Mental Prayer is about discussing with God the state of our soul, the Graces we need from Him to become Holy in His sight and how our life on earth can facilitate this by overcoming vice and acquiring virtues. Our motive is: Love God.
The Divine Existence In Our Soul
This is the first consideration when applying ourselves to Meditation and Mental Prayer. From our junior catechism we know that God is everywhere. Before beginning our Meditation we acknowledge this truth. Then we focus on the reality of His Presence around and within us. Jesus tells us: “The Kingdom of God is within you”
There are seven parts to Mental Prayer when following St Teresa’s method. The two main essential components of are the Meditationand the Colloquy (prayer). After which come the three optional elements, which lead on from the colloquy and they are: the Thanksgiving, Offering and Petition.
As we focus on the Presence of God our Gospel Meditation might be: “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” We examine this silently in the company of Jesus. When we reflect on the words: ‘see God’ we think of heaven. We might “see” Him all around us or in our heart. But to see Him clearly, and to enter heaven we must be “pure of heart.” In reflection we question our own purity of heart. We examine our faults.
This might be the moment when we move from Meditation into the heart of Mental Prayer, which is our conversation with God. We ponder the state of our soul, and spontaneously discuss with Jesus what we need to do to become “pure of heart.” We call this the Colloquy. Spontaneity is key to the success of this Mental Prayer. We will be chatting with great focus, telling God how much we love Him; how ashamed we are that we are not clean of heart because of our predominant fault. Because of our Love for Him we talk about how we will do better in the future.
