Sticking with the rosary

[k8e308]

I have an ongoing desire to pray the rosary more often, and a few weeks ago I found a great way to help me do that. It’s a cell phone app that contains the daily Mass readings, Liturgy of the Hours, and the rosary with all the mysteries.

My problem is that now that I’ve been through the rosary daily for over a week, I find it very difficult to concentrate on the mysteries. I feel bored. I feel like I’m reading the same verse of scripture over and over again and trying to get something new out of it each time. Basically I have a very hard time keeping my mind from wandering. I was taught to contemplate the mysteries as you pray the Hail Marys, but I can’t seem to stay with the mystery, but I feel like I just contemplated it a few days ago or last week.

Has anyone else had this problem? What can you do?

Thank you!

 

[jtodisco]

I’ve had this problem before and I can sympathize with your frustrations. However, there is such a wealth to be learned from Scripture that if you really try you can always find new insights. Also, you don’t always have to try to find “new lessons”, you could just simply try to focus on how Christ or Mary were feeling at the time a particular mystery was taking place. You could try to see what virtues are being expressed by a particular mystery and make a concious decision to grow in those virtures. Also, praying a “Scriptural rosary” helps some people. This way instead of focusing on the whole mystery throughout each decade you break it into pieces, focusing on one portion of a mystery (or line of Scripture from that mystery) per bead. You may also want to pray that God and the Blessed Mother help you with this struggle because if you ask them for help they are sure to come through for you (though it may not be overnight, as this difficulty with prayer very well may be a test of your dedication). Either way I strongly encourage you to continue praying the rosary as it is the Blessed Mother’s favorite prayer and a summation of the Gospel of our Lord. The spiritual benefits one gains through daily prayer of the rosary (something Mary has advocated in all of her approved apparitions as far as I know) are enormous.

 

[alexander_pope]

Plastic rosary beads are not sensual to the touch,perhaps a string of beads made of metal,gold or silver for instance and Swarovski crystals [which come in a myriad of colors and sizes] might do the trick,it is after all ,all about the accessories .

 

[po18guy]

You might consider expanding your thought and contemplation beyond the scripture verses, since you are contemplating the mystery, and not only the scripture. Scripture, for all its value, is incomplete and lacks many details. Stop the prayers during each decade if you need extra time to contemplate - and begin again when you are ready to move on. Since it is a mystery, you are not strictly limited in what you contemplate. Let your pondering take you to a deeper level.

Example: At Jesus’s presentation in the Temple, imagine the thoughts of Simeon the prophet who, by the Holy Spirit, knew upon awakening that on that very day, he would see the Christ of God. Call to mind that many generations had longed to see this, but never saw it. Think of his thankfulness to God for blessing him in this way. See the look in his eyes as he realized that this was the biggest day of his long life. Think of the sensation of the Holy Spirit filling him and driving him toward the Temple. Imagine his relief and anticipation in preparing to behold the release of captive Israel - not from the domination of the Romans, but from the weight of her own sin. Contemplate his aged feet as they plodded along, perhaps painfully and assisted by a walking staff, but with renewed zeal and purpose. Imagine the delight he felt in his heart upon seeing Joseph and Mary approaching the Temple with the Babe in Mary’s arms. Sense the joy in his heart as he blessed God and held his own deliverer. In his words, sense the peace in his heart to know that God had made good on His promise. Imagine how the Spirit spoke through him, telling Mary that her Child would be a controversial figure, and that a sword would pierce her soul so that many secret thoughts might be revealed. Think of how joy-filled Simeon was that afternoon as he walked back to his home, experiencing a profound peace in the core of his being for the first time in his life. Try to imagine the joy in the remainder of his life, as he now knew God’s Consolation of his people. Think of the happy death that he was blessed with, to know that the God of Israel had fulfilled all righteousness.

This reflection is only regarding Simeon - only one person out of many who were involved in the twenty mysteries. You have not even delved into the thoughts and emotions of Mary, Joseph or those others who witnessed this event. You can easily expand each mystery far beyond this, until the Rosary grows to become a place in your spirit where you go to experience true comfort - just as Simeon did.

All credit to Fr. Benedict Groeschel.

 

[asia53]

Same thing happens to me, easily distracted.

The best thing I’ve found, it really helps me, maybe it’ll help you. I use a quick sentence with the mystery. For instance: The Annunciation-I desire the love of humility. The Visitation-For charity toward my neighbor, etc.

The quick sentence holds me where I need to be, or brings me right back.

I found the quick sentences online. Unfortunately, I don’t remember which website. I’m sure someone on here can help.

God bless,

Asia

 

[PAboy57]

if you continue to pray the Rosary our Blessed Mother will allow the prayer to grow on you. Think of the life and times of Jesus and Mary. Think of your life and the areas you need improvement in – acts of charity that you might of missed for example. Then think through how that event might have been different if you provided assistance.

While it is a simple prayer it is the most powerful prayer we have in our arsenal after the Mass. Stick with it and develop a relationship with Mary, your Mother and Queen. Talk with her!!! She will be bringing you closer to Jesus each time.

God Bless.

 

[k8e308]

this difficulty with prayer very well may be a test of your dedication.

Thank you for this insight. I hadn’t thought of it as a test, and that may well be my problem, especially as I continually resolve to do better at the promptings of the Spirit. Looking at it this way, I could see the Spirit ‘in my corner’ so to speak, while outside forces are fighting against me. Clearly, I can overcome with God’s help.

This reflection is only regarding Simeon - only one person out of many who were involved in the twenty mysteries. You have not even delved into the thoughts and emotions of Mary, Joseph or those others who witnessed this event.

What a wonderful way to contemplate the mysteries! I think I have been striving for this approach, but without a specific example, I was floundering. You provided a fantastic vignette, and as I read it it felt so right.

Asia and PAboy, thank you for your suggestions as well. I think with all of the advice here I may actually have what I need to finally pray the rosary consistently.

Thank you all!

 

[melpote]

Hello! Thank you k83 for this post. I know a lot of people struggle with this, myself included. What I started doing was trying to slow down my pace of reciting the prayers, especially the Hail Mary. It really helps me. I try to focus on the words a lot. It helps me focus on the Blessed Mother. I try to think of a particular virtue of hers and I meditate on that. I also try meditating on the scene of the mystery as the other members mentioned. That helps too. I try to put myself in that exact space with Our Lady, Joseph, and Jesus…what would I have seen if I had been there??

Good luck in your prayers.

 

[po18guy]

Hello! Thank you k83 for this post. I know a lot of people struggle with this, myself included. What I started doing was trying to slow down my pace of reciting the prayers, especially the Hail Mary. It really helps me. I try to focus on the words a lot. It helps me focus on the Blessed Mother. I try to think of a particular virtue of hers and I meditate on that. I also try meditating on the scene of the mystery as the other members mentioned. That helps too. I try to put myself in that exact space with Our Lady, Joseph, and Jesus…what would I have seen if I had been there??

Good luck in your prayers.

You might consider buying a CD of Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s The Rosary is a Place. It is done at a relaxed pace and his very spritual reflections have helped me immeasureably.