Workbook Review Question Answers

Lesson Eleven

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1.  In the video, Matthew compared the Prayer of Union to God reversing the aging process. What does he mean by this?

The point is that God is helping us to become like little children. One by one the Lord has captivated all of our interior faculties, which means that our control over natural life is progressively waning. Our sense of independence diminishes as the Lord continues to “take over” and bring us closer. And it’s not that God is simply making us a child. He’s making us his child. He is creating us anew.

2.  It’s not unusual for a person to wonder whether they’ve reached the Prayer of Union and whether their spiritual experiences are real. What are three “signs” that help to authenticate the Prayer of Union?

The first sign is that there are no distractions. Distractions are typically stirred up by our memory and imagination, and they can be a problem in earlier levels of prayer, but now these interior faculties have been captivated by the Lord and are under his control. The second sign is that the soul has no doubt about being united with God. The doubts and questions that sometimes arise in the Prayer of Quiet give way to a complete certainty in the Prayer of Union. The third sign is that the soul suffers no fatigue. Earlier forms of prayer can leave the soul feeling weary and drained, but this all goes way in the Prayer of Union. No matter how long it lasts, one never tires of this communion with God. 

3.  How long does the Prayer of Union last?

While it can continue on various levels for a longer period of time, St. Teresa says that in her experience even thirty minutes of all the faculties being taken over by God would be considered a long time. That said, it can continue on some level for much longer periods of time as there may be some of the faculties of the soul (most commonly the will) that remain in contact with God. 

4.  Can you name the four phenomena that often accompany the Prayer of Union according to Saints such as Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross?

The first is mystical touch, which is a supernatural sensation, deep in the center of the soul, of being touched by God himself. The second is flights of the spirit, which refers to overpowering impulses of love that fill the soul with a consuming thirst for God. These flights can even send the body into an ecstatic trance. The third is fiery darts of love, which is a sensation of being pierced by divine love. These ignite within us a burning desire for God to such an extent that we begin to hate whatever keeps us from him. The fourth is called wounds of love. John of the Cross describes this as an “immense torment and yearning to see God.” These wounds afflict more than they satisfy, because they greatly increase our appetite to gaze upon the Lord. The result is a suffering of desire not yet fulfilled.