The habitual difficulty in prayer is distraction...To set about hunting down distractions would be to fall into their trap, when all that is necessary is to turn back our heart: for a distraction reveals to us what we are attached to.
- CCC No. 2729
Reflection: The thoughts that come to distract our prayers can tell us much about ourselves and reveal where our heart lies. We can sanctify these thoughts when we offer them up to the Father along with our prayers.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, inspire single-minded focus in our prayers.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer...all teach us this: prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God.
- CCC No. 2725
Reflection: Anything of value must be protected. So it is with the divine life. We must fight for it with vigilance against enemies with-out and enemies within.
Prayer: Jesus, strengthen our spiritual will.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
Beginning with Mary's unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the holy Mother of God, centering it on the person of Christ manifested in his mysteries.
CCC No. 2675
Reflection: All Marian prayers, the Hail Mary, the Rosary, the Angelus, etc., find their center of gravity in Jesus and the mystery of his life. The placement of his sacred name and the meditation on his life provoked by Marian prayers gives them a Christocentric focus which Mary herself desires.
Prayer: Mary, reveal to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
From: Day by Day with the Catechism (Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York)
