Advice

[seanom]

Hello I have recently recommenced mental discursive prayer after being away from it for a while. Before now I used to say 15 decades of the rosary, 15 saint bridget prayers, chaplet of divine mercy, other vocal prayers, mass+ thanksgiving, morning and evening prayers. Now if I were to add in another half an hour of meditation I would be so stressed out with all the prayers. I really want to persevere with the mental prayer since I have heard so many good things about it from various saints and mystics but the rosary is making it almost impossible to maintain since I have a very busy day with school and all that. I feel if I reduce from 15 decades to 5 I am letting Mary down and she will be dissapointed but I don’t want to leave out the meditation either, do you think I could reduce to 5 decades?? Please help since I want for my prayer life to be deeper and I am trying to accomplish this through mental prayer, any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Joan1969]

Hello I have recently recommenced mental discursive prayer after being away from it for a while. Before now I used to say 15 decades of the rosary, 15 saint bridget prayers, chaplet of divine mercy, other vocal prayers, mass+ thanksgiving, morning and evening prayers. Now if I were to add in another half an hour of meditation I would be so stressed out with all the prayers. I really want to persevere with the mental prayer since I have heard so many good things about it from various saints and mystics but the rosary is making it almost impossible to maintain since I have a very busy day with school and all that. I feel if I reduce from 15 decades to 5 I am letting Mary down and she will be dissapointed but I don’t want to leave out the meditation either, do you think I could reduce to 5 decades?? Please help since I want for my prayer life to be deeper and I am trying to accomplish this through mental prayer, any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi Senom,

You are not under any obligation whatsoever to pray 15 decades of the Rosary. You should adopt the prayer life that suits you and your obligations, including work obligations, the best. That prayer life should be happy, not stressful or about trying to insert every potentially good prayer practice to the maximum degree, which is not possible.

God Bless,
Joan

 

[Dorothy]

Usually, when a person is serious about their prayer life, there are times when it is supposed to change. Being attracted to mental prayer, and sitting quietly before the Lord and being attentive to his presence is simple yet profound.

I am not a spiritual director, and you may need the help of some good books and/or a priest who can direct you, but I do know from experience that the challenge of mental prayer is well worth it, and will bear fruit in time if you are faithful to it.

And, remember, distractions should not discourage. It is in being aware of the distractions and going back to be with the Lord in praise and adoration which helps our spiritual muscle. Perseverance.

 

[0129141]

This is a simple problem to solve. Cut down on the vocal prayers. Go to five mysteries of the rosary, maybe cut the divine mercy chaplet or 15 St. Bridget prayers, or say them alternately on different days.

I say this from experience. I too used to say lots of vocal prayers, but I never got the deep, meaningful relationship with God that I did from meditation. Meditation allows you quiet time with God, and lets you meditate and enter more fully and insightfully the truths of the Catholic Faith. There simply is no substitute for mental prayer.