In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Mental Prayer – The Inner Life – October 28, 2024

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Father Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Mental Prayer

  • (3:10) what are the different types of prayer?
  • (8:38) How do you get started with doing mental prayer?

(19:30) Break 1

  • Norman – Prayer saved my life.  Married 50 years, and it saved my marriage.  Scripture played a big role.
  • Joseph – Mental health patient for over 30 years.  Discovered that mental prayer with thoughts intrusive and non-intrusive come in.  We are not our thoughts.  I used to think that when I was younger and that caused a lot of guilt.  Thoughts are there and they will pass.  One can make that a cross.
  • (30:37) Why is mental prayer important?
  • Thomas – Beautiful Catholic body and soul and how they play into prayer.  Can play into contemplation.  I suffer with OCD and it helps me with my mental prayers to be mindful and be locked on the Eucharist.

(39:30) Break 2

  • Maria – Busy mother of 5.  He mentioned that you can’t grow in holiness without mental prayer. Is there a way to adapt it or condensed form for a busy mom?
  • (45:34) Teresa – Recently re-converted. Deep into it (adoration, Legion of Mary, etc.).  Having a hard time with connection with mental prayer.  Thinking about things and being distracted.  Rosary is fine, but anything else causes everything to go.
  • Mary – Dominican Tertiary.  I have been praying mental prayer for quite some time, but I don’t know if I’m doing it correctly. I don’t know that I’m understanding it.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.