Just a few reminders in preparing ourselves to pray.
According to St. Teresa of Avila, there are three essential steps to a fruitful practice of mental prayer:
1) First, we must be SEARCHING for God.
2) Second, we must be willing to be ALONE with God.
3) And third, we need to look upon the Lord as being PRESENT within us.
(Please observe 2-3 minutes of silence before reading the prayer.)
LET US PRAY.
Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel,
incomparable mother of all your children,
blessed are you because our afflictions
were not hidden from you
and we are able joyfully to proclaim
your help and mercy.
We wish to thank you
for the benefits we have received from you
and we are delighted to try to express this to you.
But far beyond what words are able to do,
you can read the gratitude in the depth of our hearts.
We ask that your watchful intercession
assist us during the rest of our lives.
May you guide us that we persevere in faithfulness
to the Lord and in our love for you,
so that we can be united with you
in eternal thanksgiving to Jesus,
who lives and reigns forever.
Amen.
