Pope Benedict XVI on Praying Without Ceasing

January 16, 2012 by Dan Burke
Filed under Practicing Presence, Prayer

Praying without ceasing means: never losing contact with God, letting ourselves be constantly touched by him in the depths of our hearts and, in this way, being penetrated by his light. Only someone who actually knows God can lead others to God. Only someone who leads people to God leads them along the path of life.

Homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, 2012

About Dan Burke

Dan is the founder of Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction and author of the award winning book, Navigating the Interior Life - Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God. Beyond his “contagious” love for Jesus and His Church, he is a grateful husband and father of four, the Executive Director of and writer for EWTN’s National Catholic Register, a regular co-host on Register Radio, a writer and speaker who provides online spiritual formation and travels to share his conversion story and the great riches that the Church provides us through authentic Catholic spirituality. Dan has been featured on EWTN’s Journey Home program and numerous radio programs. If you have an interest in having Dan come speak at your parish or Catholic event or group, contact us at rcspiritualdirection@gmail.com or call 818-646-7729.

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Tags: Benedict XVI, Pope Benedict, Prayer, Praying Without Ceasing

Langdorric

I have a hard time with the Rosary saying endless novena’s which I never finish….The only that is easier for me to do is to go to Mass everyday….I join in after Mass with the people in the vocal prayer of the Rosary sometime just two decades. The only scripture I read are in the readings of the Mass. I do go looking for a Bible. I like Holy Hours I find that exceptional..But my mind wanders all over the place. The songs are to so Holy. This is my first time writing anything on this Blog. I do not mean to offend anyone.
- Anonymous
  
  Welcome – no offended folks here!
  - Maren
    
    While still understanding fully to pray myself, in conversation, throughout the day, I have started teaching others how to do this. Starting with my own family reminding them always to look to the Lord for peace from their anxieties asking for His grace. Then sharing with them when something wonderful happens to thank Him for the gifts. The Lord has in turn given so many blessings to me in making my family stronger in their faith.
    
    A long time ago I learned that you cannot fully learn until you teach what you have learned…I will continually be learning and teaching what the Lord has presented to me, to discern in truth.
    - Anonymous
      
      Well said and inspiring!
- Anonymous
  
  Welcome!!
  
  Singing is praying twice!! Because the heart must be engaged too.
  
  When your mind wanders consider that God may be asking you to pray for those souls and/or situations that you are thinking about. This happens to me.
  
  Blessed Teresa of Calcutta said something about prayer being as simple as “remembering a person’s face” when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
  
  We are all unique and God will attract us to those devotions and practices that He wishes us to be involved with.
  - Anonymous
    
    Right on target as always Becky
  - judeen
    
    if a name comes to mind pray for them.. also I call them and they need help.. up set , attacked , so on lonely.. we pray the our Father together.. some times we take each others problems. and releive the other person of the attack… this is a gift from God , to help and love one another
Angela

I love Henri Nouwen’s take on praying without ceasing because I can relate to ‘unceasing thinking.’
“Our minds are always
active. We analyze, reflect, daydream, or dream. There is not a moment during
the day or night when we are not thinking. You might say our thinking is
“unceasing.” Sometimes we wish that we could stop thinking for a
while; that would save us from many worries, guilt feelings, and fears. Our
ability to think is our greatest gift, but it is also the source of our
greatest pain. Do we have to become victims of our unceasing thoughts? No, we
can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner
monologue into a continuing dialogue with our God, who is the source of all
love.

Let’s break out of our
isolation and realize that Someone who dwells in the center of our beings wants
to listen with love to all that occupies and preoccupies our minds.”
- Sasha
  
  Thank you Angela for sharing this! For a long time the Scripture that has spoken most to me is St. Paul’s admonition to ‘rejoice always – pray without ceasing – in everything give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.’ But I am still growing into what it means to pray without ceasing.
  
  One thing I do, in case it is helpful to anyone… I have a gentle alarm on my phone that goes off every 3 hours throughout the day. When it sounds I make the sign of the Cross and do a mini-examen of the last 3 hours, thanking God for all the ways he was with me and asking forgiveness for anything I have done that has offended Him, and asking for His help for the next 3 hours. Which certainly is not praying without ceasing… but it IS praying a lot more than I used to do.
  - Anonymous
    
    You are an inspiration
  - teej09
    
    I second that – the comment from danburke!
    
    Thankyou.
    
    Just bought a book The Examen Prayer with reference to St Ignatius di Loyola.
Maria

I think I can relate to part of your story. I always attended Mass but there was a time when I did not give it much importance. I simply went because my family went.
Many years ago, I discovered EWTN and a local religious channel here which emphasized the Divine Mercy devotion. I also got hooked on Touched by an Angel. Barely watched anything else.
After, that praying a decade a day of the Divine Mercy Chaplet came naturally. And then the next year, He gave me the chance to regularly serve Him at Mass.
I was distant from Him for a few years, and have only recently, less than a year ago, had another, stronger conversion. What you said about praying gradually is true. I tried praying the Chaplet again once a week, but last Advent, He led me to praying it everyday.
He guides us little by little. Never asking for more we are capable of at a time.
Indeed without the graces He has been bestowing me it would be impossible for me to keep this commitment!
And all those years ago, during my first conversion, I was still very young and did not even realize He was guiding me. His grace worked in gradual and subtle ways. It is only now I beginning to realize and marvel at how He has been present in my life! And I am grateful so very grateful!
Sfbierly

When I had my spiritual conversion on March 11, 2000, I was teaching full time and my life up to this point was primarily about me even though I was married and had three grown children. I had a new zeal for life that I had never had before and I wanted to pray, really pray without ceasing. The Holy Spirit began slowly with me by introducing me to daily Mass, The Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, spiritual reading, daily Gospel reflections, weekly encounters with Christ with a prayer group, and weekly confession. I even went on my first pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, and Medjugorje. This conversion is a process, and it didn’t happen all at once. Then I started going on a yearly retreat which was based on Ignatius Spiritual Exercises. It was during these times of prayer and being in fellowship with other like-minded people that I found my deepest joy. Before I knew it, I was praying and continue to pray without ceasing, and working for the Lord. I still do all of the above and look forward to my yearly retreat. God is the center of my life, not things or me. I discovered the value of each soul and since my retirement from teaching am involved in ministries to help others come to know Christ. I would not go back to my former worldly self for anything. Life is good, very good!
- Anonymous
  
  Amen
Clare Northern

With great Confidence,
I submit my Will to Thy Holy Spirit and Praying without Ceasing,

I Will Thee,oh Holy Spirit my Comfort ,my Advocate , my Joy,
I Will Thee, oh Blessed Mother, my Comfort, my Advocate, my Joy,

To stay with me through out the day same as the night,
So much so that I may experience Jesus and submit my Will to God Thy Father,
I Will it so, I Believe it so,I Pray it so

It was only then when I prayed this Will, that Praying Without Ceasing happened.

I Believed it would happen, I adjusted my will unto His, I Trusted and Responded to that Trust, and Obeyed in that which is Holy of Thee.
- Anonymous
  
  Amen
Jeanette

I would recommend “The Practice of the Presence of God”, Paraclete Press; compiled from the letters and conversations of/with Brother Lawrence (a Carmelite Monk). God invited him into conversation with Him all day long. Truly inspirational!
- Anonymous
  
  Great recommendation
- Jerryj
  
  Also available on Kindle
- judeen
  
  thanks will look for it
Deb

We are what we see, what we hear, what we put into ourselves. Turn off the television, monitor what you read and listen to on the radio or internet. Adorn your walls at home or at work with pictures of Our Lord and of the Blessed Mother. Have a crucifix on the wall of every room. Let the world see your witness as you place these items in your work office or space. Then, wherever you look you have a reminder of He who loves you and you can gaze upon him in thanksgiving all day long. In moments of stress during the work day, call upon the Lord to bring you his peace. Pray the Jesus prayer as you walk or are waiting in line at the grocery store. Every moment of your day can be unceasing prayer and thanksgiving. Always set aside time for prayer every day and let it be the one thing you do not miss. To me, the most important prayer is daily Mass and a weekly (or more) Holy Hour of Adoration. If you place God first, he will make sure there is time in your day for all you need to do in the world.
Jack g.

This is awesome to be able to hear all the stories of conversion and love for our Lord Jesus. I am humbled and inspired, and I also identify with most of you guys. I loved Joseph’s story. it reminds me a lot of myself.
Yes I can also say that I do my best as far as praying without ceasing. It all started roughly 6 months after my initial conversion fireball more than two years ago. I really was on fire and I have made many mistakes, especially when it came to temperance. I would pray too, much. When it became a problem at home and at work I started to pray more for help on how to pray. The answer came after my first 33 day consecration to Jesus through Mary.
Now I can recall the whole process of conversion and growing in prayer life. It would take many pages to do that, but in short I have to say that God will lead us if we let Him, and many times with a lot of sweet consolations, other times with periods of dryness, all for our own good.
Mass, rosary, chaplet, family prayer, prayer with my wife, and personal prayer. Other than that some adoration, lots of conversations with Jesus, God the Father and Holy Spirit. I mean, if anyone heard me, they would think I must be a psycho or something. I like singing my own psalms or songs in my heart. Never new I was good at that, or I am when it can’t be heard. I have lots of fun with the Divine Realm, dreams of heaven. My Mother takes me to the feet of the Cross sometimes and I cry with Her. She reminds me constantly to pray for sinners, so I pray the Chaplet 2-3 times a day whenever I can.
I have learned a lot from our beloved saints, and I take them seriously. I pray a lot for our priests and it seems that God send all these who annoy me enough to make me pray for them. Don’t take me wrong but when a priest tells me that yoga is o.k. or that Jesus wasn’t suppose to die at first, I have to pray to stop the flow of negative emotions.
I know, they are in need of most prayer and I do that gladly. I started to love praying from the start of the conversion, and when more than an hour passes without it, I just don’t feel good.
To finalize, I can only thank God and it really is going to take the Eternity, for all the graces in prayer and everyday life. God the Father is infinitely GOOD and I thank Him everyday for all the graces of conversion, and pray for all His children to be able to get a chance and be saved. I am sure that all will get many chances and so I do pray without ceasing.
I just wanted to say that all of what I said is pure love, no bragging and no selfish desires. All of you inspired me so I wanted to give some inspiration for you. The Lord the Giver of Life inspires us all to share our faith. May you all be hugged by our DADDY in heaven of your hearts, at all times. He IS always with us, so do not fear. With love of Jesus, jack g.
- Maria
  
  Am so glad having conversations ordinarily with Jesus counts as prayer and is not psycho! I do that a lot too. Though I sometimes wondered if I was going loony. There were periods of loneliness in my life so it became so natural for me to talk to Him spontaneously. Since I was a kid, used to talk to my guardian angel too. Looking back am very grateful to Him for those years of “loneliness” because they gave me a chance to grow closer to Him without my even realizing it!
  
  Thank You Lord! You planned every so wonderfully!
Anonymous

Absolutely!
Joseph

This is really inspiring and I love all you people for your stories and your love of God. I just wish more people would see and read these stories and realize indeed what a pleasure a life in God is. I never used to read all the comments on this blog, I’d just read Dan, Fr John and Sr Carmen’s writings and one or two comments.

I feel understood here, this is another of those rare places where I genuinely feel I am not boring people with this religious and Jesus talk. Prayer is life and although dryness and loneliness is a major reality, it is still consoling if you get pray again because then you realize He is still with me. I am at peace regardless of what happens to me because He who is Truth said “I will be with you everyday until the consummation of time”

You know Padre Pio said that with God there is no time, no future and no past, He lives in the present so you can pray for the grace of final confession or conversion for your great grand parents. So if you think you have prayed for everyone in the world you can start praying for the dead so they have the grace of final conversion.
- Jack g.
  
  What I do sometimes Joe is copy some of the comments and send it out to friends of mine, this way promoting this website and at the same time showing others that people share their faith. In my opinion many Catholics are too timid about our faith and they need to read inspiring stories. This is all public website anyway and not a club so I hope it is not a problem. I share my faith with all the people I know and most like it, some like it a little later. I love your story Joe. May God Bless you and remember to pray for other converts on their yourney, we are the light on the lamp stand, so persevere to perfection.
teej09

Just by reading these posts, whilst crying, makes me feel so human… So many put the life of faith down and reject God without knowing or understanding Him; but ALL are looking for that void to be filled BUT don’t know what they’re looking for exactly!!

God bless You — I have been totally inspired by your strength and encouragement here that I realise, that just maybe, I am doing something even if 0.000001% attaining what God wants for my life.

Look forward to seeing your blogs here in the future!
- Anonymous
  
  We are grateful to have you join the family! Please pray for us.
Anonymous

What a great response to the Holy Father’s words!!

In addition to all the other beautiful and inspiring ideas that have been mentioned, I would like to add a reminder about what happens when we make a “Total Consecration”. While there may be other formats that do the same thing, I am speaking of St. Louis De Montfort’s Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.

When we make the act of consecration we are giving Our Blessed Mother everything we have and are, past, present, and future; including the merit of all our good works and sufferings. So….while we certainly remain human…… and forget to pray or offer up struggles, or give thanks for the good things………Our Lady doesn’t!!

As we study and practice deepening our relationship with the Lord, Our Heavenly Mother is praying for us, leading us, guiding us. We are helped very much and can grow at great rates by simply trusting that this is true and demonstrating our faith by making the Act of Consecration.

She is there praying always for us……..which gradually allows us to reach the place where we can pray always too!
- Jack g.
  
  thanks Becky, that is exactly what I mean with the consecration, and that is how I feel about my Heavenly Mother, I know She is with me all the time. I strongly recommend the Total Consecration for anyone who is serious in growing in prayer. With Love of Jesus jack g.
Jack g.

You are one Blessed Grandma Mary, I hope I am not offending you. Have you ever thought that the older you get the closer to God you are. Getting older is a blessing, don’t get me wrong, I am 43, but I look forward to getting closer to Heaven and my Daddy there. How about that Mary? I love your prayer schedule for all the sinners in need. we all need to do it, we are the Christian Warriors and Mary is our Commander. We all fight the spiritual war everytime we pray. God Bless
- http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog Mary@42
  
  Offending me, Jack?!?!?!?!! Oh, no, no. Your words are so consoling and encouraging. You know, heading to 74 years, a widow these 18 years and living alone, God has guided me where He wants me to serve Him….and you are absolutely right…..the older we get the more God reveals Himself to us….and you, know, when He makes that move, you cannot simply not respond to such a Loving, Caring, Merciful God…..and with our Holy Mother as my Personal Patron, Jack, I know I have very strong loving hands which keep on picking me up no matter how often I slip and – at times – unceremoniously fall flat on my old wrinkled face. And Jesus never leaves my side no matter how many times I betray Him…..He is my Buddy from my earliest years when the good holy Consolata Sisters taught me the Mystery of the Holy Trinity in a very simple analogy which a four-year-old could understand….Yes, Jack, the Eucharist Apostolate of the Divine Mercy’s Ministry is to pray for the sick, the poor, the abandoned, the suffering, the sinners, the dying and the Holy Souls in Purgatory and performing Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy…..you know Christ’s Beautiful Divine Mercy Chaplet which He dictated to Saint Faustina…..”Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement of our sins and those of the whole world…..For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy of us and on the whole World…..Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world (three times)…..Oh Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust In You (three times)”. This, Jack, is the most powerful Intercessory Prayer in these dangerous times in the History of Mankind
Anonymous

Dear Joseph,

You mention in your comment:
“Kneeling for Holy Communion amidst surprised and annoyed glances was the next step and it was so liberating and fulfilling.”

I understand this desire, and will be right there with you if/when our Bishops makes changes to their current direction for us as stated below.

“The new edition of the General Instruction asks the Conference of Bishops in each country to determine the posture to be used for the reception of Communion and the act of reverence to be made by each person as he or she receives Communion. The Conference of Bishops of the United States has determined that in this country Communion will be received standing and that a bow will be the act of reverence made by those receiving. These norms may require some adjustment on the part of those who have been used to other practices, however the significance of unity in posture and gesture as a symbol of our unity as members of the one body of Christ should be the governing factor in our own actions.”

Excerpt taken from the USCCB website – full document can be found here: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/roman-missal/the-reception-of-holy-communion-at-mass.cfm

Jesus set the example of obedience that we must follow….and that includes things like this. The saints tell us unanimously that we gain more through obedience to the Church and those in positions of legitimate authority that God has placed in our lives, than by following even a command that we believe (or know) is from God Himself.

Simply sharing one of the lessons I have learned…in my Diocese we stand rather than kneel after the Agnus Dei……I offer my desire to kneel to Jesus, knowing that my obedience will do more for His Church than following my heart and going against what my Bishop has decided.
- Joseph
  
  Dear Becky313
  
  Oh yes humility is the nursemaid to Charity (St Catherine of Siena); humility and obedience give wings to true Charity which is the undefiled love for God; for who He is, not merely what He can do for me.
  
  However, with humility and obedience comes also discretion that is formed in the fires of faith and love for God. The USCCB versus the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (represented by Cardinal Antonio Canizares de Llovera and Cardinal Francis Arinze before him). The traditional norm (for ~2000 years) for the reception of Holy Communion is on the tongue while kneeling “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalm 81:10
  
  The teaching of the local ordinary or indeed council of local ordinaries is regarded as ultimate rule in that area. However, two months after Humane vitae (PPVI) the Canadian Conference of Bishops responded with the Winnipeg Statement. The Canadian Bishops also ordained women who ordained other women and married men as priests (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6697271.stm). Now, for the people in Canada what should they accept as the norm? If they accept the teachings of their local ordinaries then they would have triumphantly started a new ‘catholic church for Canada’ that has nothing in common with Holy mother Church.
  
  I believe the oneness we have in Christ is through St Peter and his successors; we have one magisterium and we receive the one body of Christ. This oneness that restores honor to the house of God is also echoed in Isaiah 22:22; Matt 16:19. Our Lady has said time and time again that the Church will be filled with those who accept compromise, that some clergy are taking the wrong way and leading others to perdition.
  
  I am not saying you should disobey the local ordained authorities, I am not even saying they are wrong, because to say so would constitute presumption and arrogance on my part. I become a conceited thorn in the one body of Christ. However, what I am saying is that Holy Communion is reception of Almighty God, the everliving and creator of the seen and unseen, the one ‘who trains my arm for battle …’, the one who tolerates without a grudge my failings and keeps on calling me to repentance; what can separate me from the love of God “… is it persecution …?”, He said I will be with you everyday until the end of time and He never lies.
  
  As for me … I will kneel and receive on my tongue as long as the Holy Father (the rock, symbol of our unity and holder of the keys) and the CDF and CDW says it is the norm then it suffices for me. It might be best to reflect on what Jesus Himself would urge you to do guided by the writings of the saints and teachings of tradition and the reigning pope.
  - Anonymous
    
    Ah, come on now… .you’re not comparing apples to apples.
    
    The ordination of women to the priesthood is hardly on par with the posture our Bishops have asked us to assume as we receive communion.
    
    Be careful…….the devil provides us with all the rationalization we need to get off course.
    
    I have gone both ways with this….following my heart and then returning to the path of obedience. The latter brings peace, thus I know it is what Jesus Himself desires.
    
    Blessings…………..
  - Anonymous
    
    Joseph, I assumed that you were from the USA…if this is not the case, please accept my apologies..you would obviously not be bound by the USCCB.
    
    Peace!
Miriambonello

Loving Jesus in the most simple things we do is praying without ceasing doing little things with great love,even breathing.But we also have to take prayer seriously its not easy,we must persevere and pray for God’s help all the time for we are weak but the Lord sees our good intentions and desires and blesses them.Dear Lord help me to persevere with love.miriam God bless you all
danburke

Amen!

Pope Benedict XVI on Praying Without Ceasing

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