Charismatic prayer doesn't inspire me. Is this bad?

[Keyeotee]

Hello, CAF!

This is a question I posed myself when I was attending the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. They offered a good deal of very powerful God-connecting events in all manners (quiet contemplation, singing, organized prayer, etc.) However, whenever I attended the more charismatic events, I always felt a little strange. I definitely have a quiet personality and enjoy a coffee table discussion more than I do a massive speaking hall.

I personally find things like Christian contemporary music to not inspire me. Nor does large gatherings of mass-prayer, praying with hands over each other and other various seemingly ‘contemporary’ forms of worship.

Is this wrong? Am I suffering from some sort of non-enlightenment? Or is it totally okay to ‘pray your own way’ in these situations?

Thanks, CAF!

 

[Mary_Ellen]

No, it’s not bad that so-called charismatic prayer doesn’t inspire you.

I was involved in the Charismatic Movement in the late 70’s, as a teen. I went along with it in order to fit in but was never completely comfortable with it. I know now that I’m drawn to more contemplative and quiet types of prayer. That’s okay.

We are fortunate to belong to a Church that offers one Truth but many spiritual paths to that Truth. Look at the many religious orders we have: Dominicans, Franciscans, Benedictines,and Carmelites (like me) to name just a few. All have produced saints but each has a different emphasis or ‘flavor’ in their spirituality.

Sometimes we are asked by the Spirit to try something new, something that may not be comfortable at first, like sitting in silence in the Presence of God. But I don’t think your experience so far with charismatic prayer falls into that category as it has been so long-standing.

Be at peace.

 

[seagal]

I can echo Mary Ellen’s response. I was also involved in the Charismatic movement as a teen and I loved it then, even though I was very self conscious about praying in tongues. I left it after several years and haven’t been involved since then. I went back to a meeting not long ago when a friend invited me, and I felt pretty much the same. I found it inspiring to be with people of faith, but their way of worship doesn’t fit me. I’m more contemplative, more private, less demonstrative. Luckily, as Mary Ellen said, our Church has many paths to choose for our spiritual journey. You just need to find the right fit for you.

 

[ynotzap]

Hello, CAF!

This is a question I posed myself when I was attending the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. They offered a good deal of very powerful God-connecting events in all manners (quiet contemplation, singing, organized prayer, etc.) However, whenever I attended the more charismatic events, I always felt a little strange. I definitely have a quiet personality and enjoy a coffee table discussion more than I do a massive speaking hall.

I personally find things like Christian contemporary music to not inspire me. Nor does large gatherings of mass-prayer, praying with hands over each other and other various seemingly ‘contemporary’ forms of worship.

Is this wrong? Am I suffering from some sort of non-enlightenment? Or is it totally okay to ‘pray your own way’ in these situations?

Thanks, CAF!

You are receiving good advice for you personally because of your form of prayer. The saying “Pray as you can, not as you can’t” applies I was involved as a pioneer in our area, belonged to the first charismatic board appointed by the Bishop. I was called into it. I always was interested in my Faith as a lay apostle. I noticed a failure to keep our children interested in our faith. I also taught using lessons from the Confraternity of Christina Doctrine. When I witnessed a group of teenagers praying and actually referring to the Bible, I was all ears. They spoke about Christ, something I always tried to get the kids to do, but failed. Our first meetings were very charismatic, things were happening, people were prophesying, readings were being confirmed, people where moved to praise. Some where on drugs, and came off. Prayers were being answered. Even some of the praise took on a “beautiful angelic quality;” The Holy Spirit was definitely moving. This was in the beginning, I considered it a “spiritual renewal with a Pentecostal flare” I saw it as a reaching out by God, to draw people into the church, to edify. It was never meant to be a replacement for the Faith. I witnessed people practicing their faith with more depth, and some became leaders in the Church. I also witnessed the reaching out to youth, to draw them in. There were some who never really understood their faith, and drifted to other churches. For those who are used to the “old ways” it might present a problem, so as advised by other posters, it’s perfectly O.K. It does compensate for the lack of religious sentiment found in the practice of our faith. We are strong on convictions, but at times we are weak on sentiment. We must treat the whole of the human personality, both feeling and thought and not just all thought. Especially among the young, and even some of the old.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

When I was younger I wanted to attend Charismatic gatherings, but was not alowed to attend, but a brand new postulant was. The Supeior said she would go to see what it was all about and the two of them went every week there after. They were always together in almost everything. Later when I was on my own, I did attend, but lost interest and found that it did nothing for me and I stopped going. It is kind of sad what can happen to the spirit/vocation, under the thumb of those that practice favoritism, but I will say that I learned a lot that was beneficial later in life. I do like some, but not all contemporary music, but basically I am a traditional is. Plain 'ol Mass is good 'nuff for me.

 

[the_phoenix]

I like the Latin Mass.
I like quiet, contemplative prayer.
I like the Rosary.
I like Charismatic Healing Masses.

As long as whoever is in charge of anything done in a group
follows the Pope
and shows reverence towards the Real Presence of Jesus Christ
in the Holy Eucharist.

You have a lot to choose from
as a Catholic
when it comes to being inspired
at prayer.

 

[ccmcmg]

I don’t know that I’m a member of the Charismatic movement, but I do attend the area Charismatic/Healing Mass, and pray in tongues, and have many extraordinary experiences with and in the Holy Spirit. I’m very drawn to Him this way, but even I don’t always ‘feel’ or ‘see’ the same way others attending with me will. Nor do they experience Him my way.

I’m also very in love with Mary, our mama. Oh what a beautiful and glorious woman! However, despite trying, I’m unable to become ‘devotional’ to her like many in the Marian movement. Does that make me any less, or them, any more? No, it does not. It’s just not currently on the path He has laid out for me.

We are each unique in our relationship and prayer with God, because we are unique and singular beings. Instead of concerning ourselves with what we are not, concentrate instead of the Gifts and Blessings He has blessed us with, and nurture and expand those.

God has given us so many opportunities and graces in which to honor Him and worship Him; one is not better than another, so long as they are from and to Him. Thank you, Papa, for the blessing of the Catholic Faith, and so many ways to come to you. Amen!

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Here’s a really good book on the subject, which I read many years ago.

Perhaps it will help

Who We Are Is How We Pray: Matching Personality and Spirituality

Charles Keating (No Relation to Thomas Keating)

amazon.com/Who-Are-How-Pray-Spirituality/dp/0896223213

Anyway, our personality type draws us to different prayer styles, such as Charismatic, quiet prayer, etc.

When I returned to the Church in 1976, my first experience that year was with the Charismatic prayer movement in my area. However, I soon began to desire something else.

I forget all the details of the book, but I remember that for people like myself, an extroverted person, we are often drawn to quiet contemplative prayer.

Jim

 

[InNomineDomini]

However, whenever I attended the more charismatic events, I always felt a little strange.

I just want to point out that I do think there are serious spiritual arguments that can be made against a great deal of the Charismatic movement, especially since it obsesses with Charismatic gifts which are purely gratuitous and which cannot in any way be merited.

I don’t know that it’s always a spiritual danger, but I do think that it can be. Frankly, being constantly led by your emotions in your spiritual life is a danger, since demons can easily emulate feelings of “consolation” and can thereby lead a person in all sorts of strange directions.

I would suggest to you that you find a trusted spiritual director, and sort out with him whether or not you are perceiving certain red flags at these events. It may be the case that staying away from them is in your best interest.

Edit: I just wanted to add that I don’t have hard opinions on this subject, and that I do have a somewhat open mind on the subject.