vain words

"When you pray don't use vain words like the pagans do who think they'll be heard for the number of words they say..."

Have you ever wondered what these vain words are? Has anyone ever tried to tell you it's any repetitive prayer like the rosary? Are all those old ladies in church disobeying Jesus? Have you ever heard any Protestant friends or acquaintances use the same formulas over and over again in so-called "spontaneous prayer"? Is that what Jesus doesn't like?

As an Apostle of the Interior Life, I believe that Jesus is getting upset about people who just let the prayers they say die on their lips and never really enter into their hearts, whether "formulas" or "spontaneous." And I'm not here to point fingers. I've done this too... at Mass, reciting the breviary, with the rosary... but I'm getting better!

Here are a few secrets I've come up with along the way:
1) Remember why you're praying this prayer: to get closer to God, Jesus, Mary? To ask for a particular virtue? to shed some light on a tough decision? Whatever it is, remember why and to whom you're talking.

2) Get emotional. Get fired up, or humble, or loving, or at peace, or joyful, or whatever. Breathe that way. Put your head that way. Put the proper expression on your face. Let it come through your voice.

3) Pause to recharge every once in a while and regain focus. The rosary is great for this becuase there are built in pauses. Pause also to thank God for being with you right now.

4) Fly through them. That's right, once you have some concentration, just go. I think the "church ladies" have it right when they pray fast. Praying slow leads to more distractions for most people. Our minds start to wander, right? That's how I am. The faster we pray, the more we concentrate... and I'm sure I won't get any complaints from people who are strapped for time!

5) Sometimes less is more... sometimes we can get what we really want out of prayer if we spend less time talking and more time listening to God. You probably already knew this one, but sometimes it's good to hear things again and be reminded... In Italy they say "ripetita juvent", that is things that are repeated are useful, because repetition is the mother of mastery, really making this a part of your life for good!

Try some of this out today if it makes sense to you. Even if it doesn't make sense, if you're in a bit of a funk, try it out. Maybe it'll be the key that ignites your spirit for good...

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott