Talk Outline for Week 5

Archdio of St. Paul Minneapolis, Discussion

Week #5: Overcoming Obstacles

Below is the outline for Talk 5, titled “Overcoming Obstacles.”  As you listen to the teaching video, follow along in this outline.  You may print this outline and use the space to the right for notes or use your own journal for notetaking.

Discussion questions for this talk can be found at the end of the outline.  If you are participating in this series together with a group, consider selecting some or all of these questions for your group discussion.

Talk Outline

I.  Overcoming Spiritual Desolation

  1. One of the great obstacles to our life if prayer is spiritual desolation. Spiritual desolation is heaviness of heart in my relationship with God, which comes from the enemy and prevents us from going forward in our spiritual life.
  2. It is important to remember the connection between natural desolation and spiritual desolation. Natural desolation can lead to spiritual desolation, but it does not have to do so.  If there is natural desolation, it can help the spiritual life to make changes at the natural level (for example, if I am exhausted from working too much, then I may need to figure out ways to work less).
  3. In times of spiritual desolation, never change your spiritual proposals.
    1. Spiritual proposals are things I do to strengthen and maintain my relationship with God.
    2. In desolation, we are tempted to give up on these. But this is the time they are the most important.
    3. When struggling, it can be helpful to do something extra in my spiritual life. Little acts can help a lot.  Instead of quitting prayer early, do just a little more (add 3-5 minutes!).
  4. When struggling in your spiritual life, be patient with yourself. Struggles are normal and discouragement makes them worse.
    1. Look for ways to encourage and be gentle with yourself.
    2. It can be helpful to do something extra in my spiritual life. This can be a little thing, such as go to Mass once more each week or go to confession.  Share your struggle with a friend with a strong prayer life.
    3. Keep practicing ARRR. Acknowledging and relating my struggle with honesty in prayer can make me open to receiving God’s way of seeing the struggle.  Journaling is helpful.  Consider which Scriptures you pray with.

II.   Overcoming Distractions

  1. Distractions in prayer are normal.
  2. General category 1 – a racing mind and it is hard to calm down and focus.
    1. Consider when you pray in the day. Try to find times where it is easier to focus.
    2. Try spiritual reading for 15 minutes or so before praying.
    3. Try to actively use your imagination in prayer.
    4. Remember that prayer is a work of the heart, more than the mind. It is possible for the heart to be loving God even while the mind is distracted.
  3. General category 2 – a particular thing is distracting me.
    1. Often times this is a problem I don’t have a solution to and may be affecting my relationship with God.
    2. In this case, bring it to the Lord in ARRR prayer. Acknowledge the distraction.  Tell the Lord why it bothers you.  By relating, I begin to be open to receiving how God sees this problem.
    3. Other ideas include bringing to mind a quote from Scripture, looking at a spiritual image, or praying in an Adoration chapel.

III. Regular Spiritual Reading

  1. Good books help us understand what is happening in our lives of prayer. They can spur our imagination and our desire to grow in prayer.  They can help us learn the ways of God.
  2. Some suggestions for those just beginning to learn how to pray are:
    1. Jacques Philippe, Time for God,
    2. Peter Kreef, Prayer for Beginners,
    3. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, and
    4. Timothy Gallagher, The Discernment of Spirits.

IV. Persevere

  1. One of the most important virtues for growing in a prayer life is perseverance.
  2. Parable of the Sower and the Seed. Persevere to develop deep roots.
  3. Every relationship takes work.
  4. God understands that it takes time for us to grow. What is important is that we don’t give up.  As long as we keep striving no matter how much we fail, we will continue to grow.