The Mom Weekly Volume 62: October 15, 2024
You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the website here.
Praying for You or Praying “for” You?
Last week, Dad and I were watching a Zoom video he wanted to see of a talk by a theologian. True confession: since I don’t have the most theological mind, it wasn’t my favorite. That is especially since the talk began after dinner, when I want something light and fun to read or watch.
I was paying attention, however, because during the Q&A section, someone asked about prayer apps, and the theologian made the comment, (this is almost verbatim) “We have apps that pray for us… it’s not a good thing.”
Well, that stopped me in my tracks. And I started to get convicted—to use the Protestant expression of realizing you may have been wrong.
As you know, I am a big fan of the Hallow App. Now, there are a few things that aren’t great about the app and some of the audio talks, but the vast majority of it is solid. I usually join in with the regular “challenges,” which are audios over a period of days, with different people, sometimes religious, sometimes priests, or even celebrities. If I don’t like a day, or a challenge, I move on. There are also tons of novenas and other things.
I have been praying—with Hallow — the Rosary every morning for years as I walk the dogs and feed them breakfast. And I’ve been praying the Rosary without Hallow for decades before that. And wow, it is so much easier to have a guide (I prefer Anna, who has a British accent), lead the rosary, and I can pray along.
But the comment about “apps praying ‘for’ you” made me think: maybe I’m having the app “pray for me”? Maybe I’m not really honoring God by using an app to pray, and I should be sitting or kneeling and focusing on the Rosary more specifically, instead of trying to do it at the same time I am walking/taking care of dogs/the house?
In general, I think that praying while you are doing something else is perfectly fine. When I used to run half-marathons and marathons, I would usually start with a Rosary, and then each mile I try to dedicate to a different intention.
But maybe using an app to do so is somehow not kosher? I do have a problem with my mind wandering in prayer. I know I’m not alone, thank you St. Therese the Little Flower! Maybe I should work on that, instead of having an app keep me on track?
I’m not exaggerating when I say the comment really affected me, and had me reconsidering how I pray.
And then, the next day, I came across this quote from St. Thomas Aquinas:
“It is not necessary that prayer should be attentive throughout, because the force of the original intention with which one sets about praying renders the whole prayer meritorious.”
Is the right expression here “mic drop”? I just relaxed as I listened to it. And where did I encounter this quote? Yes, on the HALLOW APP.
And that brought to mind Romans 8:26-27:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes[a] with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Even the Holy Spirit helps us pray!!!
Anyway, I’m sure the theologian had a lot of good things to say. But his criticism of prayer apps was not one of them.
I’m also glad that I can pray in the ways that work best for me. I encourage you to do the same.
Remember how much I love you (and how much I pray for you!),
Mom
Interesting/Notable:
How to Let People Down and Be Okay With It — NY Times Gift Article
I implore you, if you take nothing else away from today’s TMW, read this article and take it to heart.
“The hard part, if you’re a people pleaser, is to not fill that silence. To not say, ‘Oh, but never mind, maybe I can figure it out,…’”
Remember, it’s okay to practice being mean.
Action Item: Consider checking out something on the Hallow App
Now that we know St. Thomas Aquinas has basically endorsed prayer apps, why not take some time to check out some of the good features on Hallow? Remember that everything won’t appeal to you, and that’s okay. Move on if it doesn’t. Just a few ideas:
*Catholic Lofi. I like the “Vibes with Aquinas” playlist here, for quiet music for productivity.
*Sleep meditations and music
*courses: Therapist Regina Boyd’s Stress & Anxiety course was a good listen.
*audiobooks. I adored Sister Orianne, FSP, delightful read St. Therese’s “Story of a Soul.” Her narration was just spot on.
*challenges. A Challenge starting soon is one about C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” featuring, of all people, Bear Grylls! That should be an interesting listen. Know that if I like it, I’ll keep listening, but if not, I’ll move on…
What are you doing this weekend?
So, now that it’s Tuesday, what are you planning for the weekend? I’m going to suggest trying to cover four “F”s to get ideas flowing:
*faith—when are you going to Mass?
*friends—what friends will you see or connect with?
*food—any fun recipes you plan to try, or restaurants you plan to visit?
*fun—anything interesting you are going to play, watch, or do this weekend? Now’s the time to think it through, and put it on the calendar (even informally).