Overcoming Lust with the Rosary

Chastity.com ^ | Matt Fradd

[southernmann]

Not at all, what purpose would that serve?

From the way it sounded, I thought that perhaps you may have some proof. Lots of folks have faith of all kinds.

[Old Yeller]

Well I know that. Maybe that is the thing. I am Catholic and I think of the whole of it as being the same thing. The CCC, the Bible, the Rosary, the calendar, the liturgy, the statutes, the stain glass. It's all the same its all together. its all one fabric.

So you're lured by the things that appeal to your 5 senses. Don't forget candles, incense and holy water.

[Old Yeller]

Memorizing scripture for what reason?

Why do Catholics memorize prayers, instead of speaking to God from the heart and spontaneously?

[defconw]

No sorry, matter of faith.

[defconw]

Nothing wrong with those things. God made you with senses and a mind and a soul when they are integrated and centered on him, it's awesome.

I am not certain that your post is sarcastic, so I will leave it at that.

[af_vet_1981]

Why do Catholics memorize prayers, instead of speaking to God from the heart and spontaneously?

Certain prayers are scripturally infused and help the petitioner focus by having a common scriptural perspective on what is true and important, Our Father, for example. Catholics pray in their own words in addition to the liturgical prayers. There is a beautiful sense of unity to pray the same acceptable prayers across the planet with millions of people throughout the centuries. It reminds me of the Jews, from whom Catholics have borrowed much, and to whom Catholics are much indebted. Jews across the world are saying the same beautiful prayers in staggered time zones every single day, and especially on the high holidays.

I never get the sense that Catholics are preaching when they pray, using the prayer as a contemporaneous sermon as it were with "every eye closed and every head bowed."

[Heart-Rest]

Old Yeller Post 28:"Instead of saying repetitious Hail Marys during a Rosary, spend that time learning Scripture verses."

Old Yeller Post 63:"Why do Catholics memorize prayers, instead of speaking to God from the heart and spontaneously?"

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Regarding your post 63, I'll just let you know that Catholics pray both formal memorized prayers, and informal prayers "speaking to God from the heart and spontaneously" like protestants do.    Catholics also unite and integrate personal prayer intentions and requests with the praying of those more formalized prayers like the Rosary.

Now regarding your assertion concerning "learning Scripture verses", the Rosary is an excellent vehicle to do both at the same time, almost like a form of "Lectio Divina".

To briefly illustrate, the Rosary starts with blessing yourself "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit", then you recite the "Apostles Creed", which is based on (or related to) numerous Bible texts, some of which are shown here:

The Apostle's Creed

   I believe in God, (Isaiah 44:6; 45:5)
   the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Acts 14:15)
   and in Jesus Christ, (Luke 2:11; John 20:28)
   His only Son, (John 3:16; Proverbs 30:4)
   our Lord: (John 20:28)
   Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, (Luke 1:35)
   born of the Virgin Mary; (Luke 1:27)
   suffered under Pontius Pilate, (Luke 23:23-25)
   was crucified, (John 19:20; Acts 4:10; all Gospels)
   died (1 Corinthians 15:3)
   and was buried. (1 Corinthians 15:4)
   He descended into hell; (1 Peter 3:18; Luke 23:43)
   the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4)
   He rose again from the dead; (1 Corinthians 15:4)
   He ascended into heaven, (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51, Acts 1:11)
   is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 1:3)
   from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. (2 Timothy 4:1; John 5:22)
   I believe in the Holy Spirit, (John 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-14; Acts 13:2)
   the Holy Catholic Church, (Acts 9:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:15)
   the communion of Saints, (Ephesians 1:15-23)
   the forgiveness of sins, (Luke 7:48; John 20:23)
   the resurrection of the body, (1 Thessalonians 4:16; John 6:39)
   and life everlasting. (John 10:28; 17:2-3)
   Amen.

Then you say the Scriptural "Our Father"

   The Lord's Prayer (the "Our Father") - Matthew 6:9-13

followed by the "Hail Mary"

   "Hail, full of grace" (Archangel Gabriel to Mary - 1st part of the "Hail Mary" prayer) - Luke 1:28

   "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Elizabeth to Mary - 2nd part of the "Hail Mary" prayer) - Luke 1:42

(and while you are reciting those prayers, you meditate on the various "Mysteries" of the life and work of Jesus, which can be found throughout the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament).    Praying the Rosary typically includes other prayers, which are also Scripturally related.

You can also do a Google search for "Scriptural Rosary", and you will see hundreds of thousands of resultant sites with the scriptures to read and learn (or memorize if you choose) for each Rosary bead within each Mystery in the life of Christ which the Rosary calls to mind.

Here is what is available on one such web site which is filled with Scriptural references you can learn or memorize:

   The "Joyful Mysteries" of the Rosary

   The "Sorrowful Mysteries" of the Rosary

   The "Glorious Mysteries" of the Rosary

   The "Luminous Mysteries" of the Rosary

There are also many books and DVDs and CDs you can get that are similar to those "Scriptural Rosary" web sites, and here are just some examples of each of them which are available on Amazon:

   Scriptural Rosary (English) (book)

   Scriptural Rosary (DVD)

   Mother of Mercy Scriptural Rosary (Audio CD)

You would be hard-pressed to find a better combination of prayer, Bible-learning, and meditation/contemplation than the Rosary.

[cloudmountain]

It's funny(meaning strange) how people are so freaked out by the Rosary but advocate all these new age meditations. If the Rosary is done correctly the prayer leads to meditation and communication with God.
Why is PRAYING something to be freaked out about? Prayer is to our God; new age meditation is to NOTHING.

I remember a priest telling me that God was not answering me because I was conducting a monologue rather than a dialog with Him.
That wasn't very kind of him, even if it was the truth. God doesn't always answer us the way we want.
When God answers me He answers me with blessings in very odd but wonderful ways...unexpected.

[defconw]

I don't why they are freaked out by praying.

The priest actually said it in a very nice way and taught me to listen. Sure it's in God's time. One of my lifelong battles has been with patience. Not my strong suit.

[southernmann]

OK, thanks

[defconw]

We can do both, sometimes at the same time. Believe it or not, not all people can find the words or are afraid they will say it wrong.

The there is a unity. All Christians pray the Our Father. You do pray that no?

Why do you memorize scripture? Same reason we memorize prayer.

Not everyone is a monastic. Prayer is not just for Sundays. People can and all religious do pray the Liturgy of the Hours which is scripture and meditations. We have been taught since we are old enough to hear that we are to pray always. But that does not means life comes to a grinding halt so I can pray for all to see.

Come Lord Jesus! There that's a prayer I pray a lot.

[cloudmountain]

I don't why they are freaked out by praying.
Neither do I.

The priest actually said it in a very nice way and taught me to listen. Sure it's in God's time. One of my lifelong battles has been with patience. Not my strong suit.
Both my parents were impatient. I am a hybrid of impatience. :o)

[NorthMountain]

ROFL!!!!!

[defconw]

LOL! I honestly think that God purposefully makes me wait. LOL. I try to be patient, the more I try the quicker the answer. We call God Father for a reason. :)

[Vermont Lt]

Chanting has always been a key part of meditation.

This is as old as the Indian mediation techniques that pre date Christianity by thousands of years.

[cloudmountain]

LOL! I honestly think that God purposefully makes me wait. LOL. I try to be patient, the more I try the quicker the answer. We call God Father for a reason. :)

:o)

[defconw]

I like how the Jews rock back and forth while praying. Well they do it at the Wall. Not sure if that's the way they do it all the time. But, that is just a comfort.

Prayer at least for me and from what I have been taught is multidimensional. Three major expressions of prayer: vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplative prayer. They all are good. Sometimes when you have no words it is enough.

[Vermont Lt]

Whatever works is good.

I dont mean that in a condescending way either.

Everyone have to find their way. I am happy you found yours. Mine is walking. With noise cancelling headphones. I will probably get run over some day, but I am willing to take that chance.

[defconw]

LOL! Well I hope you do not get run over. Whatever works is good, I agree. There are days that I don’t feel like doing one kind of prayer. Sometimes laying in the grass staring at the sky can be form a prayer.

[Arthur McGowan]

You might be interested in a little book published about fifty years ago, still in print, called “A Scriptural Rosary.”