12. The Causes of Failure in Mental Prayer

 

Mental prayer is a powerful practice in the Christian life, where one communicates deeply with God in silence and reflection. However, it is not uncommon to face challenges in maintaining focus and devotion during prayer. This article will explain some common reasons why we may struggle in mental prayer, such as distractions, lack of resolve, and misconceptions, and provide practical advice to help overcome these obstacles.

Distractions: The Great Battle

Distractions are one of the main reasons people struggle in mental prayer. They can come from various sources, but the most persistent ones are those that come from the enemy, Satan. According to the holy Abbot Nilus, “The war the enemy wages against us has no other object than to make us abandon mental prayer.” Satan does not mind if we fast, mortify ourselves, or even do things that may make us proud, as long as we do not pray mentally. This is because mental prayer helps our souls to humble and transform, glorifying God. It is odious to the enemy, but salutary for us.

How the Enemy Attacks

The enemy attempts to divert our thoughts and emotions, overwhelm us with trivial memories, tempt us with dangerous or evil images, and fill our minds with painful thoughts. He tries to make us believe we are not good at prayer, that we are wasting time, or even that we are offending God by praying poorly. He wants us to give up on mental prayer entirely. But abandoning prayer would mean falling into his trap, cutting ourselves off from grace, and causing our souls to wither and die.

Self-Caused Distractions

Not all distractions come from the enemy. Many stem from ourselves, such as our habits and lifestyle. Here are some common causes:

1. Levity: If we allow our senses—eyes, ears, and tongue—to wander freely during the day, it will be difficult to control them during prayer. If we habitually let our minds drift wherever they please, we cannot expect them to suddenly become attentive in prayer. We must be disciplined throughout the day to reap the benefits during prayer.

2. Passion: Our thoughts naturally follow our emotions and passions. When our hearts are caught up in anger, jealousy, or animosity, our minds become like a boat in a storm, unable to stay on course.

3. Occupations: If we immerse ourselves excessively in our work, studies, or public duties, they will invade our minds during prayer, often with a clarity and focus that we could not achieve during the actual tasks. This distraction can make our prayer time seem unproductive.

4. Weakness: Keeping one’s mind attentive in prayer requires effort. The truths of faith are supernatural and require sacrifices to grasp. If our will to please God and grow in holiness is weak, we will find it hard to stay focused.

How to Combat Distractions

Every distraction, if deliberately entertained, is a fault. But when we recognize that our mind is wandering and we strive to return to prayer, we have not sinned. Here’s how we can combat distractions:

1. Humility: Humble yourself before God. Acknowledge your weakness and need for His grace. This is the remedy for all our difficulties.

2. Gentleness: Gently bring your mind back to the subject of your prayer, even if you have to do it a thousand times. Do not get upset with yourself, as this will only stir your soul and create more turmoil. Simply call upon God with trust and calmness.

3. Avoid Scrutiny: Do not scrutinize every distraction or analyze whether you have consented to them. This can lead to more wandering thoughts. It is usually better to examine this matter at another time.

Remember, every time we fight against distractions and return to God, we show Him that we prefer Him over the things that divert our thoughts. Each effort is a victory over the enemy and a merit earned for Heaven.

Tepidity of the Will

Tepidity, or lukewarmness, occurs when our will lacks fervor. It is like trying to light a fire with wet wood—it will not catch easily. We may go through the motions of prayer without truly desiring to connect with God. This can happen for several reasons:

• Routine: If prayer becomes just another item on our daily to-do list, we may not give it the attention and love it deserves.

• Lack of Resolve: If we do not have a strong desire to grow closer to God or improve in virtue, our prayers will lack depth.

Overcoming Tepidity

To overcome tepidity, we must rekindle our love for God. This can be done by:

1. Meditating on God’s Goodness: Reflect on how much God loves you and how much He has done for you. This will help you to appreciate prayer more deeply.

2. Making Firm Resolutions: Before beginning prayer, make a firm decision to focus on your conversation with God, and ask for His help to keep your heart inflamed with love.

3. Small Acts of Sacrifice: Offer up little sacrifices throughout the day as acts of love for God. These can be as simple as doing a chore without complaining or giving up a small comfort.

Vagueness of Resolutions

Another cause of failure in mental prayer is making vague resolutions. It’s easy to say, “I will try to be better,” but such a resolution lacks direction and is difficult to follow through. Our resolutions should be specific, practical, and achievable.

How to Make Effective Resolutions

1. Be Specific: Instead of saying, “I will be more patient,” try, “I will pause and count to five before responding when I feel upset.”

2. Be Practical: Choose resolutions that you can actually implement. For example, “I will read a chapter of the Bible every day” is more practical than “I will read the entire Bible in a month.”

3. Be Measurable: You should be able to evaluate whether you have kept your resolution. “I will say a short prayer every time I feel tempted” is a measurable goal.

Illusions and Misconceptions

We may also fail in prayer due to illusions and misconceptions. We may think that mental prayer should always be easy, enjoyable, or full of consolations. When we experience dryness or difficulty, we might believe that God is displeased or that we are not praying correctly.

Correcting Misconceptions

1. Understand the Purpose of Prayer: The goal of prayer is not to feel good, but to unite ourselves with God’s will. Even when we do not feel anything, God may be drawing us closer to Him in a deeper way.

2. Accept Dryness: Periods of dryness in prayer are normal. They are opportunities to prove our love for God by praying faithfully, even when it is difficult.

Indispositions

Sometimes, our mental state or physical health can hinder our prayer. Fatigue, stress, or illness can make it hard to concentrate. In such cases, it is essential to be patient with ourselves and offer our weakness to God.

Encouragement for the Journey

Remember that every effort you make in mental prayer, no matter how small, is precious in God’s eyes. He sees your struggles and knows your heart. Do not be discouraged by distractions or difficulties. The more you persevere, the stronger your relationship with God will become.

Mental prayer is a journey of love and commitment. It may be challenging at times, but every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. Trust in God’s grace and continue to seek Him with all your heart.