379]

Keep the hope and faith! I just got over a long bout (over ten months) of extreme dryness, which caused a lot of emotional pain, but boy, when my prayer life came alive again, I got on my knees and praised God-- because all the more peace and joy came out of it. When it's gone and dry, you have the opportunity to miss it more severely; so when it returns, it's extra sweet. God bless! Persevere!

[@virginiafonacier8795]

God bless you...

[@Arckaro]

Thanks! I try to keep on going. For me it has been already years of dryness and I feel often lost. But He knows what he is doing, and perhaps I'm always lost

[@veronicakerin9379]

@@Arckaro You are absolutely correct... He knows what he is doing. :) Just keep praying! I am sorry this battle has been so long for you. Almost a year was long enough for me!! And even now, it comes and goes.

[@I_Love_Jesus]

I used to become so distressed when in those dry times and I don't know that I was always faithful to prayer but now those are the times I pray for and am most grateful for. A friend of mine told me it's when we don't feel like loving that our love becomes real. It's only when we don't want to love and serve God that we actually can do it not for any pleasure it gives us but only for Him. Only for Him whom we love and who deserves all our love. I didn't know what a gift those dry time we're and are. That that's when we grow! ...I also have come to understand that the dry times show that God believes in us and trusts us to be faithful even when it's difficult. The longer and drier it is the more God believes in you! ... the more he's entrusted you with.😉 I do hope that this helps everyone it's meant to. God bless you!

[@norisbelsalazar5070]

The early morning battle is real, but for me, that’s when the Lord wants my attention. But MAN is it an honor to run with endurance into this inevitable battle for Christ.

[@daninspiration4064]

I just wake up and start out with the creed then the lord's prayer with 3 hail marys as i change clothes. By the time i get to the first mystery I am ready to leave I pray my first rosary as I drive because I can remember the mysteries and most of the story with the reflection.

[@wms72]

Please pray for me, that I can sleep at night. Thank you and God bless you.

[@ginaplympton7889]

i wake up and touch myself down there. Jesus told me he wants me to do that first thing.

[@monmen91]

Prayer is a battle. But every time we pray, we displease the evil one and we build a relationship and communicate with God.

[@TheMisslizzyO]

Fr Mike even though I’m not catholic but identify as a follower of Jesus I don’t attend any church but find you are refreshing to listen to.

[@joelbedulla4]

I'm not a Catholic either but I like his vids

[@rubenmedina6883]

I encourage you to try attending mass, it is so fulfilling.

[@Nello353]

Liz, you are being called to Catholicism. People who convert become even more fervent than those born in the faith.I will soon be 90 yrs old and do more praying and try to do more good works than ever before. I am trying hard to merit Heaven. Try it you will never regret it. God bless you and your intentions.

[@emiliamahoney8280]

I always start my morning prayer and my evening prayer with gratitude. Giving thanks to God. And interestingly, no matter how horrible that day was or appears to be, I ALWAYS find at least 10 reasons to be grateful. And this state of gratitude lifts me up to the true joy (remember “Rejoice always”, Phil 4). At that point my heart is in coherence with my brain and I truly feel the presence of God. Jesus is right here, permanently (he said “I am the vine, you are the branches”. He didn’t say I am this tree here and you are those plants over there. There is no separation). And at that point I just sit there, basking in the light and love of God. Not saying/doing anything, just being with God. Sometimes 10 min, sometimes 5 min, sometimes 30 min. But when I stand up and go about my day, I am aware that Jesus is right there with me. And so the rest of my day is basically an extension of my prayer and I approach everything from a place of love. God’s Grace is AWESOME! 😃🙏💖

[@johnnykunst]

"Prayer is a battle... first, against ourself"

[@leahmokry6093]

Wow just when I think something just is, father mike comes in clutch with the answers. Thank you.

[@connorbarany4491]

Thanks be to God for His perfect timing

[@goesgoodwithcoffee1029]

He is truly a God send

[@johnp1995]

Praying my rosary is a battle. Saving it till last thing to do in the day, saying it whilst lounging on my sofa! Oui veh! 😆

[@desiredecove5815]

Chuckie Cheesecake but you do it. ❤️

[@orangesbrown5226]

@Chuckie Cheesecake continue to persevere don’t give up God will bless your efforts

[@gabrielmedina2480]

Same situation for me! We just need to persevere!

[@jasonstafford5842]

Literally me right now at the end of the day on the sofa still needing to pray my rosary

[@481kristen]

I was given a scriptural rosary book and also was given the suggestion of praying with one of those KZbin videos of scriptural rosary. Between those two methods, it has helped me a lot. But I still do struggle but again it has helped me stay focused.🙂

[@AHouseDivided1998]

A game changer for me was hearing a priest here on KZbin (not Father Mike) say that he couldn’t sit still either and walked instead while saying the rosary. I’m a fidgety person by nature and keeping still while in prayer more than 5 minutes has always been difficult for me. So hearing that it was okay to move around while praying was perfectly acceptable was revolutionary for me. Now I have no trouble saying a rosary every day while walking either outside or on a treadmill is no problem for me anymore. Wish I had known this 30 years ago!

[@chill2532]

Amen. 👍 Thank you for sharing; and, I can relate to being a "fidgety person"... during the pandemic, I started walking & praying daily- definitely a "game changer ". But, of late, I was wondering if I was being " reverent" to HIM by praying while exercising (walking & stationary bike)... Thank you for "easing my mind" and will continue to do both together.... definitely no "mind wandering " when doing both together. Thanks be to God (TBTGod)! 🎉

[@BunnySlippers82]

God bless you, Fr. Mike. You have helped me find the courage to leave protestant-based Christianity for Catholicism. I feel like I'm coming home to a place of refuge.

[@senli_popiwall7236]

@Becky Rose No matter you are a Catholic or a protestant or whatever denomination, no denomination as long as you have Jesus in your heart and follow Him you are home. Jesus is the only way the truth and the life. God looks at the heart . Hope you find peace that Jesus gives 🙏🏻

[@paulinevind3466]

Praying is talking to The Lord. It matters not what denomination you are BUT one things for sure Rosary beads are a definite NoNo!!

[@paulinevind3466]

@Taking charge have you read The Book of Revelation? If not I would urge you to read it and ask The Lord Jesus Christ to give you wisdom. I would urge you to consider whether what the pope espouses lines up with what The Lord Jesus taught. Then decide whether you are 'going home'. I say this to you out of love and concern and from a former Catholic background. I pray you will know the truth. We live in days of extreme deception with false Christs appearing and false Gospels preached. We must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

[@Sunny-x7l2u]

The best decision u ever made.

[@josephjackson1956]

Prayer is a conversation. Like when you talk with a good friend, hours can seem to go by so quickly, and the next thing you know time has sped by

[@bryanwhitehurst1697]

joseph jackson I just feel like I’m talking to myself

[@michaelbinoj6494]

@@bryanwhitehurst1697 have faith, God’s listening! 😊

[@michaelbinoj6494]

@@bryanwhitehurst1697 also self reflection is an important part of prayer

[@gloriasarabia9019]

I am in awe of how the Holy Spirit has given Father Mike such a gift to explain profound Catholic teaching in such simple terms...AND in minutes! Father Mike your short videos speak volumes to me. I appreciate you SO MUCH! I believe you are on the road to sainthood. God Bless You!

[@caycehuckabay2942]

Prayer is hard for me because I don't think I'm doing it right or long enough. I hear others saying prayers and my words don't pour out like theirs and I feel like I have what I want to say in my heart but can't get the words out. This was very helpfull.

[@Tom-fx9mk]

Please say a quick prayer for me whoever reads this, I rlly need it right now.

[@sallyb4309]

Praying, you are not alone, brother

[@I_Love_Jesus]

Yes. Of course.

[@Tom-fx9mk]

@@sallyb4309 thank you!

[@Tom-fx9mk]

@@I_Love_Jesus thank you!!

[@katelynservey2790]

Praying!

[@maura.nava.music.]

Y’all should look up the 14 rules of St. Ignatius. Guaranteed to revolutionize your prayer life👍🏼

[@cotaryan3740]

Maura Navarrete St. Theresa of Avila’s “Interior Castles” as well

[@monaoconnell5650]

I will look. I looked before, but I don't remember.

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Okay, I will do that. Thank you.

[@margaretelliott195]

My prayers take four forms. One is when I say prayers in the shower. The second is when I kneel and pray in my bedroom. The third is when I sit in an easy chair. And the fourth is when I pray to The Lord and offer thanksgivings while I go about my day.

[@LoveeeeelyM]

Father Mike this video was such a gift. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@Fushigina91]

Prayer is indeed a battle for me. I get mental distractions. I don't wanna be seperated do from the Lord

[@i.b.640]

To me it is a battle, definitly. I have a hard time keeping focus. I once saw an Interview with a Franciscan and he said to write out the prayers, like letters to the father or christ, if you have trouble focusing when staying in your head. I tried that, and the writing really helps a lot.

[@CatholicWhisper]

Hello Father Mike. Prayer used to be a battle for me until I felt the Lord calling me into sainthood, pure holiness.. in my early 40’s. Now, most of the time I yearn to pray. It bring so much fulfillment and peace. Especially praying for others.

[@deliaceballos7145]

When i was in my teen years, I was so on point with prayer and always with no effort and no hesitation I would pray. Now at 22 I struggle so much. However I do have times during my day where I pause and thank the Lord for the day at work, for the trees , for the cold and for little things that really make me work hard because they make me turn to him. My prayer life looks so much more different and I know I need to be more humble , persevering and fight the good fight!

[@joemasucci8681]

Father Mike, My wife and I have this discussion ALL THE TIME!!! Those days that we are worn out and too tired to get out of bed early and have our prayer with God, we need to remember this! (and get up anyway)

[@jend2915]

I wish I had a priest like Father Mike during my 12 years of Catholic school. Everyone was so old and unapproachable. Thank you, so much Father Mike. I enjoy hearing your thoughts. God Bless You!!!

[@Nibster213]

I love your channels, I am a Protestant from England and find your videos incredibly inspirational and certainly help keep me on a narrower path. God bless you all from the freezing cold and wet UK... x

[@desiredecove5815]

This is just the thing I needed to hear, just finished my nightly prayers. Not feeling that I was “ into” it as much as I should be. You are so right.. it’s a battle- some nights I pray myself to sleep- so easy to pray- like a musical tune- it flows.. Others times- it’s like a beginner.. choppy. Thank you God bless us all and have mercy

[@Phoniv]

I recite the Jesus prayer mentally at least fifty times a day, but it often feels like a battle. Have to remind myself to pray and contemplate truthfully, not superficially.

[@SteveBuchanan1447]

Yes, I have the same situations where I just cannot get it together (for some reason or another) to get through my prayers. I am usually interrupted by some noises or other distractions; so, I do all of my prayers before I go to sleep. I find that this is a quiet time and it does really help me relax to get to all of my intentions. I have found the same with recitation of The Holy Rosary; again, I set time aside to do it. It only takes 15 minutes or so, but I make a concerted effort to do one daily. After all, it is one of the most powerful tools against the Evil One. Thank you, Father Mike, for another truly insightful video post and for taking the time to be with all of us here. I try to watch at least one of your videos every night. Am a new fan to your Mass here online as well. May God continue to Bless you each and every day!

[@maryassunta4607]

Thank God for U turns.....just when it gets intense ....my mind wanders

[@Kelly99844]

I've always found praying so easy. I slip in and out of faith, but I have always prayed no matter my stance at a specific time.

[@GR65330]

Some days are easier than others when it come to my prayer life.

[@zoraidaiglesias934]

So true. I pray my rosary every day between 2 and 3am. I have learned that before i start i call on The Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. I thank the Father and Virgin Mary for all the good and blessings my family and had this day. Call on to Padre Pio and St Michael the Arcangel to help me fight the evil and distraction during my prayers. I do still get distracted. I Invision my family and myself in church in front of God and Birgin Mary. The devil is real but i belong to God. I am his servant and will forever fight to keep his way. God is good

[@fabiotuan5206]

Only too Jesus!!

[@melaniewin3664]

me too, i open the Holy Rosary more than 3 times, st. Micharl Chaplet, St. Benedict prayer in english and latin, driving away the evils around us, although i do not understand latin, the Lord's Prayer 40 times, the divine mercy prayer and song, the whole morning, and pray and sing along, also in the afternoon and near bedtime, till 2 am, i'm in my 70ties, nothing very much to do, so praying a lot for my children and grandchildren, i pray even when i go walking, cooking even washing the dishes, it's being a habit for me, now. I have faith and trust in the Lord, he does great things, miracles for me.

[@aaneiow5868]

Fr. Mike. I am always starving for Jesus, my heart never satisfied , I strive while praying , striving in my prayer to GOD. I seek that deep relationship with my Redeemer, all across the moments of the day and not only during prayers, but as you said Father indeed , no single day pass without struggle and a fight against distraction, your guidance here was sweetest food to my soul. Grazie Mille.

[@praytherosaryeveryday2709]

Even when you don't feel like praying just pray. Give thanks to the lord and at least pray one rosery a day and ask God to give you the grace to pray more, the heavens ask for rosery so no doubt one will be given the grace to pray more if asked. This will help the heavens and also benefit you. God bless and keep the faith.

[@jpd9415]

Prayer chair! That makes so much sense!

[@joholly4536]

It is a battle and sometimes it's hard to find a right words to say. When I feel that struggle I just prayed "Our Father and Hail Mary" or sometimes I used the prayers of Jesus, Blessed Mother or any saints that I can relate in what I need at that moment! God bless Fr. Mike, thanks for the knowledge!

[@ScarlettGarsea]

Thank you Fr Mike.

[@Shaun1977]

HI Father Mike there I'm so lucky there is a small chapel at my church Nazareth house it's called the little oratory,I find one on one time there with our Lord before I go to Adoration & Mass. Praying for you Father Mike ❤🌹🙏

[@roxymnunez]

Thank u Father Mike this was a “sign from God” .... Truly u have no idea .how many people you were DIRECTLY talking to right now. So thanks.

[@karolinaka98]

Thank you Father Mike! For me prayer is a battle for most of the time but now I kind of understanding the importance of being consistent and putting an effort to it- so I can "physically" spend some time with God :)

[@MsSoniagandhi]

Thank you Fr. Mike. Say a prayer for me.

[@reillygates9995]

In this season, prayer is a battle. I am currently in a 54 day Rosary Novena. I also try to pray the whole Rosary (all the mysteries every day). Its the time of silence that I am finding be the most of the battle. But I find strength in the Saints and our Lord.

[@lisawong5236]

My husband is living with the threat of cancer even tho he had a prostatectomy. He is drinking too much too. I’m worried to death about this . Please keep him in your prayers . Thank you 🙏🏻❤️🌈

[@almasakic1148]

My fiance almost died of cirrhosis, he is here today only because he resolved to stop drinking. Please urge your husband to stop drinking, it will only make it worse. You are in my prayers

[@lisawong5236]

God bless you all 🌈🙏🏻📿

[@carolinav6430]

It is a Battle Father. But not impossible. Thank you for this video.

[@JoeHeffner]

Thank you again Father, and I will say, my sense of prayer is like your sense of prayer. I'm amazed that you said the way I feel, like you were reading my thoughts. I'm 77, I pray all four Rosaries daily, the Flame of Love Rosaries, and have since 2010, these among my other prayers. My 1st prayer hour is at Midnight. Another thing I can relate to that you said, this is especially so with the Rosary, time FLIES! Love your videos.

[@clifbar8628]

Thank you Father Schmitz. Yes, I think prayer is a battle but I also want to be in communion with God. Thank you for the explanation and inspiration. I definitely with all my heart want to improve my prayer and my life. 🙏❤

[@andreaguerrero924]

Thank you, Father Mike! That was such a clear explanation and the example of the husband and wife was spot on.

[@orthane4262]

I loved seeing Father Mike give this exact talk in person at my church last week! Thank you for recording it and allowing me to revisit it!

[@st_xult]

Prayer life can be like looking for "Skipper Rocks" sometimes. If you "Hunt" hard enough for them and find one that works, USE IT! Shots out to Father Mike! You Rock! 🕊

[@roberturbaniak5110]

Hi Father Mike, I just wanna say thank you to you. When I listen to you it helps me to concentrate on what’s important when it comes to my faith. You always have a message for me that helps invigorate my love for Christ.

[@claytonwenrich4663]

I know exactly what your saying. Sometimes I just don’t know what to say in prayer.

[@dscglfr00]

Thank God. That is encouraging. I have battled extremely hard at times in prayer. But somehow God made me know that it was never wasted.

[@rameau1124]

I am a Protestant, leaning towards Orthodoxy. There are multi endeavours surrounding a prayer life. Being inspired, led, desire for prayer, discipline of habit, being driven by need, having rules - ignoring the rules. I have found great value in praying the Jesus Prayer morning and evening for a set period of time, peppering it with brief thoughts upon the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22) as I proceed. This helps to stop my mind from wandering as happens with quiet meditation. The prayer is moderating and calming upon the mind, emotions and wayward passions, and serves as a springboard into other types of prayers, including intercessions, confessions and praying in tongues. Thank you father Mike.

[@pg2china]

Fr. Mike, it is a spiritual battle for me to pray. But I have persevered.I have made a conscious effort every day since 16th Oct 2016 to pray the Rosary everyday, and still doing my covenant which i promised.Yes it is a battle some days better than others.

[@angelalaraia3846]

Yes that so true i do find it hard to pray but i am always thank our Lord Jesus Christ amen amen amen amen for ever thing he does for me and my family 💙💙💙💙😘😘😘😘❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[@thoughtsonheaven6088]

Right on time because I've been feeling so awful about not being able to focus on praying plus I tend to fall asleep while I pray and I feel so horrible when it happens

[@DLTsandwich]

thank you Fr. Mike, I really do feel like the LORD is speaking to me through you.

[@lifeslittleadventureswitha8027]

Praying the stations of the cross, and spending time in adoration.

[@peggypeck1539]

Fr. Mike.....watching your face when you talk makes my heart smile.

[@Densmith43]

Oh me Oh my . BE ALL YOU . DO NOT CHANGE .

[@dorisodonnell2948]

I love and look forward to my prayer time early in the morning before the sun comes up, using the Laudate app. I try my best to pray throughout the day offering things up for others. I remember your video on prayer when I was struggling...Fr. Mike, you suggested doing certain things for a season. That really helped me put things in perspective and get my prayer life back on track.

[@JB-wk7jb]

Many years ago an old teacher of mine told me “If you want to see the view from the top of the mountain, you have to make the climb”. I often think about that wise advice when prayer seems hard.

[@marianalanz5650]

Thank you! Somedays it's so hard and someday so easy. I have noticed that sometimes I wake up praying, other times I'm asking Jesus what should I do in given situation. On my way to work, I talk to Jesus as he was sitting next to me.

[@jgreenjr1983]

Prayer is a battle where I have lots of excuses for why I can't do it. I try to do the liturgy of hours every day on the bus to and from work but I find myself saying sleep sounds better. When I force myself to stay awake, I always find a better rest of my day. Thanks for being a good Shepard Fr. Mike!

[@graciouspius4693]

Yes Father sometimes its a real battle.

[@earthyurbanite]

I’m not Catholic, I’m actually a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but I learn so much from your videos. Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@andrewcabrera8235]

I have used my prayers as a way of being thankful that god has blessed with me especially on Friday’s during adoration has helped me so much spiritually. I recommend it to everybody god bless thank you for these videos

[@snoopyjenn8379]

a battle against the distractions that the devil keeps throwing at us! Thank you father mike for sharing these paragraphs from the catechism.

[@abbstractabby1879]

Thank you for posting this at the perfect time for me! It’s been so difficult for me to pray and have a connection with the Lord. I’m trying my best to be in the presence of God and take time to pray. Bless you Fr. Mike! ~ Abby💕

[@AJBernard]

My prayer life is a battle I've been losing for many years. May the LORD strengthen me for it. I do not want to continue in my failure.

[@RPisa2416]

So grateful for your insight and help Fr. Mike! Thank you so much!

[@michiperkins144]

I was just thinking 🤔 about what you were talking about truly, this morning !!!. I like to get up early and I’m so bad at starting prayer that I read a chapter in the Bible first. Then I put my ear buds in my ears, find worship music my heart loves then I sing to Jesus ❤️ I feel His Joy in my heart, then His Joy becomes my Joy. Then prayer is easier cause I’m talking to the one I love. Fr Mike please let me dedicate this song to you!! It’s called, Father by Triune Echo. I found this song when I was thinking about what you talked about in this video dear heart ❤️

[@rutha1464]

Profound, and so very helpful. Who would have thought that you struggle with what I thought was a personal issue because I was a bad person. Thanks, and God bless you, Father!

[@quyenta3238]

Praying used to be super hard for me but now i love it i put on Rosary praying audio and pray along with KZbin in my dark bedroom and stare at a burning candle for an hour everyday or when i need to read prayers myself i blast on rain music to block out the noise and pray still admiring my candle lol i love that beautiful dancing little flame i see God in it..

[@sweetemme2964]

The earliest I've been to any video by Fr. Mike Way to start the day👍 Good morning everyone 💕 May God bless you always😊

[@foreversunshine535]

You are the most gorgeous priest ever. Keep smiling. Sending Love ❤️

[@auciehmohazab6317]

Father Mike, God Bless you. You’re a saint. For some miraculous reason, every time I have an issue, I simply open KZbin and the right video shows up without having to look for it. Like I have some questions or battles in my heart, and God seams to answer at the right moment. I also love the analogies you use. They make me understand things in a deeper level. Thank you so much for your videos and for your love of Christ. You are truly inspired by the Holy Spirit.

[@sandrarunnelscronin5812]

I listened to this and agree with what you said . I think that the evil one tries to do anything to get people to not pray. So many saintsI have read about all experiences this . I became very ill about 6 years ago.Before this I had been doing a hour before the Blessed Sacrament once a week. I always would have a religious book with me and I found that’s was helped me with my prayer life. I had a miracle happen afterI became paralyzed. I started sprayer life of mass ,rosary,and Divine chaplet everyone no matter what. I know about the saints from reading and they’ve talked abut the darkness in the the prayer life. I do my prayer on I tube . I don’t no how I would have made it without this.The only thing that bothers me is I long for the joy I see in 3 men on KZbin that I have met on watching KZbin, and Father Mike you are one of them.Yes my prayer life saved my life , I pray for joy.

[@niceatrya3477]

We have a 24 hour adoration chapel a few minutes from my house, and have never been to adoration before but have desired to. I went to confession Saturday morning, and then went to the vigil mass with my wife, but on Sunday morning I woke up and still had that deep desire for prayer. I ended up going early in the morning, and instantly fell in love with it for a few reasons. One, it was a quiet place I could relax, and experience that intimate time with our Lord and get lost in prayer without the distractions of the outside world. I stayed nearly 2 hours.

[@MrLalochifrin]

Father Mike always gives me hope.

[@michaelkahl4940]

To me prayer is a sort of battle, too. Without praying, it feels like my body is the only thing, that makes me realize that I am alive. But when I realize that God is hearing my thoughts and I start to adress my thoughts to God, to Jesus to the Holy Spirit and/or to the Saints, my whole earthly existence gets an upgrade. I can talk to the most caring and most holy mother ever. Talking to her brings me into relationship. I can talk to the greatest brother, bestest friend, king and servant ever existed. To talk in my mind to such wonderful persons is just awesome. My heart and soul craved for this honest love for a long time. I know it is true because my pain goes away when I pray and that is something a father wants for his children. I guess that is what spirituality means - being in a spiritual relationship. Thanks Father Mike for your Videos!

[@meriemali5068]

i am a muslim and ur words r gold . yes prayer is very hard to me , that's why I was searching on youtube for some guidance and I found ur youtube I will follow u and will watch more if ur vids , thank u sir

[@josetteabdilla-cunningham1542]

Awesome explanation. Many thanks Fr Mike. The road sometimes does get tough and that's when God sends people like you to help us persevere on the right path. God bless.

[@goesgoodwithcoffee1029]

You will be a Saint Fr. Mike.. especially since you know that the desire to be a Saint is the purpose of life. The desire is our part, Gods grace does the rest

[@zdenkogolubic8578]

God bless you too, Father Mike. Thank's Lord we have you 🙏✝️❤️😇😊

[@carolannnoble3981]

Soo needed this ... living Grace within the conundrum! The time I spend thinking, mulling, complaining should be time in prayer 🙏

[@papabear9268]

Thank you Father Mike. God bless your misión. We will pray for you also and follow your advice

[@ribbit1964]

I know of the battle and sometimes when I pray I spend more time trying to focus than I do praying - thanks fr mike and team!

[@fransjourney6193]

Thank you for answering my questions regarding praying. I need all the help I can get being new on my journey back to our faith. I am looking forward to learning more. 👼

[@angelabrosius2559]

Great reminder. My best prayer time is in church. Not surprising.

[@pedinurse1]

Im not catholic but I attest to all you have said, Im an evangelical Christian and you are right on

[@mirtham2372]

Oh boy! Did I need to hear that!! I felt guilty that it was so hard, and felt wrong that I would be doing my prayers because it was the right thing to do, and because it is the least God required of me! Thank you! You’ve given me a beautiful reason to persevere, Father!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Anewleaf1975]

Back in the graces of our Lord, I thought, praying was simply asking our Lord to take my will and I live in his well and to give me blessings that I need in order to be Christian to others after watching your video, I realized after a Google search copy paste Keep in mind, first, that if you spend more than a few minutes paying attention to any passage in the Bible, you will be praying. For you will be listening to words that God guarantees, that God makes His own. Hence, the most natural way to pray with Scripture is to read it attentively and devoutly. So I will look forward to your Bible in a year. Maybe I’ll make it six months??? thank you for the video father, Mike Schmitz

[@TheGeekApprentice]

Literally exactly what I needed! Prayer was easy and amazing all through July, August, and September...but since then, not so much. The weird thing that got me was when you said, "I wish I had known this at 24." I AM 24! Anyway, wonderful video! THANK YOU!

[@lillye7099]

I try and set aside time in the morning for intentional prayer. Most mornings I’ll say the rosary. I have a journal used specifically for letters I write to our Heavenly Mother. During the course of the day I have conversations with God. Hard days feel like the conversation is constant in my head. If I go out for a drive I speak out loud to God. It may not be traditional prayer. I go to Him as his child looking for counsel, comfort and love.

[@davidmorton2620]

These videos are essential as I rediscover my catholic faith and roots. Thank you Father Mike! Don’t stop.

[@pandafam0416]

Thanks for your answer! I find it easy to pray when someone else starts me off.

[@LacrimarvmValle]

I'm a baptized Catholic but I was raised atheist, I remember re-encountering Jesus at 18, and falling in love with the Rosary, what it meant, it's power and effectiveness, how good it is yet I had never prayed it, I literally thought Rosaries were necklaces, I didnt know you pray it. I started praying it daily, and the time flew by. As I got into the habit of praying it..it almost felt like a chore, I had forgotten what it had made me feel when I found out about it. I fell "out of love" with it, and it got harder to pray. So now my trick is to remember why I'm praying in the first place, not to see prayer as a chore, but as a gift, to remember the reason I even do it.

[@Bryan-or2wf]

You're reaching alot of people. God bless you Father Mike!