To Protestants--do you ever pray the Rosary?

[Rocket_Man]

So were they [the onlookers and pharisees] too busy to also take note of what Jesus was uttering? If you’ll pay attention to the story, they stopped to see if Elijah would come down and save him. I don’t know about you, but when I’m busy doing something and I overhear something and for whatever reason it grabs my attention, I probably would stop whatever it was I was doing too.

Obviously they weren’t that caught up in making a mockery of Christ if they thought he was calling out to Elijah, a very important figure in their faith.

They heard and answered with “A spongeful of vinegar”.

 

[crazzeto]

Yes I would. Why would I need to say it put once? Matthew 26:39 says,“He fell face down on the ground, praying ’ My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.’”
Matthew 26:42 says, "Again he left them and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away until I drink it, your will be done.” Now if you notice they are 2 different prayers, the words are not the same, but it does say he went back a third time and said the same thing again. Now Jesus has already said 2 prayers with different words, It is very possible that when he prayed the third time he used different words just like the other 2, and not the same exact words. So no he wasn’t babbling. Now the 50 Hail Maries is the same words over and over again. See the difference.
Your version may say “vain repetitious prayers.” My version says “repeat their words.”

So would you consider the Rosary a vein prayer then? The question is what you’re doing in the prayer, are you contemplating Christ? Are you podering his face, what it is he was doing? So would you can that vein repetition?

Jesus isn’t saying “never ever under any circomstance do you dare ever and I mean ever repeat the same prayer back to back”. What he’s saying is “don’t make a big show of using a lot of unnecessary, bit loud words like the pegans do”. The Rosary most certainly does not fit criteria number 2. It’s not vein.

 

[rev_kevin]

So would you consider the Rosary a vein prayer then? The question is what you’re doing in the prayer, are you contemplating Christ? Are you podering his face, what it is he was doing? So would you can that vein repetition?

Jesus isn’t saying “never ever under any circomstance do you dare ever and I mean ever repeat the same prayer back to back”. What he’s saying is “don’t make a big show of using a lot of unnecessary, bit loud words like the pegans do”. The Rosary most certainly does not fit criteria number 2. It’s not vein.

I never said it was a vein prayer
I beg to differ with you. The question was “To Protestants-do you ever pray the Rosary?”
I never said the word vain so don’t put words in my mouth.
If you would read the last line of what I wrote you would see that I said my version does not say vain.
Now I have shown you that he says not to repeat I gave you word for word what Jesus said. Now you show me were it says to repeat.
You are right the Rosary {its self} is not vain which I never said it was.
Matthew 6:7 “…They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again.” Isn’t that what you do when you pray the Rosary,repeat words again and again, Seems to me the Rosary fit that criteria.

 

[Magnus1981]

They heard and answered with “A spongeful of vinegar”.

“One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, 'Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.’” (verse 36)

It seems to me like the one offering the sponge with wine (vinegar) was stopped so they could wait and see if Elijah would come and take him (Jesus) down.

 

[AwGusTeen]

I used to pray the Rosery and it is a beautiful prayer. The reason I don’t pray the Rosery anymore is the Bible says in Matthew [6]:7 “When you pray, **don’t babble **on and on as people for other religions do. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” Then in verse 9 he say to pray like this, then he says the Lords prayer, Our Father…
Now I have nothing against anyone praying the Rosery. As for me I don’t see the reason to repeat the samething over and over again. If I’m not mistaking it is repeated 50 times, 5 stations at 10 Hail Maries each. I could be wrong but I know I’m at least close to the numbers.

Here you state that your version [bible?] uses the word babble, yet, below…

snip…Now Jesus has already said 2 prayers with different words, It is very possible that when he prayed the third time he used different words just like the other 2, and not the same exact words. So no he wasn’t babbling. Now the 50 Hail Maries is the same words over and over again. See the difference.
Your version may say “vain repetitious prayers.” My version says "repeat their words."

…you state that your version “…says repeat their words.” Clearly, you do not understand the difference between “babble” and “repeat their words.” And I don’t think that your version uses that phrase “repeat their words” in the same context as the word “babble.” (My source was the KJV - what is your source?)

Babble: thefreedictionary.com/babble

1. To utter a meaningless confusion of words or sounds: Babies babble before they can talk.
   2.** To talk foolishly or idly; chatter**: “In 1977 [he] was thought of as crazy because he was babbling about supply side” (Newt Gingrich).
2. To make a continuous low, murmuring sound, as flowing water.
   v.tr.
   1.** To utter rapidly and indistinctly**.
3. To blurt out impulsively; disclose without careful consideration.
   n.
4. Inarticulate or meaningless talk or sounds.
5. Idle or foolish talk; chatter.

Surely, you can see that reciting the Rosary does not fit the definition of babbling.

 

[crazzeto]

I never said it was a vein prayer
I beg to differ with you. The question was “To Protestants-do you ever pray the Rosary?”
I never said the word vain so don’t put words in my mouth.
If you would read the last line of what I wrote you would see that I said my version does not say vain.
Now I have shown you that he says not to repeat I gave you word for word what Jesus said. Now you show me were it says to repeat.
You are right the Rosary {its self} is not vain which I never said it was.
Matthew 6:7 “…They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again.” Isn’t that what you do when you pray the Rosary,repeat words again and again, Seems to me the Rosary fit that criteria.

Ok, so if you acknowlege it’s not vein, if you acknowlege you’re contemplating the face of Christ, contemplating the mysteries of his life, mediating on this and if you reasnoble understand the definition of the word “babble” and vein what is your problem with the Rosary?

And yet again, from your KJV
heargoodnews.org/Bible/kjvbible.pdf

But when ye pray, use not vain
repetitions, as the heathen [do:] for they think that they shall
be heard for their much speaking.

From NAB:
usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew6.htm

But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
7
3 4 In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

Here’s the closest to what you want to see in the bible, but when you fully consider all 3 translations it becomes pretty clear that Jesus isn’t condeming the Rosary. A prayer, incidently, which he sent his mother, to St. Dominic in a private revelation, to fight the Heresy of the Albigensians, who supported the heresy of homo-sexual relations, abortion, euthenasia (sound familiar? sounds like some rosaries in today’s world might help!)

drbo.org/chapter/47006.htm

7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. 8 Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.

This really demonstrates the necessity, for those of us who don’t read ancient Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic or even Latin (though even there you’re still getting a translation, abliet the gold standard translation) hurts. We english-only reading folks should be reading a couple different translations when checking into something like this, and understand truely, and fully what exactly it is we’re reading. Babbling? Vein repetition? That doesn’t sound like what’s going on in the Rosary.

 

[whatevergirl]

I never said it was a vein prayer
I beg to differ with you. The question was “To Protestants-do you ever pray the Rosary?”
I never said the word vain so don’t put words in my mouth.
If you would read the last line of what I wrote you would see that I said my version does not say vain.
Now I have shown you that he says not to repeat I gave you word for word what Jesus said. Now you show me were it says to repeat.
You are right the Rosary {its self} is not vain which I never said it was.
Matthew 6:7 “…They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again.” Isn’t that what you do when you pray the Rosary,repeat words again and again, Seems to me the Rosary fit that criteria.

*I think the larger thing to note is this…that as Catholics, we believe that the Catholic Church, was instituted by Christ, as the one true faith…the fullness of faith…and He built the faith upon Peter. (Whatever you loose here on earth, will be loosed in heaven, etc…) That said, the Rosary is not a mandate of the Church…it’s not dogma. But, it’s rather a beautiful way of meditating upon the Lord, and it is a prayer given to us through the Church. Same as The Chaplet of Divine Mercy, I would imagine you might think that is nothing more than a bunch of words being repeated over and over. But, St Fasutina had a vision of Jesus asking her to pray this, and teach others to pray it…

This is our faith. It isn’t like we as individuals make up prayers to feel good or something. lol These prayers are given to us through the Church, they are accepted by the Church…so, to Catholics, there is nothing to really debate in that sense, because we see it as another beautiful extension of our faith. Hope that helps? *

 

[whatevergirl]

personalizedrosaries.com/history.html

*This offers a wonderful explanation of the origins of the Rosary… Please read. *

 

[crazzeto]

*I think the larger thing to note is this…that as Catholics, we believe that the Catholic Church, was instituted by Christ, as the one true faith…the fullness of faith…and He built the faith upon Peter. (Whatever you loose here on earth, will be loosed in heaven, etc…) That said, the Rosary is not a mandate of the Church…it’s not dogma. But, it’s rather a beautiful way of meditating upon the Lord, and it is a prayer given to us through the Church. Same as The Chaplet of Divine Mercy, I would imagine you might think that is nothing more than a bunch of words being repeated over and over. But, St Fasutina had a vision of Jesus asking her to pray this, and teach others to pray it…

This is our faith. It isn’t like we as individuals make up prayers to feel good or something. lol These prayers are given to us through the Church, they are accepted by the Church…so, to Catholics, there is nothing to really debate in that sense, because we see it as another beautiful extension of our faith. Hope that helps? *

As has been noted by another posted (actually in another thread, I think this person ended up converting or was heading that way though) noted, it can become required for you should you go to confession and it becomes your penance. I’ve had that happen, I’ve even had the whole rosary become penance

So lets not down play the importance of the prayer, it’s very important but only because

1. It’s very powerful
2. It’s the best prayer for contemplating the face of Christ

This is not a vein, repetitious prayer which uses a lot of words to no real purpose. There is a real purpose, rev him self admited as much! He attests to the power and beauty of the prayer, but abandoned it only because of a misinterpetation of Matthew 6:7.

But here’s the thing, how could a prayer which is that powerful, that beautiful be called vein? How can you said to be babbling durring such a prayer? This is an impossiblity, there is no beauty in babbling, there is no power in babbling, there is nothing in vein babbling. It’s worthless, this is why Jesus said “no vein babbling while praying, if you’re doing that then all you’re doing is putting on a show”. In fact, Matthew 6:7 is very much directly linked to Matthew 6:6 (funny that):

drbo.org/chapter/47006.htm

6 But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. 7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

What Jesus is saying is “don’t pray out in public, babbling veinly just so you can put on a show for your neighbors about your so called “piety” which you’re demonstrating by going on and on not really saying anything at all in public”. That’s not what the Rosary is, the rosary is a crown of roses (that’s what a Chaplet is, a plaited crown of roses), or as the rock band poison so aptly reminds us “every rose has it’s thorn”, the rosary is a crown of thornes to pray. The prayer that St. Dominic got from the Blessed Mother to pray, to help him end heresy in Southern France, was a crown of thornes to pray.

 

[whatevergirl]

*crazzeto…are you speaking to me? I never said the Rosary was babbling…I pray the Rosary, daily…I love this prayer…Not sure if you were speaking to the other poster who said that the Rosary can be equated to babbling.

Yes, it can be a form of penance. But, it is not a mandatory prayer for a Catholic to pray, in order to be in good standing as a Catholic. (that is more of what I meant) It is a prayer however that provides us with abundant graces, especially when prayed, daily. *

 

[crazzeto]

*crazzeto…are you speaking to me? I never said the Rosary was babbling…I pray the Rosary, daily…I love this prayer…Not sure if you were speaking to the other poster who said that the Rosary can be equated to babbling.

Yes, it can be a form of penance. But, it is not a mandatory prayer for a Catholic to pray, in order to be in good standing as a Catholic. (that is more of what I meant) It is a prayer however that provides us with abundant graces, especially when prayed, daily. *

My reply is two fold, sorry I didn’t think about that… My reply to you was really the first sentance or two, that’s about it. The rest was more directed at rev than you. Just that it isn’t really fair to try and play off the rosary as “well it’s not Dogmatic technically”… Well no yeah, really the prayer is pretty important to the Church. It can become very requried, and almost certainly will become required to you if you are in fact being a good Catholic and taking regular advantage of the confessional.

 

[whatevergirl]

My reply is two fold, sorry I didn’t think about that… My reply to you was really the first sentance or two, that’s about it. The rest was more directed at rev than you. Just that it isn’t really fair to try and play off the rosary as “well it’s not Dogmatic technically”… Well no yeah, really the prayer is pretty important to the Church. It can become very requried, and almost certainly will become required to you if you are in fact being a good Catholic and taking regular advantage of the confessional.

*Yes, that’s true. Okay, whew, I was wondering. lol

I personally treat the Rosary as a mandatory prayer in my own life…I feel such a sense of peace, and grace upon me. I feel very badly, when I miss a day, for whatever the reason.*

 

[rev_kevin]

Here you state that your version [bible?] uses the word babble, yet, below…

…you state that your version “…says repeat their words.” Clearly, you do not understand the difference between “babble” and “repeat their words.” And I don’t think that your version uses that phrase “repeat their words” in the same context as the word “babble.” (My source was the KJV - what is your source?)

Babble: thefreedictionary.com/babble

1. To utter a meaningless confusion of words or sounds: Babies babble before they can talk.
   2.** To talk foolishly or idly; chatter**: “In 1977 [he] was thought of as crazy because he was babbling about supply side” (Newt Gingrich).
2. To make a continuous low, murmuring sound, as flowing water.
   v.tr.
   1.** To utter rapidly and indistinctly**.
3. To blurt out impulsively; disclose without careful consideration.
   n.
4. Inarticulate or meaningless talk or sounds.
5. Idle or foolish talk; chatter.

Surely, you can see that reciting the Rosary does not fit the definition of babbling.

My source is Life Application Sstudy Bible New Living Translation.

Ok once again I will give you word for word what my Bible says,
Matthew 6:7 "When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by REPEATING THEIR WORDS AGAIN AND AGAIN. V.8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him! v.9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven. may your name be honored. V10 May your kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. V11 Give us our food for today,* V.12 and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. V13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.*

Babble {'bab-el} vb babbled, babbling
To make a meaningless sound.
To talk foolishly or excessively chatter
To sound as though babbling
To reveal by too free talk.
Source:Webster’s Dictionary

Bable: reptious or meaningless chatter
When you pray don’t be…Matthew 6:7
Babbler has picked up some strange Acts 17:18
Source: Life Application Study Bible

 

[rev_kevin]

*I think the larger thing to note is this…that as Catholics, we believe that the Catholic Church, was instituted by Christ, as the one true faith…the fullness of faith…and He built the faith upon Peter. (Whatever you loose here on earth, will be loosed in heaven, etc…) That said, the Rosary is not a mandate of the Church…it’s not dogma. But, it’s rather a beautiful way of meditating upon the Lord, and it is a prayer given to us through the Church. Same as The Chaplet of Divine Mercy, I would imagine you might think that is nothing more than a bunch of words being repeated over and over. But, St Fasutina had a vision of Jesus asking her to pray this, and teach others to pray it…

This is our faith. It isn’t like we as individuals make up prayers to feel good or something. lol These prayers are given to us through the Church, they are accepted by the Church…so, to Catholics, there is nothing to really debate in that sense, because we see it as another beautiful extension of our faith. Hope that helps? *

I understand what you are saying. If you read my first post I said that the prayer is a beautiful prayer and I have nothing against anyone praying the Rosary.
I understand that it is your faith. So why ask the question to Protestants knowing it is not in their faith then when they give a answer the attacks start.

 

[rev_kevin]

Ok, so if you acknowlege it’s not vein, if you acknowlege you’re contemplating the face of Christ, contemplating the mysteries of his life, mediating on this and if you reasnoble understand the definition of the word “babble” and vein what is your problem with the Rosary?

And yet again, from your KJV
heargoodnews.org/Bible/kjvbible.pdf

From NAB:
usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew6.htm

Here’s the closest to what you want to see in the bible, but when you fully consider all 3 translations it becomes pretty clear that Jesus isn’t condeming the Rosary. A prayer, incidently, which he sent his mother, to St. Dominic in a private revelation, to fight the Heresy of the Albigensians, who supported the heresy of homo-sexual relations, abortion, euthenasia (sound familiar? sounds like some rosaries in today’s world might help!)

drbo.org/chapter/47006.htm

This really demonstrates the necessity, for those of us who don’t read ancient Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic or even Latin (though even there you’re still getting a translation, abliet the gold standard translation) hurts. We english-only reading folks should be reading a couple different translations when checking into something like this, and understand truely, and fully what exactly it is we’re reading. Babbling? Vein repetition? That doesn’t sound like what’s going on in the Rosary.

I have NO PROBLEM WITH THE ROSARY! I just don’t pray it.
If you read my first post I said that the prayer is beautiful and that I have no problem with anyone who prays it. Got it!!!
How can Jesus condemn the Rosary. It wasn’t around then.
All of you are missing what I say. I don’t see the reason to repeat the same prayer over and over again. 50 times Why? Don’t you think God hears you the first time?
To say “Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed it the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary mother of God pray for us sinners now and and the hour of our death. Amen”
I don’t see the reason to repeat this 50 times. You may but I don’t. Once again I have no problem with anyone praying the Rosary. The question was asked and I answered it. Sorry if you can’t handle the question and the answers that come with it. If you don’t like the answers don’t ask the question {not meaning you personally but the thread post}

 

[Techno2000]

I have NO PROBLEM WITH THE ROSARY! I just don’t pray it.
If you read my first post I said that the prayer is beautiful and that I have no problem with anyone who prays it. Got it!!!
How can Jesus condemn the Rosary. It wasn’t around then.
All of you are missing what I say. I don’t see the reason to repeat the same prayer over and over again. 50 times Why? Don’t you think God hears you the first time?
To say “Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed it the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary mother of God pray for us sinners now and and the hour of our death. Amen”
I don’t see the reason to repeat this 50 times. You may but I don’t. Once again I have no problem with anyone praying the Rosary. The question was asked and I answered it. Sorry if you can’t handle the question and the answers that come with it. If you don’t like the answers don’t ask the question {not meaning you personally but the thread post}

If you do not Believe that the Virgin Mary has appeared to people through out History I could see how one could have a problem with the Rosary.Now if you Believe that she has appeared to people then one would not have a problem with it.

Those that Believe no explanation needed
Those that do not Believe no explanation possible
-The Virgin Mary

 

[crazzeto]

I have NO PROBLEM WITH THE ROSARY! I just don’t pray it.
If you read my first post I said that the prayer is beautiful and that I have no problem with anyone who prays it. Got it!!!
How can Jesus condemn the Rosary. It wasn’t around then.
All of you are missing what I say. I don’t see the reason to repeat the same prayer over and over again. 50 times Why? Don’t you think God hears you the first time?
To say “Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed it the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary mother of God pray for us sinners now and and the hour of our death. Amen”
I don’t see the reason to repeat this 50 times. You may but I don’t. Once again I have no problem with anyone praying the Rosary. The question was asked and I answered it. Sorry if you can’t handle the question and the answers that come with it. If you don’t like the answers don’t ask the question {not meaning you personally but the thread post}

Well I guess all I would suggest is this. Stop, take a breath. Go back to what you posted originally.

You said you used to, until you ran across Matthew 6:7 did you not? Why did that stop you from praying the rosary? And why are you questioning “didn’t God hear you the first time” in this very post? I hope you can understand how from my keyboard, you’re coming across at the very least as extrodinarly conflicted. How from my keybord, it might appear as though you read a verse in the bible, then said “wow! Jesus said don’t do that! I better stop”. Obviously I have no way of knowing whether or not this is really the case, but all I can say is that this is the appearance when one says “I used to, until I read vs. such and such…”. It’s a connection that is just so terribly natural, it’s really quite impossible to ignore. If it’s the incorrect connection, then firstly I appologize, and secondly I would ask if you would be kind enough to clarify your reasoning then, why you stopped praying the Rosary. Because as I said, your original statement that Matthew 6:7 is just too suggestive that you did so based upon a faulty interpetation of the verse.

More over, at least as a Catholic. I beleive that all the teachings of Christ are fully applicable to how we approch life, and how we worship daily. This includes proper prayer form, you are right in so far as Matthew 6 does include prayer instruction which is applicable to Christians today. These instructions do provide a framework for proper, and improper prayer.

 

[rev_kevin]

If you do not Believe that the Virgin Mary has appeared to people through out History I could see how one could have a problem with the Rosary.Now if you Believe that she has appeared to people then one would not have a problem with it.

Those that Believe no explanation needed
Those that do not Believe no explanation possible
-The Virgin Mary

Question not answered about why repeat the same prayer over and over again. :shrug:You avoided the question because you have no answer. You chose the easy way out by your answer about seeing Mary which which has nothing to do with the question. Why do you feel you need to repeat the same prayer over and over again? Simple question, nothing hard about it.

 

[Techno2000]

Question not answered about why repeat the same prayer over and over again. :shrug:You avoided the question because you have no answer. You chose the easy way out by your answer about seeing Mary which which has nothing to do with the question. Why do you feel you need to repeat the same prayer over and over again? Simple question, nothing hard about it.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

17pray without ceasing;

 

[rev_kevin]

1 Thessalonians 5:17

17pray without ceasing;

Ceasing: to come or bring to an end. Usually used with without.
I really don’t think that pray without ceasing means to repeat the same prayer over and over again.

This means not to stop praying to God, do not give up on praying, keep prayer in your daily life. Not repeat the same prayer over and over again.