I'm not as "in to it"

[BrooklynBoy200]

Lately i haven’t been as “in to” my religion as i normally am. I used to read my Bible all the time, pray the Rosary and the Divine Chaplet every day, pray constantly, and beg my parents to take me to confession. Now i’m just not feeling it like i used to. I don’t even try to get to confession or mass anymore because i know i won’t be able to. I don’t feel like i’m actually talking to God or His saints anymore. I just feel like i’m talking to nothing.

I was wondering if anyone had the title of a book or something that could help me.
I read my Bible, but i usually feel like i’m flipping through my school’s Code of Behavior when i read it. It’s just a list of things i should do but can’t.

I read so much about the sacraments but i can’t participate in any of them. So i’m feeling a bit seperated.

If anyone has anything like books or something for under-age Catholics that would be great.

 

[Kevin42]

Well, this is a rather odd suggestion, but if you want some different Catholic media, I suggest try to listen to Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s EWTN program “Sunday Night Live”. (You can also download the podcast version.) I’m not sure why, but no matter what mood I am in, I can always listen to him speak. He’s a very charitable man, and is always comfortable to listen to.

Right now I’m reading one chapter per night out of “The Imitation of Christ”. I’m just going one chapter so that I can go slowly through the book, and really absorb it all. I have enjoyed and found it very helpful, so I am going to suggest that to you also.

You could be in the desert, or going through a dark night of the soul. I’m not sure, but if you are, thank God for it and just keep praying and loving Him. If you are in a dark night, you’re in for a wonderful blessing when you finally come out of it.

I’ll pray for you before I go to bed. Peace be with you!

 

[Unfinished]

Lately i haven’t been as “in to” my religion as i normally am. I used to read my Bible all the time, pray the Rosary and the Divine Chaplet every day, pray constantly, and beg my parents to take me to confession. Now i’m just not feeling it like i used to. I don’t even try to get to confession or mass anymore because i know i won’t be able to. I don’t feel like i’m actually talking to God or His saints anymore. I just feel like i’m talking to nothing.

I was wondering if anyone had the title of a book or something that could help me.
I read my Bible, but i usually feel like i’m flipping through my school’s Code of Behavior when i read it. It’s just a list of things i should do but can’t.

I read so much about the sacraments but i can’t participate in any of them. So i’m feeling a bit seperated.

If anyone has anything like books or something for under-age Catholics that would be great.

It really happens to everyone. Even the most devout Catholics have periods where they are “not into it.”

As the previous poster suggest, “The Imitation of Christ” is a great book. I just picked it up a few weeks ago and I love it.

The best I can do is try and discover something new - like when you converted or reverted or whatever. Learn about a new saint, attend a Tridentine Mass, or ponder the mystery of hypostatic union. My point is, you can never run out of things to learn about the Catholic faith. Try some new things until you find one that sparks your interest like when you first discovered the treasury of faith.

(And you said you were underage. Perhaps there is something like the Legion of Mary who can come get you to take you to Mass or Adoration or something?)

 

[puzzleannie]

Prayer and spiritual progress is not about how you feel it is about what you do, and that you are faithful. At times like these what you don’t need is to read another book or join another program, what you need is to be faithful in daily prayer, Mass and the sacraments, penance, and reading your bible. True you may come across a book, retreat or program that helps you or even one that brings back the zing, but that effect, too, will be temporary, and you will go back to reliance on faithfulness to daily duties performed mindfully and well, and faithfulness to prayer and the sacraments, and penance.

the best jumpstart for roadblocks in the spiritual life, along with fidelity, is to help someone else, find a ministry or apostolate, or simply someone who needs your help now. go cut the grass or shovel snow for your elderly neighbor, without them knowing who did it.

 

[FightingFat]

Prayer and spiritual progress is not about how you feel it is about what you do, and that you are faithful. At times like these what you don’t need is to read another book or join another program, what you need is to be faithful in daily prayer, Mass and the sacraments, penance, and reading your bible. True you may come across a book, retreat or program that helps you or even one that brings back the zing, but that effect, too, will be temporary, and you will go back to reliance on faithfulness to daily duties performed mindfully and well, and faithfulness to prayer and the sacraments, and penance.

the best jumpstart for roadblocks in the spiritual life, along with fidelity, is to help someone else, find a ministry or apostolate, or simply someone who needs your help now. go cut the grass or shovel snow for your elderly neighbor, without them knowing who did it.

Exactly what I was going to say!!! Prayer is the most important part of building a relationship with God, but living a Christian life is about LIVING!! Get out there are show people what it means to be a Christian, get involved with Parish Youth Groups, The SVP or the Legion of Mary, visit the sick of the Parish, train to be a minister of the Eucharist and take the Blessed Sacrament to those who can’t get to mass, DO SOME STUFF FOR GOD!!



Good luck!

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

It is the times when “We are not in to it” that we need to continue our prayer lifes faithfully. By continuing to pray in these tough times we demonstrate our love for and faith in God.

Ask youself as you pray, how would God respond. Think about it.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Lately i haven’t been as “in to” my religion as i normally am. I used to read my Bible all the time, pray the Rosary and the Divine Chaplet every day, pray constantly, and beg my parents to take me to confession. Now i’m just not feeling it like i used to. I don’t even try to get to confession or mass anymore because i know i won’t be able to. I don’t feel like i’m actually talking to God or His saints anymore. I just feel like i’m talking to nothing.

I was wondering if anyone had the title of a book or something that could help me.
I read my Bible, but i usually feel like i’m flipping through my school’s Code of Behavior when i read it. It’s just a list of things i should do but can’t.

I read so much about the sacraments but i can’t participate in any of them. So i’m feeling a bit seperated.

If anyone has anything like books or something for under-age Catholics that would be great.

What you’re going through is often called the “Dark Night of the Soul.” The consolations that you once received from God have dried up, and you feel like you you have to force yourself to pray and that God isn’t listening. Well, was your faith based on what you got from God, or on pure love for Him? This is something you will have to search out in yourself. Self-knowledge is mandatory for spiritual growth.

God wants your love, not because of what he gives you, but rather because he is God.

St. John of the Cross expresses it perfectly in his Spiritual Canticle. You can read it on-line here; karmel.at/ics/john/cn.html

The bottom line is, pray, because you love God and He deserves your love.

Don’t stop praying, it’s the only way to move closser to God.

Jim

 

[InLight247]

All the (name removed by moderator)ut on this thread are good. I just want to make one suggestion - find a good group to join, youth group, Bible study group, CLC, even church choirs(singing is double prayer).

We all need to be encouraged and to have interaction with our fellow brothers and sisters. Prayers and readings are good, but
having good fellowship with a group helps a lot. Spirituality is not limited to personal prayers or readings only. Spirituality should include prayers, devotions, sacraments, Bible readings, spiritual readings, personal virtues, social justice, regular fellowships and discussions.

I don’t know your age and situation. But in my opinion,CLC (Christian Life Community) is the best group for college students. This is a worldwide Catholic organization. My participation in CLC made a positive life time impact on my faith journey. You probably are not in college yet, but keep CLC in mind for future.

There must be some youth group in your parish you can check it out. And talk to your parents about your need, so the problem of transportation may be arranged.

God bless!