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The Necessity of Meditation and Mental Prayer

St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, who is considered the preeminent teacher on the necessity of prayer declares, “It is morally impossible for him who neglects meditation to live without sin” (p.257, The Great Means of Salvation and Perfection, Redemptionist Fathers: Brooklyn, NY, 1972). On the previous page he quotes St. Teresa of Avila: “He who neglects mental prayer needs not a devil to carry him to hell, but he brings himself there with his own hands.”

A Suggested Format for Meditation and Mental Prayer
(take 15 minutes a day, preferably in the morning to do this)

Predispositions for Mental Prayer:
     1. deep desire to pray
     2. firm resolution to never make excuses for limiting mental prayer

The Method:
     1. Preparation
          a. Recall the Presence of God
          b. Make act of humility and confidence
          c. Petition for help
     2. Body of Meditation
          a. Consideration (usually a reading)
          b. Affectons (acts of faith, hope, love, contrition,longing for God, etc.)
          c. Make a resolution
     3. Conclusion
          a. Petition for help
          b. Thanksgiving
          c. Oblation (make an offering of yourself to God)

“I place myself before God and say to Him: ‘Here I am, O Lord, give me what You will.’ If He gives me anything, I am very pleased and give Him thanks.  But if He gives me nothing, I thank Him just the same, for I am not deserving of anything.  Then again I tell Him all the matters which pass through my mind...and I listen.” (St. Catherine Laboure’s method of meditation)