How do Novenas work?

[Nelka]

I may sound a bit cray but do you get what you ask for hen the Novena finishes? When it begins? Maybe slowly throughout the nine days?

I wonder if anyone has had their prayer answered due to a Novena and if they remember when it was granted?

Just wondered as there are some Novenas that are done over nine hours instead of nine days, more immediate I guess.

Thanks.

 

[pianistclare]

novenas are simply prayer. Concentrated, dedicated prayer.
Sometimes the answer to your prayer is no.
We pray for God’s will to be done.
There are many popular novenas:
St. Rita for Desperate Causes
St. Jude for Hopeless Cases
Infant of Prague 9 hour Emergency Novena
St. Theresa which is pasted all over the internet ( some people receive a rose as a sign)
and
my personal favorite, The Novena to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots.

Prayer is always effective. We just need to remember that Novenas are not some sort of spiritual vending machine.
Some people experience an answer to their prayer mid-way, others at the conclusion.
And as I said, sometimes if what you are asking for is not a good idea, or God has something better in mind, the answer may very well be “no, not now”.

 

[MW1T68]

Can novenas be started at any time or only on their prescribed time? For instance, could I start a divine mercy novena today or should I wait until the first Sunday after Easter?

 

[pianistclare]

Can novenas be started at any time or only on their prescribed time? For instance, could I start a divine mercy novena today or should I wait until the first Sunday after Easter?

While some carry special benefits with the associated feast day, you can pray them anytime.

 

[AttendeDomine]

Just wondered as there are some Novenas that are done over nine hours instead of nine days, more immediate I guess.

I’m sorry that this may not be as relevant as it could be …

… but Mother Teresa would pray a “novena” simply by praying nine, back-to-back Memorares. I think that’s a wonderful idea.

 

[Casilda]

I know of someone who prayed a novena for three years, before it was answered with a yes. It was for the conversion of a friend. Just dedicate yourself to daily prayer, God hears us. That should suffice.