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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Seeing the outcome of my prayers	Matt	Monday, November 19, 2007
Question: Brother Ignatius, I wanted to ask some questions about prayer. I know that prayer is the elevating of the mind to God. How do i know that i'm doing it right? How much does whether the prayers are truly "heartfelt" have on the outcome of my prayers? For instance during the Rosary, i'll offer each decade up for specific intentions, either verbally or mentally. Am i doing it right? For instance before each decade, i'll say in my mind "I offer this decade for the souls in purgatory" Is this enough and is it the right way to do it? How do i really know that it was heartfelt, is it enough just to ask for something or tell God something even if it might not be completely heartfelt? How do i know that it worked for the souls in purgatory or for whoever else i might be praying for? Should i ask God to show me the fruits of my prayers? Is that proper? Thanks Brother.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Matthew: There is no "right" way to pray. Talk to God. That is the right way to pray. But, be sure you shut up once-in-awhile and listen. Sometimes God cannot get a word in edgewise because we will not shut up long enough. Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God..." As for the Rosary, again, there is no "right" way. What you're doing is fine. How do you know whether it is heartfelt? Well, are you only praying to be saying words or do you sincerely offering your prayers? DO you mean to talk to God? If you are sincere and mean your prayers, then you are heartfelt. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Seeing the outcome of my prayers

Matt

Monday, November 19, 2007

Question:

Brother Ignatius,

I wanted to ask some questions about prayer. I know that prayer is the elevating of the mind to God. How do i know that i'm doing it right? How much does whether the prayers are truly "heartfelt" have on the outcome of my prayers?

For instance during the Rosary, i'll offer each decade up for specific intentions, either verbally or mentally. Am i doing it right? For instance before each decade, i'll say in my mind "I offer this decade for the souls in purgatory" Is this enough and is it the right way to do it? How do i really know that it was heartfelt, is it enough just to ask for something or tell God something even if it might not be completely heartfelt? How do i know that it worked for the souls in purgatory or for whoever else i might be praying for? Should i ask God to show me the fruits of my prayers? Is that proper? Thanks Brother.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Matthew:

There is no "right" way to pray. Talk to God. That is the right way to pray. But, be sure you shut up once-in-awhile and listen. Sometimes God cannot get a word in edgewise because we will not shut up long enough.

Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God..."

As for the Rosary, again, there is no "right" way. What you're doing is fine.

How do you know whether it is heartfelt? Well, are you only praying to be saying words or do you sincerely offering your prayers? DO you mean to talk to God? If you are sincere and mean your prayers, then you are heartfelt.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum