In a discussion between EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser and Fr. John Paul Mary, MFVA, EWTN Employee Chaplain, the topic of the best practices to start praying—from the Jesus Prayer to St. Paul’s teachings and Divine Mercy—was explored. This Spiritual Espresso episode is available along with more helpful content to explore Rome and beyond in the EWTN Travel App.
Prayer is as essential to the Christian life as breathing. Yet, while the body inhales and exhales without thought, the soul must learn how to pray with intention. The Church offers a wealth of traditions, but at its heart, prayer is simple: an encounter with God, a lifting of the heart, a recognition of His presence.
The first moments of the day set the tone for the hours to come. Beginning with gratitude—thanking God for the gift of life—establishes a habit of prayer that flows naturally into daily routines. St. Thérèse of Lisieux called prayer a “simple gaze toward God,” an act of resting in His love. The words can be few; the awareness of His presence is enough.
Meditation on the mysteries of Christ’s life, especially through the Rosary, is a powerful way to enter into deeper communion with God. Praying with Mary, allowing her to lead the heart through the events of Christ’s life, fosters recollection amid the distractions of the world. Yet distractions will always come. A wandering mind does not mean prayer has failed—rather, it is an invitation to return, time and again, to the presence of Christ.
The ancient tradition of the Jesus Prayer—“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”—is a way of uniting prayer to breath, making it a continuous act of turning to God. This simple invocation, repeated throughout the day, anchors the soul in God’s mercy and fosters a habit of recollection. St. Paul urged the faithful to “pray without ceasing,” and such short, frequent prayers transform ordinary moments into encounters with the Divine.
True prayer is not merely an obligation; it is the path to joy. Many seek fulfillment in the fleeting distractions of the world, only to find themselves restless and unfulfilled. Lasting peace is found not in material gain but in union with God. The renewal of the mind through prayer reshapes the soul, leading it to embrace the will of God and to experience the freedom of a life centered in Christ.
The Jubilee Year invites all to deepen their life of prayer. Whether through set devotions or the quiet offering of the heart, God calls each soul to draw near, to set aside distractions, and to rest in His presence. In the words of the psalmist: Here I am, Lord; I come to do Your will.
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Adapted by Jacob Stein
Andreas Thonhauser is EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the WU Executive Academy in Vienna and a Master’s degree in German Philology/Anglistics and Americanistics from the University of Vienna. Prior to joining EWTN, Thonhauser worked as the Director of External Affairs for a global human rights organization, and for several media outlets in Vienna, Austria.
