Trouble concentrating when praying the Rosary

[locket]

I have a hard time focusing when praying meditative prayers like the Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. How does one meditate on the Mysteries? Do I imagine the events in my mind, or do I think of what significance they have for me, or what? Like the Chaplet, you are supposed to meditate on the Passion of Our Lord. But how? I always find myself thinking of other things.

 

[LilyM]

locket:

I have a hard time focusing when praying meditative prayers like the Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. How does one meditate on the Mysteries? Do I imagine the events in my mind, or do I think of what significance they have for me, or what? Like the Chaplet, you are supposed to meditate on the Passion of Our Lord. But how? I always find myself thinking of other things.

I’m the same for sure, I’m not the only one. I would start by taking three or four nice deep breaths (I mean hold them for five, eight or ten seconds before letting them out) to relax. Then I’d say a little prayer to Mary or Jesus asking them to help you concentrate and offering them your distractions - which could after all be promptings of the Holy Spirit depending on what they are!

As for what ‘meditation’ means - do an experiment to find what method is best for you. Try each time you pray to use a different focus (the different things that you’ve already suggested, for example). There’s no right or wrong way to meditate, just learn what works for you.

One thing that helps me is to pray in front of a holy picture, statue or crucifix, perhps even just to light a candle and pray with that. It gives me something concrete to focus on.

 

[Jeanette_L]

locket:

I have a hard time focusing when praying meditative prayers like the Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. How does one meditate on the Mysteries? Do I imagine the events in my mind, or do I think of what significance they have for me, or what? Like the Chaplet, you are supposed to meditate on the Passion of Our Lord. But how? I always find myself thinking of other things.

I know for the Rosary, I always think on each mystery. Sometimes I think about the theological reasons for them, sometimes I think about what others around must have been thinking or feeling during these events. Sometimes I think about what Christ must have been thinking or feeling as he was going through them. Sometimes I think about what impact these events have on my life personally in the way I practice my faith or the way I relate to Christ.

The Divine Mercy, I just try to concentrate on how much Christ loves me, and all the blessings he has given me in my life and all the Mercy he has in store for me, now and in the future. I think about other people in my life and all those around the world who could use his Mercy and I pray for them as I am reciting the Divine Mercy. (multi-tasking! )

Sometimes, for either of these Prayers, I just try to contemplate the face of Christ, just look at him in my minds eye, as you would someone you deeply love. That one right there will get you through without even noticing time going by at all!

 

[I_A]

At a trip to the Cathedral in San Antonio there was a Daughters of St. Paul bookstore across the street. They had these little blue booklets “How to Pray the Rosary” for 99 cents. They were neat because on one side of the page they had a specific prayer for each mystery, like Lord grant me to be more humble as Mary was when Gabriel… etc. More importantly to me was on the other side was a picture. I often pray with my eyes closed, but when my mind would wander I can open them and immediately focus back on the mystery. It helps a lot.

 

[bscastro]

I too had (and still have at times) difficulty when praying the Rosary. One web site that was helpful was www.rosary-center.org. In its section on how to pray the rosary it has meditations and a beautiful depiction of each mystery. I usually pray the Rosary while driving or walking, but sometimes, I read each sentence (10 for each mystery), as I pray the Hail Mary.

Sometimes, I may just focus in on the prayer as well if I lose focus, accentuating the phrases of each prayer to help me to focus. Once my focus is back, I can focus on meditating on the specific mystery.

I have found this prayer to be powerful since beginning to do it daily.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[Margaret_G]

I think that many of us have problems concentrating on the Rosary. What works the best for me is Father Peyton’s Rosary Prayer Book. You can get it on Amazon.com. It has different themes for each set of the mysteries that one can read while saying the Rosary. This book will also teach you ALOT about the Gospel.

God Bless!!

 

[DVina]

I also suggest what JPII suggested: after “Jesus” in each Hail, Mary, add a short phrase dealing with the mystery. E.g." …thy womb, Jesus, scourged for us,"

For the Divine Mercy chaplet, I concentrate on a crucifix or sometimes sing it.

I think most of us get distracted. Just offer up the thoughts and move on. I figure if they are that prominent in my mind they must need prayer.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

locket:

I have a hard time focusing when praying meditative prayers like the Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. How does one meditate on the Mysteries? Do I imagine the events in my mind, or do I think of what significance they have for me, or what? Like the Chaplet, you are supposed to meditate on the Passion of Our Lord. But how? I always find myself thinking of other things.

Hi there Locket…there are very many ways of praying and praying the Rosary too.

How does one meditate on the Mysteries? Do I imagine the events in my mind, or do I think of what significance they have for me,

The above is an excellent method of praying the Rosary and if it sits well with you and you are comfortable with it, trust that this is the way you are meant to pray it.
Another method is to think of the words of The Hail Mary…or at times I imagine Gabriel addressing Our Lady:
“Hail Mary! Full of Grace! Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus”
Or I may imagine I am saying these words to Our Lady.
Or I may simply imagine my favourite statue of Our Lady and gaze at it in my mind as I pray the Rosary.

Or indeed I may just sit peacefully praying the Rosary with no particular thoughts or imaginings whatsoever but the peace and joy, love in my soul. Or perhaps my sorrow at my sinfulness.

Many indeed ways of praying. Do not be too disturbed about distractions in that don’t loose peace of soul because of them. Once aware you are distracted onto some matter, just gently and quietly without any interior fuss bring yourself back to prayer.

Very often in the beginnings of serious prayer life, one can be terribly distracted and very often…quiet and peaceful perseverance is the answer in all life’s problems, all. Even souls most experienced and long on the journey of prayer can run into a patch and perhaps a long patch where prayer is full of distractions and even revulsion and distaste for prayer…the wise and the holy persevere peacefully and quietly and do not allow their souls to be unduly distressed because all their trust is in The Lord who knows what is happening and has His Reasons for letting it happen…such souls too are quite humble and do not expect much of themselves at all and hence there is no distress in the face of failure, rather persevering and peacefully.

The great St. Teresa of Avila and one of our greatest saints, mystics and Doctor of the Church, was oft given to distractions in prayer at one stage in her journey. The mind never ceases operating, nor the imagination outside God by a direct Grace suspending their operation for some reason.

I will go on a browse through my files and the internet to see if there is anything that just may be helpful to you and post it into this thread should such prove the case.

SAINTS ARE SINNERS WHO DON’T GIVE UP

Peace and joy in all things…Barb

 

[JW10631]

I have trouble concentrating, too. I have trouble concentrating on the Rosary and often during the Readings during Mass - and I go daily!
I guess I have some form of ADD!

Just keep working at it.

 

[Ambrose]

JW10631:

I have trouble concentrating, too. I have trouble concentrating on the Rosary and often during the Readings during Mass - and I go daily!
I guess I have some form of ADD!

Just keep working at it.

I’m with ya. One thing I found that helped me at Mass was getting a St. Joseph’s missal. I follow along which keeps me focused and prayerful. It’s really been a help. I struggle with the rosary myself sometimes, especially now with allergy season in full bloom. My head just isn’t there at times.

One thing thats helped me is knowing that St. Therese of Lisieux also struggled with the rosary as well. I do the best I can, sometimes I even nod off and offer it up it up at the end. I have to believe it has value inspite of my efforts.

 

[FirstCavWife]

DVina:

I also suggest what JPII suggested: after “Jesus” in each Hail, Mary, add a short phrase dealing with the mystery. E.g." …thy womb, Jesus, scourged for us,"

OH WOW!!! I have had trouble since I started in the Catholic Church last November and I really think THIS is the answer!!!
THANKS!!!
-Dawn

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Ambrose:

I’m with ya. One thing I found that helped me at Mass was getting a St. Joseph’s missal. I follow along which keeps me focused and prayerful. It’s really been a help. I struggle with the rosary myself sometimes, especially now with allergy season in full bloom. My head just isn’t there at times.

One thing thats helped me is knowing that St. Therese of Lisieux also struggled with the rosary as well. I do the best I can, sometimes I even nod off and offer it up it up at the end. I have to believe it has value inspite of my efforts.

He there Amrbose…years ago I had problems saying the Rosary and my director, a priest, advised me just to hold my rosary in my hand…now I can insight that The Lord and Our Lady see our good intention and desire and that for them is everything despite any weaknesses or problems that may hinder one in praying the actual Rosary.

Barb

 

[Annunciata]

locket:

I have a hard time focusing when praying meditative prayers like the Rosary and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. How does one meditate on the Mysteries? Do I imagine the events in my mind, or do I think of what significance they have for me, or what? Like the Chaplet, you are supposed to meditate on the Passion of Our Lord. But how? I always find myself thinking of other things.

I try to place myself in the mysteries of the Rosary.
I find that singing the Chaplet helps…

 

[Nana_Rose]

I’m glad you posted this question and that there have been so many wonderful answers. I have gone through several times when I’ve struggled with this. I now trudge right on thru and just keep praying. Focusing on the face of our Lord or Mary helps me too. Visualiztion of the mystery or seeing myselft standing with Christ is good too. I have several different booklets with meditations in them, and also three tapes that pray the rosary with you. They are wonderful in the car.

I also went through a time that when I would begin my rosary I would have awful thoughts and pictures come into my mind. I was so disturb by this I would stop praying and go do something else. This went on for a while, and I was embarrassed to tell my priest what was happening. I thought somehow I was doing something.
It got so bad I did finally talk to him in confession, and he said that could be the devil distracting me. For me to continue through the prayer and keep on going, that it would stop. Well, it did. I was so relieved. So I think that when we devote ourselves to our prayer time, some of our distractions can be the devil, now I refocus and just pray through. Also, I have had several dry periods and they are just as hard. Again, I just go through and try to remember when Christ was in the desert.

Thanks to all who offered up some great ideas!

 

[blessedstar]

Not all are called to this prayer form of the Rosary, all people are following Christ within their own spirituality with some common charisms with other people. Meditation is a prayer itself. Can I ask you:

Are you able to meditate on the life of Christ and His Mother without praying the Rosary?

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Quoting Nana Rose:

I’m glad you posted this question and that there have been so many wonderful answers. I have gone through several times when I’ve struggled with this. I now trudge right on thru and just keep praying. Focusing on the face of our Lord or Mary helps me too. Visualiztion of the mystery or seeing myselft standing with Christ is good too. I have several different booklets with meditations in them, and also three tapes that pray the rosary with you. They are wonderful in the car.

Hi there Nana Rose…yes, I thought this a very important thread too and am marvelling at the various posts and the very many ways there are of praying…all of them absolutely valid and holy.

I also went through a time that when I would begin my rosary I would have awful thoughts and pictures come into my mind. I was so disturb by this I would stop praying and go do something else. This went on for a while, and I was embarrassed to tell my priest what was happening. I thought somehow I was doing something.
It got so bad I did finally talk to him in confession, and he said that could be the devil distracting me.

This I think is another important point that has been raised re prayer…for indeed if Satan can discourage us in Prayer, it will for Prayer is most threatening to it as are those who aspire to holiness. Thank you for bringing this point up, and even impure thoughts during prayer can occur, which is a very sensitive issue and I hear, not at all an uncommon distraction.
Prayer is the heartbeat of spirituality and holiness.

I am pretty sure it was St. John of The Cross who mentions impure images/thoughts in prayer…anyway the advice given is to completely ignore them as best possible and not to be discouraged in prayer for any reason whatsoever…no matter the content of distractions etc. in Prayer. But I think it to be highly recommended as you did, to speak to a Priest…for our Priests, dedicated ones…these Satan I think fears dreadfully! And most powerful they are in defeating Satan…along with Our Lady. No wonder distractions can often come about during The Rosary.
St. Teresa of Avila however, said something most profound re Satan…“I do not fear Satan as much as I fear those who fear Satan”.
“Fear not, I have overcome Satan” (Jesus/New Testament)

For me to continue through the prayer and keep on going, that it would stop. Well, it did. I was so relieved. So I think that when we devote ourselves to our prayer time, some of our distractions can be the devil, now I refocus and just pray through. Also, I have had several dry periods and they are just as hard. Again, I just go through and try to remember when Christ was in the desert.

Thanks to all who offered up some great ideas!

Excellent sharing I thought, Nana Rose, and thank you…nothing should cause us to cease Prayer …and the way to go is to continue to Pray with whatever method or coping works for one…and rather than give up prayer in the face of distractions and discouragements…to speak to a priest or perhaps a nun or religious sister…some spiritual and holy person, about it.

Never give up Prayer for any reason at all

Thanks to all who offered up some great ideas!

May I add my thanks to yours…a great thread and an important one huh?

Blessings for Holy Week to all and may Easter break for all full of joy and rejoicing.

Barb

 

[Lukelion]

There is a story that St. Bernard was riding on horseback with a friend one day, lamenting the fact that he had so many distractions at prayer. His friend said he never had distractions. Bernard told him, “I will bet you this horse you can’t stop here and say one Our Father without a distraction.” His friend agreed, dismounted and began the Our Father. When he got to “Give us this day…” he looked up to St. Bernard and asked, “Do I get the saddle too?”

Lukelion

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Lukelion:

There is a story that St. Bernard was riding on horseback with a friend one day, lamenting the fact that he had so many distractions at prayer. His friend said he never had distractions. Bernard told him, “I will bet you this horse you can’t stop here and say one Our Father without a distraction.” His friend agreed, dismounted and began the Our Father. When he got to “Give us this day…” he looked up to St. Bernard and asked, “Do I get the saddle too?”

Lukelion

Onya St. Bernard!..well said and quoted!.. smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_39.gif…Barb

 

[vej09]

I certainly understand your troubles, and I know how hard this can be. I asked a priest about this, and he said that there are several methods to praying the rosary, such as using the actual prayers as a sort of background meditation, and using this peace to help you concentrate on the mystery. Personally, I have also found that when praying these prayers alone it is more challenging. In a group, you can truly feel the hearts of others opening around you.

Best of luck, and God bless!