How to Enjoy Praying?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ProfBJS
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
P

ProfBJS

Guest
Hello All:

I’ve been praying almost every day for over a year and yet for the majority of the time I’m just going through the motions looking to get it over with. That is not to say that once or twice a month I don’t feel emotionally invested in prayer, just that the majority of time I find not satisfaction in it. My mind wanders to this and that. I can not pay attention during prayer most of the time either.

For background information I am not Catholic. I’ve been trying to discern whether to join the Catholic Church or the Eastern Orthodox Church. I have come to the conclusion of the Catholic Church.

I’ve started reading the Catechism and have been reading the Bible long enough to of gone through the New Testament twice except Revelation (Revelation intimidates me) and perhaps a third of the Old Testament.

I realize that enjoying praying is not the point, but after more than a year of mostly dryness in prayer I begin to lose will power to keep praying. I hear most people go through this so many must have found something that works.

Any advice?
 
ProfBJS said:
Hello All:

I’ve been praying almost every day for over a year and yet for the majority of the time I’m just going through the motions looking to get it over with. That is not to say that once or twice a month I don’t feel emotionally invested in prayer, just that the majority of time I find not satisfaction in it. My mind wanders to this and that. I can not pay attention during prayer most of the time either.

For background information I am not Catholic. I’ve been trying to discern whether to join the Catholic Church or the Eastern Orthodox Church. I have come to the conclusion of the Catholic Church.

I’ve started reading the Catechism and have been reading the Bible long enough to of gone through the New Testament twice except Revelation (Revelation intimidates me) and perhaps a third of the Old Testament.

I realize that enjoying praying is not the point, but after more than a year of mostly dryness in prayer I begin to lose will power to keep praying. I hear most people go through this so many must have found something that works.

Any advice?
Click to expand...
Let go & let God.
 
Praying isn’t meant to be entertainment, but a spiritual progression, not a feel good kind of experience 'though there are times that the “feel good” emotional lifting of the heart and soul are present. Payer can be very hard at times; ask any Priest, Sister or spiritual person. Prayer is a personal journey and the road is often bumpy. Don’t give up on prayer. It is sometimes like trying to drive from here to there without a map. Don’t give up.
 
This dryness of prayer is common and can last years. Many Saints of mentioned this in their biographies and speak of the total lack of any consolation, not just in prayer, but in life in general.

Don’t stop trying to pray due to this. And, you might benefit by not worrying about your mind drifting so much. I start with a well known prayer like the Lords Prayer and then sit silently for a while. Many times this silent prayer can last for half an hour. This is when you can simply listen. After that read a passage or two of scripture and then go about your day. You will gain knowledge in this type of prayer and the discipline to be still in the presence of God.

I will pray for you, that God grant you the grace to continue in your prayers despite any dryness you experience, and that you will benefit from listening to Him.
 
You didn’t say that you attend Mass on Sunday. What I have learned from other threads: Read the Readings and Gospel for next Sunday. Keep a prayer journal. Go to a Bible Study or RCIA at church. When distracted from prayer, refocus and start over. Give thanks to God first. May God bless you and help you in your faith journey.
 
ProfBJS said:
Hello All:

I’ve been praying almost every day for over a year and yet for the majority of the time I’m just going through the motions looking to get it over with. That is not to say that once or twice a month I don’t feel emotionally invested in prayer, just that the majority of time I find not satisfaction in it. My mind wanders to this and that. I can not pay attention during prayer most of the time either.

For background information I am not Catholic. I’ve been trying to discern whether to join the Catholic Church or the Eastern Orthodox Church. I have come to the conclusion of the Catholic Church.

I’ve started reading the Catechism and have been reading the Bible long enough to of gone through the New Testament twice except Revelation (Revelation intimidates me) and perhaps a third of the Old Testament.

I realize that enjoying praying is not the point, but after more than a year of mostly dryness in prayer I begin to lose will power to keep praying. I hear most people go through this so many must have found something that works.

Any advice?
Click to expand...
brizek.com/prayer/pieta.htm
 
Pray different prayers.

Do you like burgers or pizza?

Imagine eating pizza every single day, you may fancy something different.

There are many chaplets and novenas out there, if you pray one after the other you will enjoy it plus the prayers vary.
 
You might check out contemplative prayer, which the CCC says pray life “should” include. If you’ve never heard of it, then you’re reinforcing one of my peeves – that Catholics aren’t being told of this valuable resource that the CCC says we “should” be involved in. (CCC 2708+)

The best book I’ve seen on how to go about prayer that’s easy to read (and there is both a Kindle and audible version narrated by author), is by a Jesuit, and was being used for first semester seminarians. It covers all kinds of prayer from recited to contemplative, and talks about how to deal with your mind wandering, etc.

Armchair Mystic: Easing Into Contemplative Prayer, by Mark E. Thibodeaux S.J.

MS
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top