What is prayer? 

Jesus Teaches us about prayer

Extemporaneous prayer

When to pray extemporaneously 

Caller: a Christian prayed with me at the stor

Extemporaneous prayer in private

Extemporaneous praer is essential

Caller: Imaginative prayer at the hopital

Caller: Wildflowers lead me to spontaneous pra

Cultivating Wonder in prayer

Father Chris Walsh joined Patrick for a conversation about extemporaneous prayer. Topics included what prayer is (1:59), what Jesus teaches us about prayer (9:21), extemporaneous prayer (14:11), when to pray extemporaneously (22:04), caller: a Christian prayed with me at the store (26:52), extemporaneous prayer in private (30:42), extemporaneous prayer is essential (36:53), caller: imaginative prayer at the hospital (40:24), caller: wildflowers lead me to spontaneous prayer (43:20), cultivating wonder in prayer (45:21). 

Father Chris Walsh joined Patrick for a conversation about extemporaneous prayer. Topics included what prayer is (1:59), what Jesus teaches us about prayer (9:21), extemporaneous prayer (14:11), when to pray extemporaneously (22:04), caller: a Christian prayed with me at the store (26:52), extemporaneous prayer in private (30:42), extemporaneous prayer is essential (36:53), caller: imaginative prayer at the hospital (40:24), caller: wildflowers lead me to spontaneous prayer (43:20), cultivating wonder in prayer (45:21).

The Inner Life® with Patrick Conley is one-on-one Spiritual Direction on the radio. Every day, a Catholic priest or religious sister joins listeners to offer spiritual advice and guidance designed to assist you along your faith journey, speaking about a variety of topics to help you overcome sin, grow in virtue, and strengthen your faith.

The Inner Life® with Patrick Conley is one-on-one Spiritual Direction on the radio. Every day, a Catholic priest or religious sister joins listeners to offer spiritual advice and guidance designed to assist you along your faith journey, speaking about a variety of topics to help you overcome sin, grow in virtue, and strengthen your faith.

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The Inner Life

Extemporaneous Prayer - July 5, 2023

What is the Churchâs teaching on Fatherhood?

What does God being referred to as Father tell

Charles

Break 1

Lily

What is the highest virtue of Saint Joseph?

Richard

Break 2

What if you donât feel worthy of being a fat

Bishop Joseph Coffey joins Patrick on the Solemnity of St. Joseph to discuss St. Joseph and Fatherhood
Bishop Coffey shares a bit about himself and his ministry of the Archdiocese of the Military.
(7:11) What is the Church’s teaching on Fatherhood?
How was Saint Joseph the Father of Jesus even though they were not biologically connected?
(11:41) What does God being referred to as Father tell us about Fatherhood?
(15:55) Charles - I am a 93 year old veteran of the Korean war. How much difference in age was Joseph compared to Mary?
What are some virtues of Saint Joseph?

(21:44) Break 1
(22:40) Lily - Thank you Bishop for your guidance to our military men and woman. My son is in the Marines (ERIC).
(26:30) What is the highest virtue of Saint Joseph?
(30:39) Richard - St. Joseph devotion: he is the foster father of Jesus. I am also the foster Father of a little boy. I had to lean on St. Joseph when we were discerning what to do.

(36:31) Break 2
(42:13) What if you don’t feel worthy of being a father?
How can men and women strengthen Fatherhood in our society?

Bishop Joseph Coffey joins Patrick on the Solemnity of St. Joseph to discuss St. Joseph and Fatherhood
<ul>
<li>Bishop Coffey shares a bit about himself and his ministry of the Archdiocese of the Military.</li>
<li>(7:11) What is the Church&rsquo;s teaching on Fatherhood?</li>
<li>How was Saint Joseph the Father of Jesus even though they were not biologically connected?</li>
<li>(11:41) What does God being referred to as Father tell us about Fatherhood?</li>
<li>(15:55) Charles - I am a 93 year old veteran of the Korean war. How much difference in age was Joseph compared to Mary?</li>
<li>What are some virtues of Saint Joseph?</li>
</ul>
(21:44) Break 1
<ul>
<li>(22:40) Lily - Thank you Bishop for your guidance to our military men and woman. My son is in the Marines (ERIC).</li>
<li>(26:30) What is the highest virtue of Saint Joseph?</li>
<li>(30:39) Richard - St. Joseph devotion: he is the foster father of Jesus. I am also the foster Father of a little boy. I had to lean on St. Joseph when we were discerning what to do.</li>
</ul>
(36:31) Break 2
<ul>
<li>(42:13) What if you don&rsquo;t feel worthy of being a father?</li>
<li>How can men and women strengthen Fatherhood in our society?</li>
</ul>

St. Joseph and Fatherhood - The Inner Life - March 19, 2026

what are the dangers of movies the spiritual l

Sean

Nels

Matt

Jean

Check out this encore show from March 26, 2025

Father John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Spiritual Movies
(4:06) what are the dangers of movies the spiritual life
Father shares a movie which he really enjoys
(13:52) Sean - The Adventures of Robinhood from 1938. It's a very Catholic movie. Had a good impression on my life. Saw it when I was 6.
Greg – Nefarious outstanding movie. Certain groups played it off as a horror film. It's good vs. evil. Some have avoided it because it deals with evil. The guy who did it also did God is Not Dead. One priest said every priest should see it for giving advice for confession.
Mark - Calvary...Irish Film. 10 years old. About a priest who really lays down life for his flock.

(22:47) Break 1
John - Of Gods and Men...French film. About monks serving souls in north Africa. Based on a true story.
Barb - The Shack...about what it's like to be God and sacrifice your son. It shows God sacrificed his son as this guy sacrificed his daughter. Bring your tissues.
(29:50) Nels - The Last Supper....newly released film.  Emphasis on Judas in that movie.
Miriam - 7th Heaven...1930's.  Star5ring Jimmy Stewart. Unlikely love story ever told. Mention of God in the movie. He's an atheist and then things happen. My favorite movie.

(35:43) Break 2
Roland - Journey to Bethlehem....nativity story.  Silence...the story of the Japanese Martyrs. Ignition Martyrs
(39:16) Matt - Beckett, and the Cardinal.  Excommunication scene in Beckett is most powerful scene.  The Cardinal being more recent. Pope Benedict was advisor for this movie. Came out when V2 was written.
Patrick shares some movie recommendation from listeners who write in.
Roxanne - The Most Reluctant Convert...untold story of CS Lewis.  Very good.
(43:02) Jean - King of Kings...1925. It's a silent movie and beautiful.
Eric - The Scarlet and the Black. Based off the Scarlet Pimpernel. Hides thousands of Jews during WWII. I think it's a must see.

Resources - Spiritual Movies:
Babette’s Feast (1987)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Nefarious (2023)
Calvary (Irish film) (2014)
Of Gods and Men (2010)
The Mission (1986)
Arrival (2016)
The Blue Kite (Chinese) (1993)
The Shack (2017)
The Last Supper (2025)
The Chosen (series) (2017 – present)
Seventh Heaven (1937)
A Hidden Life (2019)
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
All That Remains: Dr. Takashi Nagai (2016)
Journey to Bethlehem (Christmas) (
Nativity Story (Christmas)
Silence (2023)
Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Ben Hur (1959)
The Robe (1953)
Becket (1964)
The Cardinal (1963)
Gattaca (1997)
The Most Reluctant Convert: the Untold Story of C.S. Lewis (2021)
The King of Kings (1927)
The Scarlet and the Black (1983)
The Sound of Metal (2019)
Life is Beautiful (1997)
The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
The Lord of the Rings (2001-03)
Groundhog Day (1993)
A River Runs Through It (1992)

Check out this encore show from March 26, 2025
Father John Paul Erickson&nbsp;joins Patrick to discuss Spiritual Movies
<ul>
<li>(4:06) what are the dangers of movies the spiritual life</li>
<li>Father shares a movie which he really enjoys</li>
<li>(13:52) Sean - The Adventures of Robinhood from 1938. It's a very Catholic movie. Had a good impression on my life. Saw it when I was 6.</li>
<li>Greg &ndash; Nefarious outstanding movie. Certain groups played it off as a horror film. It's good vs. evil. Some have avoided it because it deals with evil. The guy who did it also did God is Not Dead. One priest said every priest should see it for giving advice for confession.</li>
<li>Mark - Calvary...Irish Film. 10 years old. About a priest who really lays down life for his flock.</li>
</ul>
(22:47) Break 1
<ul>
<li>John - Of Gods and Men...French film. About monks serving souls in north Africa. Based on a true story.</li>
<li>Barb - The Shack...about what it's like to be God and sacrifice your son. It shows God sacrificed his son as this guy sacrificed his daughter. Bring your tissues.</li>
<li>(29:50) Nels - The Last Supper....newly released film.&nbsp; Emphasis on Judas in that movie.</li>
<li>Miriam - 7th Heaven...1930's.&nbsp; Star5ring Jimmy Stewart. Unlikely love story ever told. Mention of God in the movie. He's an atheist and then things happen. My favorite movie.</li>
</ul>
(35:43) Break 2
<ul>
<li>Roland - Journey to Bethlehem....nativity story.&nbsp; Silence...the story of the Japanese Martyrs. Ignition Martyrs</li>
<li>(39:16) Matt - Beckett, and the Cardinal.&nbsp; Excommunication scene in Beckett is most powerful scene.&nbsp; The Cardinal being more recent. Pope Benedict was advisor for this movie. Came out when V2 was written.</li>
<li>Patrick shares some movie recommendation from listeners who write in.</li>
<li>Roxanne - The Most Reluctant Convert...untold story of CS Lewis.&nbsp; Very good.</li>
<li>(43:02) Jean - King of Kings...1925. It's a silent movie and beautiful.</li>
<li>Eric - The Scarlet and the Black. Based off the Scarlet Pimpernel. Hides thousands of Jews during WWII. I think it's a must see.</li>
</ul>
Resources - Spiritual Movies:
<ul>
<li>Babette&rsquo;s Feast (1987)</li>
<li>The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)</li>
<li>Nefarious (2023)</li>
<li>Calvary (Irish film) (2014)</li>
<li>Of Gods and Men (2010)</li>
<li>The Mission (1986)</li>
<li>Arrival (2016)</li>
<li>The Blue Kite (Chinese) (1993)</li>
<li>The Shack (2017)</li>
<li>The Last Supper (2025)</li>
<li>The Chosen (series) (2017 &ndash; present)</li>
<li>Seventh Heaven (1937)</li>
<li>A Hidden Life (2019)</li>
<li>A Man for All Seasons (1966)</li>
<li>All That Remains: Dr. Takashi Nagai (2016)</li>
<li>Journey to Bethlehem (Christmas) (</li>
<li>Nativity Story (Christmas)</li>
<li>Silence (2023)</li>
<li>Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)</li>
<li>The Ten Commandments (1956)</li>
<li>Ben Hur (1959)</li>
<li>The Robe (1953)</li>
<li>Becket (1964)</li>
<li>The Cardinal (1963)</li>
<li>Gattaca (1997)</li>
<li>The Most Reluctant Convert: the Untold Story of C.S. Lewis (2021)</li>
<li>The King of Kings (1927)</li>
<li>The Scarlet and the Black (1983)</li>
<li>The Sound of Metal (2019)</li>
<li>Life is Beautiful (1997)</li>
<li>The Bells of St. Mary&rsquo;s (1945)</li>
<li>The Lord of the Rings (2001-03)</li>
<li>Groundhog Day (1993)</li>
<li>A River Runs Through It (1992)</li>
</ul>

Spiritual Movies - The Inner Life - March 18, 2026 [ENCORE]

who was Saint Patrick?

Sylvia

Natalia

Patricia

Dr. Gerard

Cassidy

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss St. Patrick's Day
(3:33) who was Saint Patrick?
(13:26) Sylvia - I heard St. Patrick raised people from the dead. Is that true?

(18:53) Break 1
(20:29) Natalia - Origins...I wondered if father is familiar with How the Irish Saved Civilization. There's a discrepancy as to where St. Patrick was born. I think he was Roman and living in North Africa...I believe in Carthage when he was captured by the Irish and taken to Ireland.
(26:38) Patricia - Could Patricia be synonymous with St. Patrick because there is no St. Patricia. I look at Catholic names...most of my kids have Catholic names.
Carmen - My grandfather was Irish and American Indian. One tradition we had was about getting the family together and my mom would make a pot of Irish stew and dad would make corned beef and cabbage. I haven't heard anybody mention that. We have an Irish population in Hawaii. On St. Patrick's Day, they go all out with festivities.
Drinking problems in Ireland, especially around St. Patrick’s Day.

(37:18) Break 2
(39:11) Dr. Gerard - Thanks to my priest who gave me sacraments and communion. They came from Ireland to India. I'm now a cardiologist for the last 35 years. in US. Very thankful for St. Patrick.
John - Could you comment on St. Patrick's prayer. Christ before me, behind me, etc. How could he survive in that environment? He had Christ present with him and it made him so powerful. This is what made people take heed of it. So many Irish hear...after the famine. People had to pay 7 pounds to live there or pay 4 pounds to come to America.
(45:30) Cassidy - He's my patron saint and confirmation saint. How can I incorporate the life of St. Patrick during the feast with my family and share that with them?

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss St. Patrick's Day 
<ul>
<li>(3:33) who was Saint Patrick?</li>
<li>(13:26) Sylvia - I heard St. Patrick raised people from the dead. Is that true?</li>
</ul>
(18:53) Break 1
<ul>
<li>(20:29) Natalia - Origins...I wondered if father is familiar with How the Irish Saved Civilization. There's a discrepancy as to where St. Patrick was born. I think he was Roman and living in North Africa...I believe in Carthage when he was captured by the Irish and taken to Ireland.</li>
<li>(26:38) Patricia - Could Patricia be synonymous with St. Patrick because there is no St. Patricia. I look at Catholic names...most of my kids have Catholic names.</li>
<li>Carmen - My grandfather was Irish and American Indian. One tradition we had was about getting the family together and my mom would make a pot of Irish stew and dad would make corned beef and cabbage. I haven't heard anybody mention that. We have an Irish population in Hawaii. On St. Patrick's Day, they go all out with festivities.</li>
<li>Drinking problems in Ireland, especially around St. Patrick&rsquo;s Day.</li>
</ul>
(37:18) Break 2
<ul>
<li>(39:11) Dr. Gerard - Thanks to my priest who gave me sacraments and communion. They came from Ireland to India. I'm now a cardiologist for the last 35 years. in US. Very thankful for St. Patrick.</li>
<li>John - Could you comment on St. Patrick's prayer. Christ before me, behind me, etc. How could he survive in that environment? He had Christ present with him and it made him so powerful. This is what made people take heed of it. So many Irish hear...after the famine. People had to pay 7 pounds to live there or pay 4 pounds to come to America.</li>
<li>(45:30) Cassidy - He's my patron saint and confirmation saint. How can I incorporate the life of St. Patrick during the feast with my family and share that with them?</li>
</ul>

Extemporaneous Prayer - July 5, 2023

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