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Post subject: Advice needed please
 Posted: Feb 08, 2010 - 04:53 AM
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010
Posts: 2
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Hello, I am Meg, I used to lurk here and comment once in a while many years ago, and decided to come back and check in.
I became a Catholic in 1999, undergoing a complete conversion experience. My brother came in to the church, and was a Charismatic at that time. He spoke in tongues, wanted me to, but I didn't. He has since gone back to being pretty lukewarm. I just don't understand if you have been touched by the spirit, why you would not keep the faith, so I just have a hard time understanding all of this.
I felt drawn to healing masses and Charismatic services, all Catholic, of course. I had been around these services a little growing up and I like them but am not 100% comfortable in letting my guard down. I felt for a long time that I just need to BE QUIET, praying in Eucharistic adoration, rosary, chaplet, etc. I am a busy mom so quiet moments are not long ones. A priest I know that was a Pentecostal before, told me that God wants me to "loosen my tongue", that was several years ago. I tried to forget about all of this stuff, but I feel very drawn to praying in tongues and I have NO idea how or why. I just love God so much and want to learn to praise him as I should. I am looking into a Charismatic prayer group in a nearby town, but there aren't any really close. I would love to go to a Life in the Spirit seminar, but don't think there are any in my area in the near future.
My mother is a devout Catholic, she is trying to get me into "contemplative Prayer", but says that I must not be ready for it, since I just do not feel it is for me.
Please give me some advice. I am a pretty hyper person, so it is hard to quiet my mind and heart, but I manage my daily prayers, talking to God daily, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, which I love but I just can't shake this. I am a little confused about where God is leading me in my prayer life.
Several years ago I prayed for the gift of tongues, I thought that I just wasn't meant to have this gift, but I still feel drawn in this direction. I don't think about it all the time, but off and on, it is on my mind.
Thanks for listening and God Bless!
Meg  |
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 08, 2010 - 10:00 AM
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Site Admin
Joined: Apr 07, 2003
Posts: 1489
Location: Mid -Iowa
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Hello, Meg, and welcome to the CCC forum.
Let me begin with a prayer...
Quote:
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. (Eph 1:17-19)
Please re-read the above "prayer" as a personal, prophetic word.
From the wording of your message, it sounds like you're being pulled every which way but up  I hesitate to give you any more advice cuz it could become another person's opinion, telling you what you should do.
I'll try to answer some of your questions.
First: I'm saddened but not surprised at the "lukewarmness" of your brother. I'm not surprised because Jesus foresaw this when He told the parable about the sower, the seed and the four types of soil. On the other hand, "lukewarmness" could be the downside of a cycle of growth. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Second: you mentioned "praying in tongues". I'd encourage you to try to find a charismatic group nearby and have them pray with you for this gift.
Praying in tongues may be the "least of the gifts" but it's the one that is most frequently given to those who can use all the help they can get.
A lot of people have been prayed over and have been given the gift but refuse to let it come forth. There's something about "cognitive dissonance" that prevents people from breaking forth in tongues. Instead they may try to pray this way and when nothing seems to happen, they automatically assume that they don't have the gift--that God does not intend for them to have this gift.
Sure: praying in tongues will seem strange at first (sorta like walking the first few steps in a new pair of shoes) but that's part of the learning experience. Almost everything in the kingdom of God seems strange and uncomfortable at first for some people. The peace and joy comes when you become acutely aware that the Spirit and Jesus and the Father are there with you helping you grow and overcome the dissonant "feeling."
Hope this much helps. Let us know how things go.
Peace, |
_________________
.ed.
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Post subject:
Posted: Feb 10, 2010 - 02:17 AM
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010
Posts: 2
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| thank you so much, one of my constant prayers is to see with the "eyes of my heart". I will look for a group, not sure if there is anything close by, I am sure the Holy Spirit will lead me where I need to be! |
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