I have lost my Faith

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Benignus

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Hi, my name is Nick and I am a United States Marine deployed in Iraq. I am 19 years old. I lost my Faith about a year ago, and I honestly don’t know what to do. We got mortared the other day, and it hit about 20 feet from the building I was working in at the time. If I died today I really dont know what would happen. I am miserable. I have no Bible or religious books out here, and that doesn’t really help.

PFC Callahan USMC
a lost soul
 
Oh,Nick, your faith is not lost. Just misplaced for awhile. Do you have a chaplain available to you? Are you Catholic? My prayers and thanks for serving your country are with you.
 
Benignus said:
Hi, my name is Nick and I am a United States Marine deployed in Iraq. I am 19 years old. I lost my Faith about a year ago, and I honestly don’t know what to do. We got mortared the other day, and it hit about 20 feet from the building I was working in at the time. If I died today I really dont know what would happen. I am miserable. I have no Bible or religious books out here, and that doesn’t really help.

PFC Callahan USMC
a lost soul
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HI Nick! God Bless you over there in Iraq and thank you for your service to our country!

Question: Do you have access to a priest there? My understanding is that you should have one there and that they offer Mass for you. I suggest you get a hold of the priest that is stationed where you are and talk to him. He may be able to help you with your concerns.

We have a regular poster here by the name of Mannyfit75 who just got re-deployed to Iraq. He’s a very devout Catholic who was in the same situation you were in and now he’s discerning the priesthood. You may want to do a search on him and PM to get some advise on what to do and discuss things with him, also.

You are being graced by the Holy Spirit and is nudging you to come back to the Faith. Our Lord loves you - so much so that he made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Today we celebrate His Resurrection because for us, it fulfills a promise God made to his people many years ago, and we now can partake not only in His sacrifice, but also in living with Him in eternal life.

I also suggest sticking around here and see what you can relearn about your faith.

If you need any more help, feel free to post or PM me if you’d like.

In Christ,
Tonks40
 
Maybe you have not lost your faith, just temporarily mislaid it. Try looking in the last place you remember having it.
 
Many of us have at some time “lost our faith”. For what ever reasons, we have walked away from Christ. But, Christ never stops loving us.

I have walked away from God on a couple occasions. I thought I didn’t need Him. After all, if He wouldn’t pay attention to me, why should I pay any attention to Him. I think, my life was going pretty easy then. Boy, were my ideas ever misplaced.

I couldn’t imagine any place on earth I would need Faith more than where you are now. But remember, Faith is not understanding; it is not knowledge. It is pure and simple Trust in God. That He is there with you. Nearer than your next breath.

I can speculate that you have this trust. What you may not have is the understanding or the knowledge. This is where a priest comes in. Seek them and talk to them. Your misery will diminish.

Thank you for your service and God Bless You.
 
You’ve had good advice,here.
Please know you are in my prayers .

Thank you for your service.

God Bless

Aimee
 
do you remember the Our Father ? Pray it now and I will put in a reeequest for you on the prayer list . I also pray for you. Ask the chaplain about the pub. Word Among us it has readings and prayers god Bless you and hope you make it back soon. Dessert
 
Benignus said:
Hi, my name is Nick and I am a United States Marine deployed in Iraq. I am 19 years old. I lost my Faith about a year ago, and I honestly don’t know what to do. We got mortared the other day, and it hit about 20 feet from the building I was working in at the time. If I died today I really dont know what would happen. I am miserable. I have no Bible or religious books out here, and that doesn’t really help.

PFC Callahan USMC
a lost soul
Click to expand...
I’ll tell you a story – I was with the 1st Bde, 5th Infantry Division in Viet Nam. That brigade was part of the 3rd Marine Division, replacing a reserve Marine regiment which rotated home. (The 3rd MarDiv is one of two Army-Marine divisions to serve in combat, the other being the 2nd Infantry Division in WWI.)

When we moved to 3rd Mar Div HQ at Dong Ha, I was on TOC night shift. I took a shower (a great luxury) before going on duty, and the NVA began shelling us – 130mm gun-howitzers. The first shells fell some distance off, and everyone scrambled for the shower room door. There was almost a panic in there.

And Something told me, “Wait. Let everyone else get out first.” And somehow something in me peacefully responded, “Yes. If I die today, it’s all right. I’m ready.”

Look outside yourself, as well as inside. God loves you, and will never stop loving you. You have only to seek Him, and He will be there.
 
Benignus said:
Hi, my name is Nick and I am a United States Marine deployed in Iraq. I am 19 years old. I lost my Faith about a year ago, and I honestly don’t know what to do. We got mortared the other day, and it hit about 20 feet from the building I was working in at the time. If I died today I really dont know what would happen. I am miserable. I have no Bible or religious books out here, and that doesn’t really help.

PFC Callahan USMC
a lost soul
Click to expand...
First let me say Thank you for Serving. I keep you and all our Service people in my prayers. I often go to blogs of Servicepeople over there and try to find out their woes and pray for them. I will keep you in my prayers tonight.

A few thoughts-
(1) Your situation is quite unique and also quite average. First you are only 19. I know its frustrating but God works in our entire lives. Don’t lose faith. On the flip side you are 19 and seeing things many of us will never see in a lifetime. Not many people here escaped death by 20 feet no matter what their age.

Therefore, I am not going to seat here in my comfy Home in North Louisiana as I eat leftovers, Drink a glass of Ice Tea, and relax and pretend I have any idea of what you going through entirely.

However I was 19 once and I can relate

(2) Pick up a Bible and start reading the Psalms. That is striking to me Those are people of faith that are struggling with their faith. They have lost it and are calling out to GOD. I love the Psalms because they are so honest. They are not sugarcoating their conversation to God wither

(3) You mention Spiritual Books etc. If you need them I think there can be a way to get them to you. I often think we Amercian Catholics are so NEGLIGENT in this. We should be collecting such things in our Parishes and sending them to to people serving in our Parishes. I really dont know why we are not doing this. Perhaps I should start it in my Diocese instead of waiting for it to happen. But if you need something I think I or others can get it to you

(4) Attend the Mass, find fellow Catholics there if you can. I know a Catholic Marine Bud of mine that is serving in the Green Zone. HE is doing this and it is agreat asset.

(5) Continue to pray and let God work in your life. You are a situation that is hard I know. But it is also a situation that can spark great insights and allow God to work in you

JH
Louisiana
 
I also recommend the Sacrement of Reconciliation (Confession). When people I instruct ask me “What should I confess?” I say, “Talk about what bothers you.”
 
Benignus said:
I have no Bible or religious books out here, and that doesn’t really help.

PFC Callahan USMC
a lost soul
Click to expand...
Nick:
You can read your daily Scripture online here:
usccb.org/nab/040607.shtml

Thank you for serving our country. My parish prays for all who serve our country in every Mass. I am praying for you now.

God bless!
 
Benignus said:
Hi, my name is Nick and I am a United States Marine deployed in Iraq. I am 19 years old. I lost my Faith about a year ago, and I honestly don’t know what to do. We got mortared the other day, and it hit about 20 feet from the building I was working in at the time. If I died today I really dont know what would happen. I am miserable. I have no Bible or religious books out here, and that doesn’t really help.

PFC Callahan USMC
a lost soul
Click to expand...
Pleae Nick PM me and give me your mailing address, I will send you a bible and a Catholic prayer book.
I pray that God send St. Michael the Ark Angel to surround you in His invincible sheild , and guard you from all that is evil. Amen.
 
Benignus said:
Hi, my name is Nick and I am a United States Marine deployed in Iraq. I am 19 years old. I lost my Faith about a year ago, and I honestly don’t know what to do. We got mortared the other day, and it hit about 20 feet from the building I was working in at the time. If I died today I really dont know what would happen. I am miserable. I have no Bible or religious books out here, and that doesn’t really help.

PFC Callahan USMC
a lost soul
Click to expand...
Nick, Semper Fi, hang in there buddy!

Faith is not something we necessarily feel, but something we respond to.

God is with you, have no doubt about it.

Jim
USMC 1970-72
 
maryj said:
Pleae Nick PM me and give me your mailing address, I will send you a bible and a Catholic prayer book.
I pray that God send St. Michael the Ark Angel to surround you in His invincible sheild , and guard you from all that is evil. Amen.
Click to expand...
Sorry Maryj, I am sure your intentions are honorable but under no circumstances should the OP give you or anyone else his mailing address. (It is against forum rules to even ask). I am confident you are not some internet predator but the fact is that they do exist and we have to be careful about giving out private information.

That being said, there has got to be a Catholic organization that the OP can contact online that will send him a Bible/ Prayer book. Maybe someone from the military can help in this area and let us know. I have a former military priest who comes to my parish every week. I will ask him next time I see him if there is an avenue for our friend here getting access to a Bible or some religious books.

In the meantime, since Nick has access to the web, we could post a few of our favorite inspirational websites? I see someone already posted a site for the Bible.

Nick, I would suggest you pray the Rosary when you have spare time (if that exists for you!) Our Lady can really stir up your faith in unimaginable ways. Here is another site with various prayers that may comfort you. Oh, and you said something about books. Did you know some of the greatest Catholic classics are online. Take a look here, here, and here.

And, may I add, your faith is not lost really. There is a reason you posted on this forum. Follow that call! Jesus is calling you back! Don’t be afraid to let Him welcome you back.

We are praying for you!
 
Hi Nick, very glad you posted. As everyone says, you haven’t lost your faith; however, the realities of war are certainly going to have an effect on you as well as everyone else. I was in during Nam and even though I didn’t see war I can just imagine how I would have been affected. You have received some excellent recommendations. May I suggest another? See your chaplain and find out if he can be your spiritual director during this time of service to our country. Then when you go to confession your mind will be clearer on your approach to seving God in your life even under such stressful situations. God Bless
 
Prayer_Warrior said:
Sorry Maryj, I am sure your intentions are honorable but under no circumstances should the OP give you or anyone else his mailing address. (It is against forum rules to even ask). I am confident you are not some internet predator but the fact is that they do exist and we have to be careful about giving out private information.

That being said, there has got to be a Catholic organization that the OP can contact online that will send him a Bible/ Prayer book. Maybe someone from the military can help in this area and let us know. I have a former military priest who comes to my parish every week. I will ask him next time I see him if there is an avenue for our friend here getting access to a Bible or some religious books.

In the meantime, since Nick has access to the web, we could post a few of our favorite inspirational websites? I see someone already posted a site for the Bible.

Nick, I would suggest you pray the Rosary when you have spare time (if that exists for you!) Our Lady can really stir up your faith in unimaginable ways. Here is another site with various prayers that may comfort you. Oh, and you said something about books. Did you know some of the greatest Catholic classics are online. Take a look here, here, and here.

And, may I add, your faith is not lost really. There is a reason you posted on this forum. Follow that call! Jesus is calling you back! Don’t be afraid to let Him welcome you back.

We are praying for you!
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Yup, a little quick to respond there wasn’t I. I know he has access to the internet, but it is not the same as holding a book in your hand, or being able to take a book with you in your pack. There has got to be a way to get a Bible to him.
 
Nick,
Go to the web site

adoptaplatoon.org/

they are a group of Moms of soldiers. They hook up people that want to help with soldiers that are deployed. Your platoon leader should also have information about them.

When you fill out the paperwork, tell them that you are Catholic and that you NEED a Catholic bible.

Or go to
catholicmil.org/html/supportus.php

They can also help you.

You have my prayers.
 
Yup, a little quick to respond there wasn’t I. I know he has access to the internet, but it is not the same as holding a book in your hand, or being able to take a book with you in your pack. There has got to be a way to get a Bible to him.
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SO true about having a book. Plus that interent access they have is not always like here.It goes out and I think at some place people have to pay for it and I don’t think its cheap. Plus if one doesnt have a computer the lines are long to get online.

I have been thinking about this lately and thinking of setting up a site or blog that could match Catholic Soliders and things they need such as sacramentals, books especially, CD’s etc. I have got to think there is one because if not I feel we are really letting them down by here on the homefront
 
Nick, I’ve felt that a time or two and I’m 56. We all go through periods of dryness - the way to get through it is not to give up. Keep praying. Remember, God does love you very much and you have a lot of people in this forum praying for you. Semper Fi, marine and God bless you for your service.
 
NICK! Will you be willing to get ahold of the book The Grunt Padre? Reading about the great sacrifices made by Servant of God and Marine Chaplain Father Vincent Capodanno may rekindle that which has been dampened by hardship. Faith is a gift from God, my brother, and it must be nourished. You are in my prayers. Semper Fi.
 
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