Hello I’m 15 years old and recently my parents have told me to restrict my prayer and not to pray very much at all. I feel it is not right that I should barely pray at all, only mass in the evening, I have accepted the order for the time being, but I think I am really putting my soul in danger if I do neglect my prayers, do you think it would be right to disobey so I can give glory to God, I feel so empty without prayer, also they’re not very keen on the idea of me becoming a priest and so I don’t know what to do. I know I have to be obedient but is this not an exception since leaving out prayer is a sin of omission??
We are not aloud to obey in sin, if someone commands you to do something sinful or neglect something that it would be a sin not to do, then you do not have to obey, and really cannot obey, because your first duty is to God, and no one can command you not to pray, prayer is your speaking to God, lifting your heart to Him, and thinking of him, do you understand the absurdity of obeying such a command? no you do not have to obey, ask any priest, your parents have a responsibility to care for you, and this is not caring, it is harmful, prayer is our duty to God,
God and the church commands us to pray, and no one can say otherwise. and it is actually mortally sinful to not say any prayer whatsoever for long periods of time…and neglecting prayers for days at a time is venialy sinful.
as for your interest in the priesthood, this is again an area your parents have no authority over, if you want to be a priest, you need no permission whatsoever,
of course that does not mean you don’t have to show your parents respect and honor all the same, you still must love them and try to be gentle and charitable towards them, and if you think it would be to difficult to make them understand, then pray in private.
here are some sites that may help you further, and also help with anything else -
audiosancto.org/
keepthefaith.org/
fultonsheen.com/Fulton-Sheen-MP3.cfm
gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewforum.php?f=211197
youtube.com/user/CatholicClips#g/p
tanbooks.com/index.php
although, as JRKH said, you didn’t give alot of information on the actual situation, so i agree that you should talk to your priest about this, and take His word over mine(and the church’s word over his too…cause not all priests give proper instruction unfortunately)
alright, so i hope this helps, i’ll keep you and your family in my prayers, take care.
