Retreat, Day 3 - 10:00 Mental Prayer

These notes are from a retreat member reading from a spiritual book about mental prayer - I didn't catch the title of the book. From Saturday 11/15/2008 at 10:00:

Mental prayer is a grace from God - not a matter of technique. Prayer does not boil down simply to breathing, posture, concentration, and mental tricks. In consequence - mental prayer is open to all. Any mere technique is accessible only to those who can master the technique. Since mental prayer is from God it is open to everyone.

What is required for mental prayer? First and foremost: faith that God is there, in the room with you, listening to you, loving you in particular. Never doubt this. Even when you feel abandoned by God - He is with you, always.