Let’s be real: Most of us have wondered at some point: “Am I doing this prayer thing right?” On this episode of The Inner Life, Patrick Conley brings in Monsignor Thomas Richter. Together, they unpack what it really means to pray... not just go through the motions, but to enter into a real, living relationship with God.

 

 

🙏 Prayer Isn’t Just Talking... It’s a Relationship

 

Msgr. Richter challenges our usual ideas about prayer. According to the Catechism and the saints, prayer isn’t just something we do... it’s a relationship we have. 💬💗

 

"Prayer is not an action I take. It’s a relationship I live."

 

He compares it to marriage; you don’t just do married things and call it a day. It’s about the bond, the intimacy, the knowing and being known. 💍 Similarly, prayer is about being in communion with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

 

🔥 The 1st Foundation: Awakened Faith

 

We don't want unawakened faith = Knowing about God: truths, Catechism, sacraments... but not really knowing Him.

 

Awakened faith = You’ve met Him. You’ve had an encounter. You know He’s real. He’s with you, and you relate to Him as a person, not just a concept.

 

"Awakened faith doesn’t just think about God... it relates to Him."

 

Msgr. calls it "living faith". Faith with a heartbeat 💓. It’s when you can point to real moments in your life and say, “Yeah, God showed up there.” 🙌

 

 

💡 Is Your Faith Awakened?

 

You might be thinking: “Wait… do I have that kind of faith?”

 

The key is to ask yourself:

 

- “Where have I experienced the love of God recently?”

 

- “How did God love me today?”

 

- “What’s a moment this week when I knew He was near?”

 

If those feel like blanks for you, don’t panic. That doesn’t mean your faith is dead; it might just need to be awakened 🔔. And that awakening happens through encounter: a real, personal connection with Jesus. 

 

 

TL;DR: How to Really Pray

 

Here’s your cheat sheet from Monsignor Richter’s spiritual masterclass:

 

-Prayer is about relationship, not technique.

 

-God is the main actor in prayer. You’re responding to His love.

 

-Faith, real, awakened, lived faith... is essential. Without it, we’re just talking to ourselves.

 

Want to grow in prayer? Ask God to help you encounter Him. That’s where it all begins. 

 

Listen to this with an open heart, and maybe a notebook. The Holy Spirit might just sneak up on you.

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Let&rsquo;s be real: Most of us have wondered at some point:&nbsp;&ldquo;Am I doing this prayer thing right?&rdquo; On this episode of The Inner Life, Patrick Conley brings in Monsignor Thomas Richter. Together, they unpack what it&nbsp;really means to pray... not just go through the motions, but to&nbsp;enter into a real, living relationship with God.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="621" data-end="624">
&nbsp;
🙏 Prayer Isn&rsquo;t Just Talking... It&rsquo;s a Relationship
&nbsp;
Msgr. Richter challenges our usual ideas about prayer. According to the&nbsp;Catechism and the saints, prayer isn&rsquo;t just something we do... it&rsquo;s a relationship we have. 💬💗
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="883" data-end="946">
"Prayer is not an action I take. It&rsquo;s a relationship I live."
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
He compares it to marriage; you don&rsquo;t just do married things and call it a day. It&rsquo;s about the bond, the intimacy, the knowing and being known. 💍 Similarly, prayer is about being in communion with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1194" data-end="1197">
&nbsp;
🔥 The 1st Foundation: Awakened Faith
&nbsp;
We don't want unawakened faith = Knowing about God: truths, Catechism, sacraments... but not really knowing Him.
&nbsp;
Awakened faith = You&rsquo;ve met Him. You&rsquo;ve had an encounter. You know He&rsquo;s real. He&rsquo;s with you, and you relate to Him as a person, not just a concept.
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="1753" data-end="1822">
"Awakened faith doesn&rsquo;t just think about God... it relates to Him."
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
Msgr. calls it "living faith". Faith with a heartbeat 💓. It&rsquo;s when you can point to real moments in your life and say, &ldquo;Yeah,&nbsp;God showed up there.&rdquo; 🙌
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1981" data-end="1984">
&nbsp;
💡 Is&nbsp;Your Faith Awakened?
&nbsp;
You might be thinking: &ldquo;Wait&hellip; do I have that kind of faith?&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The key is to ask yourself:
&nbsp;
- &ldquo;Where have I experienced the love of God recently?&rdquo;
&nbsp;
- &ldquo;How did God love me today?&rdquo;
&nbsp;
- &ldquo;What&rsquo;s a moment this week when I knew He was near?&rdquo;
&nbsp;
If those feel like blanks for you, don&rsquo;t panic. That doesn&rsquo;t mean your faith is dead; it might just need to be&nbsp;awakened 🔔. And that awakening happens through encounter: a real, personal connection with Jesus.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2546" data-end="2549">
&nbsp;
TL;DR: How to&nbsp;Really Pray
&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s your cheat sheet from Monsignor Richter&rsquo;s spiritual masterclass:
&nbsp;
-Prayer is about relationship, not technique.
&nbsp;
-God is the main actor in prayer. You&rsquo;re responding to His love.
&nbsp;
-Faith, real, awakened, lived faith... is essential. Without it, we&rsquo;re just talking to ourselves.
&nbsp;
Want to grow in prayer? Ask God to help you encounter Him. That&rsquo;s where it all begins.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Listen to this with an open heart, and maybe a notebook. The Holy Spirit might just sneak up on you.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.