I have recently been told of the promises of saying a rosary every day, and of 3 hail marys in the morning and evening. I started this up but fater the 2nd day I felt funny because I felt his was way more about Mary than God (even though I know it's not supposed to be). Further I was more bothered by the promises.. like I was using a charm and reciting a mystical spell.
I really want to start a regular prayer life but am having trouble with this stumbling block. I was going to post this on CAF -- but I wasn't in the mood to get pummeled...
Thanks in advance -- Dave

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Dave,

I feel your pain. I'm in the same boat. I have been a "bad" boy for not having a regular prayer life. I have been contemplating changing my church from Rome to Melkite. So I have been trying to use the prayer rule provided on this website. http://www.byzcath.org/index.php/resources-mainmenu-63/a-rule-of-prayer

If you are not a Byzantine Catholic but Roman, there is no hard, fast rule that you have to pray the Rosary. And remember that you are not bound by the private revelations of others.

There are many other beautiful prayers in the Roman Catholic Church that you can try to pray on a regular basis. There is also different kinds of prayer like lectio divina. Reading the scriptures in a prayerful meditative manner.

I hope that helps, butwhen I pray, I'll remember you in my prayers ;-).

Kyrie eleison,

Manuel

Thanks,
I printed out and prayed them today. They are very reverent and sound...I don't know what exactly I'm trying to express but sound more formal than much of what I have seen in my Roman Catholic prayer book.

peace,
dave

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Dave,

I'm glad I could actually be of help. I know what you mean about some Roman Catholic prayer books. I received one for my confirmation last year from a friend. So, I can understand. I pray you may continue to grow in prayer and please remember me when you pray ;-).

Kyrie eleison,

Manuel

The Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) is another option. Daily prayers can be found here
http://www.universalis.com/index.htm

Dave,
I think one of the misconceptions is that any "formula" of prayer is an end in itself. Rather it is a motivation or a starting point. Even the Jesus Prayer is not an end in itself.

Any "formula" should begin to turn your heart and your mentality to God, His creation and love for your human brothers and sisters, who are created in His image. Some time after you make the "prescribed" first step you should find that it falls short of a meaningful desire for God.

By being receptive to the "groanings of the Holy Spirit" you will advance in prayer beyond the "formulas" and experience prayer in your heart. You will find that it will lead to "constant prayer" as St Paul speaks of.

It doesn't happen overnight, it takes years...actually a lifetime. God will grant peace in your heart even in the face of adversity and you will find (at least some degree of) detachment from worldly possessions. You will still feel like you are falling short, but upon close examination you'll find that you have become different that everyone else. Your priorities and theirs will begin to show wider divisions.

Still working at it,
Fr Deacon Paul

The content of many Latin Catholic Church-approved visions, locutions, promises and dire threats come across to me as downright off-putting, bizarre and altogether unappealing.

Much of it is negative, dismal and dreary. A friend of mine calls it "weepy". What a great adjective.

I have trouble seeing how these things fit comfortably into our Eastern Christian spirituality.

Why do we so often go running after the Latin way of doing things? (for many reasons, few of them good.)

No thanks - if that's what's being served, I'll pass.

Manuel Happy Birthday!

Here examples of what a priest told me...

3 Hail Mary Promises
Rosary Promises

Of course ever since I was a little kid I was never much for rosary and hail marys always preferred our father and those directly to God.

Some scholars and a priest I know, assign the increasing of devotions in the West to the decay of liturgical sense starting in the Middle Ages (although during that same period a Pope or the German people, I don't remember, tried a reform in liturgics, translating the Missal). People understood nothing of the Mass and devoted themselves to the devotional pratics during its. Off course, the "weepy" idealism arising late would favour that. And one could say: "On the contrary, in the East, the liturgical sense was preserved". Too wrong! - would say Fr. Meyendorff. The exclusively admiration of the beauty by the Eastern Christians fades it out; the Eastern Churches also experiment a liturgical crisis; anyone is engaged in living the liturgy in its main objetive; they became solely a "cultic society". They are not aware the Liturgy forms the Body of Christ in the communion of faithful. That is what constitutes the Church.

I find starting simple with the just trisagion each morning and at night and when I take showers is very helpful. They help remind me about God during the hustle and bustle of day.

Aim small and simple at first, and you may find yourself going beyond just the original prayers.