As I posted in another thread I have recently started along the path toward conversion. I have many questions and find my spirit troubled at times. I have decided to get up an hour earlier every day and spend that hour in prayer and meditation. I am going to do this hour before turning on my television or computer etc. and will be alone in my spare room with just my catholic bible. I plan to choose a different chapter every day to read and then pray.
My needs are confidence in my struggling business, self control over my eating and smoking habits and overcoming lust. I have never been unfaithful to my soon to be wife, but I do struggle with lust a lot.
Does anyone have any suggestions for chapters in the bible I should meditate over that deals with these kinds of issues?
Thanks!
Hi Cicero,
Temptation to lust will need prayer to be conquered. You’ve made a great start. Here’s another rule to follow: garbage in equals garbage out. Be very careful about the media you watch, because no matter how well intentioned your are, it will be a huge uphill battle if you need to fight against the constant sexualized images which the media will force into your mind. It is fortuitous that busy people have so little time. You may find your prayer time eating away at some of that leisure which would expose you to such images in the media.
I’m not sure whether you are new to prayer or not, but don’t let that intimidate you. If you find that an hour is a bit too much, don’t be afraid to start more modestly (say half an hour), and to work up to the eventual goal. It’s far better to be able to stick infallibly to a regimen of prayer for half an hour a day than erratically to a more strenuous regimen. Prayer is a way of living, and not a sprint to the finish. I know that I struggle with that very idea-- it’s so easy to view prayer as a way to get to your goal (union with God) which you need to finish as quickly as possible, when it isn’t merely the way to the goal, but in actuality is the goal (union with God).
Usually I am not a very anxious person. Lately, however, with final exams coming up I’ve been somewhat nervous about my academics. I can’t give you any better advice than just giving your anxieties to God.
As for reading and praying the Bible, it’s a wonderful idea. Don’t be afraid to read just the smallest amount of Scripture. If you find one verse, or even one word, is enough, then dwell on just that. On days where you are particularly unable to pray, you’ll need to fight the temptation to read more than a chapter! Since the goal isn’t knowledge (you’d be better off buying a scholarly book), but just being with God and being open to Him so He can transform you, it’s best not to read it as if for knowledge, but slowly, deliberately and uncritically (don’t judge the text, let it judge you) so He can change you.
I don’t recommend targeting the Scriptures for useful passages to meditate on. If this is new for you, and you want to get a feel for it, then Thelma Hall’s excellent book
Too Deep for Words has an explanation of the process of lectio divina, and a glossary with suggestions for meditation (which you asked for). This may be a good idea to get started, but I recommend settling down and working through whole books at a time. Such a method respects the integrity of the biblical texts and helps us avoid picking and choosing bible verses so that we (accidentally) avoid whatever message it is that God wants to give us. If we only pick and choose verses which help us with lust or anxiety, say, we may miss other things which God wants to reveal to us. Carefully choose the book you wish to read, you’ll be with it for a while. This is also a way of coming to greater discipline in prayer.
The only other advice I can give you is… stick with it. Always. No matter what. God bless.
-Rob
