Constantly praying for forgiveness?

[nolanh08]

Hi,

In the past 6 months I’ve become more and more serious about my Catholic faith.

One thing I’ve been wondering about is constantly praying for forgiveness.

Every time I hear the Lord’s name taken in vein, or I have a sinful thought I ask the Lord to forgive me saying “Forgive me Lord, In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

I do a sign of the cross before and after when I am alone.

Is this necessary? It is really exhausting, but I just feel a conviction in my heart this is what I should be doing, I dont know if this is just me doing this to myself though and not the Holy Spirt. It would be nice if somebody with more knowledge than me could enlighten me on this.

Thank you

 

[Stylites]

Constant prayer and remebrance of God is very commendable. Constantly praying for the forgiveness of others’ sins is very commendable. Constantly praying for one’s own forgiveness after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not a bad thing if one understands that one’s sins are forgiven; praying so can be a form of thanksgiving and penance, as I see it.

 

[cmscms]

Is this necessary? It is really exhausting, but I just feel a conviction in my heart this is what I should be doing,

Well… it is not always easy to follow God so it is not surprising you are exhausted. On the other hand, praying to God should be uplifting. I have to wonder… are you 100% sure that you are correctly hearing the conviction. I might even slightly change the prayer to someone like ‘Dear Lord, I just sinned again and I feel I should ask for forgiveness but then I think the only thing it is accomplishing is tiring me out. Please help me hear You more clearly’

Perhaps rather than just asking for forgiveness, perhaps you should ask for the strenght to quit sinning.

CM

 

[Aleema]

Hi,

In the past 6 months I’ve become more and more serious about my Catholic faith.

One thing I’ve been wondering about is constantly praying for forgiveness.

Every time I hear the Lord’s name taken in vein, or I have a sinful thought I ask the Lord to forgive me saying “Forgive me Lord, In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

I do a sign of the cross before and after when I am alone.

Is this necessary? It is really exhausting, but I just feel a conviction in my heart this is what I should be doing, I dont know if this is just me doing this to myself though and not the Holy Spirt. It would be nice if somebody with more knowledge than me could enlighten me on this.

Thank you

Jesus dictated to Sr Mary of Saint Peter that everytime we hear the name of God taken in vain we say " Blessed be the Holy Name of God" begone satan
I have a group deadicated to getting rid of blasphemy called " The golden arrow" this is a powerful prayer and make reperation to God… its the Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus.
and if you feel like you need forgiveness you are being awakened to God Trust in the Divine Mercy. Once forgiven you are forgiven.
I love saying The Divine Mercy chaplet this includes all souls in the world.

 

[Blenderx]

This sounds like a very good practice, but not if it is causing any sort of anxiety or disturbing your peace. God does not want that, He came to free us from such things.

Its enough to examine your conscience daily and ask for forgiveness at those times. (attending the Sacraments frequently goes without say). And, throughout the day, its commendable to: offer your works to God, to ask for His assistance in obtaining virtue and following His Will, and if you are unfortunate enough to willfully commit some sin, to simply say, ‘Jesus, mercy. I love You and I trust in You.’ or anything similar. If tempted, ‘Lord, help me to be good.’ or anything similar. If you speak or hear His name taken in vain, ‘Blessed be the name of God.’ Or you might simply turn your mind and heart to God in silence, trusting that He hears you and knows all your needs as your Creator, Father, and Redeemer.

It really is best to avoid any appearance of compulsion or self-sufficiency (and this is a temptation when we take on such practices- because you might start to think you will not be forgiven if YOU don’t perform this or that little ritual every time), which takes away the joy in our salvation that God calls us to.

 

[nolanh08]

Thanks everyone, I think instead of my prayer I will now say “Blessed be the Holy Name of God”

I think I’m just going to tough this one out.