Afraid to Pray

[Maria1212]

Hi,

This is going to sound like a weird question. But has anyone ever felt afraid to pray when going through a time of darkness? I am able to pray formal prayers, like the rosary, but am really struggling in a couple of areas of my life. I know God knows how I am feeling even when I pray without words, and I know God knows what I need before I know, and I know He knows what is in my heart. But at the same time, I feel myself turning away from prayer. I think it is because I am afraid that if I really pray for my intention, and don`t get it, I will feel hopeless. I have done novena after novena and rosary after rosary and understand that my prayers may not be answered in the way that I would like but I know God hears me.

But I am having a hard time really praying to God about what is troubling me because I feel like if I continue to struggle, I will be filled with despair and hopelessness.

I know this probably makes no sense. And I know God already knows what is going on… But has anyone else every felt like this? If so, did it pass?

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[prodigalson12]

I’ve experienced that before, and kind of do at the moment now. I am trying to figure out, am I just praying out of route, or have I been doing it wrong, or for what ever reason, trying to see how life is different without it, at least in the system I was using before, so moving over to silent prayer, where there were words before, and trying to break free of the rut I was in, and at the same time, trying to speak up and take action rather then simple contemplation and inaction. I am defining it’s affect on my being, taking these bouts away, and such as today, dropped by the church for some short prayers, to reflect upon the literal difference it has to me, testing it’s affects on it’s own, and trying to be honest with myself, for I want this to be real, not just something I’m trying to conform into out of route.

There also may be something to ask yourself here though, if you are under spiritual attack, are you being intimidated not to pray? I’ve experienced that before as well, also, getting attacked for helping others through their struggles, especially if I’m effective, knowing each time I help, there will be negative back lash, for it happens every time, yet I still get back up for more abuse regardless.

 

[JRKH]

Hi,

This is going to sound like a weird question. But has anyone ever felt afraid to pray when going through a time of darkness? I am able to pray formal prayers, like the rosary, but am really struggling in a couple of areas of my life. I know God knows how I am feeling even when I pray without words, and I know God knows what I need before I know, and I know He knows what is in my heart. But at the same time, I feel myself turning away from prayer. I think it is because I am afraid that if I really pray for my intention, and don`t get it, I will feel hopeless. I have done novena after novena and rosary after rosary and understand that my prayers may not be answered in the way that I would like but I know God hears me.

But I am having a hard time really praying to God about what is troubling me because I feel like if I continue to struggle, I will be filled with despair and hopelessness.

I know this probably makes no sense. And I know God already knows what is going on… But has anyone else every felt like this? If so, did it pass?

Sincerely,

Maria1212

Do you realize that, by placing your fears and concerns before your bretheren and asking for guidance, that you have just prayed?
Even this, is prayer.
You are doing what God needs you to do right now.
You are hanging on to Him, in spite of your aridity.
You are reaching out both horizontally to your brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as vertically, reaching up to Him.
You are expressing every level of your spiritual life. Faith, Hope, Love, and yes, Fear.

To answer your question - have others felt this and did it pass?
Yes - everyone goes through this from the greatest saint to the lowliest sinner in the pew.
Sometimes, even though we know God loves us, we are afraid to ask something because we are afraid of the answer.
Yet if we persevere, in both the asking AND in the acceptance that God will give us what we really need, we can gain strength spiritually and avoid dispair.

Peace
James

 

[FishHookOpenEye]

I have been there before. A few months ago, I was so afraid to pray because I thought (but probably didn’t) I had sinned mortally. I could go through a Rosary, but on some level, I thought it wouldn’t do anything because of my (alleged) state. Whatever you do, don’t stop praying. I made this mistake. I have found that praying psalms and just sitting and being aware of the presence of God helps tremendously. I’ll be praying for you.

 

[Student09]

But at the same time, I feel myself turning away from prayer. I think it is because I am afraid that if I really pray for my intention, and don`t get it, I will feel hopeless. I have done novena after novena and rosary after rosary and understand that my prayers may not be answered in the way that I would like but I know God hears me.

Try praying for complete resignation to the will of God. I think that will help you. Psalms are also a good way to pray when one is having difficulty, as the previous poster said. They are prayers given by God Himself for us to use, along with the Our Father. I have also found it helpful, in times of dryness and darkness, to pray the Glory Be over and over.

I recommend, for the time being, sticking to these prayers. And don’t feel that you need to make requests when you pray. Petition is only one form of prayer. “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.”

 

[jazzy_987]

Kind of… There were times when I felt that I didn’t know how to pray, and that my prayers seemed insincere … and felt like giving up on prayer. I was getting distracted all the time and never knew what to say to God. Other times I was in the state of mortal sin and I was afraid that my prayers were fake because I didn’t feel like I really loved God due to my sins. And there were also times when I was afraid that I wouldn’t get my intention, and I felt like I was bargaining with God by praying those intentions.

Well now I realize that these are probably the moments that I need to pray most… if I find it hard to pray, then I need to pray for God to help me. Like you said, God knows what is going on already… and He knows what’s best for us.

I’ll be praying for you :hug1:

 

[oksoitworked]

Hi,

This is going to sound like a weird question. But has anyone ever felt afraid to pray when going through a time of darkness? I am able to pray formal prayers, like the rosary, but am really struggling in a couple of areas of my life. I know God knows how I am feeling even when I pray without words, and I know God knows what I need before I know, and I know He knows what is in my heart. But at the same time, I feel myself turning away from prayer. I think it is because I am afraid that if I really pray for my intention, and don`t get it, I will feel hopeless. I have done novena after novena and rosary after rosary and understand that my prayers may not be answered in the way that I would like but I know God hears me.

But I am having a hard time really praying to God about what is troubling me because I feel like if I continue to struggle, I will be filled with despair and hopelessness.

I know this probably makes no sense. And I know God already knows what is going on… But has anyone else every felt like this? If so, did it pass?

Sincerely,

Maria1212

Of course! Everyone has for sure. I’ve prayed for certain crosses to be lifted but they’ve only grown heavier. It really wears you down believing in earnest that God will grant your prayers only to have them denied. SIGH, but it is what the almighty wills, and He only has our best interests at heart. Maybe the answer was no. I’ve stopped praying for myself and just pray for the conversion of some people now. Like what JRKH said:

You are hanging on to Him

Turning away from prayer is the last thing you want to do. Just keep hanging on. If constantly praying and agonizing over your intention is wearing you down, maybe tone down your prayers a bit. Maybe just briefly mention what’s troubling you and how tired you are, and just sit real quietly in His presence at Church. Just seeking His Eucharistic presence in and of itself is a form of prayer.

 

[coolduude]

I’m afraid to pray to Jesus myself. It’s a shame too; of all people I should be able to relate to Him because He’s God but has had the experience of a man. I find Jesus an imposing figure who I should be sacred of, not as a comforting person like most people view Him as. What makes everything worse is that I’ve been questioning His Divinity for the last month or so, and that makes me even more frightened/scared of Him. I do wish I had a better relationship with Him, but it seems I can’t get one going. It just seems odd for me to pray to Him, I rather pray to the Father.

So Maria, you are not alone.

 

[JRKH]

I’m afraid to pray to Jesus myself. It’s a shame too; of all people I should be able to relate to Him because He’s God but has had the experience of a man. I find Jesus an imposing figure who I should be sacred of, not as a comforting person like most people view Him as. What makes everything worse is that I’ve been questioning His Divinity for the last month or so, and that makes me even more frightened/scared of Him. I do wish I had a better relationship with Him, but it seems I can’t get one going. It just seems odd for me to pray to Him, I rather pray to the Father.

So Maria, you are not alone.

Wh have one God in three divine persons. Just remember that and when you pray to the Father (which is what I do too) you are praying to the son as well.

Hope you get the “divinity” question resolved soon.

Peace
James

 

[Maria1212]

Do you realize that, by placing your fears and concerns before your bretheren and asking for guidance, that you have just prayed?
Even this, is prayer.
You are doing what God needs you to do right now.
You are hanging on to Him, in spite of your aridity.
You are reaching out both horizontally to your brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as vertically, reaching up to Him.
You are expressing every level of your spiritual life. Faith, Hope, Love, and yes, Fear.

To answer your question - have others felt this and did it pass?
Yes - everyone goes through this from the greatest saint to the lowliest sinner in the pew.
Sometimes, even though we know God loves us, we are afraid to ask something because we are afraid of the answer.
Yet if we persevere, in both the asking AND in the acceptance that God will give us what we really need, we can gain strength spiritually and avoid dispair.

Peace
James

Thank you for your response James. I am very grateful to you and to all the other posters who took the time to post. I would appreciate everyones prayers. You really hit the nail on the head. I know it is important to make sure I set aside ample time for prayer each day even if I dont do any of the talking so to speak.

I am going through a hard time and I have a long road ahead of me but I`ll keep trying to focus on taking things one day at a time.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[Called]

I’m afraid to pray to Jesus myself. It’s a shame too; of all people I should be able to relate to Him because He’s God but has had the experience of a man. I find Jesus an imposing figure who I should be sacred of, not as a comforting person like most people view Him as. What makes everything worse is that I’ve been questioning His Divinity for the last month or so, and that makes me even more frightened/scared of Him. I do wish I had a better relationship with Him, but it seems I can’t get one going. It just seems odd for me to pray to Him, I rather pray to the Father.

So Maria, you are not alone.

Oh I so recommend you to pray the Stations of the Cross. Ask the Father to help you love His Son. Meditate on Jesus’ passion daily and ask Him to help you understand His love for you even on the cross, at the height of His execution. I find Fr. Vincent’s reflection very helpful. I’ll be praying for you. God bless.

I’m praying for you too Maria. You are definitely not alone. God allows for these moments to test us just as gold is purified in fire. We will pass this test!

I will bring the one third through fire, and I will refine them as silver is refined, and I will test them as gold is tested. They shall call upon my name, and I will hear them. I will say, “They are my people,” and they shall say, “The LORD is my God.” -Zachariah 13:9

 

[JRKH]

Thank you for your response James. I am very grateful to you and to all the other posters who took the time to post. I would appreciate everyones prayers. You really hit the nail on the head. I know it is important to make sure I set aside ample time for prayer each day even if I dont do any of the talking so to speak.

I am going through a hard time and I have a long road ahead of me but I`ll keep trying to focus on taking things one day at a time.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

Praying - May His will be done in your life. May he grant you his strength and healing during your difficult times.

Praise and thank God always

Peace
James