Good Prayer vs. Bad Prayer

Is there such a thing as bad prayer?

If you feel like your prayer is lacking, Fr. Mark-Mary has some concrete steps to focus on God in prayer and grow in a closer relationship with him (plus some pitfalls to avoid).

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[Patssun]

Brother, you’re like the smooth, decaf version of Father Mike—still full of wisdom, just with your own unique and relaxed vibe. I love Father Mike, but I absolutely love the way you bring your message to life.

[DawnLapka-ci]

😂 Pius napping in prayer. My kids had to go to confession once because they wanted to step away from Mass. They went to the Adoration Chapel and fell asleep. The pastor, Fr. Larry Gyhra, got my attention immediately after Mass, brought me to my children and that's when he became my family's Spiritual Director. He helped my teenagers with their prayer life and me in my prayer life as well as my career and parenting. I think that we need to be grateful and thankful for any prayer assistance and education that gets offered to us as we go through life. ❤❤❤ Rest in Peace, Fr. Gyrha.

[Aaalllyyysssaaaaa]

I have schizophrenia and ADHD, so what happens to me is I get distracted, focus back on God, get distracted, focus back on God, start hallucinating, get distracted, accidentally focus on the hallucination, then I have to fill my mind with something more stimulating so I can distract myself away from the hallucination and it can disappear. I distract myself on purpose with restful things that are stimulating enough to bring my brain back to where it can function, like audiobooks or video games. Basically what I do is if I need to rest by filling my mind up, I offer it to God and I ask Him to use my rest time to accomplish His will, and maybe to make me feel better and energized so I can be with people and love them really well later. Then I kind of think about God like I do when I'm going to sleep, I close my eyes figuratively speaking, but I know He's still there. I think that pleases God even though I'm very distracted. I try to keep my focused prayer time short but pure, like not infiltrated by any psychosis or anything, so if I'm having a good mental illness day I can pray for like 20 minutes, but if I'm having a bad mental illness day I'll pray for like 10 seconds. But then I try to think about whatever bible reading is on my mind or something in the back of my mind while I'm gaming or something. It's not that I'm putting God second when I do that, it's that I give God more when I do that, because when I take care of my mind, I have more to give, it's a good investment of the little brainpower God trusted me with.

[onfireforJesustoday]

Wonderful insight into how we should be focusing on who He really is when we pray, not just asking him to do things for us or to give us things. Great video.

[mariechong]

Lord please help me to be with you when I Pray.
My mind tends to wander, even at mass.

Jesus please help me 🙏

[IVIazia]

Hehe! Fr. MM’s gentle way of saying, 'Come on! Don’t snooze on God! He deserves your full attention.' Thank you, Fr., for your gentle approach.
❤🙏🤍

[gemschaeffer]

I pray at the beginning of the day, during the day and at the end of the day, I love it...Amen 🙏 all glory be to our lord Jesus Christ

[tylorking]

I feel like this is calling me out 😂 im a mom of two under two and im often falling asleep during my night time prayer because im so exhausted. (I tell myself it's God putting me to rest) Thank you for putting this out there!

[TruthWillprevail]

Lord JESUS I trust you. I need your strength as I struggle to provide for my children. I’m so discouraged as a single mom. God you gave me two beautiful boys both are special needs. I’m overwhelmed because they require much from me. Every month is a struggle to not end up on the streets with my boys. Lord grant me strength to provide for my sons. With you by my side Lord I know all is possible.💕❤️

[ByronAdams-jt]

After listening to this talk, I prayed the rosary with renewed focus.

[duckywuckyshorts]

This is so immensely helpful! I’ve been struggling to pray lately but I’ve started writing in a journal because my mind and my words can get much too jumbled. If you guys agree I would 100% recommend it

[ruthortega]

Lord, we do not pray as we ought. Help me please to concentrate on my prayers. Holy Spirit I need you by my side always, but especially when I pray.

[alonavarshal]

I found this video immediately after realizing that my prayer time has been kind of unsatisfactory to me because I had been so distracted lately. It came at the perfect time. God is really talking to me.

[onthelittleway]

Father Mark Mary, thank you so much. I have been really struggling with prayer these days. This is SO helpful for me. God bless you ❤

[pbj]

I’ve been doing the Rosary in a Year podcast since day 1. I’m usually falling asleep because I leave it to pray before bed because of my nightmares and ADHD. Also because my kids are asleep and won’t interrupt me. I’ve also attempted to do it in the morning and I just don’t feel like it’s the same. Regardless I’m learning how to pray and how to focus and God knows my heart.

[timewarriorsaga]

I usually fall asleep, usually pray the rosary at night before praying to go to bed, and my mind wanders and I fall alseep, but it is the most quiet part of my day. I currently have a cold and talking a lot really doesn't feel good. But that's my mind, it wanders, which has it's benefits. I have migraines and ADHD. As long as my the pain isn't too big, I can distract myself. I think I am rambling. I usually just pray for my family, my parents, cousins and friends for the most part, the people I care about. Sometimes in a lot of words, sometimes not. NAd I try morning prayer and pray for the say to go well and to look after my parents while I can't be there. And I try to pray before eating but I forget. my mind is a bit hectic and I am rambling again

Been listening to your rosary in a year but I fell a bit behind

[grespinosa]

“Pious napping with Jesus” had me rolling!!! 🤣😂🥹👍🎉😴😴😴💤

[victoryazbek]

Thank you so much Father.
I am doing RIY and I am truly enjoying your reflections.
Poco a poco.

[anneendrey]

If you don’t pay attention to your lyrics of prayer, that is bad prayer but if you meditate on what is happening, that is good prayer
St. John Newman
We are all human and mines wander ask Jesus to take all your distractions away before you pray

[videonmode]

I have sleep apnea so my prayer life was suffering for a bit, often dozing off as I sat there prating the Rosary and trying to read scripture.
A simple solution was to kneel when I pray, that's a guaranteed way to not fall asleep, lol.