Forbidden prayer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lovemybatman
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lovemybatman

Guest
This is really “weird”, but I need help. I am a ‘fallen away’ Catholic experiencing an episode of severe depression and am desperate for help. I was reading on here about someone who was also depressed and someone else posted a response some prayers, one of which was the exorcism prayer. Feeling scared that there might be some demonic influence over my feelings, I prayed a large chunk of it. I didn’t go through the whole thing or any rituals, I just prayed parts of it. I actually do feel a little better, but reading other threads I realized that this is actually forbidden and dangerous for a layperson (and someone who’s in mortal sin) to do. Now I’m really scared that I’ve done something bad and very dangerous. My head is reeling. It’s not really possible to exorcise yourself in the first place, right? :confused: :imsorry: I’m very freaked out right now.
 
I don’t know which particular prayer you refer to but I hope this helps below.God bless you
(From www.trosch.org/msn/exorcism-prayer.html )
The Holy Father exhorts priests to say this prayer as often as possible, as a simple exorcism to curb the power of the devil and prevent him from doing harm. The faithful may say it in their own name, for the same purpose, as any approved prayer. Its use is recommended whenever action of the devil is suspected, causing malice in men, violent temptations and even storms and various calamities. It could be used as a solemn exorcism (and official and public ceremony, in Latin), to expel the devil. It would then be said by a priest, in the name of the Church and only with the Bishop’s permission.
Code: 
    The exorcism prayer may be said by anyone.  The formal practice of exorcism of a possessed person is dangerous to the unqualified.
The Code of Canon Law © 1983

Can. 1172 §1 No one may lawfully exorcise the possessed without
the special and express permission of the local ordinary.
§2 This permission is to be granted by the local Ordinary only to a priest
who is endowed with piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life.
 
I do believe that Satan is real,one must if one believe in God,but I would take it easy. I can’t say absolutely sure that someone can’t be hold by Satan and do things he/she don’t usually do,but I am pretty sure that as long as we keep our mind clear,The Bible on our table,and read it every day,keeping a crucifix around our neck and pray at least all three "Angelus" prayers each day,one “Pater Noster” and the whole “Rosary” every day is safe from what we call “Satan”. (What I wrote to do is what I try to do,but it don’t make me a better catholic then others.)
But as a lawyer,I keep telling that to often,sorry,I would like to speculate a bit,hope it is OK? And I must say so that you all understand,this is my own view and only my own. I have been thinking about this a lot,I see what people really can do,and it is not nice. What we know,or who,with the name Satan is not a person,not a fallen angel nor anything else with a body. Many saw Jesus,in His human body,but I am sure that bad deeds come from what we can’t control. I have one special thing on my mind,a case from almost eight years ago,I had the “honor” to meet a person so bad,with nothing good,doing so bad things that I still can’t forget that person. What the person did was things nobody who can say “Jesus is our Lord” ever could do. Then I thought,OK,that is Satan,and closer then this I hope I never come to him. Hence,it was not Satan come alive in a human body but a “normal” (?) person who simply was as bad as anyone can be. So,knowing that I am most likely wrong,and I will get replays telling me that,I say that Satan is the part of us who come “alive” when we forget that we are Christians.
 
Hello friend, you are not as “fallen away” as you think. Yes unclean spirits are tempting us with despair and try to keep us away for the Sacraments. Take courage and pray to your guardian angel. Ask him for guidance and protection. I will pray to St Joseph as he is called “Terror of demons”.
 
lovemybatman said:
This is really “weird”, but I need help. I am a ‘fallen away’ Catholic experiencing an episode of severe depression and am desperate for help. I was reading on here about someone who was also depressed and someone else posted a response some prayers, one of which was the exorcism prayer. Feeling scared that there might be some demonic influence over my feelings, I prayed a large chunk of it. I didn’t go through the whole thing or any rituals, I just prayed parts of it. I actually do feel a little better, but reading other threads I realized that this is actually forbidden and dangerous for a layperson (and someone who’s in mortal sin) to do. Now I’m really scared that I’ve done something bad and very dangerous. My head is reeling. It’s not really possible to exorcise yourself in the first place, right? :confused: :imsorry: I’m very freaked out right now.
Click to expand...
Peace be to you -

You have done nothing wrong.

In saying the prayer or parts thereof you were calling upon God to help you. Regardless of the intended form and use of the particular prayer, the mere fact of your saying it and your intention of gaining God’s help, is abhorant to the devil. In fact the distress you feel right now may be his response to try and get you to stop saying that prayer against him.

As for “excorcizing yourself”, I would suggest you to remember this.
Often times when Christ healed someone he remarked “it is your faith that healed you”, or something to that effect. We also read that Jesus could not perform any signs in a certain place because of the general lack of faith. So - While we certainly know that we cannot cure ourselves and that only God can do this, God’s power may be impeded by our dispair and lack of faith.

So as the psalmist says, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”
Do this - Look up and to God. Keep your focus on Him. Beseech God’s help in whatever prayer and form seems good and comfortable and give no quarter to that which tempest you away from that focus…Love, Care, Good, Filling, Faith, Hope, Charity - - All of these things are to the devil as salt is to a slug…They will eat away at his power…

Also - get out and do for others as soon as you are able… The devil loves to isolate us and thus be able to drive us to dispair…Getting out and doing other things, charitable things, will take the focus off of you and your problems…ole scratch hates that…

Peace
James
 
To the OP, if you’re referring to the Exorcism prayer of Pope Leo XIII, that one is not supposed to be used by laypeople to pray over others with . This is the instruction given in the Current Norms Governing Exorcisms. There is some debate (and no clear instructions I’ve found) about whether or not laypeople can pray it privately (for themselves, for example). I personally don’t recommend it.

I can tell you with absolute certainty you cannot use the Rite of Exorcism from the Roman Ritual. Only a priest appointed by his bishop may use it. This wouldn’t do you any good anyway since demons don’t respond to disobedience, and attempting to do so could actually place you in harms way.

There are some steps you can take to self-deliverance (technically Christ is the deliverer, but these steps can help you find freedom):

Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance

Your first line of defense is being in a state of grace and frequently availing yourself of the Sacraments. It’d also be a very good idea for you to make an appointment with a priest (not try to grab him after Mass) to discuss these issues.
 
Sacramental confession is more powerful than exorcism. Any exorcist will tell you so.

Go to Confession every two weeks at least, daily Mass, daily prayer for the pope’s intentions, and seek plenary indulgences–1/2 hour reading of scripture or public recitation of the rosary with other people is good.

Use sacramentals like scapular, holy water, blessed salt.

Call on the name of Jesus frequently. Scares the debbil away.

St Michael the archangel prayer.
 
lovemybatman said:
This , I just prayed parts of it. I actually do feel a little better, but reading other threads I realized that this is actually forbidden and dangerous for a layperson (and someone who’s in mortal sin) to do. Now I’m really scared that I’ve done something bad and very dangerous. My head is reeling. It’s not really possible to exorcise yourself in the first place, right? I’m very freaked out right now.
Click to expand...
who ever gave you an exorcism prayer in response to a discussion about depression was probably well-meaning, but badly instructed on what exorcism is, and really quite out of line. Depression is a medical condition that responds to medical treatment, which should always be pursued. There can of course be contributing spiritual and psychological malaise that should be addressed, but in no way shape or form does it equate with demonic activity. To make such a suggestion to someone already combatting depression, is to me, a sometime victim myself, uncharitable and downright cruel in some cases.

Put it out of your mind, you did nothing wrong.
While you are also pursuing professional help for your condition, address your spiritual life in the conventional proven way–frequent reception of sacraments, prayer, fasting and acts of charity. God will bless you through this experience, that is the miracle, he always does.

btw lay people pray a prayer of minor exorcism all the time–every time they pray the Our Father and ask him to deliver us from evil.
 
One thing I give thanks to God for is that He knows my heart and my intent. He is not like the “trickster” in the folklore of many cultures; or like the “universal energy” whose “laws of attraction” say that I can have what I want but better be careful that I ask in just the right way!

If I turn my life and my will over to the care of my Dear Loving Father, I can be sure that -as Jesus says- He knows my needs even before I ask and is eager to give me bread if I ask for bread and not a snake.

My guess is that if you’ve prayed any prayer in sincere faith, Our Father will not allow that prayer to become some kind of weapon against you. Certain prayers and rites are reserved for the priesthood. You know that now. Be not afraid, but rejoice and be glad that the Church and her Priests pray constantly for all of our needs.

And because all of our prayers are always lacking, Jesus gives us the opportunity to participate in the summitt of Prayer. His prayer of sacrifice and praise : the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Recieve the Sacraments often, assist at the Holy Mass, and remember Jesus Himself approaches the Father on our behalf. Trust Him. Go to Him in Holy Eucharist, and BE NOT AFRAID!!🙂
If there is some reason you can not receive communion, you can still visit our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament, and go to Mass so that you can still be a part of “heaven and earth uniting”.

You describe yourself as a “fallen away” Catholic. I’ve been there. Come Home. The Church needs you. I keep you in my prayers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top