Bonus: Finding Healing Through Prayer with Monica Martinez

Quick Summary

What does authentic prayer look like in the digital age? Monica Martinez, Parish Lead at Hallow, shares her powerful journey from a teenager who stopped going to Mass to becoming a passionate advocate for healing through faith. In this deeply personal conversation, Monica discusses how prayer evolved from a childhood habit into a transformative relationship, why apps like Hallow are helping people discover faith safely, and how the modern Church can create genuine spaces for encounter. Whether you’re exploring prayer for the first time or seeking to deepen your spiritual life, this episode offers practical wisdom on listening, silence, and meeting God in the everyday moments.

In This Bonus Episode, We Explore:

Monica’s Journey to Healing

• How family struggles with divorce and alcoholism sparked a lifelong search for healing (2:00)
• The pivotal 21st birthday moment that changed everything (4:00)
• Why healing isn’t a one-time event but a continuous journey

Prayer Apps and Digital Spirituality

• Why 43% of Hallow users aren’t Catholic—and what that reveals about modern faith seeking (6:00)
• The “safety factor” of digital prayer: exploring faith without vulnerability (7:00)
• Balancing prayer apps with authentic relationship: avoiding the “streak” mentality (10:00)

The Evolution of Prayer

• From rote prayers to relationship: Monica’s transformation (22:00)
• The freedom that comes from trusting the Holy Spirit (21:00)
• Why “Come Holy Spirit” is about perception, not summoning (31:00)

Listening in Prayer

• What makes someone a good listener in prayer—and in life (26:00)
• The challenge and importance of silence (28:00)
• Practical advice for entering contemplative prayer (30:00)

Prayer Styles and Traditions

• Why different forms of prayer reflect God’s creativity (35:00)
• The unity found in memorized prayers across cultures (36:00)
• When to use rote prayers vs. spontaneous meditation (37:00)

Modern Evangelization

• Creating welcoming parish environments post-COVID (39:00)
• Why the Eucharist might not be the best first entry point (42:00)
• The importance of accompanying seekers with gentleness (47:00)
• Learning to meet people where they are, not where we think they should be (50:00)

About Monica Martinez

Monica Martinez serves as Parish Lead at Hallow, the #1 Catholic prayer app, where she partners with parishes across the country to deepen prayer lives. Previously, she worked as Associate Director for Alpha in the Catholic context and served in diocesan ministry. Monica’s work is driven by her personal experience of healing through faith, particularly her journey through family struggles with divorce and alcoholism. She travels nationally leading missions focused on prayer, evangelization, and creating spaces for authentic conversation about faith.

Memorable Quotes

On Prayer and Relationship:

“Prayer is not so much something I’m doing, it’s something I’m allowing to be done to me. When I’m tired, it’s not that I’m too tired to pray—I need you, Lord, to help me rest.” — Monica Martinez (23:00)

On Digital Tools:

“You don’t need an app to pray, but you also don’t need a trainer to get fit. But it really does help to learn the right form and not hurt yourself.” —Monica Martinez (7:00)

On Healing:

“When you encounter that relationship, when you encounter healing, there’s nothing left for you to do but help other people encounter the same.” —Monica Martinez (2:00)

On Silence:

“Silence isn’t about trying to get absolute quiet. It’s about being attentive to the sounds you’re missing—in your heart, mind, and spirit.” —Father John Gribowich (29:00)

On the Eucharist:

“It’s one thing to read about an amazing friend. It’s another thing to encounter them—see how funny they are, how wonderful. That’s what people long for with the Eucharist.” —Monica Martinez (45:00)

Resources Mentioned

Prayer & Spirituality:

• Hallow Prayer App – https://hallow.com
• Alpha in the Catholic Context – https://alphausa.org/catholic
• Encounter Ministries – https://encounterministries.us
• NET Ministries – https://www.netusa.org
• Rescue Project – https://rescueproject.us
• Eucharistic Revival – https://eucharisticrevival.org

Scripture Referenced:

• Romans 8:26 – “The Spirit comes to aid our weakness; we do not know how to pray as we ought”
• Gospel of the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24)
• Lasallian Prayer – “Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God”

Spiritual Teachers Mentioned:

• St. Ignatius of Loyola (on consolation and desolation)
• St. Francis of Assisi
• Father James Mallon
• Christopher West (Theology of the Body)
• Wayne Dyer

Research & Studies:

• Pew Research on Catholic belief in the Real Presence
• Vinea Research follow-up study on Catholic Belief in the Real Presence
• CARA Research on Eucharistic understanding
• Psychology Today study on listening retention

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Learn more about our work: Religion to Reality is an initiative of DeSales Media, dedicated to helping people bridge the gap between religious practice and lived spiritual reality.