Prayers please?

[katesmom]

Hi everyone! My title sounds selfish & urgent doesnt it? I feel like I am on this faith journey alone & it is pretty lonely at times. I just need to talk to someone & this seems like the best place to get help, prayer & answers!

Ive been indecisive in my faith journey for a while now. One minute Im gung-ho & excited about continuing my faith journey in the Catholic church, the next minute Im unsure? I have a tendenancy to "RESEARCH" topics to death. I read too much & find too many articles, books, webpages that lure me away from the Catholic church. They convince me to leave the church, but I dont want to.

Your probably thinking "if your so disheartened about leaving the catholic church, then stay & grow". I want to, but I need prayers & support (doesn't everyone-right) I really feel selfish posting this, but I want to be accountable. Plus you guys are great!

Are there prayers for indecisveness? I really have a problem with this area. I dont stick to decisions & its becoming a problem! Ive considered leaving CF because Im embarrased about some of my posts & questions & my tendancy to be led astray from OBOB.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Paul S]

Don't leave the Church. Keep praying and keep going to Communion.

Stop reading the heretical material. Unless you're an apologist who's really strong in her faith and needs to read Protestant stuff in order to refute it, there's no need to do so.

Pray for the Holy Ghost to continue leading you to the Truth. God does not want any of His children to fall away - trust in Him.

Ask for the help of St. Thomas - he knows all about doubt, and he made it to heaven.

 

[Brother Simon]

Praying for you and your jounery, katesmom.

With love,
Simon

 

[Carrye]

First of all, you are never alone. You keep asking your questions. Keep researching. Keep praying.

I'll be praying for you until that Great Easter Day when you are received fully into the Church.

 

[katesmom]

Paul S, Brother Simon & Clskinner: thank you for your prayers.

Paul S: Im reading about Apostle St Thomas - It is giving me insight to my doubtfulness - thank you!

Since I NEVER went to Catholic mass & my catholic upbringing was lacking (other than my baptism sacrament) I shouldnt be suprised by the number of questions & concerns that have come up as a result of my research. No one ever taught me anything about the church, Ive had to find it all out by myself. Im glad that Clskinner is encouraging me to continue my research, because I feel all this research (good & bad) is leading my back to the catholic church.

On another note:
Protestanism (I just learned this word & its meaning) is the only kind of religious teaching Ive ever been exposed to. I started asking, Why do they do things so differently than catholics. Protestanism was giving me what I wanted, I started to just accept it. Later I began to question all of it. I didnt want to just accept protestant views without knowing what the catholics believed & why.

Thanks for letting me ramble on again---I feel cleansed this morning (perhaps it was your prayers? ) Things are clearer this morning & starting to come together. I dont feel as doubtful, as I have the past few months.

Thanks again

 

[Cat59]

Praying for you too katesmom- and continue in your searching and questioning here- there are so many who will be able to help.

for you!
Cat

 

[Dream]

Protestanism was giving me what I wanted, I started to just accept it.

Remember, Katesmom, religion is not about making you feel good inside. It's about seeking and finding the Truth, no matter how easy or difficult it may be.

 

[katesmom]

Thank you Cat59!

 

[katesmom]

Remember, Katesmom, religion is not about making you feel good inside. It's about seeking and finding the Truth, no matter how easy or difficult it may be.

I know I tend to focus on feelings. I am a worrier. This is a weak point of mine. Thanks dreamtheater!

 

[Maggie893]

I will definitely be praying for you. I also suggest you write down the major differences you see in the Catholic Church vs. the Protestant church you are drawn to. Then ask yourself if you can truly live without those things such as:

Jesus, Real Presence in the Eucharist
Confession
The full communion of the Saints
Solid guidance from the Holy Father


I'm sure others can list even more. For me, no matter how great the praise music or how warm the fellowship...living without those 4 things would be too much to consider.

Then pray, pray, pray.....especially start reading the lives of the Saints. I saw that you are reading of St. Thomas. Also add St. Therese, St. Teresa, St. Alphonsus Ligouri (my personal fav), and oh so many others.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Do not look forward to the trials and crosses of this life with dread and fear. Rather, look to them with full confidence that, as they arise, God, to whom you belong, will deliver you from them.
He has guided and guarded you thus far in life. Do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all trials. Whenever you cannot stand, He will carry you lovingly in His arms.
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. the same Eternal Father who cares for you today will take good care of you tomorrow and every day of your life. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you the unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then and put aside all useless thoughts, vain dreads, and anxcious imaginations.
St. Fancis de Sales

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT-
Almighty God, Adorable Spirit, Truth, Love and Light, fill my soul with grace. Enlighten my intellect so that I may know truth. Direct my will so that I may choose good. Move my soul so that I may completely love You, the Father and the Son.
Amen

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS-

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with Infinate Love; broken by our ingratitude and pierced by our sins; yet loving us still; accept the consecration we make to Thee of all tha twe are and all that we have.
Take every faculty of our souls and bodies, only day by day draw us nearer and nearer to Thy Sacred Heart; and there as we shall hear the lesson, teach us Thy Holy Way.
amen

 

[Monica02]

I will pray for you. Please keep going to Mass. I assume you have a good study Bible and the Catechism. It is very important that you continue to research authentic Church teachings and beliefs so you will be able to spot falsehoods in all of the hostile, anti-Cahtolic liturature out there. Search for the Truth of what God wills for you, not for whatever faith community will make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Remember - the prayer is "...Thy will be done...", not "....my will be done..." . Seeking God's will is the True path to Him and to happiness.

God Bless.

 

[MParedon]

Praying for you.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I will pray for you! I remember how unsure I was as I began my journey back to the Church...

Read only Catholic stuff for now- and if you have doubts immediately make an Act of Faith or say the Apostle's Creed. Stick with the Bible and lives of the Saints and try to go to Adoration as often as you can.

The fact that you feel selfish asking for prayer shows that you still struggle with feeling unworthy of the love of God. Remember, above all, that you are His precious little one- He called you by name...we all struggle and fall and flounder-- that is why we are so blessed to have one another!

 

[Filia Mariae]

I'm praying for you Katesmom!

 

[ukok]

Praying for you

ideas.... read your Catholic bible and the Catechism regularly (buy a concise Catechism if you feel put off by the length of the CCC in full), also, check out the daily Mass readings and learn Catholic Prayers, spend more devotional time with God and less reading the slander of non-Catholics against the One Church that Christ founded, (Matt 16:18)..and go to Mass as often as possible, if you can't yet receive the Eucharist, then spend time with God, before the Tabernacle. consider praying the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet.



God bless.