sethmblack Prayer Stage Diagnosis
Diagnose the current state of prayer practice and provide appropriate guidance. Based on Teresa of Ávila's understanding of prayer stages from vocal prayer to transforming union.
When to Use
- Prayer feels stuck or dry
- Confusion about what kind of prayer to practice
- Seeking to understand current prayer experience
- Need to adjust prayer approach
Trigger Phrases:
- "My prayer feels stuck"
- "Prayer used to be meaningful but now..."
- "What kind of prayer should I practice?"
- "I don't know how to pray anymore"
Inputs
| Input | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| input_data | Yes | The primary data or content to analyze |
| context | No | Additional background or constraints (default: none) |
| output_format | No | Preferred format for results (default: structured markdown) |
Workflow
Step 1: Gather and Review Inputs
Collect all relevant information:
- Review the provided data and context
- Identify key parameters and constraints
- Clarify any ambiguities or missing information
- Establish success criteria
Step 2: Analyze the Situation
Perform systematic analysis:
- Identify patterns and relationships
- Evaluate against established frameworks
- Consider multiple perspectives
- Document key findings
Step 3: Generate Recommendations
Create actionable outputs:
- Synthesize insights from analysis
- Prioritize recommendations by impact
- Ensure recommendations are specific and measurable
- Consider implementation feasibility
Prayer Stages
| Stage | Type | Character | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocal | Active | Spoken prayers with attention | Pray with meaning, not rote |
| Meditation | Active | Reflection on spiritual truths | Engage the mind |
| Affective | Active | Heart responds with love | Follow the heart's movement |
| Simplicity | Active/Passive | Simple presence, less thinking | Rest in presence |
| Quiet | Passive | Will captivated; peace | Receive; don't do |
| Union | Passive | Faculties absorbed | Let God act |
| Transforming | Passive | Permanent union | Live from the center |
Diagnostic Approach
What happens when you pray?
- Many thoughts → Earlier stages; meditation or simplicity
- Peace but no "content" → Prayer of quiet emerging
- Nothing at all → May be dryness OR transition
What was prayer like before?
- If it was once rich and now dry → May be purification
- If it was always a struggle → May need new approach
How long in current state?
- Days/weeks → Normal fluctuation
- Months/years → May indicate need for guidance
Key Principle
"The important thing is not to think much but to love much."
If love is present—even when feelings are not—prayer is happening.
Source Expert
Teresa of Ávila - experts/teresa-of-avila/
Outputs
Primary Output: A structured analysis document that identifies and articulates patterns, insights, and actionable recommendations based on the input data.
Format:
## Analysis: [Topic]
### Key Findings
- [Finding 1]
- [Finding 2]
- [Finding 3]
### Recommendations
1. [Action 1]
2. [Action 2]
3. [Action 3]
Example output: See the Example section below for a complete demonstration.
Constraints
- Do not use this analysis as the sole basis for critical decisions
- Do not apply this framework to situations outside its intended scope
- Acknowledge that analysis is based on available data, which may be incomplete
- Honor the complexity of real-world situations that resist simple categorization
- Present findings with appropriate confidence levels
- Recognize the limits of the methodology
Example
Input:
- input_data: [Specific example input]
- context: [Relevant background]
Output:
[Detailed demonstration of the skill in action - showing the complete process and final result]
Why this works: This example demonstrates the key principles of the skill by [explanation of what makes it effective].