How can I talk to God? How should I pray daily? Am I right with God? In this episode we explore the answers to these questions.
In this episode of The Devil Is in the Details, Dan and Jordan Burke begin a new series walking through The Devil in the Castle, exploring St. Teresa of Avila's teaching on the Interior Castle and what it takes to move from the courtyard into the first mansion.
This is where authentic discipleship begins. Not with mystical experiences or dramatic conversions, but with two foundational spiritual disciplines that every saint has practiced: daily mental prayer and daily examination of conscience. Without these, Teresa of Avila says plainly, you will throw yourself into hell. St. Alphonsus Liguori goes even further, stating that if you don't practice mental prayer, you're not making it into heaven. St. Thomas Aquinas confirms that failing to pray is a sin.
Dan and Jordan discuss why self-awareness is nearly impossible without these practices, how the human person has an infinite capacity for self-delusion, and why the enemy works so hard to keep you distracted, discouraged, and disconnected from God. They explore what mental prayer actually looks like in everyday life, how the daily examine reveals patterns of sin and grace, and why showing up consistently matters far more than feeling anything during prayer.
This conversation is both challenging and compassionate, calling Catholics to wake up spiritually while offering clear, practical tools rooted in the wisdom of the Church and the saints.
Free Video Series on Prayer mentioned in the show: https://spiritualdirection.com/into-the-deep-sign-up
In this episode:
In this episode of The Devil Is in the Details, Dan and Jordan Burke begin a new series walking through The Devil in the Castle, exploring St. Teresa of Avila's teaching on the Interior Castle and what it takes to move from the courtyard into the first mansion.
This is where authentic discipleship begins. Not with mystical experiences or dramatic conversions, but with two foundational spiritual disciplines that every saint has practiced: daily mental prayer and daily examination of conscience. Without these, Teresa of Avila says plainly, you will throw yourself into hell. St. Alphonsus Liguori goes even further, stating that if you don't practice mental prayer, you're not making it into heaven. St. Thomas Aquinas confirms that failing to pray is a sin.
Dan and Jordan discuss why self-awareness is nearly impossible without these practices, how the human person has an infinite capacity for self-delusion, and why the enemy works so hard to keep you distracted, discouraged, and disconnected from God. They explore what mental prayer actually looks like in everyday life, how the daily examine reveals patterns of sin and grace, and why showing up consistently matters far more than feeling anything during prayer.
This conversation is both challenging and compassionate, calling Catholics to wake up spiritually while offering clear, practical tools rooted in the wisdom of the Church and the saints.
Free Video Series on Prayer mentioned in the show: https://spiritualdirection.com/into-the-deep-sign-up
In this episode:
- What it means to enter the interior castle
- Why daily mental prayer is non-negotiable for spiritual progress
- How the daily examine increases self-awareness and reveals sin
- Why the redemptive examine focuses on gratitude, not shame
- The demonic goal of the first mansion: keeping you out
- Key tactics the enemy uses to discourage beginners
- Why distractions, worries, and criticism of others paralyze spiritual growth
- How to structure your prayer life with exact time and duration
- Why showing up matters more than how you feel
- The importance of monthly confession and frequent Mass
- How charity decreases when focus shifts to the sins of others
- Why God withholds himself from no one who perseveres
- Practical resources for learning mental prayer and the examine
The spiritual life is not about perfection. It is about faithfulness, showing up, and allowing God to meet you where you are. Progress begins the moment you stop making excuses and start making time for him.
What questions do you have after watching today's video? Were you impacted in some way? If so, comment below!
#Catholic #Spirituality #CatholicPrayer #contemplativeprayer #discernment #priesthood #catholicpriest #catholictradition #vocation #spiritualdirection #spiritualwarfare #spiritualguidance #spiritualgrowth #discernmentofspirits #catholicanswers #christianquestions #catholicfaith #catholictradition
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☦ABOUT US:
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Foundation is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ.
Support the mission: https://www.avila-army.org/
______________________________________________________
👨🏽💻Websites:
Home: https://spiritualdirection.com/
School: https://avila-institute.org/
Discernment: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
Community: https://www.apostoliviae.org/
Events: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Events
Books: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Shop
What questions do you have after watching today's video? Were you impacted in some way? If so, comment below!
#Catholic #Spirituality #CatholicPrayer #contemplativeprayer #discernment #priesthood #catholicpriest #catholictradition #vocation #spiritualdirection #spiritualwarfare #spiritualguidance #spiritualgrowth #discernmentofspirits #catholicanswers #christianquestions #catholicfaith #catholictradition
______________________________________________________
☦ABOUT US:
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Foundation is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ.
Support the mission: https://www.avila-army.org/
______________________________________________________
👨🏽💻Websites:
Home: https://spiritualdirection.com/
School: https://avila-institute.org/
Discernment: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
Community: https://www.apostoliviae.org/
Events: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Events
Books: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Shop
