question for catholics (or any christian)?

Question

have you ever come to a point where you've lost your faith...or at least had a time period where you really struggled to stay faithful???

i mean. once you know the faith is true...it feels wicked to doubt, but struggling with some sin has crushed my faith..and i cant get it back... and its been like this month after month..

what do i do??

none of my prayers seem to be getting through anymore...

Answer 1

I've been going through the same thing. It's like going through a spiritual drought. But there's hope yet...
This is actually suffering at one spiritual level to prepare for the next. I can't tell you which level you are at so I've included the link to further explain the purgative, illuminative, and unitive spiritual states; there are also the consolation and desolation levels within these states. I think if you'll take a few minutes to read up on this, you'll feel better. The way to Christ is difficult and lonely sometimes.
Hard as it seems, we are all called to be saints. Some of the greatest saints, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and many others went through desolation, many for years at a time. And don't beat yourself up for it...
I would suggest doing some reading, Scott Hahn is really good but I would prefer either a biography or the writings of a saint. "Living the Mysteries - A Guide for Unfinished Christians" by Hahn might be good since its focus is on the 50 days between Easter and the Pentecost. (If you decide to read any of the comtemplatives, they might be a bit tough depending on where you're at. I don't think I could read them myself right now. St. Therese, "The Story of a Soul", is always great. Simple yet profound.)
Thanks for asking this question. In trying to answer your question, I am able to clarify the direction I need to make in my own life. God bless!

Mon :-)

Answer 2

This sounds to me like you are experiencing what is termed The Dark Night Of The Soul. There's an excellent Wikipedia entry on it that I've listed in the sources.

Even some of the apostles doubted. Peter doubted when Jesus had him walking around on the water with him. Thomas doubted until he put his hand into the wound on Christ's side. These were Jesus's chosen few, the "best and brightest", if you will, they had proof right before their eyes, and still they doubted.

Doubt is a trait of being human.

Sin is also a trait of being human. Have you spoken with a priest or a deacon or even just somebody you trust who is pretty spiritually together? Sometimes that helps a lot.

Meanwhile, pray the best you can. Sometimes just sitting there and saying: "I'm here God, where are you?" and then listening with your heart can be a big help. I know it works great for me.

I'll pray that you find your way through.

Answer 3

It's not uncommon to have doubts from time to time.

When it comes to sin, just know that God's capacity for forgiveness is greater than man's capacity to sin.

Your prayers are getting through, and they are being answered. It's important to understand that they are being answered in accordance with God's will, not your's. There are three possible answers; a "yes"' a "no"; and a "not yet (often misinterpreted as a "no").

It is also possible that you are not praying the right prayer. If your prayer consists of asking God to comply with your will, it is unlikely your prayer will be answered to your satisfaction.

For example: Let's say you want to pray for a sports team to win. God cannot acknowledge payers favoring one team over another because the desired answer requires God to favor some human beings over others. It would be more proper for you to pray that your favored sports team play it's best game ever.

What should you do? Make sure your prayers don't imply God taking sides between two people. Be sure you pray fully acknowledging that it is really God's Will that's for the best. Lastly, keep praying.

Answer 4

some Christians do no longer evaluate Roman Catholics to be genuine Christians, and those are quite often protestants. yet fairly, Roman Catholics are Christian yet no longer all Christians are Catholic. Roman Catholics are lead by potential of the Pope in Rome. Protestants do no longer know the Pope's authority and are prepared into thousands of diverse denominations. The jap Orthodox(Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox) additionally do no longer know the Pope, regardless of the undeniable fact that their teachings and ceremonies are very corresponding to the Roman Catholics. The Eucharist is meant to be Jesus's physique and Blood, it fairly is a Holy Sacrament, a considered necessary portion of Catholic church ceremony. i do no longer think in it. i will form of understand the belief yet i'm no longer Catholic or Christian. in no way be frightened of asking questions of your priest or fellow parishioners.

Answer 5

Confess your sin to the Lord. Ask forgiveness for it. Believe that He has heard you and forgiven you, and accept it.

I have walked where you are and can assure you that He can and will forgive you.

Do not be deceived though. It isn't about religion. It has nothing to do with being Catholic, or Methodist, or Presbyterian, or any other denomination. When you stand before the Lord He will not ask you if you were ______ (fill in the blank with any denominational name) God will look only at your heart to see if the blood of Yashua, Christ Jesus, covers it.

Answer 6

I went through periods of neglecting my faith, but I always (after converting to Catholicism) believed in the authority and teachings of the Catholic Church 100%.

Christianity was handed down and preserved through the ages by the Catholic Church. And the cannon of the New Testament was determined infallibly by the authority of the Catholic Church.

If I did not believe that the Holy Spirit never failed to protect the Catholic Church from teaching error in Christian doctrine, then I would not see a reason for believing any of Christianity.

There is no reason to accept anyone's authority to teach about Christianity if they don't have it handed down directly from Jesus and the apostles.
.

Answer 7

Don't listen to Jade! I'm a Catholic and will always be, no matter what!

Yes, I've had that sorta feeling before. Try going to confession and visiting church more often. It's hard to believe God exists but if you think it through rationally you'll find he does. And then everything else will follow. I don't want to sound preachy or anything of that sort (I hate that) but think of His mercy and kindness. I sincerely hope this helps.

By the way...uh...are you Catholic?

Answer 8

Unless you really know the truth of God's word, you cannot be relying on holy spirit. Try having a Bible Study with a Jehovah's Witness and see if that doesn't turn things around for you.

Answer 9

i understand how you feel, but in the word faith itself, which means something like "believing in something you don't even see," it's up to you if you will still believe in that Great Power that cannot be seen but felt, even though you feel that you are undeserving of all the blessings that God gives to everybody. Think about it hard, but pray harder...

Answer 10

I'm a former Catholic...I could never reconcile with their dogma mandating what is and isn't a sin. If you can't get your faith back, try reading up on other religions, or just spirituality in general.