Savio Rodrigues SJ

Vocal prayer, is prayer using words. However it is not just recitation of words.

Vocal prayer can be spontaneous prayer, the type of prayer that automatically gushes out of the soul.

The second is making use of readymade prayers which are very short, very intense in content and wide open to a number of interpretations.

The third is constantly repeating readymade prayers — prayers that have been composed by a saint or any other person.

Spontaneous prayer is possible only when we have suddenly become vividly aware of God. This awareness calls out of us a response of joyous worship.

The second is when we become aware suddenly of some mortal danger, and we shout from the depths of despair knowing we have no hope unless God intervenes.

All other spontaneous prayer is more of an exercise in trying to formulate grammatically correct sentences, using the right words. These are more an act of composing vocal prayers than praying vocally.

Vocal prayer is choosing to memorise a number of prayers that are available to us. Prayers like the Psalms, small passages from the Gospel, the common prayers like the Our Father, Memorare, etc. These must be memorised, so that at the right moment you can find the right and meaningful prayer.

Mark those passages that strike you deep down in your heart, that deeply move you, that strike a chord of sinfulness, of struggle, of love or forgiveness or repentance. Memorise these passages, for you can always recall them when you are in desperate need of prayer.

Memorising them is not enough. A prayer makes sense only if it is lived. Prayer and life have to be interwoven. If you have said a certain phrase in your prayer, you must try and live out that phrase during the time that follows. For example, you have recited the ‘Our Father’ and have said the phrase, “Forgive us our...”. So for the rest of the day try and be a forgiving person. After some time when you recite another prayer, try and live out what you recited in that prayer.

Vocal prayer is not just pronouncing words, but trying to live what you have just said.

Gradually all the words of your prayer, the feelings and the thoughts begin to come alive in you. These soon become a part of your will and mind.

The third is using a composed prayer continuously during the day, so as to keep you focused on God. It is like the Jesus prayer in the mantra form or the Rosary, the litany, etc.

The Prayer Method on this page has been provided with permission from the book Pray: How? by Savio Rodrigues SJ