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johnnyt3000
Guest
Have you ever been through a period of time when God didn’t want you to pray a certain devotion? How long did it last? Did He give you an alternative?
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pianistclare
Guest
If you’re doing a particular devotion out of love and sincerity, there should not be a problem.
If it becomes forced, or you believe you’re “get” something in return it’s the wrong motivation. All devotions brings us closer to God but as a vehicle for expressing love, praise, thanksgiving. The right intent makes everything effective, real. productive. But. you already know all this.
Perhaps you’re the one who is finding a particular devotion is not a spiritual fit for you.
So take a break from it. Or switch to something else. Always good to do LOTH, meditating on Scripture, etc. Don’t worry about it. Prayer is a very personal thing. Thank goodness the Church offers us many choices.
If it becomes forced, or you believe you’re “get” something in return it’s the wrong motivation. All devotions brings us closer to God but as a vehicle for expressing love, praise, thanksgiving. The right intent makes everything effective, real. productive. But. you already know all this.
Perhaps you’re the one who is finding a particular devotion is not a spiritual fit for you.
So take a break from it. Or switch to something else. Always good to do LOTH, meditating on Scripture, etc. Don’t worry about it. Prayer is a very personal thing. Thank goodness the Church offers us many choices.
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oldgraymare2
Guest
No. I went through a period of what we would call “spiritual dryness” once though, that lasted for awhile. It was like I felt nothing inside. I just kept persevering in prayer and going to Mass and Adoration, and it passed. If I recall correctly, it probably lasted for a couple of months before it had passed.
I personally think that you should pray whatever devotions you like to pray.
If you like praying the Rosary, you should pray that. If you like praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for example, you should then pray that. Whatever brings you closer to God, in my opinion, you should do that.
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Catholic4Christ
Guest
I don’t know about if “God told me to,” but for a long time I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily. I like the story of St Faustina and the theology/piety behind the devotion. But eventually I realized that the chaplet was hard for me to benefit from in my spirituality. I try to pray it during the Divine Mercy novena starting Good Friday, but otherwise I leave that one alone. I often meditate on God’s Mercy in my other devotions (devotion to the Sacred Heart, the Rosary, Adoration, etc.), so I think the “soul” of that devotion is still a part of my spirituality.
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Deditus_Domina
Guest
Yes…
God very clearly forbade me from something once for a period of about 2 months - Feast of the Sacred Heart until the Assumption.
Previous to this time I had found it impossible to meditate or do Lectio for several years. I immediately found that the scriptures touched me in a new and profound way and I was able to resume Lectio. I am now able to partake fully of both devotions.
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Pythagoras
Guest
just a question, how do we know that it is really God and not the devil who is telling you to stop praying this devotion?
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Deditus_Domina
Guest
We should all work towards developing discernment to help us to understand how God is speaking or acting in our lives. The most important things in my mind are to refrain from being attached to either the devotion or the idea that God is talking to you. The big question is always “what fruit is this bringing”.
Your question reminded me of a time I persisted in a penitential practice with difficulty. I kept thinking that it was the devil who wanted me to fail. While I was in adoration something prompted me to give it up and so I did. Immediately my energy, my mood, my patience and my relationships with others improved and I became less self-centered. Giving up a totally good penitential practice has born a lot of fruit for me, my family and the church.
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