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Pope Francis at the general audience of June 9 considered one of his favorite books and a favorite prayer, to reflect on St. Paul's command to pray without ceasing: from the First Letter to the Thessalonians: “Pray constantly, always and for everything give thanks” (5:17-18).
For the second time on this teaching series on prayer, the pope referred to The Way of a Pilgrim. It is the story of an anonymous pilgrim who travels across Russia and eventually comes to embrace a simple prayer now known as the "Jesus Prayer."
The Pope explained that just as our breathing is the backdrop of whatever we do, so prayer of the heart can be "the breath of life."
Drawing from a reflection of St. John Chrysostom, the Holy Father offered an image: Prayer is a kind of musical staff, where we inscribe the melody of our lives.
Pope Francis acknowledged that forming this type of prayer life isn't easy. He commented that busy parents might miss the time in their lives before children, when it was easier to find moments to dedicate exclusively to prayer.
But, he added, work and prayer should be complementary.
The Holy Father concluded by reiterating his invitation to pray the Jesus Prayer throughout the day.
