Mary, prayer and lust

[BeggarForGrace]

I’ve been struggling with lust for a long time. I always hear that Our Lady is supposed to help us, and I’ve tried to foster a devotion to her, but sometimes I end up feeling lust when praying to her.

Needless to say, it’s very discouraging, mind boggling and even painful. I want to see her as my Mother, and I’ve never had feelings of an Oedipus Complex…so why does thinking of Mary do this to me? It’s almost demonic.

I was wondering if anyone else has ever had this problem? Did you overcome it? Do I need counseling? Regardless, I need your prayers. I’m stumped on how to proceed.

 

[Greenfields]

I have heard of this before,someone I know having the same problem.I will be interested to hear replies so that I might be able to help them.Praying the rosary is wonderful and not being able to have real devotion to Our Lady must be very stressful.Praying for you

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

I’ve been struggling with lust for a long time. I always hear that Our Lady is supposed to help us, and I’ve tried to foster a devotion to her, but sometimes I end up feeling lust when praying to her.

Needless to say, it’s very discouraging, mind boggling and even painful. I want to see her as my Mother, and I’ve never had feelings of an Oedipus Complex…so why does thinking of Mary do this to me? It’s almost demonic.

I was wondering if anyone else has ever had this problem? Did you overcome it? Do I need counseling? Regardless, I need your prayers. I’m stumped on how to proceed.

I think you ought to try spiritual direction.

Perhaps, it would be better for you to approach male saints for help in your prayer to take your mind off the female form.

It seems like a run-away wild imagination to me.

 

[michaelArc]

Oddly enough, I have at times when I struggled with pornography addiction in the past. I couldn’t finish my prayers as a result and I do attribute this to demonic influence.

If you have any sexual addictions, seek professional help, go to confession often and continue to pray. Find prayers of deliverance, ask for the intercession of Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Joseph.

 

[patricius79]

Hi BeggarForGrace,

I would encourage you to keep praying to Mary. The devil will do anything to keep people from developing true devotion to Mary. So that could be why you are being attacked more. I think you are going to struggle with lust sometimes, whatever you do. But Mary always will help you and never give up on you… it’s not a sin to feel sexual feelings. It’s only a sin to consent to lustful thoughts. If you do so, just appeal to Mary and Jesus for compassion. Please don’t panic if you feel sexual thoughts when you are praying to Mary. Just keep praying to her. Ask her for help all the more. I would encourage you to pray the Rosary, as well as to invoke her frequently. She is immaculate and will lead you to become like Christ.

P.S. Pray also to St. Joseph about your difficulty.

 

[dallas_r]

Lust is a demons favourite weapon (primarily for us males). I think you should try praying to Her while looking and focusing on a candle. The candle can resemble how Mary warms and lights the path to our Lord. Really meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, imagine being there wherever that mystery took place; imagine the smell of the air and everything around you. Be patient, if you think about lust then smack yourself. I do this and it works pretty well. Best wishes in your spiritual warfare.