Day 7

Repetition

In his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius of Loyola suggests that we repeat most of the prayers that we do.

We are encouraged to use one piece of Scripture a few times. Each time simplifying it and centring on what moves us most.

We repeat the prayer to allow the movements of God to deepen within the heart.

Through repetitions, we fine-tune our sensitivities to God and to how he speaks in our prayer and in our life circumstances.

The prayer of repetition teaches us to understand who we are in light of how God sees us and who God is revealing himself to be for us.

Repetition is a way of honouring God’s word to us in the earlier prayer period.

It is recalling and pondering an earlier conversation with one we love.

It is as if we say to God, “Tell me that again; what did I hear you saying?”

In this follow-up conversation or repetition, we open ourselves to a healing presence that often transforms whatever sadness and confusion we may have experienced the first time we prayed.

In repetitions, not only do consolations such as joy, warmth and peace, deepen, but the desolation found in pain, sadness and confusion, frequently moves to a new level of understanding and acceptance within God’s plan for us.

Suggestion for Prayer

Look over the last week of prayer. Select a period of prayer to repeat in which you have experienced a significant movement of joy, sadness, or confusion.

You might want to select a period in which nothing seemed to happen—perhaps because of your lack of readiness at the time.

To begin, recall the feelings of the first period of prayer.

Use as a point of entry the scene, word, or feeling that was previously most significant; focus, simplify.

Allow the Spirit to direct the inner movements of your heart during this time of prayer.

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