Novena

[hjpcatholic49]

I have been thinking, and I want to know, why pray novenas? If we are praying a novena for something that God doesn’t have planned for us, I don’t think We will be able to just change his mind.

One other question is this: Is it proper to pray a novena for something that you don’t need? For example, a raise at work when you are perfectly financial secure, or a girlfriend? Thank you for your answers.

 

[Yab_Yum]

IMHO we pray not to “get things” but to change our view and to understand God.

 

[hjpcatholic49]

That may be true about praying written prayers like a hail mary or an our father, but what about when you say a novena to be cured of an illness. The main purpose of the novena is to be cured, not to understand God. See what I’m saying?

 

[DavidFilmer]

IIf we are praying a novena for something that God doesn’t have planned for us, I don’t think We will be able to just change his mind.

God doesn’t have a personal, individual “plan” for each of us (that’s a protestant notion - the Church has never taught this).

A novena is just a type of prayer (though it may carry a full indulgence). We may be praying for a particular personal intention (such as healing). The intention (of any prayer) should not be selfish or frivolous.

 

[Philthy]

I have been thinking, and I want to know, why pray novenas? If we are praying a novena for something that God doesn’t have planned for us, I don’t think We will be able to just change his mind.

Why do you think this? How do you reconcile this claim with the fact that Christ prayed, taught us to pray, and those in the upper room - who serve as the model of the novena - prayed?

One other question is this: Is it proper to pray a novena for something that you don’t need? For example, a raise at work when you are perfectly financial secure, or a girlfriend? Thank you for your answers.

 

[Yab_Yum]

Asking to be cured of an illness has two results - you are or you aren’t. The important thing in both cases is to understand why.

 

[hjpcatholic49]

God doesn’t have a personal, individual “plan” for each of us (that’s a protestant notion - the Church has never taught this).

Ok I thought God did have a plan, I guess I am wrong.

Why do you think this? How do you reconcile this claim with the fact that Christ prayed, taught us to pray, and those in the upper room - who serve as the model of the novena - prayed?

I thought this because I thought that God had a plan for catholics, but I have learned otherwise. I figured we should pray for the dead and/or those in purgatory.

Asking to be cured of an illness has two results - you are or you aren’t. The important thing in both cases is to understand why.

I know what you are saying, but how do you suggest that you can figure that out? Despite being catholic, I have a very realistic mindset so sometimes it is hard for me take some of this in.

 

[Yab_Yum]

I know what you are saying, but how do you suggest that you can figure that out? Despite being catholic, I have a very realistic mindset so sometimes it is hard for me take some of this in.

Same way we figure out what the Spirit is telling us.

 

[hjpcatholic49]

How do you as an individual go about doing that?

 

[Yab_Yum]

As an individual we can’t. We perform all works and come to all knowledge through the gifts of the Spirit.

 

[Philthy]

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose one of you has a friend
to whom he goes at midnight and says,
‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey
and I have nothing to offer him,’
and he says in reply from within,
‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked
and my children and I are already in bed.
I cannot get up to give you anything.’
I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves
because of their friendship,
he will get up to give him whatever he needs
because of his persistence.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake
when he asks for a fish?
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him?”

 

[hjpcatholic49]

That reading is definately a good answer to my question. I said a novena that as of now, has been unanswered. Maybe my answer is to come, or maybe I should just say another one and be pesistent.