If you found this episode helpful, you'll probably also enjoy our episode on interior silence: ruclips.net/video/pz4FeqhyOZU/видео.html God bless you all!
Apostate father Mark has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
@@GTKJNow May i ask how you even got here to this comment section? Your accusation is full of vitriol and unwarranted, because you do not know this man to accuse him of being an apostate. You’re a sad person 😢
It's lovely to watch a calm video that isn't gimmicky. Thank you. God bless you. When I pray a storm of negativity comes at me from inside my own head, things like not being worthy, that even God doesn't want you, that it's pointless to plead because nobody is listening, that you aren't important enough to be heard by God and even that I'm delusional and inventing God because I can't deal with my own insignificance. I don't know if it's my own subconscious or the devil but it seems relentless sometimes. In the end I had to stop those contemplative silences and just pray the Rosary, but even with the Rosary sometimes the storm comes.
It came to me the other day that I am child of God. We only need be a child. A small child accepts himself totally. He is so unaware of what he is supposed to be. He only knows that he is and his parent loves him so greatly. This is one of St Therese's ways. It clears all condemnation.
@@janetouchedupoujol6344 Thank you, it's a good reminder. There are many adults today who never got to be children when they should have been, kids of addicts etc. It's very hard for us to let go and trust in anyone or anything. It can pose a huge problem spiritually. Please pray to for everyone in the world afflicted like that, those in need of His mercy but not able to trust it.
As someone who has fought that fight I can tell you. Bring these thoughts up to God and let Him judge them and shine His Light as the Sun of Justice, Divine Wisdom and Teacher and Overflowing Fount of Mercy and Love. Remember God does not just have justice, He is Justice and He does not just have mercy, He is Mercy, and He does not just have truth and wisdom, He is Truth and Wisdom. Also, if you are alive, God is not only loving you, He is fighting for you!
@@janetouchedupoujol6344 thank you, I will try to be more simple, it's a good message. It can be difficult for a lot of adults who didn't get to be children or to learn trust due to parents with addictions and other issues. Please pray for people afflicted like that, it's a long road.
lol same here.. sometimes i realize my attention has wandered off and I have said a sentence or two of the prayer.. Then I come back to what I am doing...So I say to Mary or Christ ...'Im sure you know what I should have said and what I would have meant' ..
ST.TERESA OF LISIEUX: “I should be distressed that I drop off to sleep during my prayers... But I don’t feel at all distressed. I know that children are just as dear to their parents whether they are asleep or awake, and I know that doctors put their patients to sleep before they operate. I’d never before heard it said that one’s faults did not distress God, and I was overwhelmed with joy when I did receive this assurance. It gave me patience to endure this life of exile. It was, too, the echo of my inmost thoughts. For a long time I had realized that Our Lord was more tender than a mother - and how well I know the depths of tenderness in more than one mother’s heart! I know that a mother is always ready to forgive the misbehavior of her child.”
ST. TERESA OF LISIEUX: “I cannot bring myself to hunt through books for beautiful prayers. There are so many of them that I get a headache. Besides, each prayer seems lovelier than the next. I cannot possibly say them all and do not know which to choose. I behave like a child who cannot read: I tell God what I want and He always understands. For me, prayer is an upward leap of the heart, an untroubled glance towards heaven, a cry of gratitude and love which I utter from the depths of sorrow as well as from the heights of joy...”
I needed this. Thank you. Im very Benedictine in my practices and I frequently mutter prayers while doing non-verbal work. Recently I was admonished by a devote Marian for not doing all my prayers kneeling in perfect concentration. The quality and intention (direction of who it benefits) of my work is my offering up to God and I needed this reminder that we aren’t all the same or in the same phase of prayer. ....Especially with the tendons in my knees failing.
God bless your knees!! I find that praying while doing other things is still much better than letting thoughts mindlessly wander! (My own opinion) I do need to work on quiet time with God more. I do a lot of praying and driving and doing chores outside and such. But need to chisel out more time for just God.
@j2muw667 this so true. To me personally I’d rather pray while walking or hiking or washing the dishes, or cooking. if it’s hard to concentrate then I get my earbud and listen to spiritual talks to keep me thinking of God. Rather than just think outside of God. It takes practice and grace from God. But most of all decision is ours to make. No excuses.
Apostate father Marc has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ .
@@arthurgrey8967 [Rev 2:1-7 KJV] 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
@@arthurgrey8967 I responded to you but this RUclips User/RUclips would not post the Scriptures but something like just because a drunk father is with their son and is saying abusive things is not act of love. If you read Revelation Chapter 2 verses 1-7 hopefully you will understand what I am saying.
@@GTKJNow I understand the premise but you are confusing apples and oranges. One is an abusive and malicious behavior. The other vis a vis prayer is a grace given by God and not always possible. If only people capable of perfect prayer were to pray, then there would be no prayers. The Lord knows what our limitations are. Offering time to God is an act of love. Even if its just time you'd have wasted on something silly. Its an effort to put God first.
When I pray the rosary I also watch cleaning videos or gardening videos on silent. It keeps me focused visually, calms my mind away from thinking, and I can focus on praying. Or I pray the rosary while driving. I’m concentrating my thoughts and focusing on the prayers. If I’m alone I sing the prayer out loud, especially the seven sorrows of Mary. I’m in the car and can cry and scream at the pain of Our Blessed Mother. The contemplation is truly heartbreaking. Thank you so much for this talk, it validates my commitment to prayer. When I get distracted, I just start over. ❤️🩹🥀
Very practical and also very edifying. Found this particularly helpful this week during time in a recent Eucharistic Adoration. An elderly man was "praying out loud" in church. I could hear bits and pieces of prayers "full of grace...for the sake of his....defend us in..." fading in and out. Rather than being a distraction it became, in a way, delightful for me! As if Our Lord was letting me "listen in" on this soul's heartfelt prayer to him. Thank you for helping me with your timely video!
At Eucharistic adoration, there's a 100 year old who's gutteral sounds when praying sound like to she's growling. When I can hear some words it's edifying.
@@TheLollipop337everything can be used as a forgiveness opportunity. Our mind is fond of wandering. So whatever you can use to bring your mind back to the moment is useful. Maybe those supposed “distractions” are a call and response from the Holy Spirit. Everything can be used for the mind and heart willing to listen. Everything is a gift.
ST. TERESA OF AVILA: “Don’t think that if you had a great deal of time you would spend more of it in prayer. Get rid of that idea! God gives more in a moment than in a long period of time, for His actions are not measured by time at all. Know that even when you are in the kitchen, our Lord is moving among the pots and pans!”
Where's your 1st love?Apostate father Mark has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
@@user-fc1ld9ts8u Just uttering words is not enough you must have First Love Motives. See [Rev 2:1-7 KJV] 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
God is indeed everywhere, in the sands on the beach, on the mountain tops with eagles, and in your room when you are sequestered. He is everywhere and anywhere all at once (Omnipresent). A limitless god with unlimited love and favor, He is all things grand and small, mighty and weak, powerful and gentle. The epitome of love and literal definition, He is YHWH, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:3 KJV
I can understand the exhaustion Therese may have felt. There were times when she was coughing up blood. She showed up. The message of resting with God is beautiful. This video is beautiful
Father Marc has such a lovely, kind and gentle way of explaining the vagaries of prayer. He is both practical and yet observant of the discipline of prayer. His teaching allows us to accept our own humanness and not to succumb to guilt all the time. His idea of “showing up” is radical in its simplicity and humanity. I find his teaching refreshing because it’s so loving. So much Catholic dogma isn’t kind, it’s so harsh and rigid. This was a beautiful conversation.
I have been stuggling with prayer, and suddenly this episodr popped up and addressed all my questions. Thank you for this wonderful.teaching. it seems to be specially tailored for me.🙏
Thank you both! I am a lifelong Catholic that for some reason, never said the Rosary often. Even in my Catholic school days it wasn't often utilized. Eight years ago I made the vow to Our Lady of Sorrows to say a daily Rosary. You will both smile in that now I'm finally ready for the readings of the saints mentioned in this video... The dryness of the soul is heart wrenching once experienced, but through it the entire Rosary is felt emotionally. And, rather like having said a particular prayer for decades, it somehow becomes new as layers are peeled away. The Little Way is astonishing in its depth and complexity if we allow for it to be so.
As a 51 yr old going thru menopause, I find this so helpful. I often wake up in the middle of the night because of night sweats or insomnia. Then go to school and help teach prek, so afterwards, by the time I go to Adoration, I pray and then find myself dosing off out of pure exhaustion. This gives me great comfort, cause I always felt like I was failing in pray time with Jesus..
Why don't you just to listen the snake music to wake you up? If you have not love your Nothing 1st Corinthians 13. Apostate father Marc has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
That's the beauty of St Therese. The recognition that she wasn't a spiritual athlete like so many of the other saints. She couldn't pray like them, or do those heroic levels of sacrifice. So she would offer all the little things she could do with great love, and trust in God to lift her up like a loving father. So while the others were sprinting up the mountain to holiness and heaven, she would rely on God to lift her up like a child with her arms aimed up to Him, and carry her to Him in Heaven. Even the the mischievous visual of the metaphor is adorable
Thank you so much for this beautiful and insightful discussion!!! I needed this, it brought peace to my heart. This past Saturday I went to Mass as it was the first Saturday of the month although I was feeling quite sick ( I have many health issues) and I had to stand in line for an hour and a half before it was my turn. I was extremely tired and felt sicker. After my confession I attended Mass, I was feeling much better and I felt like I was in a trance. On Sunday I woke up very sick. I just did my morning prayers and that was it. I couldn’t pray all day. I wanted to but couldn’t and I was in torture all day. At the end of the day I offered my suffering to Jesus and I was at peace. The spiritual life has so many mysteries. So I thank Fr. Foley and that sweet brother for this discussion. It was quite revealing to me. I have to watch it again. P. S. I decided to read St. Teresa’s books. She is such a special saint and I see some similarities between our characters. Her feast day is on October 15 and so is my birthday. Much love to you St. Teresa of Avila. 😊🙏
Have you tried on becoming a Third Order Carmelite or at least attend some Carmelites meetings to discern your vocation in Carmel? Hope you do so . Blessings in Carmel, sincerely, Ellie Wilson OCDS 🌹🙏🏻
I have severe issues focusing; even in prayer I will get up and wash dishes etc. it’s refreshing to know it’s not that bad as long as we get back to it.
@sm 4798 ... if the goal is simply to be in conversation, aka prayer with our Lord, you can let your hands do those dishes rather hold beads of a rosary. People utilize what people utilize for a focused approach to prayer .. but our Father does not care about beads or dishes. He longs to have our heart and our attention. He longs for our relationship. So go pray AS you do the dishes, or make the bed, or tend to the garden, etc. Be in prayer in solitude and be in prayer as you go about your day. Rosary beads are simply an option ... not an obligation.
The first time I really gave myself to God and prayed with all of my heart, I fell asleep. I woke up feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted from me. I took it as a sign that I made the right choice and I haven't looked back.
I have this issue before mass when I am trying to say the rosary. People chat and talk (not whispering - regular talking) when they come into church. It’s not social time. It’s time to be still in the presence of God, prepare for mass. Drives me nuts.
This is a result of a lack of discipline in the church today. As I was growing up in the '40s, the church was a quiet and contemplative place to pray. This also applies to cell phones. How many times have you heard the ding ding ding of messages or emails being received or even the ringing of the phone because people forgot, even though they were asked to PLEASE turn off their phone in church. It does no good to complain because society today is all about letting things happen as you want them to and not as they should be. I believe it is the pastor's responsibility to inform people that they should not be talking out loud either when they enter the church or as soon as the church door opens after Mass. Unfortunately, there is a tendency to not want to upset people, probably because of the potential loss of revenue if people become upset and take their religious business to another parish where they can talk as much as they want, anytime they want.
Talking disturbs me too, and in fact any sound can be distracting. Years ago, I mentioned this to a visiting priest from India. He said to me, just keep whispering your prayers to God. I will tell you a story how God can use our shortcomings to accomplish His Will. About 30 years ago, when I was a new convert, I participated in something called a Rosary pilgrimage. This was a recurring all-day event, carpooling from parish to parish, praying some part of the Rosary in each place. One particular Saturday, at the first stop, I became very anxious. I couldn't tolerate how each person in the large group was praying at their own pace, all out of sync. I became so nervous that I got up and left. If this had happened later, I would have been stuck depending on someone else's car. But, still having my own car, I simply went home. I was just in time to receive a phone call from a priest friend from India, who said he was returning to India the next day and could I join him for dinner, along with the other two lady volunteers who had shown him hospitality during his stay. He also had an amazing story of how he had gotten my phone number, obviously also the Lord's work. I realized that if I had continued the Rosary pilgrimage, I would have missed this wonderful opportunity to say goodbye. It was a great blessing. I learned something from that experience. I find that, most of the time, I can persevere through the distractions, whether by praying for the people distracting me, or by just being thankful for the grace to be quiet myself. If I can't bear it, I might leave to continue my prayers while walking, or while sitting on a bench, or at home, keeping in mind that the Lord knows exactly where my heart is, He knows what I'm feeling and what I'm thinking, and perhaps He has prepared another surprise for me -- someone who needs a listening ear, or a helping hand, or who wants to take me out to dinner!
@@ICSPublications Does anyone ever quote from the source of what Jesus Christ says? I haven't heard here. Apostate father Mark has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
Thankyou Fathers for these valuable lessons on prayers especially on dealing with distractions while praying and staying in the presenceofGod. God bless us all!
What’s helped me with the rosary is imagining my self there physically watching as a witness or bystander. When my mind wanders I catch myself and just say a little prayer for the Holy Spirit take my distractions. I breathe,wait a a minute and start again. I feel guilty when I’m drowsy during prayer but never when I’m scrolling social media! Thank you for this video . ❤
This reminds me of how professional golfers learn how to focus at a busy, packed tournament. The pros turn off or turn on those distractions so they focus on to swing or putt more accurately. This is really insightful and helpful for prayer! (Especially for busy mom minds!)
This was both comforting AND challenging. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for showing such respect for each other. A conversation in which each person can finish a thought without being interrupted shows a fantastic gift of truly listening.
I have been yawning while I'm praying (no other time {consciously} during the days does it happen!), yet I still press on with my prayers, no matter how many times or how long these yawns are. 🤷 God bless.🙏
Thank you Father, this video is truly helpful because I find myself exhausted and falls asleep during my prayers which I cannot avoid, to me, no matter how tired or exhausted I am, I still need to pray- not because its an obligation but it is one that charges my spiritual life when life discharges my energy out of all the negative things happening around me all day long. I find that its sometimes helpful for me to walk around inside the house back & forth while praying so as not to fall asleep.
Apostate father Marc has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus not apostate man.
One of the saints, I can’t remember now which book I was reading but he said that think of difficult people [creatures] especially the ones we live with..that they offer us 1000 plus opportunities for practice in virtues and self denial when done out of love for God.
I find listening to your podcast and learning more about great saints in our faith helps me have God on and in my mind and therefore for me is an active kind of prayer that dispels dryness and leads me into further contemplation. 🙏
Yesterday in the adoration chapel, I encountered a woman who was there another time. I find it annoying that she whispers loud enough that it intrudes on my own thoughts and prayers. I thought about writing a brief polite note asking her to pray internally, then I thought of the parish office to complain. Something kept me from doing it yesterday, same as the previous time. If this is what she needs I should not take it away from her.🙏🏾. You both just confirmed that. Thank you.
This was such wonderful advice. I was amazed about the surrendering of issues that could be considered negatives that can be transformed, and turned into positives once they are released.
8:14 that's helps greatly I have been lacking in completing rosary but grown in adoration services and weekly mass Eucharistic. Mary leads us to Jesus amen
Now i know i am not alone. I needed to see this video 🙏thank you. Praise the Lord 🙏 We are all from different countries and yet we are able to watch this video together in different countries, thank you Lord 🙏 Patient is being Patient when i am impatient. I have never thought of this b4. Sometime i struggle during my praying (rosary). And im not proud of it. I would try all way, pulling my curtain (in my room). Staying focus and tried saying prayer loud and also soft. Trying to filter the noise. But after listening to this video, i really benefits alot from here. (I listened while jogging) All are from internal , not external. And yes, sometime i wanted to say something but something tell me don't say it. And i have experience hearing my own thoughts telling me something, the same old thing for years( on and off), and this thing that i heard (in my thoughts)really happened recently. We always cannot fingure out is that my own thoughts or my angel is trying to Talk to me or to warn me. Some say pray and read bible and you will hear God's word. I'm still working on this. I love God. I have faith in God. But i also know we can't use our rule to measure our faith and love for God. Cuz God has His own ruler too! For those who are like me, who want to hear God's word and His voice, I pray for you guys, and let's have Patient especially during our impatient moments and able to hear His voice 🙏 Amen.
Thank you! Your comment helped me so much. So difficult to stay patient, but I’m working on it. I’m thankful for this ministry and so happy that we can gather from all over the world to focus on the Lord! 🙏😊
St thereseyou are the most wonderful saint . You are my teacher and my best friend. The way to God is so simple. Everything is a grace ,all the opportunities come i must recognise what they are and how to use them for the greater glory of God. Thankyou my sister my friend. Your little pupil .
I must be transparent and admit that for years i often wondered what the big fuss was about “The Little Flower.” But listening to Rev. Fr. Mark has helped me further appreciate this Saint. Normally when one authors ONE book about a subject matter they tend to exhaust all avenues about it. But for Fr. Mark to have written books (plural) about Sister L, and is yet writing another book, then that tells me that i need to pull out a magnifying glass 🔍 when reading her…
I think it’s important to remember that Jesus doesn’t actually get tired of us. Of course I know St. Terese didn’t mean it like that, but I just wanted to share that. The Father always delights in us
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.”
If you have not love your Nothing 1st Corinthians 13. Apostate father Marc has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
You guys are so great I feel so guilty about my prayer life which is consistent but feels like it goes nowhere/ no one listens - just alone You are so helpful!!
I love The Story of a Soul: Study Edition- what an unexpected blessing to “get to know” Fr. Marc! I was never able to connect with St. Therese until I read his book.
As a stay at home mom with 2 boys, I'm incredibly overstimulated.. pretty much all the time. This discussion has changed how I see it, and I'm excited to put new practice into my days and seek the virtue hidden behind my first reactions.
I started the 54 day rosary in October. When I first started it was like something was stopping me. Never had this happen before. I called my friend the nextday and she said continue it. I am now having distrations in my head while praying.
If I'm praying and then think about something I need to buy or some current issue in my life, I don't see it as a distraction. Rather, I see it as God friendly reminding me about what I need to buy or suggesting an issue I need to pray about in the two-way conversation.
Awesome! I never looked at it this way before. So maybe when I’m distracted it’s God actually drawing our attention to something He feels is important! ♥️🙏✝️Thank you!
I am 77 years old. And I find it almost impossible. To sit still while I'm in pso I get up. And I walk around otherwise I will sit in a chair. And I will not be able to meditate or concentrate but just get sleepy. And I always ask God to forgive me for moving around while I am praying sometimes I sometimes I say my best prayers while I am doing the dishes. And I feel bad about that, but I cannot be without prayer. It's like going through the whole day without brushing your hair or washing. It is a part of me. But since I'm older. I find it harder and order to sit still and concentrate. I just fall asleep. So I hope God accepts my prayer. In the way that I love saint. Theresa when I read her order biography for the first time, which I am unable to even read anymore.Because my vision is so bad.I was Weeping. During the time of her agony, she was a true and great and glorious snake and yet I don't believe she ever had any visual operations but she was so connected to God.❤
I always battle with distraction when praying. Sometimes, I will engage in thoughts that brought joy in my life, a joy I would not usually experience in the normal realm of things However, I later realize it is the evil one trying to dominate my mind. It's a battle, and I turn my focus on the great love my Savior has for me to continue with my prayers. Usually, I am always aware of what and who is most important in my life to keep my focus.
@@ICSPublications 😊yes please 🙏🏻 I really really need those prayers and my broken family, PLEASE 🙏🏻 FOR me and my 2 adult children who are away from our Holy Mother Church….. THANK YOU 🙏🏻 SO MUCH!🤍⛪️🕊️
I love your explanation of prayer. I slways felt as a failure by getting distracted while praying. When I realize I have strayed & pulled myself back to thinking about prayer, I now thank you for your answer. I don't think I've given up anything when I pray.
The hardest for me with ADHD is to not think on other stuff while praying the Rosary, although I try to focus with my heart not my mind... Beautiful video to grow in meditation skills!
Now and forever be praise ! Thank you for your beautiful advice . I have been a Third Order Carmelite for many years and I am learning more about prayer every day . I am currently reading “ Union with God” according to St John of the Cross . The struggles we face in prayers are our greatest strength that propels us to God . My struggles I gave them to Him and tell him “ I just came to sit with you, I don’t feel like it but I’ll sit here and just watch you “ We have according to St John to discern from where our aridity comes from if is from God or from our own . Thank you again .
To keep my attention on the presence of God I often go back and center myself in my heart-in my heart I feel the real presence of Jesus. Here is where I am fully at rest in Him ❤
It's more like "push ourselves" to Pray- To do what we must do...even though we DO NOT feel like it. Our minds will try to guide us, but we must listen to our HEARTS❤
Today in church after receiving Holy communion I heard 2 ladies 2 pews behind me giggling and talking loudly while priest was still giving communion and while the cantor was singing. At first I was focused in my prayers I usually am) for over 5 minutes, I continued to pray didn’t get bothered. Somehow I started hearing them getting louder and louder like competing with the singing of the cantor. I had to turn my head and looked at them. They got the hint they then talked very softly. Sometimes we have to do something when it’s called for but gently with subtlety. And I did it out of love.
Brothers this is good! I love the great insights and different perspectives. Especially Jesus asleep in the boat. For that deep of a sleep in a terrible storm ⛈️ In His humanity, He had to be exhausted. When the disciples woke Him up, He was irritated “Where is your faith?” When all hell breaks lose, hold on in trust. If it seems God is unconcerned and doesn’t care, be still and know that He remains upholding all things by the word of His power. Good insights dear friends!
Age 33! Jesus Age...when died on the Cross. A very Special Age. What a Blessing indeed. Keep modeling His Love with your acts of kindness. You will be Rewarded-
For me Praying the Rosary is like contemplating to the life of Jesus with the Virgin Mary, if you just focus and vocally you recite it it’s a beautiful prayer and as you go along it’s getting more and more I feel closer to Mama Mary, there’s a lot of destruction and sometimes you feel it boring but if you try to understand every word that comes out from your mouth you feel li,e you are in heaven.🙏🌹🙏
@ 21:51 " so I would say, memorize certain things, a line from scripture..." I applied that idea when I began a person relationship with Jesus in '84 , it's been invaluable in so many ways and most importantly it's His words which will always contain His power to change. Thanks for sharing
I don’t think I can say thank you enough for this episode. I’ve been struggling recently with each of these and you’ve answered so many questions. How I know God is working in me is something you just said about first movements. I had no idea what John was talking about now I do and I’ve been doing just this and moving y will back to God without knowing why. I can go on and on but this suffices for now. Deo gratias!
This was wonderful! My patron Saint in Confirmation, my choice because when I was Baptized at Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Mt Washington, Baltimore, MD my hero the Pastor The Right Reverend MSG Louis Stinkney said I would be the last baby he Baptized because of cataracts so because of my birthday 5/1 and his name Louis I was named Mary Louise, he was in France and Belgium when he was studying for the priesthood and met St Teresa. So taking her name for Confirmation completed the circle. MSG Stinkey would let me come up to his den while he was reading the afternoon prayers in Braille. I would sit on a little stool next to his chair and watch the goldfish in his aquarium and listen to his prayers. Most of the time I fell asleep, it was balm to my 4 year old soul, such wonderful memories. There is a full height statue of the Little 🌹 Flower in the Church, this is the same Church where my Father was Baptized and we went to Parochial School in the basement of the Church. That is how Baltimore was no one moved and everyone knew everyone ⚓️💕
For me, before i got into praying holy rosary everyday, i think we need sacrament of confession, go to mass as often as we can and receive the eucharist, i think we must be in state of grace, so that we can medidtate the holy rosary...
Please pray that I will always be silent even amidst so much shouting and yelling in my family. Why can't my family leave me alone to go to church and pray quietly in my room. I am an aged housewife yet my family is very rude to me. Husband and children don't pray the rosary nor read the bible. There is no family prayer time nor meal times together. I am so tired and lost and am suffering from countless illness including heart, lung stroke and cronice constpation. I surrendered to God and want to do God's holy will. I am in and out of hospital almost 6 times a year. All I want is to have some peace and quiet at home God have mercy on us and the whole world. 😢😢😢😢😢😢
Ask God the grace to surrender totally to him through the ihm. Listen to hymns esp what a friend we have in jesus.use the verses and passages as a form of prayer.eg the storm for upsetting times.thou will keep im perfect peace ehose mind us stayed on thee.isahiah26/3.i go on repeating them until i experience God s peace.say them aloud ..not for God to hear . these bible verses are like tonics and medicine to strengthen us . remember and look back on every miracle of the bible , because you had faith ,you were healed or set free. Jesus is the same yesterday , today and always , if you go to him with a humble and a contrite heart he will help.yes he does, i i have personsl experiences .put all your problems .journal them , talk to jesus , he will show you the way out. Dont focus what is wrong with your family but focus on the problem solver.he has the power of solving all your problems.trust his dibine mercy.you find that Jesus will use you to convert the family. Be patient.pray until something happens~PUSH~,
can you go somewhere alone for a bit like Church to pray? that helps to visit Jesus outside of Mass and also going to Mass even if its alone....will pray for you and fam
I am truly sorry for all the pain you are experiencing. I will remember you in my prayers to Our Lord and our Immaculate Mother. I can hear your frustration. I have a very difficult relative. She reminds me of the woman described by St Therese as a fellow nun who vexed her greatly. Always complaining, never appreciative, and constantly criticizing even when you were trying to help her. And constantly interrupting when I was trying to pray. St Therese inspired me to view this person not as an interruption and annoyance, but as God sending me an opportunity to love Him and grow through her. To hold my temper, try to be loving and understanding, and let go of my personal needs for justice and reciprocity as an act of love for Him. It isn't easy, but I think its pleasing to Him and good for us. I pray God brings you comfort and relief from your struggles.
Thank you for such beautiful & helpful wisdom. Your insights & reflections have filled me with such peace & joy. Praise be to Our Lord for He is SO amazing 🙏🏻
If you found this episode helpful, you'll probably also enjoy our episode on interior silence: ruclips.net/video/pz4FeqhyOZU/видео.html
God bless you all!
Apostate father Mark has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
@@GTKJNowyou’re like a day and night accuser here. How can you show your love to a person without giving him or her your time?
Very helpful I was beating myself a lot of my life for growing tired on occasion praying. Seems silly now.
@@mauixram2007 He is my first love, Why do u accuse me of on NOT giving Him my time?
@@GTKJNow May i ask how you even got here to this comment section? Your accusation is full of vitriol and unwarranted, because you do not know this man to accuse him of being an apostate. You’re a sad person 😢
It's lovely to watch a calm video that isn't gimmicky. Thank you. God bless you. When I pray a storm of negativity comes at me from inside my own head, things like not being worthy, that even God doesn't want you, that it's pointless to plead because nobody is listening, that you aren't important enough to be heard by God and even that I'm delusional and inventing God because I can't deal with my own insignificance. I don't know if it's my own subconscious or the devil but it seems relentless sometimes. In the end I had to stop those contemplative silences and just pray the Rosary, but even with the Rosary sometimes the storm comes.
It came to me the other day that I am child of God. We only need be a child.
A small child accepts himself totally. He is so unaware of what he is supposed to be.
He only knows that he is and his parent loves him so greatly.
This is one of St Therese's ways.
It clears all condemnation.
@@janetouchedupoujol6344 Thank you, it's a good reminder. There are many adults today who never got to be children when they should have been, kids of addicts etc. It's very hard for us to let go and trust in anyone or anything. It can pose a huge problem spiritually. Please pray to for everyone in the world afflicted like that, those in need of His mercy but not able to trust it.
As someone who has fought that fight I can tell you.
Bring these thoughts up to God and let Him judge them and shine His Light as the Sun of Justice, Divine Wisdom and Teacher and Overflowing Fount of Mercy and Love.
Remember God does not just have justice, He is Justice and He does not just have mercy, He is Mercy, and He does not just have truth and wisdom, He is Truth and Wisdom.
Also, if you are alive, God is not only loving you, He is fighting for you!
@@LostArchivist thank you SO much, that's a powerful message and you put it beautifully!
@@janetouchedupoujol6344 thank you, I will try to be more simple, it's a good message. It can be difficult for a lot of adults who didn't get to be children or to learn trust due to parents with addictions and other issues. Please pray for people afflicted like that, it's a long road.
I have ADHD and get distracted during prayer especially during the Rosary. I persevere and I still think those prayers are valuable. ❤️🙏🏻❤️
lol same here.. sometimes i realize my attention has wandered off and I have said a sentence or two of the prayer.. Then I come back to what I am doing...So I say to Mary or Christ ...'Im sure you know what I should have said and what I would have meant' ..
Once I got to the end of the Rosary only to realize I had skipped a whole decade.
100% He knows our struggles and our intentions
Like your praying the devil gets in your head distract you.
@@RCaru-nv2ltThat is exactly what I tell myself - and God. “I’m sorry I think Satan is distracting me, but you know my Lord/Lady what is my heart.”
ST.TERESA OF LISIEUX: “I should be distressed that I drop off to sleep during my prayers... But I don’t feel at all distressed. I know that children are just as dear to their parents whether they are asleep or awake, and I know that doctors put their patients to sleep before they operate. I’d never before heard it said that one’s faults did not distress God, and I was overwhelmed with joy when I did receive this assurance. It gave me patience to endure this life of exile. It was, too, the echo of my inmost thoughts. For a long time I had realized that Our Lord was more tender than a mother - and how well I know the depths of tenderness in more than one mother’s heart! I know that a mother is always ready to forgive the misbehavior of her child.”
The fervent prayers of a Righteous person avails much!
Pray for us, that have this difficulty ❤️
🙏 THANK YOU 🙏
This is comforting to someone who struggles in prayer
I totally agree with you. 🙏
God bless all ofyou and thank you
ST. TERESA OF LISIEUX: “I cannot bring myself to hunt through books for beautiful prayers. There are so many of them that I get a headache. Besides, each prayer seems lovelier than the next. I cannot possibly say them all and do not know which to choose. I behave like a child who cannot read: I tell God what I want and He always understands. For me, prayer is an upward leap of the heart, an untroubled glance towards heaven, a cry of gratitude and love which I utter from the depths of sorrow as well as from the heights of joy...”
❤ Amen to that. 🙏
@@annemariezeckzer3594I love St. Therese! She’s so wise for a young person. I’m reading her book for the 3rd time.
I needed this. Thank you.
Im very Benedictine in my practices and I frequently mutter prayers while doing non-verbal work. Recently I was admonished by a devote Marian for not doing all my prayers kneeling in perfect concentration.
The quality and intention (direction of who it benefits) of my work is my offering up to God and I needed this reminder that we aren’t all the same or in the same phase of prayer. ....Especially with the tendons in my knees failing.
God bless your knees!!
I find that praying while doing other things is still much better than letting thoughts mindlessly wander! (My own opinion)
I do need to work on quiet time with God more. I do a lot of praying and driving and doing chores outside and such.
But need to chisel out more time for just God.
@j2muw667 this so true. To me personally I’d rather pray while walking or hiking or washing the dishes, or cooking. if it’s hard to concentrate then I get my earbud and listen to spiritual talks to keep me thinking of God. Rather than just think outside of God. It takes practice and grace from God. But most of all decision is ours to make. No excuses.
Thank you helping to clear the scruples I've had about my prayer life I understand about my human frailties and God's love infinite
God bless all of you and thank you
This has been so helpful. As someone (female) turning 70, this has touched on so many of my struggles. Thank you.
It's nice to know that I'm not the only one struggling to stay awake!!!
Good talk ... thanks!
Apostate father Marc has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ .
@@GTKJNow Giving your time to someone is an act of love. It sounds to me that you are confusing love with an emotional state.
@@arthurgrey8967 [Rev 2:1-7 KJV] 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
@@arthurgrey8967 I responded to you but this RUclips User/RUclips would not post the Scriptures but something like just because a drunk father is with their son and is saying abusive things is not act of love. If you read Revelation Chapter 2 verses 1-7 hopefully you will understand what I am saying.
@@GTKJNow I understand the premise but you are confusing apples and oranges. One is an abusive and malicious behavior. The other vis a vis prayer is a grace given by God and not always possible. If only people capable of perfect prayer were to pray, then there would be no prayers. The Lord knows what our limitations are. Offering time to God is an act of love. Even if its just time you'd have wasted on something silly. Its an effort to put God first.
"As worthy as a grain of sand.
Yet held precious in Your hand.
You raised me up, above the clabber.
In all creation I call you my Father"
Beautiful
When I pray the rosary I also watch cleaning videos or gardening videos on silent. It keeps me focused visually, calms my mind away from thinking, and I can focus on praying. Or I pray the rosary while driving. I’m concentrating my thoughts and focusing on the prayers. If I’m alone I sing the prayer out loud, especially the seven sorrows of Mary. I’m in the car and can cry and scream at the pain of Our Blessed Mother. The contemplation is truly heartbreaking. Thank you so much for this talk, it validates my commitment to prayer. When I get distracted, I just start over. ❤️🩹🥀
Very practical and also very edifying. Found this particularly helpful this week during time in a recent Eucharistic Adoration. An elderly man was "praying out loud" in church. I could hear bits and pieces of prayers "full of grace...for the sake of his....defend us in..." fading in and out. Rather than being a distraction it became, in a way, delightful for me! As if Our Lord was letting me "listen in" on this soul's heartfelt prayer to him. Thank you for helping me with your timely video!
At Eucharistic adoration, there's a 100 year old who's gutteral sounds when praying sound like to she's growling. When I can hear some words it's edifying.
@@TheLollipop337everything can be used as a forgiveness opportunity. Our mind is fond of wandering. So whatever you can use to bring your mind back to the moment is useful. Maybe those supposed “distractions” are a call and response from the Holy Spirit. Everything can be used for the mind and heart willing to listen. Everything is a gift.
ST. TERESA OF AVILA: “Don’t think that if you had a great deal of time you would spend more of it in prayer. Get rid of that idea! God gives more in a moment than in a long period of time, for His actions are not measured by time at all. Know that even when you are in the kitchen, our Lord is moving among the pots and pans!”
Where's your 1st love?Apostate father Mark has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
Your wisdom is powerful and thank you so much! Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever!!!!!!!
@@GTKJNow You show your love by sacrificing your time in worship and prayer.
@@user-fc1ld9ts8u Just uttering words is not enough you must have First Love Motives. See [Rev 2:1-7 KJV] 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
God is indeed everywhere, in the sands on the beach, on the mountain tops with eagles, and in your room when you are sequestered. He is everywhere and anywhere all at once (Omnipresent). A limitless god with unlimited love and favor, He is all things grand and small, mighty and weak, powerful and gentle. The epitome of love and literal definition, He is YHWH, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:3 KJV
I can understand the exhaustion Therese may have felt. There were times when she was coughing up blood. She showed up. The message of resting with God is beautiful. This video is beautiful
Father Marc has such a lovely, kind and gentle way of explaining the vagaries of prayer. He is both practical and yet observant of the discipline of prayer. His teaching allows us to accept our own humanness and not to succumb to guilt all the time. His idea of “showing up” is radical in its simplicity and humanity. I find his teaching refreshing because it’s so loving. So much Catholic dogma isn’t kind, it’s so harsh and rigid. This was a beautiful conversation.
I have been stuggling with prayer, and suddenly this episodr popped up and addressed all my questions. Thank you for this wonderful.teaching. it seems to be specially tailored for me.🙏
Same here. God sent this my way
Thank you both! I am a lifelong Catholic that for some reason, never said the Rosary often. Even in my Catholic school days it wasn't often utilized. Eight years ago I made the vow to Our Lady of Sorrows to say a daily Rosary. You will both smile in that now I'm finally ready for the readings of the saints mentioned in this video... The dryness of the soul is heart wrenching once experienced, but through it the entire Rosary is felt emotionally. And, rather like having said a particular prayer for decades, it somehow becomes new as layers are peeled away. The Little Way is astonishing in its depth and complexity if we allow for it to be so.
As a 51 yr old going thru menopause, I find this so helpful. I often wake up in the middle of the night because of night sweats or insomnia. Then go to school and help teach prek, so afterwards, by the time I go to Adoration, I pray and then find myself dosing off out of pure exhaustion. This gives me great comfort, cause I always felt like I was failing in pray time with Jesus..
Boron & B1 helped with those symptoms.
Why don't you just to listen the snake music to wake you up? If you have not love your Nothing 1st Corinthians 13. Apostate father Marc has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
That's the beauty of St Therese. The recognition that she wasn't a spiritual athlete like so many of the other saints. She couldn't pray like them, or do those heroic levels of sacrifice. So she would offer all the little things she could do with great love, and trust in God to lift her up like a loving father. So while the others were sprinting up the mountain to holiness and heaven, she would rely on God to lift her up like a child with her arms aimed up to Him, and carry her to Him in Heaven. Even the the mischievous visual of the metaphor is adorable
Thank you so much for this beautiful and insightful discussion!!! I needed this, it brought peace to my heart.
This past Saturday I went to Mass as it was the first Saturday of the month although I was feeling quite sick ( I have many health issues) and I had to stand in line for an hour and a half before it was my turn. I was extremely tired and felt sicker. After my confession I attended Mass, I was feeling much better and I felt like I was in a trance. On Sunday I woke up very sick. I just did my morning prayers and that was it. I couldn’t pray all day. I wanted to but couldn’t and I was in torture all day. At the end of the day I offered my suffering to Jesus and I was at peace. The spiritual life has so many mysteries. So I thank Fr. Foley and that sweet brother for this discussion. It was quite revealing to me. I have to watch it again.
P. S. I decided to read St. Teresa’s books. She is such a special saint and I see some similarities between our characters. Her feast day is on October 15 and so is my birthday. Much love to you St. Teresa of Avila. 😊🙏
❤AMEN 😊🕊️💐
Have you tried on becoming a Third Order Carmelite or at least attend some Carmelites meetings to discern your vocation in Carmel? Hope you do so . Blessings in Carmel,
sincerely, Ellie Wilson OCDS 🌹🙏🏻
I have severe issues focusing; even in prayer I will get up and wash dishes etc. it’s refreshing to know it’s not that bad as long as we get back to it.
@sm 4798 ... if the goal is simply to be in conversation, aka prayer with our Lord, you can let your hands do those dishes rather hold beads of a rosary. People utilize what people utilize for a focused approach to prayer .. but our Father does not care about beads or dishes. He longs to have our heart and our attention. He longs for our relationship. So go pray AS you do the dishes, or make the bed, or tend to the garden, etc. Be in prayer in solitude and be in prayer as you go about your day. Rosary beads are simply an option ... not an obligation.
This was like sitting at the table with my own personal spiritual guides✝️
The first time I really gave myself to God and prayed with all of my heart, I fell asleep. I woke up feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted from me. I took it as a sign that I made the right choice and I haven't looked back.
Good advise and grateful for this helpful session on St. Thérèse
I have this issue before mass when I am trying to say the rosary. People chat and talk (not whispering - regular talking) when they come into church. It’s not social time. It’s time to be still in the presence of God, prepare for mass. Drives me nuts.
That's a beautiful way to view it, Lapis. God bless you!
This is a result of a lack of discipline in the church today. As I was growing up in the '40s, the church was a quiet and contemplative place to pray.
This also applies to cell phones. How many times have you heard the ding ding ding of messages or emails being received or even the ringing of the phone because people forgot, even though they were asked to PLEASE turn off their phone in church. It does no good to complain because society today is all about letting things happen as you want them to and not as they should be.
I believe it is the pastor's responsibility to inform people that they should not be talking out loud either when they enter the church or as soon as the church door opens after Mass. Unfortunately, there is a tendency to not want to upset people, probably because of the potential loss of revenue if people become upset and take their religious business to another parish where they can talk as much as they want, anytime they want.
Same issues
Talking disturbs me too, and in fact any sound can be distracting. Years ago, I mentioned this to a visiting priest from India. He said to me, just keep whispering your prayers to God.
I will tell you a story how God can use our shortcomings to accomplish His Will.
About 30 years ago, when I was a new convert, I participated in something called a Rosary pilgrimage. This was a recurring all-day event, carpooling from parish to parish, praying some part of the Rosary in each place.
One particular Saturday, at the first stop, I became very anxious. I couldn't tolerate how each person in the large group was praying at their own pace, all out of sync. I became so nervous that I got up and left. If this had happened later, I would have been stuck depending on someone else's car. But, still having my own car, I simply went home. I was just in time to receive a phone call from a priest friend from India, who said he was returning to India the next day and could I join him for dinner, along with the other two lady volunteers who had shown him hospitality during his stay. He also had an amazing story of how he had gotten my phone number, obviously also the Lord's work. I realized that if I had continued the Rosary pilgrimage, I would have missed this wonderful opportunity to say goodbye. It was a great blessing.
I learned something from that experience. I find that, most of the time, I can persevere through the distractions, whether by praying for the people distracting me, or by just being thankful for the grace to be quiet myself. If I can't bear it, I might leave to continue my prayers while walking, or while sitting on a bench, or at home, keeping in mind that the Lord knows exactly where my heart is, He knows what I'm feeling and what I'm thinking, and perhaps He has prepared another surprise for me -- someone who needs a listening ear, or a helping hand, or who wants to take me out to dinner!
@@ICSPublications Does anyone ever quote from the source of what Jesus Christ says? I haven't heard here. Apostate father Mark has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
Beloved Mary, grateful for this gift.
Thankyou Fathers for these valuable lessons on prayers especially on dealing with distractions while praying and staying in the presenceofGod.
God bless us all!
What a joy to find this channel praised be jesus
May Jesus be praised now and forever! God bless you Oliveira!
Yes slowing down is what I notice amd I think the next stage is experience each word
“What are my insights…they make me feel good or they help me to love”- Fr Marc Foley. God reward you Father. This is so powerful.
What’s helped me with the rosary is imagining my self there physically watching as a witness or bystander. When my mind wanders I catch myself and just say a little prayer for the Holy Spirit take my distractions. I breathe,wait a a minute and start again. I feel guilty when I’m drowsy during prayer but never when I’m scrolling social media! Thank you for this video . ❤
This reminds me of how professional golfers learn how to focus at a busy, packed tournament. The pros turn off or turn on those distractions so they focus on to swing or putt more accurately. This is really insightful and helpful for prayer! (Especially for busy mom minds!)
This was both comforting AND challenging. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for showing such respect for each other. A conversation in which each person can finish a thought without being interrupted shows a fantastic gift of truly listening.
Thank you for your kind words, Cynthia. Know of our prayers for you!
I have been yawning while I'm praying (no other time {consciously} during the days does it happen!), yet I still press on with my prayers, no matter how many times or how long these yawns are. 🤷
God bless.🙏
My daughter is named after St. Therese. During my pregnancy, I dreamed I was in church, and the priest told me to name my daughter after her.
This video is pure gold on prayer! 🙏 Best in Class ! 🥈 🏆 🥉
Thank you Father, this video is truly helpful because I find myself exhausted and falls asleep during my prayers which I cannot avoid, to me, no matter how tired or exhausted I am, I still need to pray- not because its an obligation but it is one that charges my spiritual life when life discharges my energy out of all the negative things happening around me all day long. I find that its sometimes helpful for me to walk around inside the house back & forth while praying so as not to fall asleep.
Thank you, Fathers for this enriching chapter! God bless you 🙏
Apostate father Marc has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus not apostate man.
One of the saints, I can’t remember now which book I was reading but he said that think of difficult people [creatures] especially the ones we live with..that they offer us 1000 plus opportunities for practice in virtues and self denial when done out of love for God.
This book you read and forgotten is the Story of a Soul by St Therese of the Child Jesus, an Autobiography translated to English by Fr John Clark, OCD
Amen!
In the Philippines a saying goes...you will reach heaven because of your difficulties ,trials, people
I find listening to your podcast and learning more about great saints in our faith helps me have God on and in my mind and therefore for me is an active kind of prayer that dispels dryness and leads me into further contemplation. 🙏
VERY VERY VERY useful stuff thank you.
Thank you for the reflection on prayer and the difficulties during prayers. These are real struggles for me. Hope I will be able to pray better.
Yesterday in the adoration chapel, I encountered a woman who was there another time. I find it annoying that she whispers loud enough that it intrudes on my own thoughts and prayers. I thought about writing a brief polite note asking her to pray internally, then I thought of the parish office to complain. Something kept me from doing it yesterday, same as the previous time. If this is what she needs I should not take it away from her.🙏🏾. You both just confirmed that. Thank you.
This was such wonderful advice. I was amazed about the surrendering of issues that could be considered negatives that can be transformed, and turned into positives once they are released.
8:14 that's helps greatly I have been lacking in completing rosary but grown in adoration services and weekly mass Eucharistic.
Mary leads us to Jesus amen
Now i know i am not alone.
I needed to see this video 🙏thank you.
Praise the Lord 🙏
We are all from different countries and yet we are able to watch this video together in different countries, thank you Lord 🙏
Patient is being Patient when i am impatient.
I have never thought of this b4.
Sometime i struggle during my praying (rosary).
And im not proud of it.
I would try all way, pulling my curtain (in my room). Staying focus and tried saying prayer loud and also soft.
Trying to filter the noise.
But after listening to this video, i really benefits alot from here. (I listened while jogging)
All are from internal , not external.
And yes, sometime i wanted to say something but something tell me don't say it.
And i have experience hearing my own thoughts telling me something, the same old thing for years( on and off), and this thing that i heard (in my thoughts)really happened recently.
We always cannot fingure out is that my own thoughts or my angel is trying to
Talk to me or to warn me.
Some say pray and read bible and you will hear God's word.
I'm still working on this.
I love God.
I have faith in God.
But i also know we can't use our rule to measure our faith and love for God.
Cuz God has His own ruler too!
For those who are like me, who want to hear God's word and His voice, I pray for you guys, and let's have Patient especially during our impatient moments and able to hear His voice 🙏
Amen.
Thank you! Your comment helped me so much. So difficult to stay patient, but I’m working on it. I’m thankful for this ministry and so happy that we can gather from all over the world to focus on the Lord! 🙏😊
Thank you God for showing me this video today! U always lead me and never let me down
St thereseyou are the most wonderful saint . You are my teacher and my best friend. The way to God is so simple. Everything is a grace ,all the opportunities come i must recognise what they are and how to use them for the greater glory of God. Thankyou my sister my friend. Your little pupil .
I really needed to hear this today. Do glad I found this program.
I must be transparent and admit that for years i often wondered what the big fuss was about “The Little Flower.” But listening to Rev. Fr. Mark has helped me further appreciate this Saint. Normally when one authors ONE book about a subject matter they tend to exhaust all avenues about it. But for Fr. Mark to have written books (plural) about Sister L, and is yet writing another book, then that tells me that i need to pull out a magnifying glass 🔍 when reading her…
This is just what I needed thank you so much 🙏❤️
To be grateful throughout your day is also prayer. 🙏. Great episode. God bless.
I think it’s important to remember that Jesus doesn’t actually get tired of us. Of course I know St. Terese didn’t mean it like that, but I just wanted to share that. The Father always delights in us
I have ADD and so I always have to refocus and I do this best by returning to my heart to rest in Him before I can give Him my mind ❤
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.”
If you have not love your Nothing 1st Corinthians 13. Apostate father Marc has spoken the best thing you can give the Lord is your time, NOT TRUE. It Is your 1st love, read the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ by the apostle John. Apostate father Mark is not my father you have to prove it by me, apostle Paul proved he is a father but not this devil worshiper he's an hypocrite as spoken in Matthew 23. Listen to Jesus Christ not apostate man.
You guys are so great
I feel so guilty about my prayer life which is consistent but feels like it goes nowhere/ no one listens - just alone
You are so helpful!!
I love The Story of a Soul: Study Edition- what an unexpected blessing to “get to know” Fr. Marc! I was never able to connect with St. Therese until I read his book.
As a stay at home mom with 2 boys, I'm incredibly overstimulated.. pretty much all the time. This discussion has changed how I see it, and I'm excited to put new practice into my days and seek the virtue hidden behind my first reactions.
That is wonderful! I don’t have kids but have a stressful job (nurse) and am always “on”. Great discussion that is so positive! ♥️🙏🌹📿
I started the 54 day rosary in October. When I first started it was like something was stopping me. Never had this happen before. I called my friend the nextday and she said continue it. I am now having distrations in my head while praying.
I'm so glad to have discovered this.
If I'm praying and then think about something I need to buy or some current issue in my life, I don't see it as a distraction. Rather, I see it as God friendly reminding me about what I need to buy or suggesting an issue I need to pray about in the two-way conversation.
Awesome! I never looked at it this way before. So maybe when I’m distracted it’s God actually drawing our attention to something He feels is important! ♥️🙏✝️Thank you!
I am 77 years old.
And I find it almost impossible. To sit still while I'm in pso I get up. And I walk around otherwise I will sit in a chair. And I will not be able to meditate or concentrate but just get sleepy. And I always ask God to forgive me for moving around while I am praying sometimes I sometimes I say my best prayers while I am doing the dishes. And I feel bad about that, but I cannot be without prayer.
It's like going through the whole day without brushing your hair or washing. It is a part of me. But since I'm older.
I find it harder and order to sit still and concentrate. I just fall asleep. So I hope God accepts my prayer. In the way that I love saint. Theresa when I read her order biography for the first time, which I am unable to even read anymore.Because my vision is so bad.I was Weeping.
During the time of her agony, she was a true and great and glorious snake and yet I don't believe she ever had any visual operations but she was so connected to God.❤
I always battle with distraction when praying. Sometimes, I will engage in thoughts that brought joy in my life, a joy I would not usually experience in the normal realm of things
However, I later realize it is the evil one trying to dominate my mind. It's a battle, and I turn my focus on the great love my Savior has for me to continue with my prayers. Usually, I am always aware of what and who is most important in my life to keep my focus.
Thank you for your help and love explaining our human struggles with prayer. God bless CB you both
Wow thank you for your work putting this youtube page together. It is a treasure for those of us who have desire to grow closer to God in prayer
YESSSSSSS! ❤❤❤🌾🌾🌾🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💚💚💚
Know of our prayers for you, Lisa!
@@ICSPublications thank you!
Thank you 🙏🏻 so ❤much!!!! I could listen to this holy priest 🕊️🙏🏻give us a spiritual talk all day……😊
Know of our prayers for you, Misty!
@@ICSPublications 😊yes please 🙏🏻 I really really need those prayers and my broken family, PLEASE 🙏🏻 FOR me and my 2 adult children who are away from our Holy Mother Church….. THANK YOU 🙏🏻 SO MUCH!🤍⛪️🕊️
This discussion is SUCH a blessing to me tonight!!
Thank you!!
Thank you soo much very helpful in getting rid of lots of guilt AMEN 🙏☀️
I love your explanation of prayer. I slways felt as a failure by getting distracted while praying. When I realize I have strayed & pulled myself back to thinking about prayer, I now thank you for your answer. I don't think I've given up anything when I pray.
The hardest for me with ADHD is to not think on other stuff while praying the Rosary, although I try to focus with my heart not my mind... Beautiful video to grow in meditation skills!
So true. A daily struggle. I think our constant need to re-focus on Him is a good offering. That's how I try to view it. But it's tough.
This was really beautiful. Thank you
Now and forever be praise !
Thank you for your beautiful advice . I have been a Third Order Carmelite for many years and I am learning more about prayer every day . I am currently reading “ Union with God” according to St John of the Cross . The struggles we face in prayers are our greatest strength that propels us to God . My struggles I gave them to Him and tell him “ I just came to sit with you, I don’t feel like it but I’ll sit here and just watch you “
We have according to St John to discern from where our aridity comes from if is from God or from our own .
Thank you again .
I hope this helps some people in their prayer ❤
To keep my attention on the presence of God I often go back and center myself in my heart-in my heart I feel the real presence of Jesus. Here is where I am fully at rest in Him ❤
It's more like "push ourselves" to Pray-
To do what we must do...even though we DO NOT feel like it. Our minds will try to guide us, but we must listen to our HEARTS❤
" Knowledge always has to end with Love" 💕
Today in church after receiving Holy communion I heard 2 ladies 2 pews behind me giggling and talking loudly while priest was still giving communion and while the cantor was singing. At first I was focused in my prayers I usually am) for over 5 minutes, I continued to pray didn’t get bothered. Somehow I started hearing them getting louder and louder like competing with the singing of the cantor. I had to turn my head and looked at them. They got the hint they then talked very softly. Sometimes we have to do something when it’s called for but gently with subtlety. And I did it out of love.
This really comforts me. Thank u
God bless you!
Brothers this is good! I love the great insights and different perspectives. Especially Jesus asleep in the boat. For that deep of a sleep in a terrible storm ⛈️ In His humanity, He had to be exhausted. When the disciples woke Him up, He was irritated “Where is your faith?” When all hell breaks lose, hold on in trust. If it seems God is unconcerned and doesn’t care, be still and know that He remains upholding all things by the word of His power. Good insights dear friends!
Life on life's terms. God is always there!
This is so helpful
I see St Therese as perfect
I feel now she understands through you understanding!!
Age 33! Jesus Age...when died on the Cross. A very Special Age. What a Blessing indeed. Keep modeling His Love with your acts of kindness. You will be Rewarded-
For me Praying the Rosary is like contemplating to the life of Jesus with the Virgin Mary, if you just focus and vocally you recite it it’s a beautiful prayer and as you go along it’s getting more and more I feel closer to Mama Mary, there’s a lot of destruction and sometimes you feel it boring but if you try to understand every word that comes out from your mouth you feel li,e you are in heaven.🙏🌹🙏
St. Therese of the Little Flower is my favorite female Saint. In fact, my second name is Teresita.
@ 21:51 " so I would say, memorize certain things, a line from scripture..." I applied that idea when I began a person relationship with Jesus in '84 , it's been invaluable in so many ways and most importantly it's His words which will always contain His power to change. Thanks for sharing
I don’t think I can say thank you enough for this episode. I’ve been struggling recently with each of these and you’ve answered so many questions. How I know God is working in me is something you just said about first movements. I had no idea what John was talking about now I do and I’ve been doing just this and moving y will back to God without knowing why.
I can go on and on but this suffices for now. Deo gratias!
God bless you, Jim!
Thank you for doing St. Therese of the Child Jesus ❤️ I love this Saint
That statement is so profound, “You give power to that which you resist”. As a matter of fact, I’m going too meditate on that, all day. Thank you
Thank you! What loveliness to my ears is this episode. I closed my eyes and absorbed your commentary. 🙏🏽🛐✝️
God bless you!
Very practical advice! Love the older priest. He is wise and kind.
This was wonderful! My patron Saint in Confirmation, my choice because when I was Baptized at Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Mt Washington, Baltimore, MD my hero the Pastor The Right Reverend MSG Louis Stinkney said I would be the last baby he Baptized because of cataracts so because of my birthday 5/1 and his name Louis I was named Mary Louise, he was in France and Belgium when he was studying for the priesthood and met St Teresa. So taking her name for Confirmation completed the circle. MSG Stinkey would let me come up to his den while he was reading the afternoon prayers in Braille. I would sit on a little stool next to his chair and watch the goldfish in his aquarium and listen to his prayers. Most of the time I fell asleep, it was balm to my 4 year old soul, such wonderful memories. There is a full height statue of the Little 🌹 Flower in the Church, this is the same Church where my Father was Baptized and we went to Parochial School in the basement of the Church. That is how Baltimore was no one moved and everyone knew everyone ⚓️💕
Thankyou for sharing your experience 🎉
Thank you for this video
God bless you 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for this session …. I’ve learned so much about a prayerful life🙏🏻
Thank you so much. These are some things I've been experiencing over many years and I am consoled that I am not inept in my prayer. 😊
For me, before i got into praying holy rosary everyday, i think we need sacrament of confession, go to mass as often as we can and receive the eucharist, i think we must be in state of grace, so that we can medidtate the holy rosary...
Thank you Fathers!
Please pray that I will always be silent even amidst so much shouting and yelling in my family. Why can't my family leave me alone to go to church and pray quietly in my room. I am an aged housewife yet my family is very rude to me. Husband and children don't pray the rosary nor read the bible. There is no family prayer time nor meal times together. I am so tired and lost and am suffering from countless illness including heart, lung stroke and cronice constpation. I surrendered to God and want to do God's holy will. I am in and out of hospital almost 6 times a year. All I want is to have some peace and quiet at home
God have mercy on us and the whole world. 😢😢😢😢😢😢
Ask God the grace to surrender totally to him through the ihm.
Listen to hymns esp what a friend we have in jesus.use the verses and passages as a form of prayer.eg the storm for upsetting times.thou will keep im perfect peace ehose mind us stayed on thee.isahiah26/3.i go on repeating them until i experience God s peace.say them aloud
..not for God to hear . these bible verses are like tonics and medicine to strengthen us . remember and look back on every miracle of the bible , because you had faith ,you were healed or set free.
Jesus is the same yesterday , today and always , if you go to him with a humble and a contrite heart he will help.yes he does, i i have personsl experiences .put all your problems .journal them , talk to jesus , he will show you the way out.
Dont focus what is wrong with your family but focus on the problem solver.he has the power of solving all your problems.trust his dibine mercy.you find that Jesus will use you to convert the family.
Be patient.pray until something happens~PUSH~,
can you go somewhere alone for a bit like Church to pray? that helps to visit Jesus outside of Mass and also going to Mass even if its alone....will pray for you and fam
I am truly sorry for all the pain you are experiencing. I will remember you in my prayers to Our Lord and our Immaculate Mother.
I can hear your frustration. I have a very difficult relative. She reminds me of the woman described by St Therese as a fellow nun who vexed her greatly. Always complaining, never appreciative, and constantly criticizing even when you were trying to help her. And constantly interrupting when I was trying to pray.
St Therese inspired me to view this person not as an interruption and annoyance, but as God sending me an opportunity to love Him and grow through her. To hold my temper, try to be loving and understanding, and let go of my personal needs for justice and reciprocity as an act of love for Him. It isn't easy, but I think its pleasing to Him and good for us.
I pray God brings you comfort and relief from your struggles.
Thank you for such beautiful & helpful wisdom. Your insights & reflections have filled me with such peace & joy. Praise be to Our Lord for He is SO amazing 🙏🏻
❤