Having problems praying

[fred_conty]

It’s driving me crazy. If I didn’t think I was crazy, I might actually be crazy.

((Isn’t it that crazy people don’t actually know they are crazy, or something like that?))

The one thing that I’ve always been is a good prayer-er. Even when I didn’t go to church, I had my faith and prayed. Now I’m in RCIA, doing great, singing in the choir…and it’s like, I’ve hit this WALL.

I sit down, and start to pray, and get maybe two words into it and my mind is flooded with…conversations…maybe that I’ve had during that day…or…just randomness, a conversation from a show on TV. I try to focus my mind and its just impossible. And then, sometimes I feel like, even if I could do it, I’m drawing blanks. Like I’ve prayed so much I’m starting to feel like I’m just saying the same thing over and over again and maybe God’s getting tired of hearing it? Or he’s not there listening? I don’t know its a total lack of connection it’s hard to explain.

Is that normal? I know people go through dry spells of faith or what not…and I’m definitely not having one of those, but maybe a dry spell of prayer? How do you get through this? I know buddhist who mediate try to control their thoughts, but my Pastor says that we don’t mediate in that way - and I cant control this frekn noise anyways.

St. Catherine of Siena says that the spiritual person may cheat themselves with
their own self will. When someone says I wish to have that consolation, and
not those battles, or these temptations of the devil, they are saying that they
will possess God more, and serve Him better in that way than in this way.
In other words, the person is making the decisions for advancement in the
spiritual life rather than leaving that up to God’s choice. She calls this
the stench of pride. We are in effect saying that we know the kinds of
temptations and problems that are best for us, instead of leaving that to God.
Or parapharsing this, we shouldn’t be designing our own cross but leave that
up to God, and accept the cross with love he is handing us.

Just a thought from above.

 

[emisher]

Hey Charlotte 408,

Congratulations on your soon entering into the Church!

First of all, don’t panic about this. I’ve stuggled with this too. What you are going through is very, very common. It happens to all of us. It happened to the saints. You are soon going to be partaking of the Holy Eucharist. I would venture to say that the devil is not too happy about that.
We have to always remember that we are in a spiritual battle here on earth. Everyday brings something new, our moods go up and down, our minds get flooded and busy and stressed. It’s part of being human, especially when there are big changes on the way. We don’t have to chalk every bad mood or mental distrubance up to the devil’s involvment, but it helps to always be aware of this facet of life on earth. So don’t take the bait whether it’s from your own mind or from the devil. Just stay calm, and stay resolved to pray, even if it feels dry, very dry.

As for your disractions, the saints know how to bring even the distractions into their prayer life. I read a long time ago, how St. Therese would often have this happen. She had a hard time concentrating in prayer and so if someone came into her mind while trying to pray, she would just begin praying for that person or persons. If you start thinking about a TV show you saw earlier, no problem, just start praying for the actor’s on the show. You see, you just go with it. Don’t try to fight the distractions, just stay calm and at peace. Whatever comes into your mind try to turn it to prayer. Even if a sinful thought comes into your mind, just say" O Lord, yes, I’m so easily distracted, I’m sorry for my sins, Help me to stay strong, focused on loving you. Help me to hate sin, Help all of those in grave sin to find you, etc. etc. "

Just go with it. Just give God your busy mind. I"ve read another saint but I don’t remember who it was. It went something like, “If you can’t pray just offer God your inability to pray” It’s like the other poster said–prayer is like love, it’s intention. It’s an act of the will. That’s what God wants. And also that when we pray when it’s hard, that is especially pleasing to God and more powerful. That’s what God is after with us, pushing past our natural feelings into uncharted territory where we are motivated more by love, which always means pushing past what “feels” good or useful to us.

I find that when my mind is very busy, I’ll start off with the Big Three—the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory Be, and then maybe a few more fixed prayers. Then I’ll make some intercessions and a few short thanks and praises for giving us the promise of eternal Life. And then I’ll stop. I’ve read in many places, that when we’re struggling with whatever suffering, mental or physical, it’s good to keep prayers very short. Short little prayers all throughout the day, rather than longer sessions that we can do when we’re not feeling stressed. So experiement to see what works.

Hang in there. God is using you in a big way. And remember God uses whatever we can give Him.

God Bless

 

[hazcompat]

The mind, like a tree full of chattering monkeys, is the storm before the calm. The King of Glory Comes. Prepare the Way of the Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Jesus, I trust in You.

My Jesus, Mercy.

Peace

 

[Charlotte408]

This is a weird question but it’s really bothering me…

Can you fail RCIA? Is there a test at the end?? or…if you miss ‘x’ many classes you can’t pass?

 

[Blenderx]

You should ask your priest or RCIA leaders. I imagine something can be worked out if there is a problem or difficulty, the important thing is not to give up.

 

[puzzleannie]

This is a weird question but it’s really bothering me…

Can you fail RCIA? Is there a test at the end?? or…if you miss ‘x’ many classes you can’t pass?

there is no such thing as failing RCIA, but plenty of people find they are not ready to move to the next stage in the process at some pre-set time. that is why the RCIA has built-in times and ways to discern the conversion process, and to assist the candidate in discerning if he is ready to move to the next phase. There is a minimum time for the catechumenate, usually at least one year, but no maximum. Some people take years to work through issues and come to the point where they are ready for the sacraments. Yes if someone has missed a lot of meeting time we might very well invite them, usually in an interview with the priest, to ask themselves if they would rather have more time to prepare.