Prayer to God interceded by Satan?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ThePKCatholic
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

ThePKCatholic

Guest
Hello,
I have been strolling around these forums for about a month, but have yet to make my first post. After a conversation with my grand mother yesterday, I have decided I need (name removed by moderator)ut from fellow Christians.
First I will give some background on myself.
I was raised Pentecostal. My father and grandfather both pastor at the same church (our church). We have attendance of about 25-35, so it is a very small group, but church nonetheless.

After taking my first two semesters at community college, I applied and was accepted to a university here in Texas. I have completed my first semester of my junior year, and am about to start my second.

Last semester was very rough for me. And being very frank, I was on the last step of atheism. I had totally given up on God because of some church problems at me and my fiances church at school. After about two months of turning my back on God, and having no prayer life, one day I laid out on my bed and just yelled out, “Okay God! Just throw me somewhere that You want me! Please!”

Only two days later, a girl that had sat next too for the entire semester invited me to her church, and it was Catholic. I told her that I was not catholic, but I would go anyways. (I mean, what did I have to lose?). I felt something amazing, and before long, I knew I was being called to the Catholic church. God was answering my prayers like never before, and I was on fire for God like NEVER before. I had never felt comfortable in my church at home (even, yes, after 19 years). Now God was real to me, he was THERE . . . and everything was just “right.”

(I told my parents and grandparents that I went only a few times. And that is all they know. Please keep this in mind.)

A few weeks ago I was giving a “testimony” in my church here at home, and admitted that I had been doubting God, and the second I gave up and prayed . . . he took control and led me back to Him.

Yesterday my grandmother sat me down and said she wanted to talk about the Catholic church. (Mind you, this is after three days before Christmas, my dad yelled at me for going to mass three times and said “the next time you step into a Catholic church . . . you need to know you do not have your mother and mines blessing.” The reasoning was vague and filled with the common misunderstandings. He also claimed and said that most Catholics were going to burn in Hell.)

After explaining her reasons for seeing that the Catholic church is wrong (I will delve into these later. It is the common very tip-of-the-iceberg reasons), she then explained why I had gone.
She said that when I prayed the time laid on my bed, that Satan had interceded it and led me to the Catholic church thru my friend. She said that “It is like a bunch of circles. God is in the center, and you were on, probably, the last outward circle. And when you made your prayer audible . . . Satan heard that and used it to lead you to the Church that is pretty much Satanic.”

I thought I was not understanding . . . so I had her repeat all of it twice, and both times she explained this “Circle” theory, and the fact that I, in a way, prayed to Satan because I was not “In the center.”

There was a lot more said in this conversation regarding me (my major at school, Psychology, and the reasons it is un-Godly/un-Christian). Needless to say, I feel like I have had the air knocked out of me.

I am a really smart guy, but this is just psyching me out for some reason.

My main questions are.

#1 - Is this true, was my prayer possibly used by Satan?

#2 - Where is she getting this theory? Is this in the bible?

#3 - Any other thoughts or responses are welcome.

PS - Mind you, my entire family knows NOTHING more than I have gone to Mass three times. NO more.

PSS - To be honest, I am reaching out for some Hope. I am having that feeling again that Religion is just a big mess of people thinking they are right. What is happening is about to split my family in half. And over what, Religion? I mean . . . Seriously?

Blessings,
PKCatholic.
:confused:
 
PKCatholic,

I am so glad to hear of your turning back to God! Just my opinion, but I think your grandmom’s theory is not at all biblical or has origins in Christian theology. From the way you explained it, anyway. I think it was an attempt to gently lasso you back into your proper senses. Satan is the accuser. He rats you out to God, so to speak.

I would not worry at all about your grandmom’s theory, but try to keep good relations with your family. And yes, religion can and does cause many very bitter feuds not only within families,but within churches and all kinds of other groupings. So don’t be surprised at how intense these fellings can be. You must though, try to be as loving as you can. Perhaps, if you have’nt done so already, find a priest to talk this over with. I’m sure he can give you a lot better advise than me.

Peace,
Tom
 
ThePKCatholic said:
Hello,
I have been strolling around these forums for about a month, but have yet to make my first post. After a conversation with my grand mother yesterday, I have decided I need (name removed by moderator)ut from fellow Christians.
First I will give some background on myself.
I was raised Pentecostal. My father and grandfather both pastor at the same church (our church). We have attendance of about 25-35, so it is a very small group, but church nonetheless.

After taking my first two semesters at community college, I applied and was accepted to a university here in Texas. I have completed my first semester of my junior year, and am about to start my second.

Last semester was very rough for me. And being very frank, I was on the last step of atheism. I had totally given up on God because of some church problems at me and my fiances church at school. After about two months of turning my back on God, and having no prayer life, one day I laid out on my bed and just yelled out, “Okay God! Just throw me somewhere that You want me! Please!”

Only two days later, a girl that had sat next too for the entire semester invited me to her church, and it was Catholic. I told her that I was not catholic, but I would go anyways. (I mean, what did I have to lose?). I felt something amazing, and before long, I knew I was being called to the Catholic church. God was answering my prayers like never before, and I was on fire for God like NEVER before. I had never felt comfortable in my church at home (even, yes, after 19 years). Now God was real to me, he was THERE . . . and everything was just “right.”

(I told my parents and grandparents that I went only a few times. And that is all they know. Please keep this in mind.)

A few weeks ago I was giving a “testimony” in my church here at home, and admitted that I had been doubting God, and the second I gave up and prayed . . . he took control and led me back to Him.

Yesterday my grandmother sat me down and said she wanted to talk about the Catholic church. (Mind you, this is after three days before Christmas, my dad yelled at me for going to mass three times and said “the next time you step into a Catholic church . . . you need to know you do not have your mother and mines blessing.” The reasoning was vague and filled with the common misunderstandings. He also claimed and said that most Catholics were going to burn in Hell.)

After explaining her reasons for seeing that the Catholic church is wrong (I will delve into these later. It is the common very tip-of-the-iceberg reasons), she then explained why I had gone.
She said that when I prayed the time laid on my bed, that Satan had interceded it and led me to the Catholic church thru my friend. She said that “It is like a bunch of circles. God is in the center, and you were on, probably, the last outward circle. And when you made your prayer audible . . . Satan heard that and used it to lead you to the Church that is pretty much Satanic.”

I thought I was not understanding . . . so I had her repeat all of it twice, and both times she explained this “Circle” theory, and the fact that I, in a way, prayed to Satan because I was not “In the center.”

There was a lot more said in this conversation regarding me (my major at school, Psychology, and the reasons it is un-Godly/un-Christian). Needless to say, I feel like I have had the air knocked out of me.

I am a really smart guy, but this is just psyching me out for some reason.

My main questions are.

#1 - Is this true, was my prayer possibly used by Satan?

#2 - Where is she getting this theory? Is this in the bible?

#3 - Any other thoughts or responses are welcome.

PS - Mind you, my entire family knows NOTHING more than I have gone to Mass three times. NO more.

PSS - To be honest, I am reaching out for some Hope. I am having that feeling again that Religion is just a big mess of people thinking they are right. What is happening is about to split my family in half. And over what, Religion? I mean . . . Seriously?

Blessings,
PKCatholic.
:confused:
Click to expand...
Interesting…glad you have come back to the Light.

I would ask you one question in your inquiry if Satan “intercepted” your prayer…to consider the words of Jesus…“If your child asks for bread, would you give him a stone…if your child asked for fish…would you give him a snake?” Would God allow you to remain in despair when you called upon Him?

“Behold what love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God.”

Trust you Heavenly Father…in your weakness do you really think He would abandon you to Satan when you called upon Him?
 
Not to sound too trite, but if you were already doubting God, why would Satan do anything to lead you anywhere?

The idea that Satan can corrupt your prayers is problematic to me for many reasons. First, it implies that your prayers are not pleas to God, but messages on a cosmic message board for anyone to pick up. Second, how can Satan do anything against the Holy Spirit? He cannot. Satan has limited power, though to us it does not seem that way.

Am I saying that the road to God will be easy? No. This will be a hard process.

What I would do if I were you is to explain to them that you feel pulled by the Holy Spirit in this direction. Explain that your faith in Jesus Christ is rewarded and enhanced in what you have learned so far. Tell them that you are still praying for God to lead you, but to be a follower of Him, you must go where He leads. If you do have faith in God, and the Catholic CHurch is wrong (or wrong for you), tell them that he will lead you out again
 
Is your Grandmother then alluding that saytan has the power to oerpower the word of God? When you cryed out to God you Cryed out to God, ask and you will recieve. Can you concive that God would lead you astray in your most difficult time in need?

In your weakness his grace is made perfect, sir ask the holy spirit to guide you in making your decsion, surrender yourself to him. 👍

-pax

-steave
 
It sounds like your grandmother is mixing a little of Dante’s Inferno with some old time fundamentalist preaching she heard in a tent somewhere.

My response is that something (and/or someone) who is leading you to God is more likely influenced by the Holy Spirit than by satan.

Your biggest issue is with your immediate family who are obviously very anti-Catholic. I have no good advice other than to recall the words of Jesus in Mark 3:
And looking at those around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
Click to expand...
As well as Luke and Matthew about division within a household, including parent against child. Be prepared for that.
 
Few of us are so lucky to have our prayers answered so directly! God truly has something in mind for you.

As far as Satan manipulating your prayers and tricking you into the Catholic Church. Nonsense. What she is saying is that unless the prayer has the desired outcome SHE wants for you, it was not answered by God. Talk about a self-centric theology. Plus, she is just making stuff up as she goes along by the sound her multiple rings of prayer theory. Is she a bible alone type? If so, ask her where that is in the good book.

Can religion separate a family? Yes. My husband has basically been shunned by his church of Christ parents. It hurts, but he sleeps just fine at night knowing that God has set a place of him.

btw, the world needs some great Catholic therapists 🙂
 
Hi PK,

This comment I’m about to make comes from Orthodox Church’s spiritual experiences over the centuries:
  1. Demons (and Angels) are all around us. They know us well. They see what we do, know our habits, know are problems and weaknesses, they can hear us when we speak out loud and they can read what we write down. Demons can place logismos (thoughts) into our minds, but thankfully they canNot read our minds nor our silent prayers.
  2. Angels are all around us. They also know us well. They can also see & hear everything we do. They can also place logismos (thoughts) in our minds, but they Can (unlike demons) read our minds, thoughts and silent prayers since it is our Angels that take our prayers before the throne of God. (Read the OT book of Tobit)
Anyway, that being said…it sounds like you prayed out loud which means it could be a response from angelic or demonic that has connected you with the Catholic Church. This is where the spiritual gift of discernment comes in…please pray silently in your heart for discernment in this matter.

Or even better, since the demons already know that you are searching to know, you may consult your spiritual father for advice as in order to become a spiritual father, he was proven to have an abundance of the gift of discernment. If you don’t have a spiritual father, you can take a pilgrimage to St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, AZ and speak with either Fr. Paisios or Elder Fr. Ephraim.

I wish you the very best in your discernment process. Peace be with you.
 
ThePKCatholic said:
I am a really smart guy, but this is just psyching me out for some reason.
Click to expand...
I understand that. My grandmother did this kind of thing to me too (my mother too to some extent). I had blood clots while I was in RCIA and received the Anointing of the Sick, and my grandmother freaked out when she found out that a Catholic priest had been to the hospital to see me (I don’t think the nurse told her that I had received Extreme Unction). She suggested that God had let me have blood clots to send me a message.

And the thing is, it kind of worked. I dropped out of RCIA and am not Catholic today. There were a lot of reasons for this. But my family’s extreme opposition definitely played some role in “psyching me out,” even though I didn’t believe that their theology was right.
#1 - Is this true, was my prayer possibly used by Satan?
Click to expand...
Why would you think this? What are your reasons for taking this claim seriously?
#2 - Where is she getting this theory? Is this in the bible?
Click to expand...
Well, the Bible talks about Satan deceiving people, and Christians of different eras have understood this differently. In my opinion Christians (including, it should be said, Catholics) have often used this kind of language as a tool of psychological manipulation. A particularly twisted and vicious lie in my opinion is the claim which I heard growing up that Satan isn’t need to make people sin, because their own sinful natures will do that, but instead is involved in producing “false religion” (in this version, everything except fundamentalist Protestantism) which apparently contains virtue and spirituality. I don’t think Satan works that way. I think C. S. Lewis was right, that Satan’s research laboratories have not yet learned how to produce any virtue. If you are being led closer to God; if you are more joyful and hopeful and loving; if you are progressing in the virtues; then I don’t think you need to worry about Satan deceiving you. On the other hand, if you are becoming self-righteous and harsh and paranoid, if you are prone to judge and condemn others, then sure, Satan may be at work. This whole Satan business is a lot simpler than many folks want to think. Certain conservative Christians (mostly these days fundamentalists or other conservative evangelicals, particularly of a Pentecostal slant or something similar) seem to think that fighting Satan involves getting into some deep mind game with him, trying to second-guess what his complicated plot is and then doing the opposite. This is the mistake Denethor made in the Lord of the Rings–looking into the Palantir to oppose Sauron. My grandmother also made this mistake (God rest her soul). The way not to be deceived by Satan is to practice the virtues, pray, and receive the sacraments. Period.
PS - Mind you, my entire family knows NOTHING more than I have gone to Mass three times. NO more.
Click to expand...
If they are seriously anti-Catholic, that’s enough to freak them out.
PSS - To be honest, I am reaching out for some Hope. I am having that feeling again that Religion is just a big mess of people thinking they are right. What is happening is about to split my family in half. And over what, Religion?
Click to expand...
I know. It’s tough. I don’t know if I made the right decision dropping out of RCIA or not. I often reconsider it. Now I also have a Protestant wife, and my parents have become much more moderate in their views (which on the one hand means that my relationship with them wouldn’t be as strained if I were to become Catholic, but on the other means that I have more fellowship with them than I used to, and I don’t want (for instance) to be unable to receive communion in their Methodist church–and yes, the fact that they are now United Methodists, although pretty conservative ones, shows just how moderate they have become!). If you value your family’s wisdom and you think that remaining in some continuity with their version of Christianity is a possibility for you (granted it didn’t seem that way to me ten years ago, and yet now it’s come true, largely because my parents have moved more than I would ever have thought possible), then I think you should take that seriously. But you should not be ruled by fear. And the fact is that if the alternative is abandoning the Christian faith entirely, that is turning away from your heritage far more than becoming Catholic would be (although your family may not see it that way right now).

Edwin
 
Hello PK
it sounds to me that the Holy Spirit is calling you to his true church.
if anything you well problably be in spiritual warfare with satan because he does not want you to become catholic.
anyhow I’ll pray for you and your family
jesus g
 
You said yourself that you’re a “smart guy”. Don’t doubt yourself, or God.

There are many misconceptions about the Catholic Church. Some of which I am sure you held at one time. But that’s OK. You are learning the truth now. Let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Converting, or even the thought of converting is a very difficult process. Not only for the person converting, but the family as well.

My Grandfather was a Presbyterian minister, and he didn’t take it at all well when he found out about me joining the Church. (That is probably the most polite way I can say it) So I can somewhat relate to your situation.

Many family members feel like you are turning your back on your heritage if you consider converting. They also feel like they have failed in some way, by possibly not teaching you correctly.

One thing that helped ease the friction with my Grandfather was telling him he did a great job teaching me and showing me the faith, and that he gave me a good foundation. Now it was my job to build on that foundation.

Be patient with them, they may come around, and support you.

Ultimately, my Grandfather did. Even after I joined the Catholic Church, he would still invite me to play the organ for him at services.

Blessings to you.
 
Thank you all so much for your responses. I have read each one of them, and each have been a blessing.

Peace be with you all!

PKCatholic
 
Questions for you, can answer here, or in your own heart:

Where did you once again find joy?

Where did you once again feel the presence of Christ?

Where did you not?

Where did you feel attacked? just as Christ did

If you have fallen from faith, Satan has done his job, it is only when reclaiming that faith, no matter denomination, that Satan will rear his ugly head.

My wife was raised, loosely speaking anyway, as a Pentecostal. Though her family was mainly Southern Baptist, that didn’t practice. When she got into RCIA, OMG the stink that arose! There are family members to this day that turned their back on her. She is full blown Catholic now however, and loves it, I honestly think more than myself at times.

I am not doubting your families love for you, or their true wishes of joy for you. Just saying that perhaps God is calling you to help them understand, to evangelize to them. If they are true family, they will not abandon you my friend. They might not like the things you do, or choices you make from time to time, but you are your own man.

Your story brought tears to my eyes, and I truly know that feeling of joy when you just “feel it” walking into a Catholic Church, or Mass.

DO NOT give up! Christian is Christian. Pray for them! I will pray for you.
 
ThePKCatholic said:
Hello,
I have been strolling around these forums for about a month, but have yet to make my first post. After a conversation with my grand mother yesterday, I have decided I need (name removed by moderator)ut from fellow Christians.
First I will give some background on myself.
I was raised Pentecostal. My father and grandfather both pastor at the same church (our church). We have attendance of about 25-35, so it is a very small group, but church nonetheless.

After taking my first two semesters at community college, I applied and was accepted to a university here in Texas. I have completed my first semester of my junior year, and am about to start my second.

Last semester was very rough for me. And being very frank, I was on the last step of atheism. I had totally given up on God because of some church problems at me and my fiances church at school. After about two months of turning my back on God, and having no prayer life, one day I laid out on my bed and just yelled out, “Okay God! Just throw me somewhere that You want me! Please!”

Only two days later, a girl that had sat next too for the entire semester invited me to her church, and it was Catholic. I told her that I was not catholic, but I would go anyways. (I mean, what did I have to lose?). I felt something amazing, and before long, I knew I was being called to the Catholic church. God was answering my prayers like never before, and I was on fire for God like NEVER before. I had never felt comfortable in my church at home (even, yes, after 19 years). Now God was real to me, he was THERE . . . and everything was just “right.”

(I told my parents and grandparents that I went only a few times. And that is all they know. Please keep this in mind.)

A few weeks ago I was giving a “testimony” in my church here at home, and admitted that I had been doubting God, and the second I gave up and prayed . . . he took control and led me back to Him.

Yesterday my grandmother sat me down and said she wanted to talk about the Catholic church. (Mind you, this is after three days before Christmas, my dad yelled at me for going to mass three times and said “the next time you step into a Catholic church . . . you need to know you do not have your mother and mines blessing.” The reasoning was vague and filled with the common misunderstandings. He also claimed and said that most Catholics were going to burn in Hell.)

After explaining her reasons for seeing that the Catholic church is wrong (I will delve into these later. It is the common very tip-of-the-iceberg reasons), she then explained why I had gone.
She said that when I prayed the time laid on my bed, that Satan had interceded it and led me to the Catholic church thru my friend. She said that “It is like a bunch of circles. God is in the center, and you were on, probably, the last outward circle. And when you made your prayer audible . . . Satan heard that and used it to lead you to the Church that is pretty much Satanic.”

I thought I was not understanding . . . so I had her repeat all of it twice, and both times she explained this “Circle” theory, and the fact that I, in a way, prayed to Satan because I was not “In the center.”

There was a lot more said in this conversation regarding me (my major at school, Psychology, and the reasons it is un-Godly/un-Christian). Needless to say, I feel like I have had the air knocked out of me.

I am a really smart guy, but this is just psyching me out for some reason.

My main questions are.

#1 - Is this true, was my prayer possibly used by Satan?

#2 - Where is she getting this theory? Is this in the bible?

#3 - Any other thoughts or responses are welcome.

PS - Mind you, my entire family knows NOTHING more than I have gone to Mass three times. NO more.

PSS - To be honest, I am reaching out for some Hope. I am having that feeling again that Religion is just a big mess of people thinking they are right. What is happening is about to split my family in half. And over what, Religion? I mean . . . Seriously?

Blessings,
PKCatholic.
:confused:
Click to expand...
As a former Protestant, I remember my own original Protestant pastor commenting to me in his office, “Protestants tell a lot of lies about Catholics and the Catholic Church”. According to Christ, “the devil is the father of all lies”.

Now they may believe those lies, but they are lies just the same. When it is all said and done, they say these things because others have told them the same lies.

In other words, the boot is actually on the other foot. Satan knows you’re interested in joining the Catholic Church, and if he can stop you, he knows you’ll probably go right back to being an atheist, since it is unlikely that you’ll go back to a Pentecostal Church. Secondly you appealed to God for guidance and that’s exactly what you got - an invitation to a Catholic Church.

Naturally there was bound to be a counter attack, and that’s what happening now. Despite your family’s’ “good intentions”, the devil’s behind their words and actions. As an atheist, you’re in his territory. He doesn’t want to lose you.

My old pastor’s other comment (and he was a Protestant) was “I sometimes wonder if Protestants get into heaven.” He thought God wasn’t as easy going about the violent division of His church during the Reformation as we are. When I asked him, “If you believe that, why aren’t you in the Catholic Church?”, he replied “They’ve (Catholics) have done a lot of damage at times”, which is true.

But it didn’t answer the question.

I know this much - the advice your grandmother and the actions of your family aren’t from God. In fact, I think you may even see a satanic sign one day indicating his frustration with your decision to go Catholic.
 
your story really got to me, pk. while I have always believed in God, i did leave the Catholic Church in my early teens. i never really understood it growing up and i just told myself religion was man made and as long as i try to love other people that was all God wanted. i didn’t realize i had made myself into a sort of mini-god deciding for myself what was right and wrong. i just wanted to be happy, have fun and learn as much about the world as possible. i could rationalize away any of the sinful things i was doing, yet something in me was still curious about matters of spirit. in my mid 20’s i cried out to God and said, “look, Jesus i believe in you, but i seriously have a problem with some of the things i’m reading in the Bible, help me out here, i mean you are about LOVE, so how could these XYZ passages that sound so horrific have anything to do with that message… i don’t know what to believe, but i’m here and i need help- major help cause this is hard.”

well He answered right away with a string of bizarre and awesome supernatural events that pretty much taught me that fear was the wrong attitude about the Bible or God, but yet at the same time God was God and i had better cut it out with my “anything goes so long as i try to be a decent person” mentality. i stayed in this state of learning and growing closer for about 5 yrs, but i still hadn’t given up my old stubborn ways. i felt an interest in going back to Mass and did a few times, but there was a part of me that kept saying -no, no, no, you will be asked to give up things you don’t want to give up. little did i know what i would gain!

i then moved to a different town. one day i just started crying and walking around and i ended up outside a Catholic Church. with all my heart i now know the Holy Spirit lead me back home. i went in and saw the Priest and told him everything (bawling the whole time) and when i left i finally felt peace and knew the CC was where God wanted me.

i have never turned back (although let me tell you the stories about demons messing with you the closer you get to Christ are true!) - i would move forward a few steps and take one or two back, but i kept praying, going to Mass and reading. now i wouldn’t abandon my faith for anything. simply put the Eucharist has changed my life. we are dead without it. don’t get me wrong, i still have temptations and they are a struggle (and i can be a major jerk) but the teachings that i thought were impossible for anyone to follow can actually be achieved if one partakes in the Sacraments. and now i also can see the pain from not following the Lord’s way.

from what i see time and time again all accusations against the CC are either lies, misunderstandings, taking something out of context, half truths or exposing the sins of the individuals in the Church. no other organization has survived as long as She, but Christ promised us “the gates of hell shall not prevail” and so She stands.

my prayers are with you and your family,
jen

ps satan is so stoked right now that atheism is on the rise and i’m sure he’d like you to stay in that mindset (read my signature). and no, there is no scriptural basis for what your mother (well-intentioned as it may have been) told you.
 
also you will see this quote often around here, but it does speak volumes. this is the first written reference of the Church being called by Her proper name.

See that you all follow the bishop, even as Jesus Christ does the Father, and the presbytery as you would the apostles; and reverence the deacons, as being the institution of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate a love-feast; but whatsoever he shall approve of, that is also pleasing to God, so that everything that is done may be secure and valid. Ignatius Letter to Smyrna ch. 8 AD110

How Old Is Your Church?
If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex- monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.

If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to remarry.

If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.

If you are a Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England founded by Samuel Seabury in the American colonies in the 17th century.

If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.

If you are a Methodist, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.

If you are a Unitarian, Theophilus Lindley founded your church in London in 1774.

If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, N.Y., in 1829.

If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1605.

If you are of the Dutch Reformed church, you recognize Michaelis Jones as founder, because he originated your religion in New York in 1628.

If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865.

If you are a Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.

If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as 'Church of the Nazarene," “Pentecostal Gospel.” “Holiness Church,” “Pilgrim Holiness Church,” “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past century.

If you are Catholic, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and it is still the same Church.
 
I too had never felt Christ until the day I walked into a Catholic church, it was truely God calling you home. I have family that turns there nose at me and attacks my religion but for myself I have never felt more closer to god in all my life, until I became Catholic. I truely feel him in my life now, and I believe that’s the good feelings your feeling inside yourself. Remember satan uses our ouwn doubt to lead us astray.
 
I thank you all for your responses. They have all been such a blessing.

PKC
 
ThePKCatholic said:
Hello,
I have been strolling around these forums for about a month, but have yet to make my first post. After a conversation with my grand mother yesterday, I have decided I need (name removed by moderator)ut from fellow Christians.
First I will give some background on myself.
I was raised Pentecostal. My father and grandfather both pastor at the same church (our church). We have attendance of about 25-35, so it is a very small group, but church nonetheless.

After taking my first two semesters at community college, I applied and was accepted to a university here in Texas. I have completed my first semester of my junior year, and am about to start my second.

Last semester was very rough for me. And being very frank, I was on the last step of atheism. I had totally given up on God because of some church problems at me and my fiances church at school. After about two months of turning my back on God, and having no prayer life, one day I laid out on my bed and just yelled out, “Okay God! Just throw me somewhere that You want me! Please!”

Only two days later, a girl that had sat next too for the entire semester invited me to her church, and it was Catholic. I told her that I was not catholic, but I would go anyways. (I mean, what did I have to lose?). I felt something amazing, and before long, I knew I was being called to the Catholic church. God was answering my prayers like never before, and I was on fire for God like NEVER before. I had never felt comfortable in my church at home (even, yes, after 19 years). Now God was real to me, he was THERE . . . and everything was just “right.”

(I told my parents and grandparents that I went only a few times. And that is all they know. Please keep this in mind.)

A few weeks ago I was giving a “testimony” in my church here at home, and admitted that I had been doubting God, and the second I gave up and prayed . . . he took control and led me back to Him.

Yesterday my grandmother sat me down and said she wanted to talk about the Catholic church. (Mind you, this is after three days before Christmas, my dad yelled at me for going to mass three times and said “the next time you step into a Catholic church . . . you need to know you do not have your mother and mines blessing.” The reasoning was vague and filled with the common misunderstandings. He also claimed and said that most Catholics were going to burn in Hell.)

After explaining her reasons for seeing that the Catholic church is wrong (I will delve into these later. It is the common very tip-of-the-iceberg reasons), she then explained why I had gone.
She said that when I prayed the time laid on my bed, that Satan had interceded it and led me to the Catholic church thru my friend. She said that “It is like a bunch of circles. God is in the center, and you were on, probably, the last outward circle. And when you made your prayer audible . . . Satan heard that and used it to lead you to the Church that is pretty much Satanic.”

I thought I was not understanding . . . so I had her repeat all of it twice, and both times she explained this “Circle” theory, and the fact that I, in a way, prayed to Satan because I was not “In the center.”

There was a lot more said in this conversation regarding me (my major at school, Psychology, and the reasons it is un-Godly/un-Christian). Needless to say, I feel like I have had the air knocked out of me.

I am a really smart guy, but this is just psyching me out for some reason.

My main questions are.

#1 - Is this true, was my prayer possibly used by Satan?

#2 - Where is she getting this theory? Is this in the bible?

#3 - Any other thoughts or responses are welcome.

PS - Mind you, my entire family knows NOTHING more than I have gone to Mass three times. NO more.

PSS - To be honest, I am reaching out for some Hope. I am having that feeling again that Religion is just a big mess of people thinking they are right. What is happening is about to split my family in half. And over what, Religion? I mean . . . Seriously?

Blessings,
PKCatholic.
:confused:
Click to expand...
First: religion will split families faster, and further apart, than anything else. It’s serious stuff–your family honestly and deeply feel that if you become Catholic, that your soul is in grave danger; you may well go to hell and quite literally burn forever. You need to understand that. They don’t understand Catholicism AT all–and are frightened to death of it.

It WILL cause a rift that might never be healed, unless YOU heal it.

Please understand: I’m a Mormon–and the only thing that would split your family faster than you becomming a Catholic would be you becoming one of us…😉 The problem is, your grandmother is WRONG. When you poured your heart out to God that day, you got an answer–you are supposed to go where He leads you. How in the name of all that is wonderful are you supposed to turn away from an answer like the one you got?

What you CAN do is be honest with your folks, and respect their beliefs. When you are home, attend their services. Honor their choices…and quietly practice your own. Catholics consider them to be Christians, after all, even if they don’t consider Catholics to be Christian. …and by ‘quietly’ I don’t mean hide it. Hiding your faith will only drive the wedge deeper. I just mean—don’t get obnoxious.

I can’t tell you that this won’t divide your family. It probably will…but I’ve noticed that time, patience and love can heal almost any rift, eventually. You just need to decide what’s more important to you.
 
First off, thank you for the story, ThePKCatholic. Very inspiring, and a very thought provoking question 🙂
ThePKCatholic said:
My main questions are.

#1 - Is this true, was my prayer possibly used by Satan?

#2 - Where is she getting this theory? Is this in the bible?

#3 - Any other thoughts or responses are welcome.
Click to expand...
First, it is true that the devil can deceive us in the form of righteousness. St. Paul warns us that “false apostles” can disguise themselves in such sheep’s clothing because “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:13-14). When the devil tempted Christ in the desert, remember that in one of the three temptations he used scripture to do so. St. John, the beloved disciple, warned Christians not to trust every spirit that came their way, and to discern if they be of God (1 John 4:1).

The Fathers of the Church also warned against this. St. Peter of Damascus said “There is nothing astonishing in the fact that the devil assumes the form of ‘an angel of light’, for the thoughts that he sows in us also appear to be righteous when we lack experience.” St. Maximos the Confessor (that’s him in my avatar, btw) warned that “demons attack us invisibly in the guise of spiritual friendship, pretending that they want to accomplish the death of sin by means of which in themselves are good.” If you read the lives of early monastics, you’ll find many instances where demons disguised themselves as angels, fellow monks, and even bishops to try to lead ascetics astray.

More in relation to what you’re suggesting, I think I myself had something similar to this temptation. When I was experiencing a kind of “spiritual death” and was praying to find out what to do with my life, I was visited by two Mormons. Here was an example where the devil may have been trying to tempt me away from the true path upon hearing my prayers. What saved me, I think, was that God had, in His mercy, educated me enough scripturally and patristically just enough that I could see through their schemes and identify their errors, and I never have joined the LDS church.

As for you, I don’t think that Satan is trying to lead you astray. 🙂 I think the very fact that you’re asking this question openly and asking for sincere responses from your fellow Christians is a sign that you are spiritually mature enough to be discerning, or at least desire to be discerning.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top