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Blessedwithfive
Guest
Could someone PLEASE tell me what a “personal relationship with Christ” is. Do you have one? And how did you get one?
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pianistclare
Guest
It’s a protestant concept that has crept into these conversations
It just means being faithful to God’s commands.
Our relationship with the Creator also commands that we have good and loving relationships with others.
It just means being faithful to God’s commands.
Our relationship with the Creator also commands that we have good and loving relationships with others.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I can’t remember ever NOT having a personal relationship with Christ. Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the saints were as much a part of my family as my mom and dad, and some of them were around more than some of my blood relatives growing up. So I can’t tell you how I “got” one because I’ve just always “had” one.
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Blessedwithfive
Guest
Planistclare,
That is what I thought it referred to but I have been told by Catholics that you must have a personal relationship with Christ to be able to truly understand the Bible (especially the OT). I am pretty sure I don’t have one but when I was asking about this with a friend who happens to be a priest, he ask me how I know I don’t have one…which got me thinking…
So I thought I would ask you guys if you have one or not…
That is what I thought it referred to but I have been told by Catholics that you must have a personal relationship with Christ to be able to truly understand the Bible (especially the OT). I am pretty sure I don’t have one but when I was asking about this with a friend who happens to be a priest, he ask me how I know I don’t have one…which got me thinking…
So I thought I would ask you guys if you have one or not…
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I think there’s some myth that the average Catholic doesn’t have a “personal relationship with Christ”.
If you’re a reasonably knowledgeable practicing Catholic, i don’t know how you could avoid having one.
If you’re a reasonably knowledgeable practicing Catholic, i don’t know how you could avoid having one.
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pianistclare
Guest
I think what they mean is to not just show up and do all the “Stuff”.
Have true devotion and not be scared to death of God.
Have true devotion and not be scared to death of God.
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pianistclare
Guest
I suppose that’s true. Although I was thinking she meant a positive one. We have seen plenty of people on CAF who have a wonky one, LOL
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Blessedwithfive
Guest
Actually it was when I was writing a paper on the Fear of the Lord where the personal relationship came up. Apparently you need this “relationship” to be able to understand how Fear of the Lord translates into worship and obedience to the will of God.
People make it sound like a two way street with prayer. I pray often but I have never “heard” anything back. I always thought those who “heard back” from God just had a big imagination…now I am thinking that maybe I am the one missing something…
People make it sound like a two way street with prayer. I pray often but I have never “heard” anything back. I always thought those who “heard back” from God just had a big imagination…now I am thinking that maybe I am the one missing something…
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whyeyeman
Guest
You are wrong. Salvation is having a relationship with Christ. It is coming to know him and his Father’s will by prayer and the nourishment of the sacraments.It’s a protestant concept that has crept into these conversations
John 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
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whyeyeman
Guest
It’s not that you actually hear him speaking, it’s that you see him speaking to you through your daily life. If he answers your prayers, if he guides you to great things and through struggles etc.
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Blessedwithfive
Guest
Ummm…I am pretty knowledgeable on the faith and practicing…but I am pretty sure I am missing something…
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Well, do you talk to Jesus from time to time during the day?
Do you think of Him?
When you’re down, do you turn to Him?
Do you try to do some extra stuff to make Him happy on a regular basis?
Is He on your mind like a relative would be?
Do you think of Him?
When you’re down, do you turn to Him?
Do you try to do some extra stuff to make Him happy on a regular basis?
Is He on your mind like a relative would be?
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RKS89
Guest
Don’t be too hard on yourself where your personal prayer life is concerned. If you’re showing up every day to talk to Him you’re doinitright.
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Blessedwithfive
Guest
But I see God working through people who don’t even believe…Can you have one of these personal relationships without prayer?
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DebCWil
Guest
We are all called to have a personal relationship with God. That’s not a “protestant” concept.
Having a personal relationship with God is about developing intimacy with the One who created us. St. John, in his Gospel says we love because God first loved us. We are called to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. How can I say that I love God if I do not love my brother? How can I love God if I do not spend time with my Beloved? If I do not spend time in prayer? If I do not spend time learning as much as I can about Him, and listen to what He might have to say to my own heart.
It always comes back to what I learned as a child when a Dominican priest was visiting. He shared the question he had asked, “How big is God?” A child about my age at the time had answered, “God is so big that the universe cannot hold Him, and yet so small that He can fit into my heart.”
Having a personal relationship is to allow God to enter into my heart. It is to be like Samuel, when he hears God’s voice and answers, “Here am I, Lord, I come to do your Will.”
Having a personal relationship with God is about developing intimacy with the One who created us. St. John, in his Gospel says we love because God first loved us. We are called to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. How can I say that I love God if I do not love my brother? How can I love God if I do not spend time with my Beloved? If I do not spend time in prayer? If I do not spend time learning as much as I can about Him, and listen to what He might have to say to my own heart.
It always comes back to what I learned as a child when a Dominican priest was visiting. He shared the question he had asked, “How big is God?” A child about my age at the time had answered, “God is so big that the universe cannot hold Him, and yet so small that He can fit into my heart.”
Having a personal relationship is to allow God to enter into my heart. It is to be like Samuel, when he hears God’s voice and answers, “Here am I, Lord, I come to do your Will.”
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Blessedwithfive
Guest
Yes, I do all those things but I don’t really feel anything or hear anything…EVER.
And I never notice a difference whether I attend Mass daily or weekly or even when I don’t pray for an extended period of time (which hasn’t happened in years) but still I don’t feel anything different. Not at home, not at Adoration, not a Mass…
And I never notice a difference whether I attend Mass daily or weekly or even when I don’t pray for an extended period of time (which hasn’t happened in years) but still I don’t feel anything different. Not at home, not at Adoration, not a Mass…
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Blessedwithfive
Guest
Yup, that is just what I want. I want to feel/hear him in my heart, but I don’t. Why would that be?
I pray, attend mass, follow the commandments (as well as anyone else) visit the sick, etc. But I must be missing something…
I pray, attend mass, follow the commandments (as well as anyone else) visit the sick, etc. But I must be missing something…
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I’m not sure what you’re expecting to be “noticing”. All I usually notice is the change in myself…I’m calmer, more content, less likely to go chasing after some sensual or material pleasure, and the more I build my relationship with Jesus, the more I enjoy my time with Him. He’s kind of addicting, in a good way.
But it’s not like he comes down out of the clouds or speaks to me audibly or suddenly grants my prayer request because I’m working on our relationship.
But it’s not like he comes down out of the clouds or speaks to me audibly or suddenly grants my prayer request because I’m working on our relationship.
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chieft
Guest
Blessedwithfive. 5 children ? You must be doing something right if so. For me, I have come to believe I looked for specific expected answers to my prayers. Later to realize God had a better idea.People make it sound like a two way street with prayer. I pray often but I have never “heard” anything back. I always thought those who “heard back” from God just had a big imagination…now I am thinking that maybe I am the one missing something…
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RKS89
Guest
I was a Baptist for 5 years, and while I knew my Bible exceptionally well, attended multiple weekly services, and helped out with ministries I’m not sure I really “knew” Christ personally. I had a lot of head knowledge about Him, sort of like how I know a lot about Winston Churchill because I’ve studied him. But I don’t have any kind of personal relationship with him, regrettably.
When I came back to the Church I did a lot of research about how to have a personal relationship, an encounter if you will, with Christ.
The very first step is to meet your obligation for Mass. If you can go to more than one Mass a week or a month, do it.
Next you must have a daily, committed prayer life. Start with 5 minutes a day if you’re not doing it at all, or doing it sporadically. Work up to half an hour, then up to an hour. This is quiet, mental prayer, not the rosary or other private devotion. There are a lot of resources out there for guidance here but I’d recommend learning lectio divina and some Ignatian prayer techniques. Make a place in your home just for your prayer time. I have a “prayer chair” in the basement.
Give your Marian devotion a shot in the arm by completing the de Montfort consecration. Get a Miraculous Medal. Pray the Rosary daily (you have the time, believe me).
Utilize the sacraments often, but especially Confession. Go weekly if you need to.
Adoration, an hour a week is not an outrageous goal. You might have to get up very very early or stay up very very late but this is absolutely worth it.
Start making serious effort to think of Jesus throughout your day. Co-worker upset you? Talk to Jesus. Kids making you lose your mind? Talk to Jesus. Barely missed an accident? Jesus, again. Notice an exceptionally beautiful sunset? You get the idea. Make Him as much a part of your daily life as you can.
Learn and practice daily the Ignatian Examen. Learn the Orthodox “Jesus Prayer” and recite if often.
Always remember Jesus wants a relationship with you. He’s actually probably working much harder at than we are, or even realize, to get to us. So don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t compare your interior life with someone else’s. Think about what you would need to do to make and keep a new friend. It’s not a whole lot different with the Lord.
I’ll add this, also. Start a prayer journal. If journaling is just absolutely totally not something you can do, no big deal. But you’ll want some kind of hard record of God’s faithfulness in your life, especially during times of dryness and trial. Eventually you will be able to talk about Jesus the way you talk about your spouse or best friend. You’ll be one of those people who will say, “Oh, you know what Jesus did for me?” and you will be completely genuine.
Also, none of its easy. It may start that way, it probably will. But it will get hard. But don’t let that discourage you!
When I came back to the Church I did a lot of research about how to have a personal relationship, an encounter if you will, with Christ.
The very first step is to meet your obligation for Mass. If you can go to more than one Mass a week or a month, do it.
Next you must have a daily, committed prayer life. Start with 5 minutes a day if you’re not doing it at all, or doing it sporadically. Work up to half an hour, then up to an hour. This is quiet, mental prayer, not the rosary or other private devotion. There are a lot of resources out there for guidance here but I’d recommend learning lectio divina and some Ignatian prayer techniques. Make a place in your home just for your prayer time. I have a “prayer chair” in the basement.
Give your Marian devotion a shot in the arm by completing the de Montfort consecration. Get a Miraculous Medal. Pray the Rosary daily (you have the time, believe me).
Utilize the sacraments often, but especially Confession. Go weekly if you need to.
Adoration, an hour a week is not an outrageous goal. You might have to get up very very early or stay up very very late but this is absolutely worth it.
Start making serious effort to think of Jesus throughout your day. Co-worker upset you? Talk to Jesus. Kids making you lose your mind? Talk to Jesus. Barely missed an accident? Jesus, again. Notice an exceptionally beautiful sunset? You get the idea. Make Him as much a part of your daily life as you can.
Learn and practice daily the Ignatian Examen. Learn the Orthodox “Jesus Prayer” and recite if often.
Always remember Jesus wants a relationship with you. He’s actually probably working much harder at than we are, or even realize, to get to us. So don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t compare your interior life with someone else’s. Think about what you would need to do to make and keep a new friend. It’s not a whole lot different with the Lord.
I’ll add this, also. Start a prayer journal. If journaling is just absolutely totally not something you can do, no big deal. But you’ll want some kind of hard record of God’s faithfulness in your life, especially during times of dryness and trial. Eventually you will be able to talk about Jesus the way you talk about your spouse or best friend. You’ll be one of those people who will say, “Oh, you know what Jesus did for me?” and you will be completely genuine.
Also, none of its easy. It may start that way, it probably will. But it will get hard. But don’t let that discourage you!
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