
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In a profound episode of Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts, Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor delve into the essence of prayer and its central role in the Christian life. Msgr. Esseff, with decades of experience in spiritual guidance, emphasizes that prayer is foundational, akin to kindergarten, where one learns the basic, yet crucial aspects of communicating with God. He insists that prayer is not just a ritual but a conversation that necessitates the presence of God. Without this presence, prayer risks becoming an empty gesture.
Drawing on Jesus’ example, Msgr. Esseff encourages finding solitude and silence for prayer, underlining the importance of establishing a relationship with God. He uses the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew’s Gospel to illustrate the difference between merely performing religious acts and cultivating a personal connection with God. This relationship is rooted in understanding one’s identity as God’s child, which then shapes the way one prays.
Kris McGregor broaches the common challenge of discerning God’s voice in prayer. Msgr. Esseff acknowledges this difficulty and suggests that spiritual direction can be invaluable in learning to distinguish and understand the divine communication.
In conclusion, Msgr. Esseff stresses that prayer is not just about asking or saying things to God but also about listening and being open to His will. He urges listeners to approach prayer with a focus on forming a deep relationship with God, which, in turn, empowers them to be channels of God’s peace in the world. The podcast is a reminder of the transformative power of prayer in the Christian journey.
9 Pray then like this:
Our Father who art in heaven,
The post Do you truly know how to pray? A prayer primer with Msgr. John Esseff Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
By Msgr. John Esseff with Kris McGregor4.8
4949 ratings
In a profound episode of Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts, Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor delve into the essence of prayer and its central role in the Christian life. Msgr. Esseff, with decades of experience in spiritual guidance, emphasizes that prayer is foundational, akin to kindergarten, where one learns the basic, yet crucial aspects of communicating with God. He insists that prayer is not just a ritual but a conversation that necessitates the presence of God. Without this presence, prayer risks becoming an empty gesture.
Drawing on Jesus’ example, Msgr. Esseff encourages finding solitude and silence for prayer, underlining the importance of establishing a relationship with God. He uses the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew’s Gospel to illustrate the difference between merely performing religious acts and cultivating a personal connection with God. This relationship is rooted in understanding one’s identity as God’s child, which then shapes the way one prays.
Kris McGregor broaches the common challenge of discerning God’s voice in prayer. Msgr. Esseff acknowledges this difficulty and suggests that spiritual direction can be invaluable in learning to distinguish and understand the divine communication.
In conclusion, Msgr. Esseff stresses that prayer is not just about asking or saying things to God but also about listening and being open to His will. He urges listeners to approach prayer with a focus on forming a deep relationship with God, which, in turn, empowers them to be channels of God’s peace in the world. The podcast is a reminder of the transformative power of prayer in the Christian journey.
9 Pray then like this:
Our Father who art in heaven,
The post Do you truly know how to pray? A prayer primer with Msgr. John Esseff Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

5,744 Listeners

25 Listeners

510 Listeners

19 Listeners

24 Listeners

4 Listeners

17 Listeners

10 Listeners

6,747 Listeners

462 Listeners

2,155 Listeners

2,579 Listeners

845 Listeners

36 Listeners

821 Listeners

1,257 Listeners

569 Listeners

950 Listeners

818 Listeners

684 Listeners

439 Listeners

5,647 Listeners

34 Listeners

20 Listeners

25 Listeners

3 Listeners

2 Listeners

7 Listeners

20 Listeners

3 Listeners

3 Listeners

18 Listeners

13 Listeners

3 Listeners