St. Augustine, What Awaits Those Who are No Longer Attracted to Sin?
Question 022. What is the relationship between prayer and conversion? Part IV: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial III This trial is a sort of lethargy one feels at the length of his life, finding no enjoyment in prayer or reading. Contrary to the first trial, which was a hungering, this trial is distaste for food. Adultery no longer attracts you, but neither does the word of God delight you…Be on guard that this inertia and [...]
St. Augustine, Is it Easy After Man Has Found the Path to God?
Question 022. What is the relationship between prayer and conversion? Part III: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial II The second trial is that of how to do good… In his crying out to the Lord, he is heard and the Lord breaks his chains of difficulty…To abstain from every sort of sin has not become easy. God could have granted this without difficulties, but if there were no difficulties, we would not appreciate the Giver [...]
Remote Preparation for Mental Prayer: Forgiveness Received and Extended
Cain Slaying Abel, Maxim Sheshukov, Unknown Originally Published at TAN Direction A young associate pastor once told me that when he would go to adoration or attempt mental prayer he would often see the angry face of his pastor in his mind. I suggested he forgive his pastor for whatever offenses he had committed and, obstacle removed, his prayer would be freed up to make progress. Why this intimate connection between forgiveness and mental prayer? [...]
St. Augustine, How Is It At the Very Beginning of the Search for God?
Question 022. What is the relationship between prayer and conversion? Part II: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial I The first trial is one of wandering and hunger. Once [man] has had enough of this trial and is brought to call out to God, he takes to the way of faith, that path whose journey will bring him to the city of Peace. For it is Christ who leads him, Christ who said, “I am the [...]