Talking with God: Four Treatises on the Interior Life from St. Alphonsus Liguori; The Way to Converse with God, A Short Treatise on Prayer, Mental Prayer, The Presence of God

"If it be proper so to speak", as Proclus used to say, St. Alphonsus is to devotional literature what Bill Russell was to the Boston Celtics during the 1960s. Light seems to come off the pages of this book.St. Alphonsus, like John Climacus, like St. John Vianney, like Mozart, never lost the common touch. This book is a great gift for anyone, for devout Christians and for atheists, for anyone wanting to refine their devotion or read something to help them understand what all this religiousness fuss is all about. A child of eight years can read this book, understand it, and profit from it, as can an eighty-year old.There are several bottom lines St. Alphonsus presents. One, prayer is necessary to live a good life, and without prayer we are foreigners to a blessed eternity. Another is that prayer must be humble, confident, and persevering. Another is that without daily meditation of an hour or more we cannot seriously expect to advance spiritually in union with God."In a word, if you desire to delight the loving heart of your God, be careful to speak to him as often as you are able, and with the fullest confidence that he will not disdain to answer and to speak with you in return. He does not, indeed, make himself heard in any voice that reaches your ears, but in a voice that your heart can well perceive, when you withdraw from converse with creatures, to occupy yourself in conversing with God alone: 'I will lead her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her heart' (Osee 2:14). He will then speak to you by such inspirations, such interior lights, such manifestations of his goodness, such sweet touches in your heart, such tokens of forgiveness, such experience of peace, such hopes of heaven, such rejoicings within you, such sweetness of his grace, such loving and close embraces - in a word, such voices of love - as are well understood by those souls whom he loves, and who seek for nothing but himself alone" (p. 24).See also The Glories Of Mary, Our Lady of Good Success History, Miracles & Prophecies (DVD), The Ways of Mental Prayer, and St. Francis de Sales's Introduction to the Devout Life.

This is a very practical and methodical manual for prayer. St. Alphonsus starts every subject with numerous quotes from other saints and experts on prayer, which is extremely useful to expand his own explanations.The way he writes is very organized, allowing this to be used as a manual, an instruction book on the various types of Christian prayer.If you are interested in practicing the last type of prayer taught in this book, the prayer of the Presence of God, I recommend that you also read "Practicing His Presence", by Brother Lawrence & Frank Laubach, Seedsowers edition, with a green and beige cover.Also, if you can find it, and afford it, the very excellent: "One With Jesus", by Paul de Jaegher, S.J. How can this wonderful book on the subject of living in the Presence of God be out of print?! I found it on PDF on line and printed it.

I have been impacted and inspired by the writings in this book and I plan on several rereadings to further absorb the content

This book has been so helpful in my praying better with God

Packed into this little book is so much wisdom from the great St. Alphonsus Liguori. Easy to read as it's broken up into smaller bits, and just an indescribable conveying of God's love for us and how we can grow ever closer to Him. The section on mental prayer is so beneficial, because these days with so few faithful having access to spiritual direction, and too many of the Novus Ordo Masses so loud and full of near-constant noise and activity, the faithful need guidance on how to quietly converse with Our Lord.

Good for initiating quiet time with the Lord. Well written.

Today, August 1st, is St. Alphonus' feast day. St. Alphonsus is a model of sanctity and his entire life was an "imitation of Christ". St. John Paul II and St. Alphonsus are very similar - they lived their lives for the Lord and showed us by example how we can make it through life's challenges and one day arrive in Heaven. St. Alphonsus teaches us in this treatise that prayer is a necessary means towards salvation. In this compilation, St. Alphonsus explains how prayer with confidence opens the doors to the Lord's infinite treasure of mercy; there aren't any reasons for anyone to ever despair because God will provide; prayer is the beginning of our relationship with the Lord a proximate and necessary means towards our salvation.

I read St. Liguori's "The Way to Converse with God", gave it to a friend and then purchased "Talking with God".As someone who has always found it difficult to actually "converse" with God rather than simply reciting prayers by rout, this book has changed my life. I now feel that I truly am "talking to God" now. Written in the late 1700's this is still a timeless set of treatises on prayer. I highly recommend this book to ANYONE interested in having a better prayer life.