“In mental prayer, the soul is purified from its sins, nourished with charity, confirmed in the faith and strengthened in hope: the mind expands, the affections dilate, the heart is purified, truth becomes evident; temptation is conquered, sadness dispelled; the senses are renovated; drooping powers revive; tepidity ceases; the rust of vices disappears.”
Saint Peter of Alcantara
Barometer of the Spiritual Life
Mental prayer is the quiet, intimate conversation of the soul with God. This transformative practice advocated by countless saints throughout the history of the Catholic Church is a most effective means of cultivating a deep and personal relationship with our Lord. Saints across the ages, such as Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Alphonsus Liguori considered mental prayer a barometer of the spiritual life. They assessed that the degree of holiness reflected in one’s life was directly correlated to the devout practice of mental prayer. St. Alphonsus wrote extensively on mental prayer and believed, “[T]he soul that practices mental prayer . . . always advances in good desires, and . . . always brings forth more abundant fruits of virtue.”
Moreover, mental prayer has been promoted by these spiritual giants as a safeguard, protecting the soul from sin. St. John of the Cross wrote,
“Without the aid of mental prayer, the soul cannot triumph over the forces of the demon.”
And St. Alphonsus again,
“He who does not [practice] mental prayer does not even know his defects . . . He does not even know the dangers to which his eternal salvation is exposed . . . But he who applies himself to meditation instantly sees his faults . . . and, seeing them, he will reflect on the remedies for them.”
If we experience frustration because we don’t seem to be growing in our spiritual life, a daily commitment to mental prayer will quickly move us forward and take us beyond the limitations imposed on us by sin and self-will. Let’s consider how this practice propels us toward spiritual maturity.
Transformation into the Likeness of Christ
One cannot deny the centrality of mental prayer in the life of a Catholic. It is the launching point and the path toward the spiritual heights of communion with God, through immersing oneself in the very life of Christ.
Saint Paul exhorts us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 13:14) This implies a transformation of our whole being. As we meditate on Christ and His teachings, we come to understand this calling more fully. We are changed by the action of grace in response to our intentional desire to imitate Christ.
St. Alphonsus insisted that those who faithfully pursue intimacy with God “become docile and tender to the influence of grace which is communicated in mental prayer.” This grace has a twofold action. It propels the soul toward sanctity by producing greater love for God and reveals its imperfections, thus producing greater humility. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Bernard, and St. Bonaventure believed that mental prayer was like a mirror in which we are able to see the stains of our soul, and seeing our imperfections, we cry to God with tender trust for healing and transformation.
St. Bernard called this the pruning of God. “Consider that the time of pruning is at hand, if the time of meditation has gone before.” If we have learned in prayer to trust the Lord, we will begin to welcome this pruning, knowing it is the means of our transformation into the likeness of Christ and the bearing of much fruit (John 15:2).
Enlightening the Mind
Another aspect of our transformation is expressed by St. Paul in Romans 12 when he speaks of being transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2). The practice of mental prayer fosters this renewal. By delving into the truths of our faith, we invite the light of Christ to penetrate our thoughts and judgments, leading to a shift in perspective from our temporal goals and desires to His eternal vision. It is a process beautifully underscored by saints like Augustine, who praised mental prayer as the opening of the eyes enabling us to see our great need for grace and our heavenly destiny.
Growing in mental prayer unites us with God in solitude and silence. Saint Teresa speaks of this unitive prayer as adoring God residing in her soul. In this deep state of prayer, God speaks heart to heart in silence, imparting knowledge that only He can give. Catholic spiritual teachers speak of this divine infusion as enlightening the intellect with an understanding that transcends human reasoning. The mind embraces divine truth, fostering a discernment that stands in stark contrast to worldly wisdom, elevating the soul to the heights of spiritual maturity.
Through contemplative communion with God in mental prayer we are not merely thinking about God; we are elevated to think with God, participating with the mind of Christ in a real and substantial way. The effect of this enlightenment goes beyond intellectual knowledge; it flows into daily life and personal conduct. Our eyes are opened to see God’s perspectives, impacting and informing all our interactions and decisions.
Strengthening and Inspiring the Will
The will, often besieged by our appetites, temptations, and the attractions of the world, finds a wellspring of strength and inspiration in mental prayer. By engaging in heartfelt conversation with God, our love for Him increases. This love fortifies the resolve of the will to choose good over evil, combating worldly distractions and affections.
Through the example of great saints and many faithful, pious souls, we understand that through consistent meditation on Christ, His teachings, and His Passion, the will is strengthened to press forward in pursuit of God’s desires through a life of virtue and self-sacrifice. This prayer, uniting us with the heart of God, develops into habitual conversation with Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the saints, and obtains divine assistance to carry our crosses, and act in the world as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). The practice of mental prayer then becomes prayer without ceasing, keeping us recollected and guarding against temptation.
In the struggle to harmonize human will with the divine will, mental prayer is an indispensable spiritual discipline, continually inspiring us to deny ourselves and embrace God’s commands with joy and purpose.
The Privilege of the Children of God
Mental prayer as it grows to maturity is a true privilege afforded to the children of God. It elevates the ordinary to the supernatural, providing a conduit through which we are invited into intimacy with our Lord. As little children approach their fathers with love, trust, and complete vulnerability, the Eternal Father invites us by this holy practice to draw near and speak to Him from our innermost hearts.
Throughout the centuries, the saints have praised mental prayer as the cornerstone of a profound spiritual life. The earnest pursuit of such prayer is indeed the highest honor — one that allows the faithful to enter into deep communication with the God of all creation. It stands as the secret garden where the soul meets God, away from the clamor of the world, to bask in His consolations, submit to His will, and be transformed by His grace. Here, holiness is cultivated, virtues are nourished, and the soul finds its true home.
“Sublime is the excellence of mental prayer, great are its privileges; to mental prayer heaven is opened; to mental prayer heavenly secrets are manifested and the ear of God [is] ever attentive.”
Saint Peter of Alcantara
