Ways to pray the rosary without falling asleep

  • Thread starter Thread starter DeusVivit
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DeusVivit

Guest
Hello!
Everytime I try to pray the rosary, at any time of the day, when I wake up or in the middle of the day, I fall asleep. And another issue is that every single thing distracts me, or I try too hard to rush through it
It’s actually getting in the way of my spiritual life! So I’ve decided to do this:
I will schedule each mystery throughout the day.
I think it’s for the best, it’ll prevent me from falling asleep.

Have any of you ever struggled with this? How did you fix it?
 
Search for rosarycenter dot org and find much advice and resources to aid concentration including scriptual references for every part of the mysteries.
 
it is an holy thing is you fall asleep while praying the rosary before going to sleep on the night, don’t worry.
You are not mandate to continued your prayers if you fall asleep…
 
Is this an issue in any other areas of life? Falling asleep mid-task or whenever your body/mind has a chance to relax?
 
Are you experiencing this with other prayers and devotions, too?
DeusVivit said:
I try too hard to rush through it
It’s actually getting in the way of my spiritual life!
Click to expand...
You don’t have to pray it; the rosary isn’t necessarily the best devotion for everyone. However, I’d also be curious about this…
mrsdizzyd said:
Is this an issue in any other areas of life? Falling asleep mid-task or whenever your body/mind has a chance to relax?
Click to expand...
This could be a sign of another issue that needs attention, possibly even something medical.
 
not at all really, its mostly when I pray, and it can be at any time of the day with enough sleep
 
whenever I pray in general even if I want to say a personal prayer
 
  1. While showering.
  2. While driving (careful!)
  3. Take a walk!
  4. Watch a holy land vid, such as Come Pray The Rosary
  5. While shopping - yes it can be done.
  6. In waiting rooms.
  7. While bicycling.
EDIT: Before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament!!!
 
Last edited:
I have this very same problem too. It does not manifest itself while doing other things, but very often while reciting the Rosary.

I believe it stems from two things…

1.) The Rosary is a very powerful tool against the devil. I don’t know about you, but when I do fall asleep, I feel pretty bad about it. What better means than to try and discourage you against the very thing that will ultimately defeat him.

2.) The Rosary is, needless to say, a repetitive prayer. I personally tend to do better with “mental” prayer rather than “vocal” prayer so I believe this contributes to the ability to fall asleep. Saint Thérèse the Little Flower had this same exact problem too. I figure I’m in good company if a Doctor of the Church struggled with this also!

(Taken from littleflower dot com)
“Therese, the great mystic, fell asleep frequently at prayer. She was embarrassed by her inability to remain awake during her hours in chapel with the religious community. Finally, in perhaps her most charming and accurate characterization of the “little way,” she noted that, just as parents love their children as much while asleep as awake, so God loved her even though she often slept during the time for prayers.”

The main thing is that we don’t give up…again, the Rosary is an extremely powerful prayer and not only will aid in our own salvation, but many others as well. Opposition will come in many forms, but the main thing is that we don’t give up. Maybe God wants to teach us perseverance too.

The suggestions given such as visiting the website rosarycenter and perhaps (if feasible) finding a YouTube video that prays the Rosary along with you may help. I am still a work in progress, so dividing the Mysteries up throughout the day may work for me too. It might even help on meditating on each Mystery a little longer.

Whatever way you choose, know that Our Lady appreciates your efforts and loves you unconditionally for it. + God Bless +
 
Last edited:
St. Thérèse of Lisieux is considered the greatest saint of modern times. She’s also a doctor of the church. Despite that, she had great difficulty praying the Rosary.

Here’s an excerpt from her memoir, Story of a Soul.
… The recitation of the rosary is more difficult for me than
the wearing of an instrument of penance. … I force myself
in vain to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary; I don’t
succeed in fixing my mind on them. For a long time I was
desolate about this lack of devotion … for I love the Blessed
Virgin so much that it should be easy for me to recite in her
honor prayers which are so pleasing to her. Now I am less
desolate; I think that the Queen of heaven, since she is my
MOTHER, must see my good will and she is satisfied with it.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top