Horrible feelings while praying.

[KiranLee]

Recently I've been getting these feelings while I pray, like I am not actually praying to God bit someone or something else. Then I get images that flash into my mind and make things worse. For example I could be looking at a video then I start to pray and I picture the person in the video and I feel like I am praying to that person, it terrifies me and I do not want this to happen. Same thing happens when I look at the cat, my bird or read a book(picturing the characters uncontrollably) I do not know how to make it stop and more I avoid I know the worse it will get.
I know I need to ignore this and let God handle it but I feel like trash, and an idolator even though this is uncontrollable.
I tell myself God doesnt hold it against me, but I am afraid I am wrong.
This obsession hurts very badly and I have no control over it I dont know how to make it go away. I keep thinking, if I stop reading books, if I try to avoid thinking outside of the basics it will stop but I know it wont. The thing about this one is I know fairly well what God would want me to do but I still feel terrified. It would be wrong to serve OCD, that would be serving another master but my feeling like a monster remains.
Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[Richard T]

Use the word of God as your rock and foundation for prayer. Whenever you start to wander in your prayers, repeat a scripture out loud that is 100% God's will. Then pray away. If you have to repeat dozens of times, that is OK but I would bet that as you speak the word concerning prayer that you will overcome. The word assures us that are prayers are being heard.

For instance:
James 5:16 (KJV)
16 ... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 Timothy 2:8 (KJV)
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 (KJV)
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

 

[Cis.jd]

There is nothing wrong on your part. That is just the current state of your brain, it's a psychological issue. You should read more about psychology before you stress yourself out.

You can try holding a picture of Jesus. Humans by nature do require a visual image to help keep focus and strengthen our emotions better. So a depiction of Jesus whether it be a painting, crucifix, statue, icon, rosary, etc maybe a good tool to help you keep focus.

However, do take in mind that you may also be suffering from a lot of psychological stress that has caused you to be mentally troubled by these vivid memories. You maybe better off seeking a professional if it is something you mentally can't control.

 

[Of the Kingdom]

I pray that God will continue to give you confidence that you are pleasing to Him. Precious Lord, give Kiran peace. Remind her that she is praying to You and that you have respect for her prayer, that You know she desires to keep her focus on You, and that she is not accountable for the involuntary distractions that sometimes misguide or misdirect her prayers.

I am pleased that you seem to understand the problem. Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope you can trust in God and worry less about the OCD.

 

[Tolworth John]

This obsession hurts very badly and I have no control over it

Have you talked with your therapist about it?

You cannot controll your odd, but maybe the therapist and doctor can give you technics and may be a short course of medication that will enable you to controll these urges.

 

[KiranLee]

Have you talked with your therapist about it?

You cannot controll your odd, but maybe the therapist and doctor can give you technics and may be a short course of medication that will enable you to controll these urges.

I pray that God will continue to give you confidence that you are pleasing to Him. Precious Lord, give Kiran peace. Remind her that she is praying to You and that you have respect for her prayer, that You know she desires to keep her focus on You, and that she is not accountable for the involuntary distractions that sometimes misguide or misdirect her prayers.

I am pleased that you seem to understand the problem. Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope you can trust in God and worry less about the OCD.

There is nothing wrong on your part. That is just the current state of your brain, it's a psychological issue. You should read more about psychology before you stress yourself out.

You can try holding a picture of Jesus. Humans by nature do require a visual image to help keep focus and strengthen our emotions better. So a depiction of Jesus whether it be a painting, crucifix, statue, icon, rosary, etc maybe a good tool to help you keep focus.

However, do take in mind that you may also be suffering from a lot of psychological stress that has caused you to be mentally troubled by these vivid memories. You maybe better off seeking a professional if it is something you mentally can't control.

Thanks everyone, I feel a little better I spoke to my doctor about getting some medication but I need to schedule a different type of appointment first. God knows the truth and that fact has been helping me but it is hard

 

[Mari17]

Recently I've been getting these feelings while I pray, like I am not actually praying to God bit someone or something else. Then I get images that flash into my mind and make things worse. For example I could be looking at a video then I start to pray and I picture the person in the video and I feel like I am praying to that person, it terrifies me and I do not want this to happen. Same thing happens when I look at the cat, my bird or read a book(picturing the characters uncontrollably) I do not know how to make it stop and more I avoid I know the worse it will get.
I know I need to ignore this and let God handle it but I feel like trash, and an idolator even though this is uncontrollable.
I tell myself God doesnt hold it against me, but I am afraid I am wrong.
This obsession hurts very badly and I have no control over it I dont know how to make it go away. I keep thinking, if I stop reading books, if I try to avoid thinking outside of the basics it will stop but I know it wont. The thing about this one is I know fairly well what God would want me to do but I still feel terrified. It would be wrong to serve OCD, that would be serving another master but my feeling like a monster remains.
Has anyone else experienced this?

It sounds like you know what to do in order to deal with your obsessions. Ignore the intrusive thoughts, resist doing compulsions! (And yes, avoidance is a compulsion too. ). How have you been doing with this obsession lately?

 

[KiranLee]

It sounds like you know what to do in order to deal with your obsessions. Ignore the intrusive thoughts, resist doing compulsions! (And yes, avoidance is a compulsion too. ). How have you been doing with this obsession lately?

Thankfully it is doing a lot better thank God for His blessings, I do have some rough times with it but it is getting better.