Contemplative prayer cultivates a listening heart responsive to God’s desires and connects the fruits of prayer with the challenges of living one’s faith.

So, take some time to consider the following questions:

• How much time do you (or will you) devote to prayer?

It is be very important to designate a special time and place for prayer — and to approach your prayer with reverence. It is very easy to become discouraged when approaching new forms of spiritual practice, so consider how much time you will be able to commit to prayer without it becoming tiring or easily distracted by other concerns or activities. It is better to spend a small amount of time in attentive prayer than struggle for a longer period of time. Remember, any activity requires repetition and practice to become a daily habit. Prayer is no different.

• Are you satisfied with your current approach to prayer?

Each of us has preferences concerning prayers. Conversely, we may also dislike other types of prayer. During the course of these spiritual conversations, you may be asked to look at material that you have not engaged earlier. This will be important if you are to expand your horizons. However, it is important that these conversations help (rather than hinder) your prayer life and this may involve exploring the nuances what already seems familiar in your prayer. This does not mean that you will avoid the things that you dislike during the conversations. It simply means that this awareness will help us understand the particular ways in which you might respond to these discussions.

• Do you have a favorite prayer?

Words that consistently offer us comfort or insight reveal a great deal about us and our relationship with God. So, please bring this prayer to our preliminary conversation.

• What do you expect from these spiritual conversations?

The conversations will reflect your desires. If your goal is to allow you to go deeper into a particular subject, then the conversations should become progressively more specific. On the other hand, if the goal is to broaden your horizons, the discussions will be more diverse and address many different topics. By the same token, you may bring very tangible personal or professional concerns to your considerations of prayer and the other spiritual practices. All of these concerns should be discussed as you begin these conversations so the material that is chosen reflects your desires and opens you to hear the presence of God through your prayer.

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