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You are here: Home / Daily Dose: Catholic Living / Constant Mental Prayer: Ten Virtues of Mary

Constant Mental Prayer: Ten Virtues of Mary

October 28, 2014 By Jenna 9 Comments

Constant: happening all the time

Mental: relating to, or being intellectual as contrasted with overt physical activity

Prayer: an address to God in word or thought

I constantly worry. I constantly think about what I should be doing. I constantly think about what I’d rather be doing. Yet Mary was in a state of constant mental prayer. How incredibly different her thoughts must have been. But she was a human mother too. She must have had worries and should haves and could haves. “Where is Jesus now? I should have put up the baby gate. If he wasn’t always running off to the temple I could be soaking my feet in the river and basking in the sun.” Maybe that’s not quite right…

While I am sure Mary had normal motherly and womanly thoughts, the big difference is in what she did with those thoughts. She didn’t let them consume her. She took them directly to God. She transformed those worries and distractions into prayers building her grace.

I imagine this must have come much easier to Mama than it does to me (or maybe you?). Instead of looking each troublesome thought in the eye and saying, “I offer this up to the Lord and leave it at His feet. Strengthen me, Lord,” I throw up a quick, “Jesus, help me!” if I can even stop for a minute to do that. More than likely I am “too busy” to stop and pray. I have problems that I have to fix after all. Or so I often think.

To better incorporate this virtue into my life, the key is going to have to be practice. womp womp. You thought I was going to give you a miracle, right? I don’t do that. God does. Ask Him.

But what does practice look like? For me it looks like a mantra. A quick phrase I can keep in mind and remember throughout the day. Perhaps even write it on sticky notes and place it around the house, in the car, at work, everywhere. My mantra? Stop now. Look around. Pray. Come up with something that will stick in your own mind – or use mine. I ain’t mad.

pray

And remember: constant mental prayer doesn’t always have to be a petition either. It’s in the ordinary moments too. Look at the Fall leaves and thank God. When you fail, confess to Him. Pray for others rather than being quick to judge. In quiet moments, just adore Him. When you feel like a slave to the obligations in your life, ask God to sanctify you.

Stop now. Look around. Pray.

 

ten-virtues-mary-series-promo

This post is part of a series on the Ten Virtues of Mary, hosted by To the Heights and running every Tuesday until the middle of December. So if you need some help in the virtue department, here’s a great place to start ;)

October 7 – An Introduction to the Ten Virtues of Mary – Olivia of To the Heights

October 14 – Lively Faith – Molly of Molly Makes Do

October 21 – Blind Obedience – Kendra of Catholic All Year

October 28 – Constant Mental Prayer – Jenna of Call Her Happy

November 4 – Heroic Patience – Kelly of This Ain’t the Lyceum

November 11 – Profound Humility – Carolyn of Svellerella

November 18 – Angelic Sweetness – Regina of Good One God

November 25 – Divine Wisdom – Britt of The Fisk Files

December 2 – Universal Mortification – Abbey of Surviving Our Blessings

December 9 – Divine Purity – Gina of Someday Saints

December 16 – Ardent Charity – Christy of Fountains of Home

December 17 – Massive GIVEAWAY at To the Heights – Just in time for Christmas

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  1. Genie says

    October 28, 2014 at 6:22 am

    “I offer this up to the Lord and leave it at His feet. Strengthen me, Lord,” This is an easy-to-use phrase for a newbie, wanna-be Catholic to remember and use when thoughts veer off in every direction. It was a wonderful revelation that we could offer suffering (large or small) to Jesus to be joined With His Suffering for the good of others or the whole world. This phrase will keep our minds close to The Sacred Heart of Jesus and enable us to constantly refocus onto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

    Reply
  2. Adrie | A Little Wife's Happy Life says

    October 28, 2014 at 10:20 am

    I’ve been trying to give thanks in the mess. Like, okay, hubby didn’t fill the dishwasher and I’m cranky. But instead of grouching at him, first I pray, “Thank you Lord for those strong hands, for the smell of the top of his head, for the way he makes me laugh. Thank you for bringing that man into my life.” And then I’m way less angry, and way more able to express myself without, you know, like, stomping my feet and whining. =)

    Reply
  3. Gina says

    October 28, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    This was so refreshing and encouraging.

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    October 28, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    Needed to hear this today!

    Reply
  5. Olivia Spears says

    October 28, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    This is so beautiful. A wonderful reminder for my heart. Thank you! I knew you were the queen of CMP ;)

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. #7QT: Unless they invent virtual cake by then - call her happy says:
    October 31, 2014 at 7:49 am

    […] Constant Mental Prayer […]

    Reply
  2. My Turn! Ten Virtues of Mary: Profound Humility. says:
    November 11, 2014 at 9:36 am

    […] October 28 – Constant Mental Prayer – Jenna of Call Her Happy […]

    Reply
  3. Ten Virtues of Mary: Divine Purity | Someday (hopefully) They'll Be Saints says:
    December 10, 2014 at 11:08 am

    […] October 28 – Constant Mental Prayer – Jenna of Call Her Happy […]

    Reply
  4. Our Lord and His Cool Ladies–Ultima Parte | Three Marys For A Martha says:
    January 24, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    […] Mortification: Mary was willing to lay down her life and her wants to follow the will of God • Constant Mental Prayer: She pondered things in her heart and talked to God. She was aware of God’s presence within her, […]

    Reply
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