Overcoming difficulties in prayer

[Bdonoho]

As a former Protestant turned Christian seeker, I have loved but struggled with the intercession of the saints for the entirety that I have practiced it. The fact that there is no clear instruction to pray this way from the Apostles or thier immediate predecessors until the 3rd century has made this practice an unending source of difficulty. I have found innumerable consolations in petitioning the Saints, but when I am confused or struggling with doubt, there doesn’t seem to be a concrete place to rest my practice of it, and when things get really bad, I struggle with the temptation to think that the consolations I receive affirming this practice might be from the other side. Then I try to pray to God in Jesus name and for Jesus sake, and I get this sense I’m not supposed to do that according to the Source of these good consolations and it’s like I’m wandering into the darkness. I don’t know why this is happening.

I am very confused and I’m afraid of continuing the rosary because of this. I need help and ask for your prayers.

 

[tawny]

As a former Protestant turned Christian seeker, I have loved but struggled with the intercession of the saints for the entirety that I have practiced it. The fact that there is no clear instruction to pray this way from the Apostles or thier immediate predecessors until the 3rd century has made this practice an unending source of difficulty. I have found innumerable consolations in petitioning the Saints, but when I am confused or struggling with doubt, there doesn’t seem to be a concrete place to rest my practice of it, and when things get really bad, I struggle with the temptation to think that the consolations I receive affirming this practice might be from the other side. Then I try to pray to God in Jesus name and for Jesus sake, and I get this sense I’m not supposed to do that according to the Source of these good consolations and it’s like I’m wandering into the darkness. I don’t know why this is happening.

I am very confused and I’m afraid of continuing the rosary because of this. I need help and ask for your prayers.

Praying to to the Holy Spirit to give you strength, guidance & direction.

 

[MadHatter]

Praying for you…

 

[ready]

I just said a prayer for you. Remember that O.L. of Fatima has asked us to pray the holy Rosary, and remember the victory of Lepanto that was due to the holy Rosary. God bless you.

 

[marywarfield]

As a former Protestant turned Christian seeker, I have loved but struggled with the intercession of the saints for the entirety that I have practiced it. The fact that there is no clear instruction to pray this way from the Apostles or thier immediate predecessors until the 3rd century has made this practice an unending source of difficulty. I have found innumerable consolations in petitioning the Saints, but when I am confused or struggling with doubt, there doesn’t seem to be a concrete place to rest my practice of it, and when things get really bad, I struggle with the temptation to think that the consolations I receive affirming this practice might be from the other side. Then I try to pray to God in Jesus name and for Jesus sake, and I get this sense I’m not supposed to do that according to the Source of these good consolations and it’s like I’m wandering into the darkness. I don’t know why this is happening.

I am very confused and I’m afraid of continuing the rosary because of this. I need help and ask for your prayers.

Won’t our prayers make your problem worse? How is
it different than praying to the saints?

 

[RJB]

Bdonoho, I bless you with the special blessing of our Blessed Mother, may the power of the Holy Spirit come upon you. You will come through this travail.

 

[Meximo]

I’ll definitely keep you in prayer.

 

[the_phoenix]

Instead of going directly to Jesus in prayer,
you are asking me to pray for you.
And yes, I will.

 

[gardenswithkids]

As a former Protestant turned Christian seeker, I have loved but struggled with the intercession of the saints for the entirety that I have practiced it. The fact that there is no clear instruction to pray this way from the Apostles or thier immediate predecessors until the 3rd century has made this practice an unending source of difficulty. I have found innumerable consolations in petitioning the Saints, but when I am confused or struggling with doubt, there doesn’t seem to be a concrete place to rest my practice of it, and when things get really bad, I struggle with the temptation to think that the consolations I receive affirming this practice might be from the other side. Then I try to pray to God in Jesus name and for Jesus sake, and I get this sense I’m not supposed to do that according to the Source of these good consolations and it’s like I’m wandering into the darkness. I don’t know why this is happening.

I am very confused and I’m afraid of continuing the rosary because of this. I need help and ask for your prayers.

Hello and welcome. I will pray for you since you asked. So would the saints, if you asked. You know nothing about me or the others who respond to your prayer request on the internet–but we know something about the saints.

I love the saints!!! Please don’t be afraid of drawing closer the Jesus’ good friends. Since you expressed interest in what the Apostles did, I suggest that you take some of these concerns to the Apostles. St. John was particularly close with Our Lady, as Jesus said from the cross, “Behold your mother.”

St.John the Apistle, please pray for this poster. Please help him understand that Jesus shared His mother with us. Ease his mind and help him be at peace with the Rosary. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You shared Your mother with the disciple whom You loved. Please share your mother with this poster and help him understand that You love her and like the miracle at Cana, You listen to requests on behalf of others. Amen.

 

[DoGodsBidding]

As a former Protestant turned Christian seeker, I have loved but struggled with the intercession of the saints for the entirety that I have practiced it. The fact that there is no clear instruction to pray this way from the Apostles or thier immediate predecessors until the 3rd century has made this practice an unending source of difficulty. I have found innumerable consolations in petitioning the Saints, but when I am confused or struggling with doubt, there doesn’t seem to be a concrete place to rest my practice of it, and when things get really bad, I struggle with the temptation to think that the consolations I receive affirming this practice might be from the other side. Then I try to pray to God in Jesus name and for Jesus sake, and I get this sense I’m not supposed to do that according to the Source of these good consolations and it’s like I’m wandering into the darkness. I don’t know why this is happening.

I am very confused and I’m afraid of continuing the rosary because of this. I need help and ask for your prayers.

Gracious and merciful Father, please come to their assistance.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end
Amen.

 

[oldburkes]

As a former Protestant turned Christian seeker, I have loved but struggled with the intercession of the saints for the entirety that I have practiced it. The fact that there is no clear instruction to pray this way from the Apostles or thier immediate predecessors until the 3rd century has made this practice an unending source of difficulty. I have found innumerable consolations in petitioning the Saints, but when I am confused or struggling with doubt, there doesn’t seem to be a concrete place to rest my practice of it, and when things get really bad, I struggle with the temptation to think that the consolations I receive affirming this practice might be from the other side. Then I try to pray to God in Jesus name and for Jesus sake, and I get this sense I’m not supposed to do that according to the Source of these good consolations and it’s like I’m wandering into the darkness. I don’t know why this is happening.

I am very confused and I’m afraid of continuing the rosary because of this. I need help and ask for your prayers.

Bdonoho, Luke 15:7 tells of the joy in Heaven over one sinner. I believe it is impossible for this practice to be from the “other side” because they are the Church Triumphant, and in unison with us, ever-present for our help. When doubt enters your mind about it, try remembering their holiness is what we are striving for and we are simply praying for their help to acheive that. I think our requests for intercession increases their boundless joy.

 

[pollylodges]

Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†

 

[Benedict_Empson]

As a former Protestant turned Christian seeker, I have loved but struggled with the intercession of the saints for the entirety that I have practiced it. The fact that there is no clear instruction to pray this way from the Apostles or thier immediate predecessors until the 3rd century has made this practice an unending source of difficulty. I have found innumerable consolations in petitioning the Saints, but when I am confused or struggling with doubt, there doesn’t seem to be a concrete place to rest my practice of it, and when things get really bad, I struggle with the temptation to think that the consolations I receive affirming this practice might be from the other side. Then I try to pray to God in Jesus name and for Jesus sake, and I get this sense I’m not supposed to do that according to the Source of these good consolations and it’s like I’m wandering into the darkness. I don’t know why this is happening.

I am very confused and I’m afraid of continuing the rosary because of this. I need help and ask for your prayers.

God knows your thoughts and prayers before you even ask for them, the Saints are the very best of us who have gone before there is nothing to fear in their intercession.

Here is nice quote from Pope Pius XI

“Indeed, the Saints have ever been, are, and ever will be the greatest benefactors of society, and perfect models for every class and profession, for every state and condition of life, from the simple and uncultured peasant to the master of sciences and letters, from the humble artisan to the commander of armies, from the father of a family to the ruler of peoples and nations, from simple maidens and matrons of the domestic hearth to queens and empresses.”

- Pope Pius XI (1922 - 1939), Divinus Illius Magistri, par. 99.

God bless BE

 

[wild_thing]

As other posters have already stated, there is nothing different about coming to us for prayer or asking the saints. That is what the ‘communion of saints’ means- the whole Church- the living, the souls in heaven, and the souls in Purgatory praying and interceding for one another. No matter where we are, when we are members of the Church we are one Body, with Christ as it’s Head. Protestants get all creeped out about praying to the saints, but when you explain to them that it is no different from asking your friends to pray for you, they understand it a bit better.

Prayer During Distractions:

God, help my thoughts!
They stray from me,
setting off on the wildest journeys.
When I am at prayer, they run off
like naughty children, making trouble.
When I read the Bible, they fly to a distant
place, filled with seductions.
My thoughts can cross an ocean with a single leap;
they can fly from earth to Heaven, and
back again, in a single second.
They come to me for a fleeing moment,
and then away they flee.
No chains, no locks can hold them back;
no threats of punishment can restrain them,
no hiss of a lash can frighten them.
They slip from my grasp like tails of eels;
they swoop hither and thither like swallows in flight.
Dear, chaste Christ, who can see into every
heart, and read every mind: take hold of my thoughts.
Bring my thoughts back to me, and clasp me to Yourself. Amen.

 

[merciful_grace]

Domine Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim eas, quae misericordiae tuae maxime indigent.