How to guide to discerning?

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Is there such a thing for catholics?
I have many questions about discerning, here are a few if anyone can help.
  1. When do you use prayer to discern?
  2. In what form can one expect an answer?
  3. Did I make a mistake in not discerning what degree God wanted me to achieve in college?
  4. How long must i spend in front of the Eucharist for what period length?
  5. If I have no answer or compelling draw to any action after “discerning/praying” for 6 months of silent prayer approx. 30mins per day, in which 2 or 3 days silent prayer is done in front of the Eucharist should I go with a “gut feeling”?
Thank you.
 
CKA said:
Is there such a thing for catholics?
I have many questions about discerning, here are a few if anyone can help.
  1. When do you use prayer to discern?
  2. In what form can one expect an answer?
  3. Did I make a mistake in not discerning what degree God wanted me to achieve in college?
  4. How long must i spend in front of the Eucharist for what period length?
  5. If I have no answer or compelling draw to any action after “discerning/praying” for 6 months of silent prayer approx. 30mins per day, in which 2 or 3 days silent prayer is done in front of the Eucharist should I go with a “gut feeling”?
Thank you.
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You will get much more thorough answers than mine, but here’s a start to get the ball rolling.

Discernment is a process. There is more to it than prayer, and more to it than “gut feelings.” There is no “how to”, so your questions can’t be answered in those terms.

I would suggest the book “What Does God Want? A Practical Guide to Making Decisions”, by Father Michael Scanlon. I would also suggest a spiritual advisor.

There is no way to know if you made a mistake discerning a degree, but most likely God didn’t have just one path for you. And we’ll never know who you might have touched while you were on that path.

The important thing is to grow in holiness.
 
Thank you for your response. I am actually going to see a priest tomorrow. I guess I couldn’t wait to hear some answers now.

God bless
 
CKA said:
Thank you for your response. I am actually going to see a priest tomorrow. I guess I couldn’t wait to hear some answers now.

God bless
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Good move on your part. That is the kind of instinct to trust!
 
CKA said:
Is there such a thing for catholics?
I have many questions about discerning, here are a few if anyone can help.
  1. When do you use prayer to discern?
    2…
Click to expand...
the best guide I have ever seen on discernment is within the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, and he specifically answers your first 2 questions.

you don’t say what it is you are discerning, a vocation, or what color shirt to wear, so cannot answer the other questions.
 
Yes, discerning a vocation would probably be a good place to start.
 
Maybe I´m different, but the Holy Spirit throws a rock at me when I discern the wrong way. I have no problem in which way to go. My problem is getting up and going. I never look back. No progress there. Just keep going. Slow down maybe , never stop. God bless:thumbsup:👍👍
 
When I was going through the discernment process for the Diaconate, the priest in charge of the classes recommended the book, “Weeds Among the Wheat,” by Thomas Green.

It was a very good book that helped me through the process.

Essentially, we open ourselves up to God’s will first through prayer. As we begin our journey forward, if it is God’s will, doors will open and even those that seem closed, you will pass right through them. If it is not God’s will, the door and obstacles will be such that you’ll choose a different course.

As some one mentioned earlier, it is a process and without prayer, your heart will merely become anxious and confused.

Jim
 
Thank you. I think without a spiritual director it would be hard to determine the differences between obstacles which are suppose to build us up and help us with perseverance or obstacles which tell us its not God’s will.

🤷
 
Another good book to look to is Fr Mitch Pacwa’s “How to Listen When God Is Speaking: A Guide for Modern-Day Catholics”

He is a Jesuit priest so he draws heavily on St Ignatius of Loyola.
 
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