Negative Thoughts

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Churchman25

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Sometimes my brain starts filling up with negative thoughts about God and I Think the Devil is doing this. What prayers are there that can help put an end to this torture? The thing is though is that it sometimes happens when I pray, this is most disturbing. I try to fight them off but it seems like some times it just does not end.
 
(I will re-post a post I posted before about general aspects)

UNWANTED THOUGHTS

All sorts of thoughts can happen to us out of the blue…(not sought etc)

Be they impure, against God etc

The fact that a thought happened to one- does not mean per se there was any sin.

And for mortal sin one needs not only grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate (complete) consent…

Just cause a thought happened to you does not mean there was any sin. Let alone mortal sin.

Just calmly turn to something good…
Now…

For the next few moments --try real hard NOT to think of an Apple.

then scroll down.

What did you think of?

An apple.

Even though your will was against it (you did not want to think of an apple!)

Now back to unwanted thoughts…

The more you fear and try hard not to have them…the more they will likely come and bother you.

The best thing to do with such thoughts is not to fight them directly --not fear that they will come—simply do not consent and simply and calmly turn to something else…(or it may be best to keep doing the good thing one is doing…like they come out of the blue when your at work …keep working…keep praying …etc)

It is an age old trouble that can happen - as one can find in spiritual works down through the ages.

There is a story from the desert of the early Centuries of the Church where a younger hermit when to an older one with the problems of thoughts happening to him all the time…the older hermit told him to go outside open his cloak and catch the wind.

The younger hermit said such is not possible…

the older hermit replied --neither is it possible to stop all the thoughts that can come to you…(then basically he said his task was not to consent…if they should happen…hence I would add one would turn to something else that is good…).

Ignore such unwanted thoughts like one would ignore a hissing goose or a barking dog. One does not stop to argue with a hissing goose or a barking dog does one? No one keeps on walking…

(as noted above the image there comes from a Carthusian Monk from centuries ago…)

Ignore such unwanted thoughts and do not fear them…just calmly turn to something good.

I will note for some - they may struggle with OCD - in which case they ought to seek out medical assistance (site I heard on Cath. Answers and saved for those it would be helpful for catholictherapists.com/)
 
You could also use spiritual jujitsu. What you’re having happen could be absolutely nothing… it could also be something spiritual.

When you begin your day, pray to God to keep Him always on your mind and every time you get something that shouldin’t be in your mind pops in… you will deney it and will offer it out of love as a sacrifice for the conversion of poor sinners. that way, if it is something spiritual, the devil will be doing harm to himself everytime you’re tempted/bugged. also say an “Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven especially those in most need of thy mercy”. every time it happens.
 
Recite the St. Michael Prayer :
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
 
And in addition to reciting the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer, recite the Novena to St. Michael as well.
 
You need professional assistance. Please talk to your pastor. The totality of your posts revolve around scrupulous or compulsive thoughts. If not already under the care of a priest, please get under his care and also get help from a counselor as you **may **have anxiety or OCD issues. We certainly cannot diagnose here, but these things are often related.
 
1ke said:
You need professional assistance. Please talk to your pastor. The totality of your posts revolve around scrupulous or compulsive thoughts. If not already under the care of a priest, please get under his care and also get help from a counselor as you **may **have anxiety or OCD issues. We certainly cannot diagnose here, but these things are often related.
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In all charity, I second this recommendation.
 
Negative thoughts do appear because of the dependency on worldly concerns. Have a time for Monastic interests, it will greatly help.
 
1ke said:
You need professional assistance. Please talk to your pastor. The totality of your posts revolve around scrupulous or compulsive thoughts. If not already under the care of a priest, please get under his care and also get help from a counselor as you **may **have anxiety or OCD issues. We certainly cannot diagnose here, but these things are often related.
Click to expand...
1KE beat me to it. You have had several posts indicating issues which should be taken up with a counselor.

So that makes three, if that matters.
 
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