Uncomfortable Praying In Front of Family

[BrockH]

I am a Catholic convert and I really love my faith. I pray the Rosary daily. However, I am not comfortable praying it in front of my non-Catholic father. I love the Rosary and love getting to know my faith better. What can I do?

 

[corsair]

Why not try setting aside a time slot where you can be alone so that you can pray. You can just tell your father what you are doing and let it be. Perhaps, in time, he will come to respect your decision and may even be curious enogh to ask about it. Don’t be intimidated by anyone. Just be gentle in your approach.

God Bless.

 

[Millie123]

What you can do is instead of praying it in front of your father, take time alone to pray the rosary privately.

 

[OraLabora]

Why would you want to pray the Rosary in front of your father, if I may ask?

But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(Matthew 6:6)

I can understand praying with family, but Catholic-specific prayers in front of family members who are not Catholic strikes me as a bit odd. Maybe I’m missing something?

 

[pensmama87]

Why would you want to pray the Rosary in front of your father, if I may ask?

(Matthew 6:6)

I can understand praying with family, but Catholic-specific prayers in front of family members who are not Catholic strikes me as a bit odd. Maybe I’m missing something?

I agree with this. I too am a convert, though I no longer live with my “family of origin,” and the only time they see me pray is before meals and if they happen to attend Mass with me (which they do sometimes when they visit).

I don’t pray alone in front of my husband and kids, either (though if I am saying a rosary and my husband comes in the room or something, that’s fine.) Sometimes I will do spiritual reading while the kids play, but IMO if we’re spending time together as a family then usually we’re doing something together, and if I want to do something alone, I do it alone.

 

[Jennifoo]

Why would you want to pray the Rosary in front of your father, if I may ask?

(Matthew 6:6)

I can understand praying with family, but Catholic-specific prayers in front of family members who are not Catholic strikes me as a bit odd. Maybe I’m missing something?

Perhaps the OP lives with parents and doesn’t have as much privacy as others. I don’t think that everyone who prays in the presence of others is automatically trying to show off.

To the OP: I know how it feels. I’m a convert, too, and have faced the awkwardness of having someone walk in on my prayers. Perhaps you could arrange some private prayer time, either at home or in your parish or a neighboring parish. Check to see if Adoration of the Eucharist is offered near you.

God bless you.

 

[BeOurDefense]

I understand. I’m not a convert, but have some people in my family who have currently rejected the faith (but I never give up hope!), and it’s difficult to even talk about faith in front of them, let alone pray.

Why not pray in private, and offer your rosary frequently for your family? That way, your dad is still “with you” while you’re praying, and in an even more profound way.

 

[HelenRose]

Perhaps it is just basic courtesy that one does not wish to pray in front of another person who is not praying with us.

When we pray we are in a conversation with God. It is personal and private. Instinctively we may feel that it is somewhat rude to exclude another person who may in the same room.

When we are praying to God with others there is not that sense of exclusion.

I know that I would feel uncomfortable to be present when someone of another faith is praying in front of me in my home. I would feel as if I should give that person privacy.

 

[Jennifoo]

Perhaps it is just basic courtesy that one does not wish to pray in front of another person who is not praying with us.

When we pray we are in a conversation with God. It is personal and private. Instinctively we may feel that it is somewhat rude to exclude another person who may in the same room.

When we are praying to God with others there is not that sense of exclusion.

I know that I would feel uncomfortable to be present when someone of another faith is praying in front of me in my home. I would feel as if I should give that person privacy.

I think it depends on how much privacy is available. Not all have access to as much privacy as others.

As for prayer being strictly private, I can’t totally agree to that. There is also public, communal prayer.

I sometimes pray in public places like the laundromat, public transportation, airplanes, etc. No I don’t do it to show off. It’s simply that prayer is a big part of my life.

 

[HelenRose]

I think it depends on how much privacy is available. Not all have access to as much privacy as others.

As for prayer being strictly private, I can’t totally agree to that. There is also public, communal prayer.

I sometimes pray in public places like the laundromat, public transportation, airplanes, etc. No I don’t do it to show off. It’s simply that prayer is a big part of my life.

I agree that prayer is not strictly private all the time. I am thinking of those moments that we seek time to be alone with God. And this can be done anywhere - with people around us in the places you mention. However, these people are not wanting or asking for my attention and are not even aware that I am praying. I never feel uncomfortable praying then.

It is when I am with family members who are aware that I am withdrawing from them.

It is of course a very personal matter and everyone responds differently given their own family situation. Some families are comfortable praying together. Other families are not.

 

[Brendan_64]

I am a Catholic convert and I really love my faith. I pray the Rosary daily. However, I am not comfortable praying it in front of my non-Catholic father. I love the Rosary and love getting to know my faith better. What can I do?

Why do you have to pray in front of your father? Why not pray in the privacy of your own room? There is nothing that says you must pray in front of him. If you feel uncomfortable about this, then pray the rosary in private.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

I am a Catholic convert and I really love my faith. I pray the Rosary daily. However, I am not comfortable praying it in front of my non-Catholic father. I love the Rosary and love getting to know my faith better. What can I do?

Welcome to the Church!! Continue praying the Rosary - it’s a pathway to deeper faith and true grace. Pray it alone when you have time or with others who wish to pray it together.

But when you’re with your dad, give him your attention and love. Try to avoid things that might make him uneasy or reinforce any negative stereotypes about Catholics or “religious people” which he may have.

 

[brian_custer]

trap he/she in your car and use a rosary CD (the vinny flynn stillwaters rosary is a good one)

tell he/she they can listen or pray or not or plug in their ear-buds

run the CD & pray out loud

i am going to bet that they listen & pray the rosary

 

[Brendan_64]

But when you’re with your dad, give him your attention and love. Try to avoid things that might make him uneasy or reinforce any negative stereotypes about Catholics or “religious people” which he may have.

Good advice about avoiding doing publicly, things that may reinforce negative stereotypes those around us may have of Catholics.We should not ‘force’ our devotional practices onto those around us. Even within the Catholic Church there are many people who do not wish to take part in praying the Rosary. It is a wonderful prayer, but it is an optional devotional practice and should remain as such.