Temptations during prayers

[feeling_guilty]

I once successfully completed a Rosary Novena (loosely, for some days were skipped and I made up the missing Rosaries). So I hoped saying the Rosary would be the starting point for me to re-build my prayer life.

However, although I may occasionally say the Rosary, I see a huge decline in my faith. Then when I planned to start another Rosary Novena again two weeks ago problems started to emerge.

First, I always procrastinate. For half a year already. Playing computer games or aimless wandering on the Internet. Then wasted my time on studying or reading. Then when it was midnight I realized how much time I have wasted. Then I might work a bit. Then fall into sleep without praying.

Then, even if I often remind myself of praying, sexual temptations often disturb me. I have long had the problem of sexual libido when seeing images of handsome guys in suit and beautiful shoes. When I want to pray, these thoughts creep in and I may waste time on the Internet searching for this kind of improper information. Then every time after I wake up I will feel a bit guilty. Not really in deep guilt, but I REALLY TRULY hope that I will not hurt my Jesus again!!!

Or when I plan to pray during day time, the noises made outside are harassing. Sometimes mom need me to help her out with chores and then my prayer is interrupted.

Provoked.

How to revive my spiritual life? This is the only way to give discipline to my life.

 

[O_Sapientia]

Stop reading my post right now. If you have time to read this then you have time to say the rosary. It will take you 20-30 minutes to pray a chaplet so stop being lazy and just get around to it already. It’s Tuesday so the Five Sorrowful Mysteries. Pay particular attention to the First Sorrowful Mystery, the Agony of Jesus in the Garden. “And being in an agony, he prayed the longer.”

Am I being harsh? I do not think so. Reading your post it is like reading a history of my own life without the men wearing suits—I am heterosexual!—and I do commend you for having some class, it could be worse, it could be Justin Bieber. We are not bad people, we are imperfect humans. And we are prone to procrastination, to laziness, to slothful conduct. And we just have to say “no more” and get off our backsides and do something. Stop delaying your rosary. Yes sometimes it’s a burden, sometimes I just cannot be bothered with reciting it. There’s been times when I’ve went months without picking up my beads. Well it’s time to just stop procrastinating and get on with it.

Remember that Our Lord and His Blessed Mother do not ask us to be Saint Teresa of Ávila, they do not expect us to enter into the heights of contemplation. They ask only for us to try and do our best. You are going to be distracted when you say your rosary. Welcome to the club! The great apostle of the Most Holy Rosary—Saint Louis de Montfort—warned us of it and he said “don’t worry!” It happens to everyone. If you do not indulge the distraction then there is no fault. Our Lady said once—I do not remember to who or when—that one Hail Mary said with devout perseverance and struggle against distractions is worth more than ten Hail Mary said with all the fruit of heavenly contemplation! Struggle through your distractions and your annoyances. Do not feel bad if you have struggled with your meditation. Do not make a monster out of meditation! How often is it that I have brought myself down because I have made meditation into a boogeyman, something to be afraid of? But the Reverend Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D teaches us—from the spirituality of the same Saint Teresa mentioned above—that meditation and contemplation is nothing move than a loving conversation with God and the Saints. It’s really not that difficult when you get down to it. How often do you turn your eyes to heaven and groan “Oh dear Lord, why are these people so stupid?” Well turn it around in your rosary and as you pray the Our Father in the Second Joyful Mystery think “O Lord how loving and charitable Thy beloved daughter Mary is!” That is prayer at its very heart. It consists in a conversation with God, it involves simple acts towards God and His Saints. And in the same mystery when you come to the Hail Mary say to her “O dear Mary, would that I could be as loving to my neighbour as Thou hast been!”. And do not forget that a conversation implies dialogue. Do you worry about silences in your rosary? Do not. Because you have talked and now it is Heaven’s turn to speak its piece!

We are all born into this world in a state of sin, a state of privation from God’s grace. By Holy Baptism we can be restored to that Divine Life but we also must live with the consequences of Adam’s Sin. Concupiscence is something that will plague you for all of your earthly life. It can only be defeated—it would probably be more accurate to say it can only be contained—by constant and watchful prayer. Think of the scripture passage recited at Compline in the Benedictine Divine Office every day. “Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world.” — First Epistle of Saint Peter, chapter 5, verse 8-9. All it takes is prayer, prayer and more prayer. Learn to love little ejaculations. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!” or “Sweet Mary, be my salvation!”.

I would also strongly advise you to get out of the house. The old saying is very true. “Idle hands are the devil’s play things”. Go and volunteer at a charity shop, or join the Legion of Mary, or volunteer at your local parish. Do something that will get you away from the video games and internet and manga—now I am just preaching to myself! —and do good works in the world. Because until you start living your life and stop being a recluse in your own head and house then I do not see your spiritual life advancing very far.

Yours in Jesus and Mary,
OS.

 

[Simply_Gone]

The devil’s job is to distract us from God. He’s good at his job. The only way to fight back is keep praying.

 

[Jeanne_S]

Several years ago,when trying to begin a daily prayer routine,I struggled a lot as well.Then four years ago,I started the new year by cancelling my daily newspaper.Now the very first thing I do each morning is devote 45minutes to God through prayer.This has worked beautifully for me.Persverence is essential,even on vacation,to make prayer a priority.
Now,I can’t imagine beginning my day any other way. Hang in there,God bless

 

[ClearWater]

I once successfully completed a Rosary Novena (loosely, for some days were skipped and I made up the missing Rosaries). So I hoped saying the Rosary would be the starting point for me to re-build my prayer life.

However, although I may occasionally say the Rosary, I see a huge decline in my faith. Then when I planned to start another Rosary Novena again two weeks ago problems started to emerge.

First, I always procrastinate. For half a year already. Playing computer games or aimless wandering on the Internet. Then wasted my time on studying or reading. Then when it was midnight I realized how much time I have wasted. Then I might work a bit. Then fall into sleep without praying.

Then, even if I often remind myself of praying, sexual temptations often disturb me. I have long had the problem of sexual libido when seeing images of handsome guys in suit and beautiful shoes. When I want to pray, these thoughts creep in and I may waste time on the Internet searching for this kind of improper information. Then every time after I wake up I will feel a bit guilty. Not really in deep guilt, but I REALLY TRULY hope that I will not hurt my Jesus again!!!

Or when I plan to pray during day time, the noises made outside are harassing. Sometimes mom need me to help her out with chores and then my prayer is interrupted.

Provoked.

How to revive my spiritual life? This is the only way to give discipline to my life.

Congratulations on wanting to enrich your prayer life. So many people today don’t care, and that’s clearly a step in the right direction. You’re right that temptations are everywhere. Try not to feed into the temptations, though, by watching provocative materials.

I see you also mentioned sexual temptations and distractions. Well, here’s a website I found on purity, and surely there are others. Do web searches on “purity” when you feel that way or try to pray, though I know it’s as if one’s mind goes blank for prayer at those times.

charismamag.com/life/relationships/16765-10-tips-to-maintain-sexual-purity
I am unsure what that website it, but I definitely thought the tips were worth it.

As to noise, I’m to a point, I want to get earplugs, again! I’ve used them in the past, and they help with all kinds of issues. I want to keep a pair in my purse and use them as needed, even in church when they come in with mariachi bands, periodically, or get carried away to the point it is almost painful!

I used to have someone who would play loud music into the wee hours of the morning. I couldn’t manage to get it stopped. I tried to, asked that it be turned down, but it still was a problem. So, the earplugs at least cut down on the decibels.

I’d encourage you to try to set aside a specific time each day, or night, to do this. Can you also pray with a family member or even someone on, say, Skype? For some people, it’s easier to get motivated to do almost anything…to exercise, etc., by going with someone. Same thing sometimes happens with prayer. That’s why they have rosary prayer groups, in part.

You’re doing the right thing by coming to us and trying to look for options and support.

Good luck, and God bless!