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Practical Tips on Prayer From an 18th-Century Priest

Practical Tips on Prayer From an 18th-Century Priest

Last updated on: June 24, 2026 at 8:35 am by Jocelyn Soriano

Practical Tips on Prayer From an 18th-Century Priest 2026-06-05T14:14:36+08:00 Jocelyn Soriano

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Have you ever felt so distracted in prayer that you repeated it? I’m guilty of this one. There were times when I thought I must not have prayed well enough that I repeated the prayer to make sure I did not pray in vain.

But did you know that an 18th-Century priest advised against this? In his writings, Fr. Carlo Giuseppe Quadrupani expressed that dryness and other distractions in prayer don’t necessarily have to discourage us. Neither do we have to repeat our prayers if we feel they are as perfect as we wanted them to be.

In his book “Light and Peace: Instructions for Devout Souls to Dispel Their Doubts and Allay Their Fears”, Fr. Quadrupani provides more guidance when it comes to prayer.

Here are some of the practical tips that can help us in our prayer life today. (Unless otherwise noted, all quotations in this article are taken from Carlo Giuseppe Quadrupani’s Light and Peace.)

1. Don’t be discouraged by dryness in prayer

There was a time when every prayer felt sweet to me. It was as though I could take a glimpse at heaven each time I prayed to God. There were many revelations and realizations. I felt so close to the wonderful love of God!

Then there came dryness in prayer. These prayers seem longer than they normally do. Distractions came. I missed the sweetness I once felt when I prayed.

But Fr. Quadrupani tells us that we shouldn’t be discouraged by this dry season in our prayer life. On the contrary, he encouraged us to keep on praying despite “not feeling” the sweetness or consolation we felt before.

“If you experience great dryness in your meditations or other prayers, do not feel distressed and conclude that God has turned His Face away from you. Far from it. Prayer said with aridity is usually the most meritorious…The very fact that we derive less gratification from such prayer, makes it all the more pleasing to God, because we are thus suffering for love of him. Let us call to mind at such times that our Lord prayed without consolation throughout his bitter agony.”

2. When distractions come, accept them with a peaceful heart

Distractions could come and go. But they don’t have to stop us from prayer. Pray despite those distractions. Do your best to prepare yourself before you pray. But when distractions come, don’t let them keep you from praying. Simply return your focus to God and be at peace.

“When you have not consciously or voluntarily yielded to distractions, do not stop to find what may have been their cause, or to discover if you have in any way given occasion to them. This would be simply to weary and disquiet yourself unprofitably. From whatever direction they come, you can convert them into a source of merit by casting yourself into the arms of the Divine Mercy. St. Francis de Sales when asked how he prayed, replied: ‘I cannot say it too often—I receive peacefully whatever the Lord sends me.’”

3. Never repeat a prayer because you were distracted

Don’t make it a habit to repeat your prayers just because you feel you have not prayed perfectly. When we do this, we allow ourselves to fall into scruples and perfectionism. And that is not the purpose of prayer. It is our part to do our very best, and then we rely on God for the rest.

“Never repeat a prayer, even should you have said it with many distractions. You cannot imagine the innumerable difficulties in which you may become entangled by the habit of repeating your prayers. Therefore I beg of you not to do it.”

4. Avoid overburdening yourself with too many prayers

Praying is good. But if we already become too exhausted because of taking on too many prayers, we should exercise wisdom and restraint to avoid spiritual burnout.

“Your vocal prayers should be few in number but said with great fervor. The strength derived from food does not depend upon the quantity taken but upon its being well digested. Far better one Our Father or one Psalm said with devout attention than entire rosaries and long offices recited hurriedly and with restless eagerness.”

5. Keep in mind that simply remaining wholeheartedly with God is a good prayer

When we pray, we don’t have to worry about saying so many words. Even our prayers in silence could be most pleasing to God.

Remain with Him and let your heart draw near to God. God knows your intentions; He knows your heart.

“St. Francis de Sales teaches us that merely to keep ourselves peacefully and tranquilly in the presence of God, without other desire or pretension than to be near him and to please him, is of itself an excellent prayer. ‘Do not exhaust yourself,’ he says, ‘in making efforts to speak to your dear Master, for you are speaking to Him by the sole fact that you remain there and contemplate Him.’”

6. Follow God’s lead

Prayer is not a one-way road. It is communing with God, and therefore, a way of communication.

While we may have been used to saying our prayers, we must also listen to God who can speak to us and inspire us during prayer.

“If you feel whilst saying vocal prayers—those not of obligation—that God invites you to meditate, gently and promptly follow this divine impulse. You may be sure that in doing so you make an exchange most profitable to yourself and agreeable to God from whom the inspiration comes.”

7. Pray in a comfortable position

Human beings are made up of both body and spirit. And while we earnestly desire for our spirit to be lifted up towards God, our body should also be in harmony with our desire.

Let us observe a good and comfortable position when we pray so that we may have lesser distractions. This can help focus our minds in prayer.

“St. Theresa’s opinion is that the body should be in a comfortable position when we pray, as otherwise it is difficult for the mind to pay the proper attention to prayer and to the presence of God. Do not then fatigue your body by remaining too long prostrate or kneeling: the important thing is that the soul should humble itself before God in sentiments of respect, confidence and love.”

The Value of Prayer

The value of prayer is in the heart. God values our sincerity and our devotion when we pray.

Even if we face many distractions, God still considers our desire to stay with Him and to offer Him our love.

Do not be disheartened, therefore, because God knows you and loves you. Stay with Him and let Him abide in you.

Remember that nothing could ever separate you from the love of God.

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NRSVCE)

Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the book Defending My Catholic Faith.

“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NABRE)

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About Jocelyn Soriano

Jocelyn Soriano is an author, poet, and book reviewer. She is an introvert who enjoys a cup of coffee and listening to the cello ****** while working.

She wrote the books To Love an Invisible God, Defending My Catholic Faith and Mend My Broken Heart. She also wrote books on poetry including Poems of Love and Letting Go and Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief. She has published more than 15 books and developed her own Android applications including God’s Promises and Catholic Answers and Apologetics.

She writes about relationships and common questions about God and the Catholic faith at Single Catholic Writer. She is currently single and happy and she would like everyone to know how happy we can be by drawing close to the love of God!

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