Am I doing something wrong by doing certain Christian practices before getting baptized?

[TreeOfLife123]

Hi,

I have not yet been baptized but have been seeking the Kingdom of Heaven with good results and also praying to Christ and referring to God as the Heavenly Father during prayer often. I also do the prayer “save me from the fires of Hell oh Lord Jesus Christ” and get good results even though I have not yet been baptized.

I also watch Vatican Videos and telecare and such things clearly have a very obvious healing effect on me.

But I can’t help but feel at times that I might be doing something wrong by doing such things because I haven’t yet been baptized.

I haven’t been baptized at all in any Christian way.

The reason I do not go to a Parish yet and get baptized is because I suffer a lot and I am concerned what effect getting baptized would have on family.

 

[Love_is]

There’s nothing wrong with getting aquainted with God through those things. Calling God our Heavenly Father is fine even if you aren’t baptized yet. Perhaps He isn’t a Father in a fuller sense as others, but He is always our Father, whether we like it or not.
Praying is always good and can’t be restricted only to those who are baptized. God listens to everyone.

 

[MrsFlapjack]

I haven’t been baptized yet either, because of my husband’s previous marriage. Since he was married in a foreign country, we have struggled obtaining the paperwork needed to file an annulment. I pray every night, say a few Hail Mary’s, and have even prayed the rosary quite often in the past. My husband and I are raising our children Catholic, and we try to live in accordance with Catholic teaching despite the fact we are unable to receive the sacraments.

Keep in mind, the Catechism of the C.C. speaks of Baptism by Desire. If you should die before you are baptized, but you had an inner desire to be baptized, that desire in your heart will count as your baptism.

There is nothing wrong with what you are doing. Try to live your life in accordance with the teachings of the Church to the best of your ability, and someday, God will reward you for it.

 

[Rich_C]

First let me say I’m so glad that you’re hearing God’s call into the Catholic Church!

Are you aware that it usually takes a length preparation to receive a Catholic baptism as a convert? I suggest calling a parish to ask about RCIA (rite of Christian intiation for adults). You could begin attending classes now in preparation to be baptized at Easter 2013 (Easter has been the traditional time to baptize converts since Apostolic times). So you see, you could get the ball rolling now and still have time for your family to adjust to the idea. Even so, I wouldn’t let family opposition stop you if in the end they don’t accept your decision.

I’ll say a prayer for you.

 

[po18guy]

You may do everything that a Catholic does, with the exception of receiving the Sacraments. You may attend mass, pray the Rosary, involve yourself in other devotions, etc. Look at it this way: The first step to becoming Christian is to repent. And, once you have repented, all else follows from a contrite heart. So, the practices that you feel called toward are a natural product of a repentant heart.

You mention that you suffer. Wasted suffering is one of the world’s greatest tragedies, since every aspect of human life (other than sin) has a divine and eternal purpose. Sin has only an eternal effect hat opposes God’s purpose for us. Once you are baptized and are a member of the Body of Christ, you may offer that suffering up to the Father exactly as Jesus offered His suffering up to the Father for our sakes. Jesus offered His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity up for the sake of all who would accept Him. As parts of His Body, we may do the same.

I would suggest that you obtain a copy of Catholicism for Dummies and begin reading up on the the faith. It is an excellent resource that you may rely on for years. Know also that it is the Holy Spirit that is calling you to faith. Being docile to the Holy Spirit is what precedes all good that is accomplished on earth.

 

[TreeOfLife123]

RICH C: I was aware it is usually a length of time for conversion into the Catholic Church.

Thank you Mrs.FlapJack.

Thank you Love is.

And thank you Po18Guy. I already do make statement to Christ of aligning my suffering to His. And it helps abundantly. Suffering with Christ brings comfort.

Thanks. And thanks to anyone else who contributes to this post.

Take care and have a good day.