What are Catholic prayers, novenas, devotions, etc. to practice during this time of heartbreak?
Also, please pray for me that I learn to temper my anger, to not compromise my beliefs or wants in relationships, and to master my thoughts & emotions instead of being enslaved by them (especially negative ones). Also, to conquer my irrational side so as not to be irrational. How can I possibly change all of this about myself?
God bless & keep you!
Well, first, welcome to the club. Youāll fit in here, just fine. We are all working on these things.
Second, letās play pretend. OK, I just stole your identity and such so now you have a whole another thing to worry about. Well, letās stop pretending (thatās all it was, to prove a point).
You have to take control and change your outlook and start focusing on something besides yourself. On the anxiety scale of 0 to 100, we tend to ring the bell at 100 for everything, but really itās not all 100. Missing that parking spot is a 2. Forgetting your lunch is 3. Losing your job is maybe 50, a heart attack 65. Death is 100.
Take those things that are 20ās and make them 8ās. etc. Make a habit of prayer. You may start out with lots of distractions, but keep up the prayer, with concentration, until you are totally absorbed in prayer, after a month or two.
The simplest prayer is to say Thank you God. Jewish rabbis says that we owe worship to God constantly, and the words āBaruch ha-Shemā [bless His Name] should be on our every breath. God tests us with our misfortunes, to remind us that praying to Him is more important. Donāt have any idols; pray to God alone, worship him alone. Cut down your use of technology, which can be such a distraction (whatās it worth, really?).
I have lots of anger. Iām 64 and Iām angry about how people treated me when I was a kid ā mostly ignoring me. But, I have to thank God that isolation brought me closer to Him, at an early age. Read Psalm 90. āyou have been our dwelling place in all generationsā Make sure your dwelling place is with the LORD.