This companion will guide you through the ways in which prayer gives God the space to work in us - and transform our hearts to become like the heart of Jesus. In prayer, we give ourselves to God and he gives himself to us. We need to fit in time to satisfy our desire for him just as he gives himself to us infinitely. The obstacles we need to overcome are explored here, and ways of prayer are offered to help us attain singleness of heart.
An invitation to prayer - 4
Christian meditation - 5
Why pray? - 7
Conversion of heart - 8
Private and communal prayer - 9
Getting past your blocks - 12
I’m too busy - 12
Prayer is just a crutch for the weak - 13
Bad experiences with Christians - 14
Embarrassment - 15
I’m too sinful to pray - 16
Fear that God will take you over - 17
Not wanting to let go of things you are attached to - 17
Fear that God wants you to give up what you most desire - 19
Some practical suggestions for prayer - 21
Prayer of presence - 22
Come as you are - 23
Be yourself - 24
Depart from me for I am a sinful man - 25
Getting a prayer routine in place - 27
Easing into prayer - 29
Opening prayers - 30
Holy Spirit invocation hymn - 30
Surrender prayer - 32
Appeal to the Heart ofJesus - 32
The Litany of the Sacred Heart - 33
Background images for prayer that you may find helpful - 36
A few common problems in prayer - 39
Distractions - 39
Scruples - 39
Discouragement - 40
Temptations - 41
Doubts - 42
Prayer throughout the day - 44
Prayer at set hours - 44
Prepare with prayer - 46
Calling on the name ofJesus - 46
Intercession - 47
Praying with Scripture (lectio divina) - 48
The Stations of the Cross - 48
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - 49
The Rosary - 50
The Litany of the Sacred Heart - 50
Praying in tongues - 51
Prayer in times of desolation - 52
Towards singleness of heart - 56
The hope to which we are called - 58
Acknowledgements - 59
Further reading - 59