“When You Pray . . .” #5–Temptations

“When You Pray . . .” Class, Session 5, Temptations (02/07/2017). Fr Mike focused on the temptations while at prayer. Most of the handout came from the Internet–the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified.

The Battle of Prayer

Prayer is a gift. Prayer is a battle both against ourselves and against Satan, the tempter. We pray as we live because we live as we pray. Therefore, we must habitually live by the Spirit so we can pray in the Spirit.

Fr Mike walks us through multiple concepts dealing with temptations at prayer.  He introduces the concept of acedia (a word with multiple meanings). It sometimes indicates “spiritual sloth”–a depression coming from lax ascetically practices and decreased vigilance. At its core, acedia is aversion to our relationship with God because of the transforming demands of His love.

The primary remedy for acedia is being faithful in the demands of daily life that God’s love calls us to face.  When we perform them with the humility of prayer, even everyday works can rekindle the fire of God’s love in us and, thereby, strengthen us against the temptations of this vice.

Read Ephesians 4:22-32.