← Prayers

St. Alphonsus Liguori's Method of Mental Prayer

“Mental prayer consists of three parts: the preparation, the meditation, and the conclusion.”

1️⃣ Preparation

Make these three acts:

  • Act of Faith in God’s Presence
    “My God, I believe that You are present with me, and I adore You with all the affection of my soul.”

  • Act of Humility & Contrition
    “O Lord, by my sins I deserve to be now in hell. I repent, O Infinite Goodness! with my whole heart, of having offended You.”

  • Act of Petition for Light
    “My God, for the love of Jesus and Mary, give me light in this prayer, that I may profit by it.”

Then pray:

  • Hail Mary (to the Blessed Virgin Mary)
  • Glory Be (to the Father, St. Joseph, your guardian angel, and patron saint)

2️⃣ Meditation

“Use a book if you like; stop where you find yourself most touched.”

🟦 Steps in the Meditation:

  1. Choose a Subject

    • Scripture, a mystery of the faith, a truth about God or eternal life.

  2. Read Slowly

    • Pause where something speaks to you.

  3. Reflect

    • What does it mean?
    • How does it apply to me?
    • What does God want me to see?

  4. Form Affections

    • Acts of love:
      • “My God, I love You above all things!”
    • Acts of contrition:
      • “O Infinite Goodness, I repent of having offended You!”
    • Acts of humility, thanksgiving, hope.

  5. Petition

    • Ask for virtues, perseverance, a good death, eternal salvation.
    • In dryness: repeat simple prayers like:
      • “My God, help me!”
      • “Lord, have mercy on me!”

  6. Resolution

    • Make a concrete, practical resolution:
      • “I will avoid this sin today.”
      • “I will practice patience with that person.”

3️⃣ Conclusion

Make these three acts:

  • Thanksgiving

    • Thank God for the inspirations received.

  • Resolution

    • Renew your determination to keep your resolution.

  • Petition

    • Ask God (for the love of Jesus and Mary) to help you remain faithful.

Finally, recommend:

  • Souls in purgatory
  • Church leaders
  • Sinners
  • Your family, friends, and benefactors

Pray:

  • Our Father
  • Hail Mary

💡 Daily Practice Tip

“St. Francis de Sales recommends taking one special thought from the meditation to carry in your heart for the rest of the day.”

📜 Source

  • Preparation for Death, St. Alphonsus Liguori
  • Translated by Rev. Eugene Grimm, Redemptorist Fathers, Brooklyn Publishers, 1926

This method keeps prayer simple, accessible, and fruitful—placing you in the loving presence of God each day.