Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 350: Persevering in Prayer (2025)

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz, Ascension

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode focuses on understanding the efficacy of prayer and the necessity of persevering in prayer. Fr. Mike examines what makes prayer effective, why God desires us to pray despite His omniscience, and how Christians are called to pray without ceasing. Drawing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CC paragraphs 2738–2745), Fr. Mike explores the relationship between trust, humility, and perseverance in the life of prayer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Pray if God Is All-Knowing and Good?

• Question raised: If God already knows our needs and desires, and wants good for us, why do we need to pray?
  • Scripture reference: Matthew 6:8—God knows what we need before we ask.
• Fr. Mike’s answer:
  God invites us into participation in His plan, giving us the dignity of being causes in the world.
  • “God awaits our petition because the dignity of his children lies in their freedom.” (Catechism 2736)
• Analogy: Fr. Mike recalls building a shed with his dad and siblings.
  • Quote: "He could get this done so quickly without us. But the truth is, he didn't want to do it without us… He wanted us to be able to look in the backyard and say, 'I built that shed with my dad.'" [16:00]

2. The Effects of Perseverance in Prayer

• Prayer is not just about asking for things—it's about coming to know the heart of God.
  • “In the process, we get to know the heart of our Father, and in the process, we get to become like Him.” [17:20]
• Prayer aligns us with God’s will, not just focusing on the gifts, but on the Giver.
  • Jesus as our model: even Christ prays to the Father and aligns his will (“Not my will, but yours be done”).

3. Why Our Prayers Matter (Cooperation with God’s Will)

• Fr. Mike paraphrases C.S. Lewis on prayer and practical cooperation:
  • Quote: "Those people... never walk outside the front door in a rainstorm without an umbrella saying, 'Well, if God wants me to stay dry, he'll make the rain fall around me.'" [19:45]
• Just as we act to provide for our needs, prayer is our intentional participation in God’s providence.

4. Three Enlightening Facts About Prayer (outlined from the Catechism)

a) It is Always Possible to Pray

• St. John Chrysostom: Prayer is possible at any moment, in any circumstance.
  • Quote (St. John Chrysostom, via Fr. Mike): "It is possible to offer fervent prayer even while walking in public, or strolling alone or seated in your shop, while buying or selling, or even while cooking… So, chefs, you're not off the hook!" [23:00]

b) Prayer is a Vital Necessity

• If we do not pray, we risk falling back into sin—connection to the Holy Spirit is vital.
  • St. Alphonsus Liguori: "Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly damned." [24:05]
  • Fr. Mike adds: "Serious prayer and serious sin cannot coexist. One will kill the other… So if you find yourself struggling with serious sin... keep praying, because you can't do both." [24:55]

c) Prayer and the Christian Life Are Inseparable

• Prayer is not optional for a Christian; it’s the very essence of Christian living and union with God.
  • Quote: "If we don't pray, we're not living the Christian life, and we cannot be walking in the way of Jesus." [26:00]

5. Uniting Prayer with Action

• Referencing Origen: True unceasing prayer unites prayer with works and vice versa—integrating faith and action.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On dignity and participation:
  • "God loves us so much that he extends us the dignity of being causes." — Fr. Mike (paraphrasing Blaise Pascal) [16:09]
• On knowing God through prayer:
  • "We spend time in prayer and we get to know the heart of our Father. Just like when I spent that time building that shed… I got to know the heart of my dad." [17:09]
• On praying in all circumstances:
  • "It is always possible to offer fervent prayer… even while cooking." — St. John Chrysostom (quoted by Fr. Mike) [23:00]
• On the necessity of prayer:
  • "Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly damned." — St. Alphonsus Liguori [24:05]
• On the inseparability of prayer and the Christian life:
  • "Prayer and [the] Christian life are inseparable. For they concern the same love and the same renunciation proceeding from love…" — Catechism, summarized by Fr. Mike [26:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:40 – Fr. Mike introduces the theme: Efficacy and perseverance in prayer.
• 02:45 – Opening prayer for the episode.
• 04:36 – Reading Catechism paragraphs 2738–2745.
• 16:00 – Analogy of building a shed with his father about dignity and participation in prayer.
• 19:45 – Paraphrase of C.S. Lewis: Prayer is cooperation, not passivity.
• 21:30 – Discussion of Jesus as our model for prayer.
• 23:00 – St. John Chrysostom’s teaching: Prayer is always possible.
• 24:05 – St. Alphonsus Liguori’s stark quote on prayer and salvation.
• 24:55 – “Serious prayer and serious sin cannot coexist.”
• 26:00 – Emphasis on the inseparability of prayer and Christian living.

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Why pray? Because God desires our participation and relationship—prayer changes us and draws us into deeper union with Him.
• How to pray? With humility, trust, and perseverance—constantly and in all circumstances.
• Essence: Prayer is always possible, vitally necessary, and inseparable from authentic Christian life.
• Final challenge: Fr. Mike encourages listeners to persevere in prayer and pray for each other.

“We are called to pray without ceasing. To persevere in prayer and also to persevere in love. That’s what we’re talking about today.” — Fr. Mike [00:56]