I have discovered fervent, short prayer to be especially affective. The fewer words I say, when praying "on my own", the better the outcome usually is. For other times, though, my own prayers tend to be obsessive and too inwardly focused. I find I do not benefit from setting aside time to worry as a spiritual practice. The worries come. God knows they are there.
Praying is necessary, however. Praying is helpful. Prayer is communion with God. The rosary and other similar prayers are especially helpful when no words of my own will suffice, which, for me, is most of the time.
I also find pre-formulated prayer to be helpful in reining in spiritual pride. If I meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, I am focusing on Jesus' sacrifice and not on my own mind.
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and October's devotion.
Try praying this prayer with the Church this month
4 comments:
i enrolled a few years back in the Living Rosary Association. i love the Holy Rosary.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who finds spontaneous prayer to be less than fruitful.
The rosary is a great spiritual gift.
I am happy you have found a way to pray when the words are difficult to come up with or just don't seem "right." The intention is fully heard by God.
Oh, I totally agree. God is always "there" and "tuned in". I think there is so much more to formulaic prayer than there seems to be at first glance.
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