Hi, I have some questions regarding the rosary. First off, yes I do pray it everyday. Reason: it gave me structure in my prayer life(I wasn’t much of a Bible reader before I started) and it lets me contemplate on the life of Jesus. I feel like it’s brought me closer to Him and I believe it can be used by Baptists as well.
Side note: I don’t believe Mary to be holy or a mediator for God. I also don’t believe she was born without sin. I simply believe she is the Mother of Jesus and that it’s okay to pray to others in Heaven. Think of it like you praying to your mother when visiting her grave and asking for her to pray for you as well.
I wanted to ask if any other Baptists also pray the rosary? If so do you feel as I do about Mary? All the mysteries are in the Bible save for 2(the assumption of Mary and the coronation). Since neither is in scripture, I don’t believe them to be true and would like to ask what you contemplate on when praying these 2 mysteries? Thank you for listening, looking forward to replies!
non-Catholics would not know what a "mystery" is when contemplating praying the rosary;
a mystery when praying the rosary is brief stop in the repetition of prayers where the praying individual reads and ontemplates an event in the life of the LORD.
Here are the mysteries.
Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Birth of Our Lord
The Presentation
The Finding in the Temple
Luminous Mysteries
Baptism of Jesus Christ
Christ Reveals Himself at Cana
Proclamation of the Kingdom and Call to Conversion
The Transfiguration
Institution of the Eucharist
Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging
The Crowning With Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption of Our Lady
The Coronation of Our Lady
The joyful mysteries are said on Monday and Saturday; the sorrowful mysteries on Tuesday and Friday; the glorious mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday; the luminous mysteries on Thursday.
Most non-Catholics would not pray to Mary as well they shouldn't.
But for the LORD's Prayer (Our Father) be careful you are not being repetitious;
Finally go ahead and contemplate the mysterious (except the ones for Mary.
It shouldn't hurt).
Firstly, I would like to thank you for your reply and appreciate your feedback! I have some follow up questions regarding the comments above if you don’t mind answering them.
1) You said non Catholics shouldn’t pray to Mary but that I could contemplate on the mysteries, except for the ones for Mary, and that it shouldn’t hurt. What do you mean by this (could you clarify)? As I said before, I don’t believe Mary to be holy or that she was born without sin so when you said that I could pray on the rosary, is that why you said it shouldn’t hurt? Because I don’t believe this to be true?
2) What did you mean when warning me not to be repetitious on the Lord’s Prayer? What would you suggest I do?
Again thank you for taking time to answer my questions, God bless!
That sounds like what was promoted at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary:
@47:13
Rod Dreher at SBTS: "The Jesus Prayer, I think that's something any evangelical Christian could do...it goes back to the Desert Fathers of the Early Church. [takes out cord and starts fiddling with it] These Prayer Ropes are knotted by monks, they're called chotki, C-H-O-T-K-I, you can find them online, it's just a great discipline....I'll...just say my Prayer Rope, 'Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me'...it's a way to get into a really meditative state of mind"
"Historically, the prayer rope would typically have 100 knots....and a few beads at certain intervals between the knots (usually every 10 or 25 knots) for ease in counting. Longer prayer ropes frequently have a tassel at the end...its purpose is to dry the tears shed due to heartfelt compunction for one's sins."
"When praying, the user normally holds the prayer rope in the left hand, leaving the right hand free to make the Sign of the Cross. When not in use, the prayer rope is traditionally wrapped around the left wrist so that it continues to remind one to pray without ceasing. If this is impractical, it may be placed in the (left) pocket"
be creative - jesus removed the Vail into the HOLY OF HOLIES, plan ahead, make a list of prayer items, praise, requests ... come into HIS presence boldly but respectful, acknowledge your sins...
Matthew 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Isn't that word for word prayer a no, no? Why someone here said just a few weeks ago that "The Lord's Prayer" should not be recited word for word as it appears in the Scriptures. What say you?
Matthew 26:44 ---> “So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.”
Revelation 4:8 ---> "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'”
Why would it be wrong to pray the Our Father as it is in the Bible?
I understand that it’s in scripture, I made sure to understand the fullness of the Rosary and even asked some Catholic friends.
If Mary is holy, could you please quote scripture that states this? I just want to do the Lord’s will and make sure that I’m following Him and not worshiping anyone above Him, for He is my Lord and Savior and I put none above Him.