Tolerating Distractions in the Spiritual Life

Description: This week, Dan and Melissa explain how tolerating distractions in the spiritual life can dissuade the enemy from discouraging us in prayer.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

It would be unrealistic to believe that we can be free from all distractions in prayer, so we must have strategies to tolerate them.
How can we “gently” turn our thoughts back to God during prayer?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reveals to us that our distractions can uncover our sinful attachments.
Is perseverance in prayer despite our distractions more meritorious than being without distractions all together?
What strategies can we use for tolerating distractions in the spiritual life and turn our hearts back to Jesus?

Resources:

Spiritualdirection.com – website
EWTN Global Catholic Radio
Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
EWTN Religious Catalogue – online
Into the Deep: Finding Peace Through Prayer by Dan Burke
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2729 – Distractions reveal our attachments (USCCB link)
Questions? Send an e-mail to Questions@myavila.com or call 818-646-7729. Please leave your name, location, and question(s).

What is Divine Intimacy Radio?

The Divine Intimacy Radio Show is a haven of rest and wellspring of spiritual life for those seeking intimacy with God and the enlightened path of Catholic mystical and ascetical wisdom.

Every week, Dan Burke and Melissa Elson explore topics related to the interior life and Catholic teaching, including prayer, spiritual direction, meditation, contemplation, and holiness.

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Dan Burke

Dan Burke is the past President and C.O.O. of EWTN's worldwide news network. He is presently the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 90 countries and prepares men for seminary in over 40 dioceses. Dan is the author and editor of numerous books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com. In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church. Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.