Prayer as superstition?

[zorrosidekick]

I called a local priest today to talk to him about getting my house “cleaned” because of some of the things my kids are into. My intent was to fight off the source of these inclinations so that their consciences’ would be more receptive to hearing the truth of the faith. He then told me that what I was asking for was “Catholic magic” that would fix the problem and override my kids’ wills. I was a little taken aback because I know that there is no set formula of prayer that yields a desired result and I felt like he was accusing me of that. Anyway, I thanked him for his time and began to wonder if he was right. Having thought about it for a couple of hours I see that if they are not say asking to go to confession for their sins then perhaps I am trying to override their wills in this matter. That got me looking for a clear explanation of the difference between magic and prayer because I apparently do not have the understanding of prayer I thought I did. I have not been Catholic long and I have found out recently, thanks to this website and the CCC, that in the past I have had more of a contractual understanding of faith and prayer which I have tried to do away with to the best that I can.

I found an excerpt on catholiceducation.org.

“Love is its own end. Magic, like technology, is always used as a means to some greater end. If you pray this prayer as a means, as a kind of magic or spiritual technology, then you are using it as you would use a machine or magic spell. What you love and desire is the higher end, the thing that the machine or magic spell gets you. But whatever that thing is, the love of things — of God’s gifts instead of God — does not bring God closer; it pushes him farther away.”

This has me wondering that if I say pray for the healing of another person, whether soul or body, is that somehow putting that desire above God? I mean we pray for all kinds of stuff all the time, asking God for help for this or that. Does that somehow make God second to passing a test or selling a house or etc…?

I could use some clarification on this so I can take the next step in deepening my prayer life and properly catechising my kids to the right frame of mind and heart to pray in. Thank you.

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Dear friend,

I would say everything and anything in this world is prayer, but diff types of prayer. There is evil prayer used for evil ends and this seeks to over-ride and go against Gods will. Then there’s good prayer and this is Love and aims to help and ensure Gods will is done. Evil divides, Love unites. If you love you pray good prayer, evil just produces an evil sort of prayer.

By their fruits you shall know them, a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. True prayer only produces good fruit. Perhaps look at evil prayer as magic stuff, and good prayer as Love. The reason why I say all is prayer, is all is communication of different types with God – no exceptions.

Some prayers are like higher concentrations of good prayer, love, like Holy Mass and Holy Communion, the sacraments, rosary and traditional catholic prayers, sacrifices, almsgiving, sacramentals, holy relics and all good works.

We are aiming to bring as much Love into the world as possible, God = Love and He wants us to bring Him into the world more and more and more, as much as poss. There is too much evil now, we must fight back by bringing as much Love into the world as poss.

That’s how I see it briefly. Hope this helps. Just learn about Love, and be Love, and produce Love. It is really simple as I see it…

 

[Ben_F]

I prefer structured, rather than spontaneous prayer. This is because, lately, my intentions in prayer have been to be closer to my Lord, rather than closer to myself. Why pray? Because Jesus did. Even God benefitted by prayer. Seek first the Kingdom of God, then everything else seems to fit right in. At least that´s the way it is for me. I don´t want to pray, because it´s an obligation. I actually look forward to prayer. If prayer is a superstition, then it´s usless to pray. Prayer works for me. I just don´t know why, it doesn´t work for others. God bless:thumbsup:

 

[ready]

I called a local priest today to talk to him about getting my house “cleaned” because of some of the things my kids are into. My intent was to fight off the source of these inclinations so that their consciences’ would be more receptive to hearing the truth of the faith. He then told me that what I was asking for was “Catholic magic” that would fix the problem and override my kids’ wills. I was a little taken aback because I know that there is no set formula of prayer that yields a desired result and I felt like he was accusing me of that. Anyway, I thanked him for his time and began to wonder if he was right. Having thought about it for a couple of hours I see that if they are not say asking to go to confession for their sins then perhaps I am trying to override their wills in this matter. That got me looking for a clear explanation of the difference between magic and prayer because I apparently do not have the understanding of prayer I thought I did. I have not been Catholic long and I have found out recently, thanks to this website and the CCC, that in the past I have had more of a contractual understanding of faith and prayer which I have tried to do away with to the best that I can.

I found an excerpt on catholiceducation.org.

“Love is its own end. Magic, like technology, is always used as a means to some greater end. If you pray this prayer as a means, as a kind of magic or spiritual technology, then you are using it as you would use a machine or magic spell. What you love and desire is the higher end, the thing that the machine or magic spell gets you. But whatever that thing is, the love of things — of God’s gifts instead of God — does not bring God closer; it pushes him farther away.”

This has me wondering that if I say pray for the healing of another person, whether soul or body, is that somehow putting that desire above God? I mean we pray for all kinds of stuff all the time, asking God for help for this or that. Does that somehow make God second to passing a test or selling a house or etc…?

I could use some clarification on this so I can take the next step in deepening my prayer life and properly catechising my kids to the right frame of mind and heart to pray in. Thank you.

We both know that God’s Will is always best, so when we ask for things we want to ask for them in accordance with His holy Will. If someone is ill and you wish for them to heal say to God: Lord, please grant ____ the best medical help and a healing in accordance with your holy and perfect Will. When asking our Lord to grant some prayer for something you need or for someone you know you should begin by saying something like this: Lord, if this would please you, please grant that_________. Or after asking the Lord some request you should say: However, not my will be done, but Thine.

God bless you.

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

We both know that God’s Will is always best, so when we ask for things we want to ask for them in accordance with His holy Will. If someone is ill and you wish for them to heal say to God: Lord, please grant ____ the best medical help and a healing in accordance with your holy and perfect Will. When asking our Lord to grant some prayer for something you need or for someone you know you should begin by saying something like this: Lord, if this would please you, please grant that_________. Or after asking the Lord some request you should say: However, not my will be done, but Thine.

God bless you.

Wise Words. Do you remember me Ready? Great to see you still here. Pray for me please too