Is my Prayer life too intense?

[Bill6]

Hello all! Each day, my prayer life consists of the following
Morning prayer
A Novena (sometimes two)
Five Decades of the Rosary
Doloran Rosary
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
St. Michael’s Chaplet
Evening Prayer
I feel like I am taking on too much and it is somewhat overwhelming to say all of thess prayers each day. I usually have time to pray these prayers, but I feel like I have to rush to do everything. A few days a week I work six hours or more and it is especislly difficult to finish. I am considering removing the Doloran Rosary from my prayer life. What do you think?
Thank you for your help.
God Bless

 

[Jeanne_S]

One’s prayer life is a personal issue.Unless you are feeling overwhelmed by you routine then no one can tell you to dial it back.
I prefer to say all my devotions first thing in the mornings and it takes me 1 hour 20 minutes everyday. I know that there is a better likehood I will persevere doing this way as opposed to stretching out my prayers throughout the day

 

[Tis_Bearself]

If you feel you are overwhelmed and having to rush through prayers, then yes, it’s a sign that you should probably cut it back a little bit.

A couple years ago, I was doing Morning prayer, St. Bridget’s 1-year and 12 year prayer, daily Rosary, daily Divine Mercy, daily Perpetual Novena, and sometimes additional prayers that my prayer group was saying. I also had a daily physical penance for 90 days as part of Nineveh 90.
I had to make a check sheet to keep up with everything I was trying to do, and I was always behind on some prayer or other.

I decided eventually to stop some of the prayers and also, during certain times (like in November when I have a particular devotion that requires numerous Rosaries) I will temporarily just focus on one prayer (like the Rosary) even if that means missing others.

Next year I will be doing the St. Bridget 1-year again and hope to finish the whole year because i will make that prayer a daily priority and concentrate on it till it is done…then at the end of the year stop and do another prayer.

It’s better to have fewer of the prayers and focus on the ones you do say. And you can always periodically change your prayers, like for a month do one chaplet and then for another month do a different chaplet.

 

[Feanor2]

I recommend you speak with your priest.

 

[aroosi]

I would say quality over quantity. Pick fewer devotions and pray them well.

 

[QwertyGirl]

I think if you were able to have a verbal conversation with God, he would tell you he wants you to live a balanced life. At least that he wants you to try your best to live a balanced life.*

It doesnn’t sound very balanced, from what you described, at this time. I would try to work on that.

• Of course this just reflects my ideas and imagination. I am not saying it is true.

 

[fhansen]

Anything can be done to excess. Jesus wants us to rest, also, and not be anxious. His yoke is easy, His burden light. I also think we need to contemplate and keep this verse in mind:
"But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matt 9:13

And consider that pride, and its counterpart, fear, can actually be lurking behind any of our pursuits when we try too hard, being perfectionistic.

 

[DeniseNY]

Same. And I say this as someone who has the same conversation with my pastor.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

I think it’s too intense for you.
At least the way it is right now given the realities of your life.

God won’t “get mad” if you scale back.

 

[Bluebright]

What I find useful is to note (either written down or simply in your head) the order of importance these prayers to you… then leave out on your more busy days the one’s at the bottom of the list ie the less important. How you rank them in importance is up to you, but usually it would be anything that you’ve vowed to do (unlikely if you are a lay person, but not impossible), then you are required to do (such as mass ie your Sunday obligation) and then those which you have promised to do like a novena which lasts only a particular time and then ones you should do like the rosary then ones of importance to you or ones you like etc. Other then that I’d say make time for mental prayer ie is time to just talk to God without someone else’s words even if it means giving up some of the prayers that are someone else’s words (vocal prayer), but that is just good practice based on the writings of many saints. God bless you.