How to recover lost faith?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Argg193
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Argg193

Guest
I grew up with a Catholic family and was a believer for most of my childhood, however I started losing my faith with the years. I reached a point were I considered myself an atheist and kept those beliefs for many years. However, during all those years that I refused to believe in God I always felt empty. Recently, I decided to go back to my catholic faith after realizing that there is a lot of stuff in this world that cannot be explained using pure materialism. While I no longer consider myself an atheist, I’m still struggling to keep my faith, so I was wondering what should I do in order to fully recover it? Also, are there any books or articles I should read that could help?

(Sorry if my English isn’t good, Im not a native speaker)
 
Last edited:
If it is theological doubts that keep you from the faith, then I’d suggest the Summa Theologica by St Thomas Aquinas. The City of God by St Augustine is also very good.
 
I am kind of in the same situation. However, I was brought up without religion. I then went on to become Orthodox and then Catholic. I have since thought my way in and out of faith repeatedly. Materialism is not emotionally or spiritually fulfilling and isn’t very satisfying philosophically, either. For the time being, I am going to set up a prayer corner, and try daily to: read the daily readings of the Church, listen to spiritual music, pray traditional prayers and say The Jesus Prayer and recite the Rosary. I am hoping my faith builds up enough by doing these that I can/will attend Mass again. Hope this is in some way helpful.
 
I grew up Catholic and also lost my faith. I delved into dozens of religions and philosophies, ancient and modern, before ending up a materialist and athiest. By this point life felt empty and useless. I started reading Kierkegaard and his notion of faith as a blind leap. This was the impetus I needed to rescue me from my rational rejection of faith. Then I immersed myself in the Catholicism I grew up with. Started watching EWTN, especially Mother Angelica, started reading the Bible, going to Mass. Then I received Confession and the priest said I was lost for all those years and now I am back home. At that point my Catholic faith was completely restored. You asked how to maintain and strengthen your faith. For this I go to mass and confession frequently, pray, read the Bible and other religious material, read this website.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your replies. I have been praying and going to church as well hoping to get my faith back little by little, however I still have doubts. Some of my doubts started to dissappear when I read more about the hard problem of consciousness and the ontological argument which really made me open my mind and doubt materialism. I will try and read what all you recomend, but I was wondering if there are any other topics I should read about that could push me more towards religion?
halogirl said:
Your English is excellent ! What is your first language ?
Click to expand...
My first language is spanish.
 
Pray the Rosary as often as possible while meditation on the mysteries.
I was faithless for a while too, but after I started praying the Rosary every day, I haven’t been more sure of anything in my life.
Good luck and God bless.
 
The book The Case for Christ is by Lee Strobel, a journalist who went to various experts to prove that Christianity is wrong but ended up becoming a believer. It is pretty easy to read so I think you would not have a problem. I agree with a poster above–your English is excellent.
 
As I think of it, you might want to read the Jesus of Nazareth series by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He counters the arguments of those using the critical historical method who want to eliminate the supernatural and reduce Christ to “wise teacher but not God.” Benedict uses his vast knowledge of theology to point out the mistakes of other theologians. This series is probably available in many languages.
 
Last edited:
St Augustine of Hippo, who died in the year 430, wrote this in his famous book Confession:

“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”

Learn a bit about St Augustine. He is one of the Fathers of the Church.
 
The suggested reading sounds helpful.

I also recommend prayer, and when you pray understand that your prayer is heard, pray as though you are being listened to. I’d advocate being sincere, honest and respectful when you do.

The rosary helps a great deal too. Even if you say just one decade well at first and then increase the number of decades over time. Our Lady is a wonderful benefactor.

Peace be with you. God bless.
 
Fall in love with God. Read Saint John of the Cross, in Spanish, “Ascent of Mount Carmel.”

Listen to Loreena McKenna’s song
based on poem by Saint John of the Cross “Dark Night of the Soul.” It is a love poem of a soul encountering God.
 
Last edited:
There is so much to say in response to your questions. I think you should look at how you spend time during each day. You can start out slowly to build some pattern in your life.

The Eastern Rites encourage people to say the “sinner’s prayer” throughout the day “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.”

It is a short prayer that you can say over and over to help you focus on what is important.

Maybe it would help if you searched for scripture verses that are more meaningful for you.

“Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord Alone. You shall love the Lord with all your hear, with all your soul, and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Such verses are excellent for prayer and meditation.

From the Mass, in the preface to the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest usually says “Lord, it is right that we should always and everywhere give you thanks and praise.”

Surrender you heart, mind, and will to God.
 
I have gone through a process of losing my faith too. At least that’s what I thought it was. Actually I have come to understand it not do much as losing faith as shedding a skin that had become too small for me. I honestly believe that if a person’s heart is honestly seeking then God will show them the way, often not in the way the expected but in the way that they needed. Maybe think on this, if we are made in God’s image, and God sent God’s Son to die on the cross because of God’s love for God’s creation, how much does God love you?

I’ve been married nearly 15 years now, the marriage has been up and down and has often been hard but I’ve begun to learn what Love really is. Perhaps that is how our relationship with God is?
 
Argg193 said:
I grew up with a Catholic family and was a believer for most of my childhood, however I started losing my faith with the years. I reached a point were I considered myself an atheist and kept those beliefs for many years. However, during all those years that I refused to believe in God I always felt empty. Recently, I decided to go back to my catholic faith after realizing that there is a lot of stuff in this world that cannot be explained using pure materialism. While I no longer consider myself an atheist, I’m still struggling to keep my faith, so I was wondering what should I do in order to fully recover it? Also, are there any books or articles I should read that could help?

(Sorry if my English isn’t good, Im not a native speaker)
Click to expand...
Faith is a gift of the holy spirit. So first is to accept what the Church teaches and then prepare in all ways necessary for reception of the sacraments, which brings grace and will strengthen you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top