Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Episode: "Teach Us to Pray"
Release Date: July 26, 2025
In the heartfelt episode titled "Teach Us to Pray," Fr. Mike Schmitz delves deep into the essence of prayer, exploring its challenges, significance, and practical approaches to cultivating a meaningful prayer life. Drawing from personal experiences, scriptural insights, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Fr. Mike offers listeners a comprehensive guide to understanding and enhancing their prayer practices.
A Vision for Spiritual Independence
Fr. Mike begins by sharing a pivotal moment during a baccalaureate Mass held in early May for graduating students. His primary aspiration for these young individuals extends beyond academic success; he desires them to become saints and martyrs in the modern world. He emphasizes the importance of spiritual autonomy, expressing a heartfelt desire:
"I want every one of our students... to know how to live their own spiritual life. They know how to hunt and kill for themselves."
[Timestamp: 02:15]
This metaphor of "hunting and killing" for oneself underscores the necessity for individuals to actively sustain their spiritual well-being, irrespective of the vibrancy of their parish communities.
The Struggle to Learn How to Pray
Transitioning into the core theme, Fr. Mike addresses a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of Catholic upbringing: the lack of instruction on genuine prayer. He recounts the Gospel narrative where Jesus' disciples plea:
"Lord, teach us to pray."
[Timestamp: 05:30]
Fr. Mike relates personally, confessing that while he knew the form of prayers like the Rosary, he struggled with their true essence:
"I know how to say my prayers, but I don't necessarily know how to pray."
[Timestamp: 07:50]
Personal Journey of Learning to Pray
Fr. Mike shares a transformative period during his high school years marked by a profound encounter with God's mercy and love. Faced with the imperative to confess and pray, he realized his deficiency in authentic prayer. His initial attempts involved mechanically repeating prayers with the aid of a booklet:
"I read books about saints... I'd bike over to the local Catholic church and just park myself in front of the tabernacle."
[Timestamp: 09:45]
However, his approach felt hollow compared to the vivid depictions of saints deeply engrossed in prayer, leading to moments of self-doubt.
Insights from the Catechism: The Battle of Prayer
A turning point in Fr. Mike's understanding emerged when he engaged with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, specifically the section titled "The Battle of Prayer." This revelation redefined his perception of prayer:
"Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort."
[Timestamp: 15:20]
This dual nature of prayer—as a divine gift and a personal commitment—liberated him from the misconception that prayer should be effortless and purely contemplative.
Understanding the Battle: Internal Struggles and External Temptations
Fr. Mike elucidates that prayer is a battle on two fronts:
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Against Oneself: The primary adversary in prayer is one's own distractions and the multitude of life's demands that divert attention from genuine communion with God.
"The first enemy when it comes to my own prayer life is me."
[Timestamp: 20:10] -
Against the Tempter: Beyond personal distractions, Satan endeavors to sever the believer's union with God, making persistent prayer indispensable.
"He [Satan] does not want us to have union with God."
[Timestamp: 22:05]
Navigating Discouragement in Prayer
Fr. Mike acknowledges common feelings of discouragement in prayer, such as dryness, distractions, and the sense of not being heard. The Catechism poses a reflective question:
"Why do we complain about not being heard?"
[Timestamp: 25:30]
Fr. Mike interprets this as a call to shift from a transactional view of prayer—demanding results—to a more relational approach, seeing God not merely as a means to an end but as a loving Father.
God’s Intentions in Prayer: Beyond Requests
Exploring the nature of God as revealed in the Gospel, Fr. Mike emphasizes that God desires a genuine relationship with His children:
"He reveals that he is a good dad, a good dad who hears our prayers, who wants us to approach him."
[Timestamp: 28:40]
He points out that God's responses—be it "no," "wait," or "yes"—are rooted in divine wisdom aimed at fostering deeper spiritual growth.
Reasons God Asks Us to Wait
Fr. Mike articulates three key reasons why God might ask believers to wait in their prayers:
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Purifying Desires:
- Example: His brother's aspiration to enter medical school was refined through a period of waiting, leading to a more authentic calling.
- Quote:
"When God invites us to wait, he's purifying our desires."
[Timestamp: 33:10]
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Humbling Us:
- Waiting cultivates humility, counteracting the anxiety born from pride.
- Quote:
"Anxiety comes from pride. It takes pride to be anxious and it takes humility to be patient."
[Timestamp: 35:45]
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Building Spiritual Strength through Perseverance:
- Quote:
"He wants us to learn how to hunt and kill for ourselves, even when it's not easy."
[Timestamp: 38:20]
- Quote:
Through these reasons, waiting becomes a transformative process that strengthens one's faith and resilience.
Practical Steps on How to Pray
Concluding his reflections, Fr. Mike offers a four-step approach to prayer, making the practice accessible and actionable:
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Listen to God:
Engage with Scriptures or spiritual resources to hear God's voice."Listen to the Lord. Let him speak to you."
[Timestamp: 40:15] -
Reflect on What He Said:
Contemplate the messages and insights received from God."Reflect on what he said. What do you think?"
[Timestamp: 42:30] -
Notice Your Heart:
Acknowledge and bring forth the true state of one's heart and life circumstances."Notice your heart. Bring that to prayer."
[Timestamp: 44:50] -
Talk to Him:
Engage in genuine dialogue with God, sharing thoughts, desires, and concerns."Talk to him. That's it."
[Timestamp: 46:10]
Fr. Mike emphasizes that these steps are not rigid formulas but essential elements that, when practiced regularly, empower believers to sustain their spiritual lives independently.
Conclusion: Empowered to Hunt and Kill for Ourselves
Fr. Mike concludes by reiterating the importance of developing a personal and resilient prayer life. By embracing the struggles and following the outlined steps, believers are equipped to "hunt and kill for themselves," ensuring their spiritual nourishment and journey toward sainthood.
"If we can do that, we will be able to let him make us saints."
[Timestamp: 50:55]
In "Teach Us to Pray," Fr. Mike Schmitz masterfully combines personal anecdotes, theological insights, and practical guidance to inspire and instruct listeners on the profound journey of prayer. His message resonates with both novice and seasoned believers, encouraging a deeper, more engaged relationship with God through intentional and heartfelt prayer.