Battle of Prayer

Drawing from the wisdom of the saints, Fr. Mike explains why prayer should be in the center of our lives, while offering some helpful pointers on how to make that so, especially during distractions.

Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension:

Get 18 of Fr. Mike’s best Ascension Presents videos in this exclusive DVD from Ascension:

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SOCIAL MEDIA

[candyclews]

That's the beauty of The Rosary beads - I can pray deeply for 45 minutes without thinking about what I'm going to make for supper!

[putjesusfirst]

I wish we could all get a restraining order against Satan.

[jlzpacheco]

Incredible, I skipped my prayer time today and this new video pops up! I'm still trying to establish a routine ... and it seems so difficult sometimes, but whenever I see you talking about praying like this, it reminds me that whoever wants, find a way, and who does not want to, finds an excuse ... today I I will win this battle!

[PatLauBagLife]

As someone that is looking to convert and learning about prayer, this has been a very powerful video for me. Thank you.

[gwenfinch]

You are an excellent priest. You have truly been called by God. My heart is broken. If everyone would pray then the world would not be broken.

[sapphirestoker]

Father Mike you always seem to answer my questions at a given time.  Keep being you.  Blessing I bestow upon you.xx UK.xxx much love and adoration.xx

[practicalpen]

A way to ground myself for prayer is to pray kneeling by my bed, after waking up and before going to bed. That way, I avoid distraction almost 100% of the times. However, as Fr. Mike says, the issue can be actually doing it. I can get distracted by an early morning rush and forget to do it... but as soon as I remember, when home I kneel by my bed and pray, no matter what I was doing or the time of day. I pray the Our Father, and then talk to God about my life, thanking Him for His graces, asking for people who need prayer and help, asking Him to help me become the person He wants me to become. Keeping it this way "personal" is the way that I've found works best for me to keep distraction away. Thanks Fr. Mike!

[sonia_dacosta]

Thank you Fr Mike., th way from Johannesburg, South Africa

[SuMaria]

Fr. Mike you are so good at explaining stuff. So thankful for you to God. May He always continue to bless you. 🙏

[CapCaffeine]

It's an outright war at times! One thing that helped me greatly in obtaining a regular prayer life was to stop judging how I felt during prayer and just accept that what God gives in terms of "feelings" and even concentration is up to Him. Sometimes it's basically being distracted the whole time and constantly going back to the prayer, others it's like the floodgates of grace from Heaven opened, but it's really not up to us to decide when is what. I think we have to show up to take the daily bread without concerning ourselves what will be given, sometimes it's caviar and wine other times its water and crumbs but we have to trust that it's always the right food at the right time. I don't know, seeing it like this made me see even the times when prayer feels "dry" from another perspective, it gains another "flavor" so to speak.

[almasakic]

I'm so glad I came across this because while I've been reading the Bible, watching Fr. Mike's videos, and listening to sleep music at night that speaks of scripture, prayer has been downright intimidating and even terrifying to me. Sometimes when I try to pray, I think of Fr. Mike as my focal point and that he's cheering me on, and that helps me to focus. <3

[ribbit]

once again fr mike - a message i need, when i need it - God Bless you & your work!

[TiffTheTyrant]

This has been such a struggle for me in particular in the past two months, and I have been asking the Lord for guidance about regular prayer-and BOOM! here it is. I asked-I received. Thanks Father Mike.

[WatchDog]

So very true...thanks Fr. Mike! God bless you, brother! 🙏

[angelpuerto]

It is really true Father that we always find battle in prayer just like any other intimate relationship does. We just need to bring our awareness to prayer and bring everything to Him. It is not about what you expect to happen in prayer but how you find God in everything in prayer.

[cynthiaanthony]

Thank you Fr. Mike !
I’ve been wanting to pray daily and this was my new year resolution to strengthen my faith but I have been so distracted and lazy. This video was so inspirational for me to work on my prayer life!
Please pray for me!

[Gunnar.Alexander]

I always noticed I pray better and with great focus when I went on long runs when I was in the Marine Corps.

[pattineistat]

You are soooo a gift from God to us Fr. Mike! Thanks for what you do!!!

[judithangelaespiritualpay]

Fr Mike, thanks much for all those times you pass on to us a lot of what you must have heard the Lord teaching you through the gift of prayer. We are blessed thst you share with us its fruits.

Let us all keep praying. 'Tis our hotline to God and armor in battle.

[craigsalvatore]

Truly amazing and inspirational. Thank you, Fr. Mike.