The Rosary - our most powerful weapon?
I have begun to pray the rosary seriously - not just for itself but as a way to achieve prayer intentions. I am now on the 5th day of the 2nd novena of the “54 days of prayer” and I am praying for the conversion of my wife to the fullnes of the Catholic faith. For those who don’t know the 54 days of prayer it consists of praying five decades of the rosary each day for six novenas. The first three novenas are in petition, and the second three novenas are in thanksgiving (whether or not there has been any outward manifestation of the prayer being granted).
On the fourth day of the first novena, my son called to tell me that he had just got engaged to his girlfriend, whom he has been living with for four years. I know that isn’t exactly what I was praying for, but my experience of prayer is that whenever one prays for one thing properly, other related things come right too along the way.
As a converting Protestant, the whole concept of “rosaries” and “novenas” has been anathema to me in the past. But now I am experiencing the power of praying in these kinds of way. I am realising that the way Catholics approach prayer is different to Protestants. For Protestants prayer is like trying to wheedle something out of a reluctant parent. For Catholics it is more like writing a cheque or sending in an order on the internet. You do something and certain results follow. Not because it’s “magic”, but because that’s the way it’s been set up to work.
I have of course grossly oversimplified here, but I do really think there is a basic difference in attitude.
Anyway, I will keep praying!
Si Fractus Fortis
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I recently started praying the rosary myself. I had struggled with this before due to lack of time but now what I do is to carry it with me in my suit pocket and say/contemplate the mysteries whilst travelling or at other times during the day. I manage 5 each day.
Now one might say this is far from the ideal of meditating quietly at home or in a church - but I find there are many other benefits. Most importantly, it means that the barrier between prayer life and work life is broken down and my whole day is better sanctified. I find myself no less able to contemplate the mysteries and each time find something new in the scene or a different lesson for me. And I also find myself offering up decades for those I encounter or those around me.
I hope you continue to find it a blessing and I will pray for you.