Mental Prayer

Notes on Mental Prayer following St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

 

I. Introduction to Mental Prayer

Definition: Mental prayer is a familiar conversation and union with God. St. John Chrysostom teaches that in prayer, the soul converses with God, and God with the soul.

Vocal Prayer: Uses set words (spoken or silent) and is often communal (e.g., the Rosary, Liturgy of the Hours).

Mental Prayer: A personal, interior conversation with God, whether silent or spoken aloud, involving meditation, heartfelt responses to God, and petitions.

The Uniqueness of Mental Prayer
Mental prayer is a uniquely Catholic devotion, though it has been largely forgotten in modern times. It is essential for deepening one's spiritual life and maintaining an intimate relationship with God.

II. The Necessity of Mental Prayer

A Soul Without Light

St. Augustine warns that without mental prayer, the soul is without light: “They,” says St. Augustine, “who keep their eyes shut cannot see the way to their country. The eternal truths are all spiritual things that are seen, not with eyes of the body, but with the eyes of the mind; that is, by reflection and consideration. Now, they who do not make mental prayer do not see these truths, neither do they see the importance of eternal salvation, and the means which they can adopt in order to obtain it."

The Danger of Neglecting Mental Prayer

St. Teresa of Avila strongly emphasizes its necessity:

"He who neglects mental prayer needs not a devil to carry him to Hell, but brings himself there with his own hands." "The man who omits mental prayer soon becomes either a beast or a devil."

Spiritual Growth Through Mental Prayer

St. Alphonsus Liguori further explains that mental prayer lifts the soul above itself:

"A soul cannot have a relish for God unless it withdraws from creatures and stops to contemplate the goodness, the love, the amiableness of God. But when solitary and recollected in meditation, that is, when it takes away its thoughts from the world, it is then raised above itself and departs from prayer very different from what it was when it began."

III. Where and When to Practice Mental Prayer

Mental prayer can be practiced anywhere—at home, while walking, working, or traveling. Those who seek God will find Him everywhere.

The Best Place: Before the Blessed Sacrament
The best place for making mental prayer is in a church, especially before the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus Christ bestows light and grace most abundantly upon those who meditate in His presence.

The Best Time for Mental Prayer:

  1. Morning and Evening – According to St. Bonaventure, these are the fittest times for meditation.

  2. Morning Prayer – St. Gregory of Nyssa teaches that the morning is the most favorable time because:
    “When prayer precedes business, sin will not find entrance into the soul."

Duration of Mental Prayer

  • A half-hour of meditation daily is sufficient for beginners.

  • Spiritual perfection and advancement require more prolonged prayer.

Mental Prayer and Love of God

Mental prayer is tedious only for those attached to worldly things. Those who love God find joy in conversing with Him:

“His conversation has no bitterness, His company produces not tediousness, but joy and gladness."

IV. Structure of Mental Prayer

A.C.T.S. – The Four Parts of Prayer

  1. Adoration – Worship and acknowledge God’s greatness.

  2. Contrition – Express sorrow for sins and seek forgiveness.

  3. Thanksgiving – Show gratitude for God’s blessings.

  4. Supplication – Ask for graces and divine assistance.

The Four Stages of Mental Prayer:

  1. The Preparation

    • Place oneself in the presence of God & of the Blessed Virgin.

    • Ask for divine assistance from the Blessed Trinity and the Saints.

    • Choose an object of meditation: a book, the Gospels, a sacred image, a truth of the faith such as the reality of hell, a fact of the faith such as the assumption of Mary into heaven.

  2. The Meditation: The act of the Mind

    • Read or reflect slowly.

    • Ask yourself questions to deepen understanding (e.g., "What does this reveal about God? How does this apply to me?").

    • Apply it to your life: How can you live this out today?

    • Respond emotionally, offering your heart to God.

     3.   The Conversation: The act of the heart

  • Once your meditation moves your heart, you must enter into a conversation with God.

  • Affections/heartfelt responses to God – Express adoration, love, gratitude, and devotion.

  • Petitions – Ask for spiritual and temporal needs.

  • Periodically let your mind be still, and allow God to speak to you through inspiring your thoughts, feelings, and resolutions.

  • Resolutions – Commit to spiritual improvement.

      4. The Conclusion

  • Apologize to God for your imperfections in prayer

  • Thank God for the light received.

  • Make firm resolutions to apply the meditation in daily life.

  • Seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints.

Notes on Chapter 7: Distractions and Aridities

Dryness: A lack of emotional consolation or feeling in prayer, where one experiences no joy, peace, or satisfaction.

Aridity: A deeper spiritual trial where the soul feels distant from God, struggles to pray, and may fear abandonment, yet must persevere in faith.


Distractions

  • Stay calm and return to God; don’t be disturbed or attempt to force distractions away with lots of effort.

  • The devil uses distractions to discourage prayer—ignore him.

  • Cassian: Freedom from all distraction is impossible.

  • St. Francis de Sales: Even if all you do is fight distractions, the prayer is pleasing to God and made well.

  • St. Thomas: Involuntary distractions don’t ruin prayer.

Aridities

  • Feeling dry or tired in prayer is normal—don’t quit.

  • God withdraws consolations to test love and strengthen souls.

  • St. Teresa: The devil loses those who persevere in mental prayer.

  • Prayer isn’t about feelings but seeking and doing God’s will.

  • Even simple petitions like “Jesus, mercy” are enough in aridity.

V. Conclusion
Mental prayer is an essential practice for every Catholic seeking holiness & salvation. It enlightens the soul, strengthens virtue, and fosters an intimate relationship with God. Those who dedicate themselves to it will grow in grace and avoid the dangers of spiritual blindness and sin. May all souls strive to practice and perfect this sacred devotion daily.