Do you consider this necessary for salvation?

[distracted]

I have read the Holy Bible several times… , I cannot recall a single passage that states that we must pray in order to be Saved. but there is the passage that says Pray without ceasing… why would this be recommended if it didn’t pertain to salvation… ?

Also, Catholics do not maintain that everything we ought to know about Jesus and salvation is contained in the Bible…

As for Church Traditions… though I am ignorant of most writings, I cannot recall a single time when a Priest have stated that we must pray in order to be Saved.

 

[grandfather]

but there is the passage that says Pray without ceasing… why would this be recommended if it didn’t pertain to salvation… ?

Also, Catholics do not maintain that everything we ought to know about Jesus and salvation is contained in the Bible… I think that is mostly because it is taken as a given…

This is an interesting thought: That Jesus (who is God) was compelled to pray… How much more, then, should we be…

Well if I were a Protestant I would say He did it for me.

I don’t have to pray, suffer, care for the poor, act on faith in any way. He did it all.

 

[distracted]

God Bless you and may the Holy Spirit aide you in you quest for that wonderful life of prayer!

Maran atha!

Angel

thanks for the advice… I didn’t quite understand the post-it thin, though?

Anyway, the thing i mostly “neglect” in favor or prayer is housework… which i happen to hate… so boring…

but i need to learn to pray as i work… i don’t know why that is so hard… i guess because i got spoiled for praying while totally at rest… which makes it so mcuh easier to get into it, as i am sure you know…
There used to be this chapel in a hospital that i could spend the night in… Well, i just did… it wasn’t like anyone would have approved if they had known… but no on (then) checked the chapel and the strange thing was, on one else ever came in after a certain time… so i had the place all to myself… Anyway, i used to sleep there all night… next to my Jesus… and it was the most awesome experience i’ve ever had… (which goes without saying… of course)…
Anyway, like i said, Jesus spoiled me…

He is the only One who ever has… and i am sure the only One who ever wil… which is fine with me…

 

[grandfather]

thanks for the advice… I didn’t quite understand the post-it thin, though?

Anyway, the thing i mostly “neglect” in favor or prayer is housework… which i happen to hate… so boring…

but i need to learn to pray as i work… i don’t know why that is so hard… i guess because i got spoiled for praying while totally at rest… which makes it so mcuh easier to get into it, as i am sure you know…
There used to be this chapel in a hospital that i could spend the night in… Well, i just did… it wasn’t like anyone would have approved if they had known… but no on (then) checked the chapel and the strange thing was, on one else ever came in after a certain time… so i had the place all to myself… Anyway, i used to sleep there all night… next to my Jesus… and it was the most awesome experience i’ve ever had… (which goes without saying… of course)…
Anyway, like i said, Jesus spoiled me…

He is the only One who ever has… and i am sure the only One who ever wil… which is fine with me…

Keep it up. You do not need advice from anyone on this forum.

 

[jcrichton]

What does your personal reading or recollection prove?
It proves the query–either there is Biblical text that specifies that Salvation is dependent upon prayer or there isn’t.

Many years ago I discovered a book written by Saint Alphonse Diliguori, entitled, “Prayer, The Great Means of Salvation”. I recommend it highly. Saint Al is one of twenty something saints with the title Doctor of the Church, meaning he made great contributions to Catholic theology. He explains that prayer is an essential “means” of salvation. Salvation is impossible without prayer.

 

[jcrichton]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrichton

as St. James has it “show me your empty faith; and I’ll show you through my works my Faith” (again, paraphrased). Our life of prayer is part of those “works;” if we lack in humility and reject Christ’s invitation and command to pray, are we truly Christians?

Not always the case.

Indeed, Christ tells us that in the judgement many will plead their case before Him saying “did we not cast out demons in your name, etc”

and Christ answers … “depart from Me for I never knew you”.

…always the case. Faith without works is completely empty; it lacks humility and obedience (“I am the vine you are the branches…abide in Me…”)

When I speak of works I do not mean the ability to do or say something–Jesus warns that there will come a time when many will be led astray by those who would ***perform ***signs of wonder; clearly, the anti-Christ will lend his followers spiritual abilities to confound humanity. Neither do I speak of those who once they have found a charism they exploit it for financial gains or for the praise of man–Jesus warns that they would have already received their rewards.

The works I speak of are those which not only serve as life-changing experiences for those who commit themselves to serving Christ but the become humble and obedient enough to allow the Holy Spirit to work through them to bring (convert) others to Christ. I consider prayer as part of those works.

Clearly good works done w/o blessing/H.S. direction of Christ in our lives is worthless. It is only by daily prayer/meditation that we can be in God’s will … and be worthy of approval [fit for kingdom].

This is exactly Jesus’ objection (“Not all who call me Lord, Lord…”); yet, leading a life of prayer does not Sanctify us or our works–it is the Holy Spirit who Santifies! Prayer is only part of our works!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrichton
I have read the Holy Bible several times… , I cannot recall a single passage that states that we must pray in order to be Saved.

but there is the passage that says Pray without ceasing… why would this be recommended if it didn’t pertain to salvation… ?

Also, Catholics do not maintain that everything we ought to know about Jesus and salvation is contained in the Bible…

…pray without ceasing does not equate to pray or you will not be saved…

The call to live a life of prayer is similar to “be holy, for I AM Holy.”

We are called to emulate God as His children (which is made possible through our Faith in Christ); hence, our life must reflect that we are God’s children: “…be doers of the Word not just listeners…”

Quote:
As for Church Traditions… though I am ignorant of most writings, I cannot recall a single time when a Priest have stated that we must pray in order to be Saved.

 

[jcrichton]

thanks for the advice… I didn’t quite understand the post-it thin, though?

Anyway, the thing i mostly “neglect” in favor or prayer is housework… which i happen to hate… so boring…

but i need to learn to pray as i work… i don’t know why that is so hard… i guess because i got spoiled for praying while totally at rest… which makes it so mcuh easier to get into it, as i am sure you know…
There used to be this chapel in a hospital that i could spend the night in… Well, i just did… it wasn’t like anyone would have approved if they had known… but no on (then) checked the chapel and the strange thing was, on one else ever came in after a certain time… so i had the place all to myself… Anyway, i used to sleep there all night… next to my Jesus… and it was the most awesome experience i’ve ever had… (which goes without saying… of course)…
Anyway, like i said, Jesus spoiled me…

He is the only One who ever has… and i am sure the only One who ever wil… which is fine with me…

…post-it… some times a word or a title can triger a memory… writing down the title or names of novenas or prayers on a post-it pad might help you remember to stay in a prayerful state–like the calendar, you can remove one page per day…

I concur with you on the housework dilema… I think that it is due to the fact that we don’t get paid for doing it (unless that’s the field of work); here’s where prerecorded or homerecorded materials come into play–instead of music you can listen to an audio Bible and in no time you’ve done your chores and nourished your spirit.

…being spoiled is great… but if we are not careful it may lead to a painfully bad habit (expecting things to always be as the time that we experienced the indulgence); your experience can never be taken from you… but if you really think on it… Jesus is forever spoiling us: “…come to me all who labor and are overburdened and I will give you rest.”

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[grandfather]

It proves the query–either there is Biblical text that specifies that Salvation is dependent upon prayer or there isn’t.

 

[jcrichton]

It demonstrates in your personal reading and reflection you did not find something.

It demonstrates that I speak in reference to Scriptures; if I make a statement that is in doubt the interested party/ies should disprove my statement by citing the pertinent Scriptural passage that disproves it. In this manner we can both share the Biblical knowledge.

And what does this prove? It says you don’t know much about patristics and priests don’t talk about salvation and prayer. I haven’t heard any of them talk about sin or hell for twenty years. Vatican II banished both. Does the fact that priests haven’t mentioned something prove anything?

I am citing two sources which do not state that prayer is a mandate for Salvation.

Your statement does not nullify mine; yet, it is very important none the less because it demonstrates that Bishops and Priests are not doing their jobs. I cannot agree with your statement on Vatican II as I cannot fault it for the liberties taken by the clergy who are, at least in the last couple of decades or so, seeking to be popular rather than to be Fathers in the Faith. It just proves that “less government” is not necessarily best!

All three are true. Jesus said pray. The Bible says that and says much about prayer and the fathers tell us prayer is essential. Great stuff! There is no stress between any of it.

As there shouldn’t be.

Thanks for making that clear. Sorry I did not get it.

Oremus!

No problem: 1 Cor 13:4-8!

Maran atha! (…incidentally this is a prayer to our Lord Jesus.)

Angel