If you’ve ever treated prayer like a heavenly vending machine: insert intentions, expect results… this episode of The Inner Life with Patrick Conley and Monsignor Thomas Richter is your wake-up call (but in the gentlest way possible 😇).
You can listen to the whole episode here.
Msgr. explains that God is Pure Act which means…
🛑 God Doesn’t Need a Pep Talk
God is already doing the absolute best He can for you. Right now. Always. He’s not holding back. There’s no higher level of kindness, love, or divine effort that He’s saving for later; you’re already swimming in it.
“God can’t be better to you and me than He is right now.” – Msgr. Richter
That’s huge. It means your prayer isn’t about changing God’s mind or getting Him to care more; it’s about receiving what He’s already pouring out like Niagara Falls (seriously, Monsignor used that exact image 🌊).
🙏 Prayer is Reception, Not Persuasion
If you’re praying like “Lord, fix this. Do that. Change this thing now,” Monsignor gently calls that out as having a bit of a pagan streak 🫣 (not judging… we’ve all been there).
Instead, authentic Christian prayer is about opening ourselves to the blazing sun of God’s love, like opening the curtains and letting in the light ☀️. Not because the sun started shining when you decided to pray, but because it was already shining. You just finally let it in.
❤️ God Is Love (And Love Means Self-Gift)
God isn’t just doing good things for you… He’s giving Himself. Every. Single. Moment.
So, here’s the soul check Monsignor challenges us with:
Is your deepest prayer desire for God Himself? Or for God to give you stuff?
Real prayer says:
“I want You, Lord… in my sickness or health, in riches or poverty, in a long life or a short one.”
“The greatest thing that can happen to me in any moment is God’s will being done.” – Msgr. Richter
🌹 Mary Gets It. Jesus Too.
Look no further than the Blessed Mother for this perfect prayer posture:
“Let it be done to me according to Your word.”
At the Cross, in joy, in pain… Mary’s heart was receptive, surrendered, and full of trust.
Same with Jesus. When He teaches us to pray, He starts with:
“Thy will be done…”
This is radically active trust.
🎧 Bonus from Paula
A caller named Paula gave a powerful witness to living this out. Since consecrating herself to Mary, she’s found a deeper desire for prayer and is learning to let go of control (yeah, ouch, we felt that too 😅). Her hunger for the Eucharist and Holy Hour is all about being consumed by God’s love.
Monsignor affirmed her beautifully, reminding us:
✔️ Surrender isn’t a one-and-done.
✔️ It’s a daily disposition of letting God act.
✔️ It’s the heart of intercessory prayer… to let God have His way.
✝️ TL;DR: Pray Like a Christian, Not a Pagan
-God is pure act. He’s already pouring Himself out.
-Prayer is about receiving, not achieving.
-God is love, and He’s always giving Himself.
-Want God more than you want things from God.
-Imitate Mary: trust, surrender, and say “Let it be done.”
This episode was a mini retreat. 🙌
If you’re hungry for deeper prayer, start with this:
“Lord, I want You. No matter what comes… I want You.”
Now that’s getting God right.
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