Questions about Catholicism from a Non-Catholic - Page 3

pablope · #31 Jun 3, '12, 1:54 am

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Originally Posted by needmorecats

Thanks so much for all of your replies! I
I think more than anything, I'm starting to understand the theological differences between denominations of Christianity are significant, but not as significant as I thought. It's very comforting actually.

Well...on the surface...they may not seem to you as significant...because those that those who came before you....your reformation grandfathers...have basically evaded those they cannot agree with....and thus, you have a truncated version of Christianity.

What you have now, are those they could agree with. Prior to the Reformation...All christians beleived the same thing...but now, there is so much variety in protestantism.

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It's sad that these theological issues have caused such huge problems.

It is very true....before Luther passed away...he already split with his Reformation friends because of disagreements....like with Zwingli..on the belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist....Luther adhered to the belief in the Real Presence...Zwingli started deviating from this Traditional belief.

1 Samuel 15:22-23

22 And Samuel said: Doth the Lord desire holocausts and victims, and not rather that the voice of the Lord should be obeyed? For obedience is better than sacrifices: and to hearken rather than to offer the fat of rams.

23 Because it is like the sin of witchcraft, to rebel: and like the crime of idolatry, to refuse to obey. Forasmuch therefore as thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord hath also rejected thee from being king.

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If I could ask one question - how do you pray to God when you are alone?

We, Catholics, usually pray the rosary or any novena or any chaplet....some spend time in Eucharistic Adoration.

smiddle · #32 Jun 3, '12, 2:13 am

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Originally Posted by needmorecats

If I could ask one question - how do you pray to God when you are alone?

Go into your room, close the door and pray to your father.

Yes, a little biblical humor, but seriously, just pray in private. I pray in my head and then do the sign of the cross.

If I'm praying at night, I still say the "Now I lay me down to sleep....." bedtime prayer that I learned as a child. After that I say the Glory Be, ask God to bless certain people that I feel need it at the end of the day (I be careful not to be repetitive, though). Then maybe if I need to talk to God about something I will, or if I need to confess a venial sin, or something that I feel very badly about and do not wish to wait until Saturday, I will do it then, but then repeat it to a priest on Saturday.

I'm usually alone or praying alone when I say the Hail Mary, so I just say that and do the sign of the cross and say who I'm praying for. And yes, I know Mary is not God, but non-Catholics do not pray to her, so I figured I would tell you about my act of praying to her.

As for your question about baptism of children, Acts 2:39? says the promise of baptism is to children as well. It's been awhile, so I'm not sure if it's v39 exactly, but I know around there it's about baptism.

Aggies08 · #33 Jun 3, '12, 10:40 am

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If I could ask one question - how do you pray to God when you are alone?

Well, there are lots of options.

Sometimes, I will want to say a rosary, chaplet, or other prayer. I like the way that it expresses my sentiments in a beautiful way for how I am feeling, or I'm exhausted, and need the help of having a pre-written prayer to think about.

When I'm "using my own words" I always do sign of the cross, then "Dear Father" LOL. I suppose I'm "composing" it as if I'm writing a letter. I tend to prayer to God the Father when I'm more formally prayer, and Jesus when it's bits here and there throughout the day. "Jesus, let me not lose my temper!" while at work, vs. "Dear God, thank you...blah blah blah."

peace2u2 · #34 Jun 4, '12, 9:24 am

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Originally Posted by needmorecats

If I could ask one question - how do you pray to God when you are alone?

Sometimes its spontaneous prayer like if I'm in the car driving or in a store and God's Spirit draws me to someone who looks like they need prayer, "Dear Lord, please protect and provide for this homeless man today" or "Lord, I pray for this woman's broken leg to be restored to good health" or "Precious Blood of Jesus cover my children today" .

When I am home and if I know that someone is sick and needs specific physical, emotional or inner healing, I will pray specifcally for that type of healing in the name of Jesus and The Rosary is a beautiful prayer that I'm devoted to as well. I dedicate each decade after announcing The Mystery to either someone I know who needs prayers or I'll offer up the prayer for the conversion of sinners or the release of souls from purgatory that have no one praying for them to be released and brought into the light of His wonderful, beautiful face. Amen!

Always start a prayer and end a prayer with the Sign of the Cross, "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit".

SonCatcher · #35 Jun 4, '12, 10:06 am

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Originally Posted by needmorecats

Thanks so much for all of your replies! I haven't been able to visit for some time, and I was able to read all of them! I really do appreciate your individualized responses. I could have researched these subjects online and such, but hearing them from online forum folk just helps me so much more. You've really helped.

You're welcome

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I think more than anything, I'm starting to understand the theological differences between denominations of Christianity are significant, but not as significant as I thought. It's very comforting actually.

I was raised Protestant. Like I'm sure some Catholics misunderstand and generalize Protestants, there are some Protestants that seem to have misunderstood and generalized Catholics. Someone close to me converted from Catholicism and told me that Catholics aren't truly saved and it's just all about the ritual (like the Pharisees sort of thing). I suppose that would be like a Catholic saying that Protestants aren't saved because they just ask for Jesus to come into their life and live like nothing changed. Both of those things happen for sure, but that isn't an accurate representation of Catholicism or Protestantism.

Overcoming ignorance is perhaps most important in this stage of restoring unity to the Body of Christ (that is, the Church).

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It's sad that these theological issues have caused such huge problems. I won't tell you all that I will be joining the Catholic church, but I will tell you that I am examining my faith very deeply. My goal is to try to be honest with myself and with God and really figure out what it is He wants from me. I've been doing a pretty lame job.

Wonderful! I hope He truly draws you near to Himself through these examinations.

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If I could ask one question - how do you pray to God when you are alone?

However you feel comfortable. There are many devotions (rosaries, chaplets, etc). There is also the Liturgy of the Hours (the official prayer of the Church) which basically recites the psalms in a 4 week sequence. Many people do pray spontaneously or even in silence. Personally, I use all these forms of prayer when I am alone, depending on how I feel called at the time.

loko · #36 Jun 4, '12, 3:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by needmorecats

Thanks so much for all of your replies! I haven't been able to visit for some time, and I was able to read all of them! I really do appreciate your individualized responses. I could have researched these subjects online and such, but hearing them from online forum folk just helps me so much more. You've really helped.

I think more than anything, I'm starting to understand the theological differences between denominations of Christianity are significant, but not as significant as I thought. It's very comforting actually.
.

If I could ask one question - how do you pray to God when you are alone?

I usually pray the Our Father with intentions.

Journey322 · #37 Jun 5, '12, 10:44 pm

There are some good answers to your questions posted here, but my best advice is: 1. Make an appointment with a priest at a local parish; 2. Purchase a catechism and search through it for the answers you seek; 3. Begin attending (if you aren't already) a local parish; 4. Ask your parish about faith formation classes.