Adoration...I give up

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Fortunately (I guess) our parish has 24-hour adoration. I’ve never done it, but decided I really wanted to try an hour a week this Lent. I made it the full hour the first two times…in spite of the noise and distractions from others. Today though, I left after 10 minutes when a woman asked me, not in a whisper, and with my head down and ears plugged, if I knew about the sign in sheet. Seriously?

I thought adoration was this special place you could go and be one on one with Jesus, without distraction. I can get less distraction in my car at a park, or by taking a walk on the country road in front of my house.

I think I’m going to give up on adoration. It must not be for me. Anybody else feel the same?
 
I used to do adoration. When I did it, I was the only one there, or there was one other person. I found the sign up sheet on my own. It was a quiet time to be with God. No one talked. It was nice.

I did have some trouble staying the full hour as I wasn’t used to praying and kneeling that long.

What time did you go? Is there a time where others may not be there?
 
I would not give up so soon. It takes some time to get used to it and eventually the distractions from others will become less noticable. Our chapel tends to be very busy during lent, but there are always times late at night and in the early morning where it is very quiet. Try different times and see when it is quietest. Also, when you first start it is easiest to read the Bible or other spiritual books while you are there. It is as if the Lord is instructing you. Give it time. You will receive great peace and many blessings if you persevere in this practice. God bless you!
 
JoeSchmeau said:
Fortunately (I guess) our parish has 24-hour adoration. I’ve never done it, but decided I really wanted to try an hour a week this Lent. I made it the full hour the first two times…in spite of the noise and distractions from others. Today though, I left after 10 minutes when a woman asked me, not in a whisper, and with my head down and ears plugged, if I knew about the sign in sheet. Seriously?

I thought adoration was this special place you could go and be one on one with Jesus, without distraction. I can get less distraction in my car at a park, or by taking a walk on the country road in front of my house.

I think I’m going to give up on adoration. It must not be for me. Anybody else feel the same?
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I sympathize.

We have well-meaning people in our parish who think everyone wants to join them in praying out loud for various good causes - after all, who wouldn’t want to pray for the unborn, or for vocations to the priesthood?

But when I go to Adoration, I would like to do so in the silence of my own heart. When I want to pray out loud, I come to Rosary Group.
 
JoeSchmeau said:
Fortunately (I guess) our parish has 24-hour adoration. I’ve never done it, but decided I really wanted to try an hour a week this Lent. I made it the full hour the first two times…in spite of the noise and distractions from others. Today though, I left after 10 minutes when a woman asked me, not in a whisper, and with my head down and ears plugged, if I knew about the sign in sheet. Seriously?

I thought adoration was this special place you could go and be one on one with Jesus, without distraction. I can get less distraction in my car at a park, or by taking a walk on the country road in front of my house.

I think I’m going to give up on adoration. It must not be for me. Anybody else feel the same?
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if that happens let the person know not to interrupt you and God and go back to what you were doing!
 
I go at midnight, when I am able to. (That’s when this mom can be away from my family without children noticing.) It is always very peaceful! One sweet lady who likes to talk to me, waits until I am leaving and walks out to talk with me (then she goes back in). 🙂 I hope you find a time to Adore our Lord, as you are longing for!
Blessings,
RC 😉
 
WaitingForJesus said:
I would not give up so soon. It takes some time to get used to it and eventually the distractions from others will become less noticable. Our chapel tends to be very busy during lent, but there are always times late at night and in the early morning where it is very quiet. Try different times and see when it is quietest. Also, when you first start it is easiest to read the Bible or other spiritual books while you are there. It is as if the Lord is instructing you. Give it time. You will receive great peace and many blessings if you persevere in this practice. God bless you!
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I agree. I feel the devil is in this somewhere. Sometimes we make decisions and stick our necks out. This I would say is one of the most important things you will do in you life. An hour with the Lord.

satan doesn’t like those kinds of things. he of course will discourage it. tell him to get to stepping.

Also as a meditation you are there to be with the Lord, be there for Him. Sure it should be edifying in some way but you can find Jesus in every person even those who bother you. Give up your pains to God and stick it out. Don’t make it about “your personal enjoyment” make it a sacrifice. Therese of Lisieux used to seek out those who bothered her the most to sit next to them as a sacrifice of Love to Our Lord.
 
I, also have been attending each week during lent, hoping I can carry on after lent. So far, so good till today. There was a tour group going through the Church and quiet it was not. Loud laughing, talking, the guide telling them to go ahead and take pictures. The last straw was having a camera pointed at me, I felt the closeness from behind, by this time concentration/praying had come to an end, then I heard the snap and seen the flash, I turned and a woman said thank you, and left quickly.
But…usually it’s very silent, quiet and peaceful. Don’t given up. You and Jesus have quality time to spend together.
 
Apparently in some cities their trains have something called a “Quiet Car.”

“Rules of the Quiet Car.”

In keeping with Jesus’ wisdom that the people of this world are better at the important things than those of us who are more spiritual, let us take a lesson from the “Quiet Car” and bring it with us into Adoration - for all of our sakes. 🙂
 
Don’t give up!!! It’s a beautiful experience where you are welcomed by Jesus, Himself. I envy you because where I last lived I had access to a Perpetual Adoration Chapel and I was blessed to sign up for a holy hour. Now I live where (still lucky, I know) there is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on one day of the week from 9:00 a.m - 5:00 pm.

There may be disturbances and I won’t bore you with my own, but please persist for yourself. Not just during Lent as though it were a penance - but whenever you can!

If you are disturbed, it’s perfectly acceptable to whisper to the person and say “I’m in the middle of prayer”. Repeat, as necessary.
 
I forgot to add… do sign in. Sometimes it may be important when it’s being decided whether or not to keep Adoration available.
 
JoeSchmeau said:
Fortunately (I guess) our parish has 24-hour adoration. I’ve never done it, but decided I really wanted to try an hour a week this Lent. I made it the full hour the first two times…in spite of the noise and distractions from others. Today though, I left after 10 minutes when a woman asked me, not in a whisper, and with my head down and ears plugged, if I knew about the sign in sheet. Seriously?

I thought adoration was this special place you could go and be one on one with Jesus, without distraction. I can get less distraction in my car at a park, or by taking a walk on the country road in front of my house.

I think I’m going to give up on adoration. It must not be for me. Anybody else feel the same?
Click to expand...
I never had the ability to do it by myself. I want an hour with NO-ONE else in the church. I want total by myself time with Jesus. where I live there are no churches with adoration.
 
scoobydoo6v92 said:
I never had the ability to do it by myself. I want an hour with NO-ONE else in the church. I want total by myself time with Jesus. where I live there are no churches with adoration.
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The thing is, for safety reasons and (more importantly!) that Jesus isn’t left alone (and yes, I know the protocol for this) it is always preferable to have at least two adorers scheduled for each hour.
 
SonSearcher said:
I agree. I feel the devil is in this somewhere. Sometimes we make decisions and stick our necks out. This I would say is one of the most important things you will do in you life. An hour with the Lord.

satan doesn’t like those kinds of things. he of course will discourage it. tell him to get to stepping.

Also as a meditation you are there to be with the Lord, be there for Him. Sure it should be edifying in some way but you can find Jesus in every person even those who bother you. Give up your pains to God and stick it out. Don’t make it about “your personal enjoyment” make it a sacrifice. Therese of Lisieux used to seek out those who bothered her the most to sit next to them as a sacrifice of Love to Our Lord.
Click to expand...
👍
 
grasscutter said:
The thing is, for safety reasons and (more importantly!) that Jesus isn’t left alone (and yes, I know the protocol for this) it is always preferable to have at least two adorers scheduled for each hour.
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I would love to have just a half hour with him only. Video tape it to make sure that he is revered. but I would love to have just a half hour with him. but never know. I would rather he appears to me personally. that would be wonderful
 
Oh I’ve seen it all. Crinkling a newspaper, cracking gum, talking on the cell phone, kids running around. I have similar frustrations when people chatter before or after Mass, or while I’m in line for Confession, or doing my penance, or just quietly praying in Church. Some people just don’t get it. Probably not their fault. Who would do those things if they understood the Church’s teaching?

On such occasions I suppose our Lord values our presence there even more, because it shows we really love Him and are committed to spending time with Him in spite of difficulties. Of course if it becomes an occasion of sin we have to act accordingly.

Some things you can do: 1) Very politely approach the individual(s) concerned and explain that I am trying to pray; 2) Leave for awhile, then come back; 3) Offer it up to God as a mortification or penance; 4) Make an appointment with the pastor and very humbly explain the problem (but be prepared for the possibility he will not take the action you hope for).

Don’t give up.
 
scoobydoo6v92 said:
I would love to have just a half hour with him only. Video tape it to make sure that he is revered. but I would love to have just a half hour with him. but never know. I would rather he appears to me personally. that would be wonderful
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I get it and me too. However, it’s not about us - and the logistics and hassle for the organizers to even establish 24 hour Adoration is phenomenal. Let’s appreciate the good fortune of those who can avail themselves of the Presence of Our Lord. Like I said, I no longer can. And, even when I did, I could not dictate how that would be.
 
grasscutter said:
The thing is, for safety reasons and (more importantly!) that Jesus isn’t left alone (and yes, I know the protocol for this) it is always preferable to have at least two adorers scheduled for each hour.
Click to expand...
At the parish I belonged to, there were not enough adorers so this wasn’t always feasible. What we did:
  1. The local police were already patrolling the parking lot so the church let them know that people were praying in the chapel so a) they wouldn’t bust them, and b) they would take extra care to make sure these people were safe.
  2. Adorers had permission to park close to the church (i.e. the fire lane) during evening hours when the church was closed.
 
Well, you all have convinced me. I’ll keep trying. Thank you very much for your words of encouragement.

I thought I was going to adoration for me, and I forgot that this was for Christ. After all, isn’t everything about me?! I’d like to become a person who is less annoyed with people who do things differently than me. Maybe that’s what I’m supposed to get from adoration for now.

I’ll definitely try again. Then I’ll try some more. Thanks again, everyone!

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