To grow in my relationship with God as a New Catholic

[anna1983]

As someone who has just come back to the Catholic church, I want to develop my prayer life, my relationship with God, I desire to grow in my faith more and more each day, How should I read my Bible as a Catholic? Sometimes I have difficult putting meaning to my prayer, Im not even sure what sort of advice Im looking for, but if you have any words of advice Id love to hear them

 

[Trishie]

Dear Ana, may it might help to talk to Jesus in your own words to help you grow in friendship with him.

After I returned to the Church years ago, in searching deeper relationship with God, I wrote things, because writing is one of my best ways for searching and communincating.

Our God, speak in me

Our God, please ‘speak’ in me all that is necessary for the fulfilment of Your desire for my life and for anyone You hope to benefit through me.
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, in the infinite possibilities of Your love, You know what must be ‘spoken’.

Whatever entreaty and faith must be offered to obtain this ‘utterance’, please ‘speak’ also in me—for only You can.
I ask this for fulfilment of Your loving will in my life, and for the healing, repentance and conversion of souls whom You desire to save or bless through me.

I ask, and believe, that You continually utter Yourself in me according to Your eternal desire. You delight Yourself in me…in us!

Thereby, with our cooperation, You will fulfil our portion of Your plan of redemption. I trust this to the name of the divine and risen Saviour who shares our humanity.

 

[Trishie]

In the presence of God
God, I cannot see, hear, or feel You, but I am in Your presence. I gaze at You with faith that sees nothing yet believes. Trust in Your merciful love with hope in Your reality, brings peace even when my limitations and sinfulness barb my human heart.

I am inconstant and selfish, yet unafraid and hopeful, for You rejoice in the sincere, contrite person who comes trustingly before You. I welcome Your forgiveness for my sins and omissions, confident that You will glorify Yourself in me—by being my thoughts, my efforts, my love, my truth, my wisdom, my whole life, prayer, and existence!

As I have no merit of my own, so may You, the more, glorify Yourself in me! Please flood me with Your love, transforming me into Your substance. Thus, even if I remain in seemingly unconverted darkness, I shall be continual offering to You of the perfection of Your own all-creating, all-knowing, all-loving, all-good, harmonious, selfless Love that created me.

Let Your love continually flow into anyone whose life touches mine, so that I am witness and experience of Your love for him or her. I pray, and trust, that You utter within me for others, all prayer that You desire to offer and grant in the love that issues from Your infinite presence.

Thank You God, for although I do not see, hear, or feel You, our God, I know that by Your life in me I am always with You.

 

[TMarieVeronica]

Hi anna! Welcome Home! I too, am a revert (Cradle Catholic… returned to faith about 4 yrs. ago).

I was wondering. Do you pray the Rosary? It was a big part of my return process. If you’re uncertain, how to begin… here is a website that has helped me a lot. Gives you a complete step by step… with pictures of each Mystery. Hope it helps. God bless.

rosary-center.org/howto.htm

 

[baylee]

As someone who has just come back to the Catholic church, I want to develop my prayer life, my relationship with God, I desire to grow in my faith more and more each day, How should I read my Bible as a Catholic? Sometimes I have difficult putting meaning to my prayer, Im not even sure what sort of advice Im looking for, but if you have any words of advice Id love to hear them

First of all, welcome HOME! I converted to the Faith in 1998.

Second, what a coincidence (? ) that you should ask this question as I have just started (as in 30 minutes ago) reading a book by Peter Kreeft called Reading and Praying the New Testament: A Book by Book Guide for Catholics. My husband suggested it today (he had it in the house) to use as I read the Bible during Lent. So far it looks like it will be very helpful.