Hello. I am Roman Catholic- I am 18 years old and I have a question. I want to prepare my heart and soul for spiritual journey to draw closer to Jesus. However, the thing is i am not used to praying the holy rosary and other prayers every day. I love Jesus, God, Our Holy Mother (heavenly mother) so much and all saints and all angels. How can i prepare my soul for that spiritual journey?
2007-03-06 10:38:51 · 20 answers · asked by Jelena V 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You have no soul. Jesus, if he existed, is a dead guy. God doesn't exist. "Spiritual" is mostly a nonsense word.
2007-03-06 10:42:43 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 9⤋
I, too, am Roman Catholic, and have been so since 1951 (the Dark Ages - I know, hahahha), and from time to time I've been concerned about your very issue. I've not been the greatest Roman Catholic over my life, so in my more recent years it has become more important to me. I just got through reading a book you might like entitled "How to Pray Always" by Raoul Plus, S.J. (Society of Jesus / Jesuit, just in case you didn't know), and it is a WONDERFUL book on just exactly what is "prayer" and the "prayerful state", and I can tell you that if you're willing to do some reading (It's only 130 pages long, but every word is so important), you'll find the answers you're looking for. Father Plus was born in 1882 and died in 1958, and he wrote this little book in 1926, so it's full of original Roman Catholic thinking and not the weakened "American Catholic" (as if there really was such a thing) stuff. He was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, and was ordained a priest in Amiens, France, somewhere between 1899 and 1901. I could go on and on about this wonderful guide to prayer which will definitely bring you closer to Jesus our Christ, but you'd do better buying it and reading it for yourself. You can buy it from The Leaflet Missal Company in St. Paul, Minnesota, or go online to www.leafletonline.com and e-mail them at leaflet@leafletonline.com. I can guarantee you that if you spend time reading and thinking about this book, you will have a GREAT tool to prepare your soul for a spiritual journey to Jesus. The book cost $10.95 and the shipping to down here in Texas was $4.95. which made my total price $15.90. It'll be some of the best money you ever spent. God Bless you very much!!
2007-03-06 11:01:17 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible does not ask you to pray rosary and other prayers that are often repeated and lose their meaning. Open your bible and read it. Simply ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and He will. By reading your bible every day and being in prayer with God you will find that you will indeed be closer to Him. I am not putting down the catholic religion, I am just saying that sometimes we focus so much on the details and the rules and the repetetive practices, that we actually become distant from Jesus and you need to be aware of that.
2007-03-06 10:44:20 · answer #3 · answered by VW 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Two suggestions. 1) prayer - prayer doesn't have to be any specific words, sometimes praying includes just kneeling or sitting quietly in communion with God. 2) Fasting - take periods of time where you give up food (if you are able to do this) and reflect on God grace and majesty. Ask God to help you prepare and to put people in your life that can work with you, mentoring you in your journey.
Remember, I understand your love for the Blessed Virgin but her message has always been and still is to draw people into closer relationship with her Son. She doesn't seek anything for herself but to direct people, guiding them to a better, deeper, more intimate relationship with her Son.
2007-03-06 10:48:42 · answer #4 · answered by Wookie 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When I answer this I am not trying to insult or break down your current belief or the Catholic Religion.
I look into the scriptures and I look at catholic doctrine. I do not see how you can be a catholic and still draw yourself close to Jesus. Why you ask? Because the catholic faith contradicts what the bible says we should do as Christians.
God says hate what I hate and you will show the proper fear of me.
Yes the catholic church was founded by the apostle Peter but man has corrupted it through it's thousands of years in force. They have you pray to idols such as Mary, peter, and the hundreds of saints that adorn their books.
They teach that they are Representatives for you and they talk to god on your behalf. Show me a scripture that states this is a proper practice. God said that you are to pray to him through Jesus alone, not to Saint Antoine, or Saint Mark. When you pray to anyone else but God you are practicing idol worship.
Then there is the Pope who represents a Jesus like presents in the Catholic church. Show me a scripture that points out a man shall be worshiped in a way that he is.
You want a tip from me. pick up a king James new translation bible, read it, and pray to god about what you have learned. Use Gods holy spirit to teach you hat you are looking for. You don't believe me read the bible and you will see.
2007-03-06 10:56:52 · answer #5 · answered by aaron_gonzalez21 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Treat God like He is your friend. What do you do to make yourself closer to friends? Well most people talk to the person, listen to the person, and don't do things they know hurt the person's feelings. Pray prayers from your own heart, they don't have to be the rosary, read the Bible, and don't sin. Also, I don't believe it's good to pray to the saints, frankly. Colossians 2: 18 "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions." Jesus is our high priest who interceds for us and understands our weaknesses. Mary was not without sin, but Jesus was.
2007-03-06 10:50:16 · answer #6 · answered by Me Encanta Espanol 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I'd like to recommend you spend time with two particular books of the New Testament, John and Romans. You will see the life and death of Jesus in the book of John and in Romans, you will see why His life and death were so important. Both books will help you walk more closely with Him.
2007-03-06 11:29:31 · answer #7 · answered by Bob T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prayer the rosary, go to daily mass even if on the internet, attend eucharistic adoration, read the bible, and read books on the saints. Make it fit your schedule.
2007-03-06 10:44:04 · answer #8 · answered by Marg 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says draw close to God and He will draw close to you. So one way is to study the Bible, Gods Holy Word.
2007-03-06 10:45:17 · answer #9 · answered by RB 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to pray the same old prayer everyday, mix it up,
talk to jesus.
2007-03-06 11:07:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, I'm not schooled in Catholicism....
but if you want to be closer to God, seek Him, know Him, love Him. Read His word so you are assured in your faith, talk to Him regularly (pray), and stand up for what is right, even when it seems as if it can't benefit you.
and sorry, but I believe you can talk to God on your own, not through the saints. God calls us His "royal priesthood".
2007-03-06 10:45:29 · answer #11 · answered by Hey, Ray 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋