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September 2, 2025 33 mins

| S03 E01|

In this episode of Thinking Faith, Deacon Eric Gurash and Dr. Brett Salkeld tackle some of the most common questions young people face about prayer and faith:

How do I handle distractions when I pray?

How do I know if I’m really following God’s will?

Drawing on personal stories and practical wisdom, they share simple strategies for staying focused in prayer, including repetitive prayers, creating sacred spaces, and welcoming everyday thoughts into conversations with God.

They also explore the deeper challenge of discernment—how to recognize whether a decision aligns with Christ’s will. You’ll learn why peace and joy are key fruits of the Holy Spirit, how to seek guidance from trusted friends, and how everyday spiritual conversations can strengthen your walk with God.

Whether you’re a student, a parent, or anyone seeking to deepen your prayer life, this episode offers encouragement and practical tools for strengthening your relationship with Christ.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share with friends who might also be wrestling with prayer or discernment!

#CatholicPodcast #PrayerLife #Discernment #Faith #CatholicFaith #SpiritualGrowth #ThinkingFaith

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes

01:24 Season Transition and Listener Questions

02:31 Questions on Prayer and Holy Living

05:04 Dealing with Distractions in Prayer

08:56 Practical Tips for Focused Prayer

12:08 Using Repetition and Rituals in Prayer

16:52 Understanding Vengeance and God's Role

17:17 The Power of Unloading Emotions to God

20:17 Creating a Dedicated Space for Prayer

22:59 Discerning God's Will in Decision Making

29:29 The Role of Trustworthy People in Discernment

32:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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