Let's Go Beyond Routine Prayers to a Heartfelt Connection

Making Our Prayers the Best They Can Be

Dive into the intricate mosaic of spiritual reflections in the below Living Jesus Chat Room conversation, where participants engaged in topics ranging from the authenticity of prayer to recognizing the promptings of an evil spirit. 

In the "Prayerful Pretense" segment, the chat room navigates the delicate balance between heartfelt connection and habitual recitation. 

Transitioning to "Affection St. Francis had for St. Jane" and "One Saint Recognizing Another," the chatters delved into the profound relationships between saints. Participants share insights on the holy love exchanged between these saints and draw parallels to their own spiritual connections. 

These glimpses into the Living Jesus Chat Room offer a taste of the heartfelt discussions that occur each Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Consider joining our community where we explore the teachings of St. Francis de Sales, share personal insights, and collectively embark on a journey of living Jesus in our daily lives.

Check out our Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. We read a passage of St. Francis de Sales and then gather great insights and sharing.

Prayerful Pretense

Question: How could prayer sometimes be nothing more than pretense?

Rebecca: I think it can be.

Sherry: Oh my… this question about prayer being “pretense.” I have been guilty of that so many times. But I honestly think I am doing much better in this regard now. Especially prayers before eating.

Visitation Sister: When I am rushed, I fail in this regard.

Sherry: That’s a good point…with being rushed.

Rebecca: True. And yet there are situations in which speed is important.

Sherry: Absolutely – and these prayers can be powerful. However, hurrying can hinder us from connecting with God's heart.

Visitation Sister: Routine prayers can sometimes fall into this category when we don’t pay enough attention.

Sherry: I hear you, Sister. But when I catch myself that I just prayed for a while a “routine prayer” without engaging my heart. I consoled myself that my body was still saying holy words.

Visitation Sister: True, because if we pray in tongues, we don’t know what we are saying as well.

Sherry: Although... The heart usually knows somewhat what is said. Even by praying in tongues.

Bethany: We must watch our mouth, just draw Jesus’ love into our mouth, heart, and actions.

Visitation Sister: I suppose that is so or at least our soul or the spirit within us, yes.

Rebecca: Maybe that is why the rosary is a good prayer, precisely because, in a way, it is our bodies praying the words while our minds are meditating on the mysteries.

Get Behind Me, Satan

Question: How can we recognize the promptings of an evil spirit?

Bethany: By doing something that Jesus doesn't want you to do, if it is causing you to disobey Jesus.

Visitation Sister: This is critical for directors to be able to discern.

Sherry: I assume an evil spirit is at work when self-forgetting love is diminished. Love towards God and love towards neighbor.

Denise: Then, Satan can masquerade as a spirit of light. So deeper discernment is necessary.

Bethany: Pray with the Bible and say the chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Sherry: But Satan hates self-forgetting love and would never encourage anything that makes this love thrive or serving.

Rebecca: Sherry, would that, then, include the diminishing of self-forgetfulness, that typically is included during illness and extreme pain.

Sherry: Rebecca... I would see that as part of a mirroring of spiritual maturity and level of surrendering.

Rebecca: Even the picture of Jesus' heart on fire with love for people shows him looking at it.

Sherry: I think I know which picture you refer to, Rebecca. But I do not understand what you mean.

Bethany: I saw the heart of Jesus close to me when I was in deep sleep.

Rebecca: Love.

Sherry: I see it like this too, Rebecca.

Affection St. Francis Had for St. Jane

Question: What is this great affection St. Francis has for St. Jane? Is he just a bit too emotional and excited to have her as a directee?

Sherry: I think he is excited that he sees that God has set it up.

Visitation Sister: I think it is contained emotion and joined to God.

Sherry: I do not sense anything out of the norm. And St. Francis was a man who had a wide array of emotions. Nothing wrong with that.

Visitation Sister: He (St. Francis) was incredibly open and human as he himself said. And he had a mission with St. Jane.

Sherry: The special “emotions” he had for St. Jane were also because God truly initiated this relationship. She was a special person to him. And he knew also – as for excitement – that God will speak through her to him. Even though he was the director. Good spiritual direction often goes both ways.

Visitation Sister: Yes, the mutuality was there.

Sherry: He, Dawn, you are so quiet. Are you still here?

Denise: I’m here. Listening to all that is being said.

Sherry: Ok, Denise. All good. Just wanted to make sure all is ok.

Denise: Thank you.

Bethany: Those saints who have healing power – it comes from Jesus.

One Saint Recognizing Another

Sherry: Going back to St. Francis' “excitement” about St. Jane. I think he truly had a holy love for her.

Visitation Sister: Yes, and that is so special. One saint recognizing another.

Sherry: That’s a really good way to say it.

Rebecca: I’m sure that my students and my patients have given me a good deal as well. And now David does not hesitate to give me advice, though he came originally to help me get groceries!

Visitation Sister: Reminds me of a photo of St John Paul II and St Teresa of Calcutta. They looked at each other with tenderness. Two saints.

Denise: A beautiful thought to ponder, Sr Susan. One saint recognizing another.

Sherry: Awww. I can picture it. Resting in the other’s love for God.

Visitation Sister: The pic is in our sacristy. It must have been like that for St Francis and St Jane.

Sherry: Maybe I can see it one day. The picture in the sacristy.

Visitation Sister: Yes, if you are here or if I can take a pic of it and post but my iPad died.

Why do Common Prayers use the Plural “We”?

Question: Why is it significant that major prayers we know (the Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.) Are worded in the plural, and are said as such, even when we are alone?

Denise: Because we are praying with all the saints.

Sherry: In the rosary.

Bethany: And Holy Bible.

Sherry: I remember when I became Catholic. I did not want to say ” pray for us.” It was really difficult for me. I was so used to individual prayers only.

Visitation Sister: That is interesting, never heard that before.

Rebecca: Yes, with the Church triumphant and the Church militant.

Denise: I pray they all may come into the fullness of the faith.

Sherry: I cannot say “us.” I like to pray the Memorare.

Bethany: But we need to pray to Jesus Yeshua too. He is the first one. That is why we say the Our Father and Creed first in the rosary..

Sherry: Yes, Bethany… I do bring my prayers to Jesus. So... How do I pray best to Mother Mary – when I want to intercede for my daughter?

Denise: Sherry, I ask Mother Mary to please bind my children to her immaculate heart, and lead them to her son, our lord Jesus Christ. This is how I insert it in my rosary.

Sherry: Thanks for sharing Denise. Here in the rosary do you insert this?

Denise: I say, “with this rosary.”

Sherry: Oh. I see. Like an intention in the beginning of a decade.

Denise: Sometimes at the beginning of each decade.

Sherry: I see, thank you. I am just so torn while I pray the rosary to concentrate on the mystery – while my heart cries out for my daughter. Just a personal challenge for me during prayer.

If you enjoyed this article, why not join us at our Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. Join us at 7:30 p.m. ET each Sunday! We read a passage of St. Francis de Sales and then gather great insights and sharing!