For numerous visitors to the Vatican, encountering the Holy Father is the pinnacle of their journey. However, experiencing the pope’s words may be an even more transformative and significant moment for those lucky enough to participate in one of his weekly audiences. During each Wednesday morning gathering, Pope Francis shares a profound lesson. Unfortunately, the media frequently overlooks these enlightening addresses. Instead, they focus on individuals who receive a unique blessing from the pope or topics he encourages us to pray about. They overlook the central message — the catechesis that has the potential to transform our lives.

For the past year, Pope Francis has consistently utilized his weekly gatherings to educate us on the topic of prayer. He has shared over 30 new and thought-provoking insights, enlightening us with some innovative and wonderful concepts regarding prayer. Below is a concise summary of those discussions up to this point.

Note: At the time of publication, Pope Francis had delivered 33 reflections on the topic of prayer. A sidebar below has been provided with the names and dates of each talk, and each is numbered for easy reference throughout this In Focus.

Susan M. Erschen writes from Missouri.

Experience the strength of prayer

“We are delicate creatures, yet we possess the ability to pray; this is our highest honor and also our source of power” (24).

Prayer holds immense strength. It is the force that the Holy Spirit introduces into our existence because “one cannot pray without the direction of the Holy Spirit” (31). Pope Francis frequently emphasizes this in his speeches regarding prayer. We might believe that our prayers ought to be calm and tender. However, the Holy Father mentions that the more transformative prayers can frequently be challenging and demanding. He refers to the instance of Jacob grappling with the angel (cf. Gn 32:23-32). He explains that there are moments when we will struggle with God. He describes these moments as “appointments with God in the night” (6). These appeals of effort are the ones that “will transform our hearts” (6).

Prayer has the power to change us, as “prayer serves as the gateway to the Holy Spirit” (29). When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, incredible things can occur. One of the numerous instances Pope Francis mentions is how prayer possesses the ability to resolve personal disputes. When we pray for a person with whom we have differing views, we might be astonished to witness how the disagreement is resolved.

We also discover strength through prayer since we are never alone in it. “Whenever we clasp our hands and lift our hearts to God, we are accompanied by both unknown saints and well-known saints who pray alongside us and advocate for us like older brothers and sisters who have journeyed before us on this shared human experience” (28). This is a power we must always acknowledge.

Start every day with a prayer.

“A day spent without prayer is likely to become an annoying or monotonous ordeal”11).

Pope Francis encourages us to incorporate prayer into our daily routine. He states, “Each day God comes and plants a seed in the earth of our existence” (22). If we do not regularly engage in prayer, we will overlook that seed.

The most effective method to uphold any habit is to perform it consistently at the same time daily. The Holy Father suggests that we pray at the start of the day, as praying at dawn allows us to invite God to accompany us throughout each moment of that day. Pope Francis remarks: “It is prayer that changes this day into grace, or more accurately, that changes us: it calms anger, nurtures love, increases joy, and provides the strength to forgive” (24). How can we not desire to begin every day filled with such grace in our hearts? Even the challenges we encounter appear less daunting when we engage in prayer. They do not diminish our happiness, as we are empowered through prayer. If we can establish a routine of initiating each day with prayer, Pope Francis assures us we will be “more courageous, freer and even happier” (24).

“Whenever we clasp our hands together and extend our hearts to God, we discover that we are surrounded by unknown saints and acknowledged saints who pray alongside us and intercede on our behalf as elder brothers and sisters who have journeyed before us in this shared human experience.”

— Pope Francis, April 7, 2021

Pray for all people

“Praying for others is the primary method of showing love to them” (28).

Our intercession for others is what Pope Francis describes as a genuine prayer, a prayer infused with love and compassion. God looks favorably upon the supplications we make for those in pain because our God is “the Lord of mercy, of closeness and of gentleness” (24).

Nevertheless, we should not decide who we pray for. The Holy Father states: “When the faithful, inspired by the Holy Spirit, intercede for sinners, there is no selection, nor judgement or condemnation expressed. They pray for all” (19). The affection of God requires us to intercede for the entire world. Pope Francis cautions that even if we recite numerous Rosaries daily, our prayers are insincere if we harbor hatred, spread gossip, and nurse resentments. Rather, he urges us to keep in mind that “everyone is a child of God. The most terrible sinner, the most immoral individuals, the most dishonest leaders, are still children of God” (7). The Holy Father emphasizes that instead of judging anyone, we ought to pray for all those who appear to be distant from God.

The pope similarly encourages us to pray particularly for those who are suffering, for individuals who cry in solitude, for those who have given up hope, for the isolated, for the impoverished, and for our adversaries. He motivates us to cultivate “a compassionate heart which does not exclude anyone” in our prayers.19). Pope Francis refers to individuals who pray on behalf of others as “the great intercessors. … They are the oaks that annually extend their branches to provide shade to the largest number of people” (30). Let us aim to provide that type of shelter through our prayers.

Seek solitude

“If your ears are occupied with other sounds, you will not hear the summons of the Lord”31).

Pope Francis cautions us, “We are not created to be in constant motion; we possess an inner existence that must not be overlooked” (31). The Holy Father is concerned that our hectic, loud lives might hinder us from perceiving God when He knocks on our door. We could allow the Holy One to pass us by.

the pope encourages us to discover our own unique spot where we can be by ourselves and await God’s presence. He invites us to reflect on the narrative of Elijah, who sought God on the mountaintop (cf. 1 Kgs 19:9-13). It is revealed that God was not present in the storm, earthquake, or fire. God exists, and always has, in the quiet whisper that we frequently overlook if we do not embrace stillness. With just a soft breeze, God instilled tranquility and serenity into Elijah’s spirit. God will offer the same to us when we pursue him in silence.

One of the finest locations to connect with God is in the great outdoors. Nature serves as a unique space for prayer, as it is where God initially walked alongside humanity. As Pope Francis points out, “The beauty and the mystery of Creation generate in the human heart the initial impulse that calls forth prayer” (3). He reminds us that in his youth as a shepherd, King David frequently found himself isolated in the mountains, accompanied solely by the stars in the serene night sky. It was in those moments that the future monarch discovered how to communicate with God. That solitude with the divine equipped him to become an exceptional king. Moreover, it was during this time that David developed a style of prayer that inspired some of the most exquisite Psalms we possess today. Pope Francis refers to those Psalms of David as the most remarkable prayers ever written. We ought to dedicate time to study them.

Do not hesitate to inquire

“God is always attentive. Always”14).

We might think there’s no necessity to express our wants or needs to God since He is aware of everything. Nonetheless, Pope Francis emphasizes that approaching God with our requests fosters trust and hope within us. When the Apostles inquired of Jesus about prayer, he instructed them to request what they required. The Our Father contains four petitions regarding our individual needs: give us our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses; lead us not into temptation; and deliver us from evil. Pope Francis assures, “Everything is there, in that prayer” (30). This is a prayer we should recite frequently.

Our Pope reminds us: “There is no reason to feel embarrassed to pray and to express: ‘Lord, I require this. Lord, I am struggling. Assist me!’”18). When we petition God for assistance, we acknowledge our constraints. This act is both humbling and restorative. We must never allow pride or shame to prevent us from requesting what we require from God. “He always responds. God pays attention to the pleas of those who call upon him” (18). Pope Francis emphasizes that it is particularly restorative for us to call out to God during our anguish and hardships. He cautions: “Pain becomes perilous when it remains concealed, locked inside us. Pain that is trapped within us … can infect the spirit” (30). Prayer alleviates this suffering. Regardless of the hour, day or night, God is continually present for us when we call out.

Come together in prayer

“A Christianity lacking a liturgy, I would venture to say, is possibly a Christianity devoid of Christ” (23).

Pope Francis expresses significant worry about the contemporary inclination to believe that solitary prayer is sufficient. He urges us to “acknowledge the spiritual significance of communal liturgical ceremonies.”23). He emphasizes that involvement in the sacramental activities of the Church is essential for our prayer and faith journeys. He boldly states: “Each time we perform a baptism, or bless the bread and wine during the Eucharist, or apply holy oil to the body of an ill individual, Christ is truly here! It is he who performs and is amongst us just as he was when he restored the weakened limbs of a sick person, or when he shared his testament for the salvation of humanity at the Last Supper” (23).

The Holy Father emphasizes that Mass is not merely an event to observe. It needs to be celebrated by both us and the priest. Our participation should be heartfelt and devout. When we attend Mass, we do not simply go to hear; we come to pray alongside Christ and within a community. This principle also applies when we engage in any of the other sacraments of the Church. Every sacrament represents a wonderful expression of prayer, and we are invited to pray them in fellowship, instead of merely viewing them as we would a film.

Listen to God’s voice in the Bible

“The Sacred Writings are an endless source of wealth. May the Lord allow us to extract more and more from them, through prayer” (22).

It is evident that our Holy Father considers Scripture to be an essential element of any prayer practice. If we view prayer as a dialogue with God, we must understand that effective communication functions in both directions. One person speaks while the other listens. Then the roles reverse, with the other speaking and the first listening. God communicates with us through Scripture, and we must be attentive. We cannot approach the Bible in the same way we would a novel. It should be engaged with as a form of prayer. It paves the way for a dialogue with God. Pope Francis states, “The words of Sacred Scripture were not written to remain confined to papyrus, parchment or paper, but to be embraced by an individual who prays, allowing them to flourish in his or her heart” (22).

Individuals who engage with the Bible on a daily basis as a form of prayer frequently discover, much like Pope Francis, that “a verse from Scripture, encountered numerous times before, suddenly resonates with me one day and illuminates a circumstance I am experiencing. However, it is essential that I am attentive on that day for that meeting with the Word” (22). The Holy Father emphasizes the importance of adopting Scripture meditation, including lectio divina (“sacred reading”), viewed as a positive and uplifting method of prayer. He states: “By means of prayer, the Word of God dwells within us and we dwell in it. … (It) provides us with strength and tranquility, and even when it confronts us, it grants us peace” (22).

“The phrases of Holy Scripture were not inscribed to stay confined on papyrus, parchment, or paper, but to be embraced by an individual who prays, allowing them to flourish in his or her heart.”

— Pope Francis, Jan. 27, 2021

Always continue to honor and worship God.

“We need to regain this feeling of reverence. … The prayer of adoration is the prayer that enables us to acknowledge God as the origin and conclusion of all of history.”16).

It is simple to present God with a prayer of worship or admiration when our lives are thriving and our hearts are brimming with happiness. Nevertheless, Pope Francis reminds us that we should glorify God “during tough times, in times of gloom when the journey turns into a steep ascent” (21). He states: “Offering compliments is akin to inhaling clean air; it cleanses the spirit, broadens your vision towards the future, and prevents you from being trapped in challenging and gloomy times of struggle” (21).

The Holy Father expresses that one of the most exquisite prayers of adoration is “The Canticle of the Sun,” composed by St. Francis of Assisi. The pope encourages us to frequently recite this renowned prayer of praise. St. Francis did not compose this canticle during triumphant times. Instead, he crafted it while enduring significant suffering, nearing blindness and death. This enduring prayer illustrates that irrespective of our challenges, we can discover tranquility and happiness in exalting God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. Pope Francis reassures us: “Praising God in challenging times (can) open us to the gates of a great road toward the Lord. … Praise always purifies. … In tough and shadowy times, let us possess the bravery to proclaim, ‘Blessed are you, O Lord.’ … This will greatly benefit us” (21).

Say ‘thank you’

“The journey to joy is the one that St. Paul outlined towards the conclusion of one of his epistles: ‘Pray without ceasing, express gratitude in every situation’”20).

Expressing gratitude to God should be an essential component of our daily prayers. Pope Francis emphasizes this by recalling the deep disillusionment Jesus experienced in the biblical account of the 10 lepers (cf. Lk 17:11-19). While ten were healed, merely one returned to express his gratitude to Our Lord. Unfortunately, the narrative of the lepers illustrates how our society is split between “those who fail to offer thanks and those who do; those who assume everything is their entitlement, and those who embrace all they receive as a gift, as grace” (20).

Our mission is to ensure we belong to those who perceive everything as a blessing. Thanksgiving is crucial to our belief system that it has become the title of our most significant prayer, the Eucharist. The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word meaning “thanksgiving.” Pope Francis reminds us that we should recognize our lives as a complete gift from God. From the instant we are born, we are accumulating an infinite amount of debts to Him. Therefore, “Thank You” should be a prayer that is perpetually on our tongues.

The wonderful aspect of gratitude is that it fosters hope within our hearts. When we recall the blessings our God has bestowed upon us, we feel motivated to believe that further good is on the horizon. The Holy Father states: “Most importantly, let us always remember to express our thanks: if we embody gratitude, the world will surely improve, even if it’s just a small fraction, but that is sufficient to share a measure of hope. The world is in need of hope. And through gratitude, with this spirit of appreciation, we share a portion of hope” (20).

“We aren’t designed to be in constant motion; we possess an inner existence that cannot be overlooked.”

— Pope Francis, April 28, 2021

Be the beacon of supplication

“The light of faith will continue to shine on earth as long as there remains the fuel of prayer.”29).

Pope Francis likens prayer to the oil utilized in lamps. He states: “This is the fundamental mission of the Church: to pray and to instruct others in how to pray. To pass down the lamp of faith and the oil of prayer from one generation to the next” (29). This is the remarkable effort undertaken in monasteries and convents across the globe. However, it is equally essential that this occurs within our own households. Pope Francis cautions that without prayer, the entire mission of the Church would falter. Prayer illuminates our path to express Christ’s love to everyone. It serves as the vital underpinning that strengthens us as we venture out to evangelize, assist the needy, or console those in distress. Above all: “The primary duty of Christians is, in fact, to nurture this flame that Jesus brought to the world, and what is this flame? It is love. … This is how the Spirit, within our hearts, remains ever present like that lamp” (26). Prayer assists us in perceiving the light, in recognizing the truth. When we contemplate matters within our own thoughts, we generate our own perspectives. However, when we discuss these matters in prayer with God, we obtain clarity and insight.

Pope Francis emphasizes that individuals across all eras have experienced a yearning in their hearts to revere and call out to a deity. The distinction for us Christians is that we are aware of God’s name. He has stepped into our reality. He has infused our darkness with light and love. As we approach him, our lives become illuminated. By spending time with him, we comprehend his love and discover how to share that love across the globe. “It is that act of love in silent dialogue with Jesus that does so much good for the Church” (32).

More from Pope Francis

In “Prayer: The Breath of New Life” (OSV, $18.95), Pope Francis teaches that prayer is the “heartbeat of the Church” and our “yes” to an encounter with God and come to share more fully in his life. It is welcoming the Holy Spirit, who without ever growing weary pours out love and life upon all. Pope Francis imagines that personal and communal prayer is, for Christians, the heartbeat of the Church, which instills strength in the service of those who work, study and teach, which makes fruitful the knowledge of educated people and the humility of simple people. While we are not always aware of our breath, we never stop breathing, because this is the source of our physical life. Similarly, prayer is the source — the very breath — of our spiritual life.Order at osvcatholicbookstore.com.