Question about Prayer

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MickeyM927

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Hello!

I’ve been struggling with something for the past couple of days, and even more so now … with the readings from today’s Mass.

When I pray, I tend to “explain” my intentions to God - go into detail about what it is that I’m praying about (whether it be for Thanksgiving, Praise, needs, etc.) Even when I pray the Divine Mercy and Rosary, I tend to focus a specific prayer intention in each decade (I pray the Scriptural Rosary each morning, and as I hear the Scriptures in each mystery, I connect it back to what my prayer intention is for that decade).

However, as I have been delving into more Scripture lately, I read a passage in Matthew (6:7-15) … and it was also today’s Gospel at Mass (so now I’m wondering if God is really trying to tell me something). This is the passage stating:

“‘In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think teat they will be hear because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.’” … then the passage instructs us to pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Here’s my issue. When I pray, I guess I’m babbling!!! I do use lots of words as I talk to God. I actually felt comfort when doing this, but now I feel like a “pagan.”

How does everyone else pray? I thought I was “doing it right,” but now I’m not so sure. :confused:

Thank you so much for your time reading this, and any advice is greatly appreciated it! Have a blessed day!
Michele
 
MickeyM927 said:
Hello!

I’ve been struggling with something for the past couple of days, and even more so now … with the readings from today’s Mass.

When I pray, I tend to “explain” my intentions to God - go into detail about what it is that I’m praying about (whether it be for Thanksgiving, Praise, needs, etc.) Even when I pray the Divine Mercy and Rosary, I tend to focus a specific prayer intention in each decade (I pray the Scriptural Rosary each morning, and as I hear the Scriptures in each mystery, I connect it back to what my prayer intention is for that decade).

However, as I have been delving into more Scripture lately, I read a passage in Matthew (6:7-15) … and it was also today’s Gospel at Mass (so now I’m wondering if God is really trying to tell me something). This is the passage stating:

“‘In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think teat they will be hear because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.’” … then the passage instructs us to pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Here’s my issue. When I pray, I guess I’m babbling!!! I do use lots of words as I talk to God. I actually felt comfort when doing this, but now I feel like a “pagan.”

How does everyone else pray? I thought I was “doing it right,” but now I’m not so sure. :confused:

Thank you so much for your time reading this, and any advice is greatly appreciated it! Have a blessed day!
Michele
Click to expand...
You can babble. Here is a little article from the Carmelites
discussing intentions, what to do with them and
distractions.
ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/distractions-prayer
 
MickeyM927 said : "When I pray, I tend to “explain” my intentions to God - go into detail about what it is that I’m praying about."

I think that it’s just wonderful to share your “deep stuff” when you Pray.
God cares a lot MORE about a person’s intentions, than what he actually gets accomplished.
So, share, Share, SHARE . . . with God.
You have my warm intentions (and you ALWAYS have God’s warm-and-fuzzy intentions).

Talking through things with God is a GREAT Way to Pray.
He listens to me, and God loves me.
What a Good Deal.

"When I pray the … Rosary, I tend to focus a specific prayer intention in each decade."
That’s just Perfect.
The “standard” practice for saying the Rosary is … to change your focus for each Decade (but, VERY few people actually do it).

So, unbeknownst to you, all of that Decade-shifting you have been doing is Advanced Faith.

I have a deep relationship with my Brother, Jesus Christ.
One minute I will worship Him … and the next minute Jesus is just like me.
When Jesus becomes my cool Friend, I often will share my thoughts with Him for 10 minutes.
In some ways, Jesus is the Best Friend that I ever had.

This is what Jesus is for.
So, if it’s 2 AM (and you wouldn’t think of trying to talk to anyone else), just call on Jesus.
He has all the time you need.
He always blocks me into His schedule whenever I ask Him to.
Keep talking … and God will keep on listening (and caring).
What a GREAT Deal that is.
 
MickeyM927 said:
Hello!

I’ve been struggling with something for the past couple of days, and even more so now … with the readings from today’s Mass.

When I pray, I tend to “explain” my intentions to God - go into detail about what it is that I’m praying about (whether it be for Thanksgiving, Praise, needs, etc.) Even when I pray the Divine Mercy and Rosary, I tend to focus a specific prayer intention in each decade (I pray the Scriptural Rosary each morning, and as I hear the Scriptures in each mystery, I connect it back to what my prayer intention is for that decade).

However, as I have been delving into more Scripture lately, I read a passage in Matthew (6:7-15) … and it was also today’s Gospel at Mass (so now I’m wondering if God is really trying to tell me something). This is the passage stating:

“‘In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think teat they will be hear because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.’” … then the passage instructs us to pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Here’s my issue. When I pray, I guess I’m babbling!!! I do use lots of words as I talk to God. I actually felt comfort when doing this, but now I feel like a “pagan.”

How does everyone else pray? I thought I was “doing it right,” but now I’m not so sure. :confused:

Thank you so much for your time reading this, and any advice is greatly appreciated it! Have a blessed day!
Michele
Click to expand...
When you pray you talk to God. Say to Him what is in your heart, pour out to Him your feelings. He is listening. When I say my Rosary, I offer up all my intentions that I’m praying for. When I pray my Stations of the Cross, I focus on the pain & suffering Jesus offered up for my redemption. Pray with your heart open to God.
 
I can’t thank you all enough for this wonderful advice and your answers!
THANK YOU!

4love2God … I feel the same way you do!!! I can’t imagine my life now without Jesus as my Brother!
Mary … I am going to look up that article tonight.
Tawny … yes … pouring my heart out to Him is knowing he is listening is fantastic!

I like that I won’t feel like a “pagan” anymore!
 
MickeyM927 said:
I can’t thank you all enough for this wonderful advice and your answers!
THANK YOU!

4love2God … I feel the same way you do!!! I can’t imagine my life now without Jesus as my Brother!
Mary … I am going to look up that article tonight.
Tawny … yes … pouring my heart out to Him is knowing he is listening is fantastic!

I like that I won’t feel like a “pagan” anymore!
Click to expand...
Very good and you are welcome! The Carmelite take
is it is a BAD idea to force yourself not to babble.
Yes we would like to think we are achieving lofty
heights of contemplative prayer but St. Teresa, Doctor
of the Church, says there is a reason for these insistent
thoughts.
So if you were being evicted from your house tomorrow
or your kid was in trouble, if you sat down to chat
with your best friend would you tell them about it
or talk about the weather?
Pray your Rosary like you are having a chat up
with your mom or best friend. It’s FINE.

I mean really. Last time I went on a private visit to
the Blessed Sacrament I said my formal Ligouri prayers
to the Lord and the Blessed Mother than proceeded
to catch them up on all the latest gossip in my house-
Worried about daughter, son in law lost job. Son having
engaged encounter, property taxes going up, and btw
thanks a million for that new couch.
Lol
 
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