Dedicate yourself

[Sacred_Heart_1]

There are many things to pray for in life. You can just keep naming them and naming them. But do you dedicate yourself to one specific prayer for the world?

For instance I dedicate my life in prayer to the conversion of Protestants to Catholicism.

I pray for other things but have made my desire this one specific item. The conversion of Protestants to Catholicism is what I’m serious about. I found that if I tried to be serious in a multitude of prayers (ideas), I never really am devoted to any of them. In other words, I lack the necessary attention to devote myself to more than one cause.

What do you think? Does your thinking fall along these lines?

 

[Ancient1]

I admire you for choosing a very worthy prayer intention, and I like your idea of sticking with a prayer, in spite of other needs that come and go.

To be honest, this is a challenge for me because prayers begin to feel like a confusing mixture intentions, from sick friends and relatives, requests of all sorts from acquaintances (job, marriage, finance, school, the dying, conversions, family issues, etc), my own problems, and the usual ones like our country, the Holy Father, the missions, the poor, poor souls, then everyone I personally know who has died! LONG LIST.

Right now I have a serious need, I am disabled with several illnesses and do not have a doctor because I’m in a rural area and there is a severe shortage of doctors and all types of medical personnel. I cannot get help. In fact, I am almost desperate. So it’s tempting to make this my “big” prayer, but then I think maybe instead I should be offering up the suffering. It is selfish to pray mostly for me, so many people are worse off.

How to get that all in perspective? What is the best approach?

So, I like your idea that we “dedicate ourselves” but on an emotional level I am in such a jumble right now I don’t see how I could do it. I cannot even concentrate on a rosary.

 

[Sacred_Heart_1]

I admire you for choosing a very worthy prayer intention, and I like your idea of sticking with a prayer, in spite of other needs that come and go.

To be honest, this is a challenge for me because prayers begin to feel like a confusing mixture intentions, from sick friends and relatives, requests of all sorts from acquaintances (job, marriage, finance, school, the dying, conversions, family issues, etc), my own problems, and the usual ones like our country, the Holy Father, the missions, the poor, poor souls, then everyone I personally know who has died! LONG LIST.

Right now I have a serious need, I am disabled with several illnesses and do not have a doctor because I’m in a rural area and there is a severe shortage of doctors and all types of medical personnel. I cannot get help. In fact, I am almost desperate. So it’s tempting to make this my “big” prayer, but then I think maybe instead I should be offering up the suffering. It is selfish to pray mostly for me, so many people are worse off.

How to get that all in perspective? What is the best approach?

So, I like your idea that we “dedicate ourselves” but on an emotional level I am in such a jumble right now I don’t see how I could do it. I cannot even concentrate on a rosary.

I too am disabled with a severe mental illness called SchizoAffective Disorder. Don’t get me wrong I pray for myself, however, my life-term intent is for the conversion of Protestants to Catholicism. I’ve thought of other prayer intents like the end of abortion (but everyone prays for that). And I wanted to make my prayer intent distinct in the way that others may not ever consider to pray for my intent.

 

[Alberti_Devoveo]

I generally dedicate 9-12 months of praying to a single focus (safe delivery for my children & wife, passing important exams, inspiration for research, etc), but I don’t quite have a life-long focus. I think I may discuss this with the wife now…

 

[Sacred_Heart_1]

I generally dedicate 9-12 months of praying to a single focus (safe delivery for my children & wife, passing important exams, inspiration for research, etc), but I don’t quite have a life-long focus. I think I may discuss this with the wife now…

That’s great discuss it. But just don’t pick any one thing. I let mine pick me. I put alot of thought into it. One other thing I thought of before I chose was the conversion of China. I try to make it a big goal and obscure, things that people would not normally think of or consider. Just a thought.

 

[Geist]

My several times a day prayer is “Lord thank you”.

Sometimes I mix it up and use “Thank you Lord”.

Its short and simple, and covers everything.

 

[chazcheh]

I pray the rosary nearly everyday - I miss it here and there. For some reason - and I don’t know why but I always repeat the 8th Hail Mary so I pray 11 Hail Marys in total. I have been doing it for as long as I can remember and I will continue doing it. I dedicate each Hail Mary to something or someone, but the 2 8th Hail Marys that I pray, for the last year are always dedicated to my dear friend who is an avid atheist and I pray for his conversion. He is one of the best guys I know but has turned away from religion for the wrong reasons.

Love and Respect to my pal A.P.

 

[MindOverMatter2]

Now i know where i have been going wrong. I only pray for my self