Difficulties in Mental Prayer

When we speak to God, we must mean what we say; we must practice what we have promised; we must show forth in work what we say in word.

Dom Eugene Boylan OCSO

It can be difficult to pray, but it is even more difficult not to pray. In this book, Dom Eugene explains what prayer really is, why it is necessary for everyone and how anyone can become proficient in it. Without using complicated language, he introduces readers to the main stages of the development of prayer and the spiritual life. He answers popular misconceptions regarding prayer, and teaches all not to be afraid of speaking to God using their own heartfelt words. He shows how even simple mental prayer can lead to the heights of mystical union with God.

This book touches on many of the most common questions about prayer. How should we deal with distractions in prayer? How can we avoid being discouraged in prayer? How does prayer make us better? How can we learn to persevere in prayer, until it becomes an indispensable part of our daily life? At the same time, it goes beyond these difficulties in order to show how our personal lives of prayer are inseparable from our membership in the true Church founded by Jesus Christ.