Is it hypocritical for a fallen Catholic to ask for prayers?

[BigBigBear]

It's been many years, most of my life, since I was active in my faith - I was a child, it wasn't even really my faith, since it was the faith my parents raised me in, and I moved away from it as I moved away from home.

The person most important to me in my life is seriously ill, perhaps gravely ill; she may be slipping away from me, and I may soon be a widower at age 46. I cannot bear the thought.

I ask humbly for...positive vibes, encouragement from strangers, Prayers. Even if I believed fervently in Divine intercession, I cannot believe I or we should be worthy of it.

But I don't know what else to do.

I admire strong and principled atheists, even if I cannot claim true kinship with them - I'm a bit of a failure at it myself, especially at times like this.

[ewagner]

1. You got it

I'll keep positive thoughts and prayers coming from this end.

Best wishes to you.

[zbird]

2. ((((((((((BigBigBear)))))))))))

Sending big hugs and positive vibes your way. Hang in there.

[Cassandra]

3. Of course you are both worthy of it.

You are a good person who loves another; what more could God want? You are in my thoughts. Take care.

[alvis]

4. I see no reason why it would be.

From what I understand, if you need prayers they are there for you no matter what you believe or what your circumstances are. From what I know of the Gospels, God/Jesus reaches out to the fallen. I'm thinking specifically of the Prodigal Son parable. I don't know what your beliefs are, but I wish you and your loved ones well.

[Nicholas_J]

5. Well

Novena coming for you tomorrow...

[blackcat77]

6. None of us are worthy

But God loves us anyway. You both have my prayers and thanks for letting us know.

[SOteric]

7. This practicing Catholic

thinks only God should be in a position to judge, and he's probably glad to hear from you again, if only through the grapevine.

If you and your loved one are in pain, believe me, you'll be in my prayers. Peace.

:hug:

[Rowdyboy]

8. Its not hypocritical for anyone, churched or not, to ask for prayers...

How could you not, at such a time? You have our two "fallen Episcopalian" prayers and support. I can't conceive of the pain you must be going through. Please keep us up to date

[happynewyear]

9. go to the Church, find the priest and ask for help

I'm not great Catholic either but I was raised as one. When my mother fell ill I didn't know what to do. I remembered her words, "If you ever get yourself into a real mess, go to the Church and they will help you."

Being she was a fairly good Catholic, I went to the Church and I found the priest and I told him my mother was in the hospital and dying. The Church arranged for someone to go see her right away and it comforted her greatly. I found comfort in it too.

The same priest tended to my late mother during the last few months she was alive and gave her last rites. The priest also arranged a Mass to be said where my father's RIP mass was said. This was her wish.

If I had to do it over again, I would not change a thing with the way the Catholic Church fit into the picture at the end.

For this reason, I suggest you go to the Church and seek help if you can find it within yourself to do it. I did and I have lots of guilt about many things in my life. Many of these "things" are against the doctrine of the Church but these issues never came up.

I cannot say I am a better or stronger Catholic because of this, but I can say that my belief in God is.

All the best to you and may God bless you and your dear one.

[papau]

10. You are in my prayers -

in many ways

give a hug from DU to your partner.

[DBoon]

11. Of course not

There is not such thing as an ex-Catholic

[Coventina]

12. {{{{{hugs}}}}}}

Sending prayers and thoughts your direction.

It is NEVER WRONG to ask for help and support.

13. Reach Out

Reach out and God will be there.

Do I believe in God? I don't know. However, science has proven that certain areas of the human brain are triggered during prayer and ecstatic states and those areas can be activated by strong signals. They seem to be "receptors" and they have been shown on MRI to be larger and more delineated in religious or deeply spiritual people. WHY would they BE there if not to "sense" or "receive" something?

Light does not exist because we have eyes, rather we have eyes because light exists. Our ears did not create sound waves, but the need for utilizing sound waves caused our ears to develop. Thus, I think it is with God... we have *physical* receptors in our brains that seem to respond to a metaphysical reality our other senses do not grasp. are these our "God-ears"? Nature does not make things for no reason. Reach out. Pray earnestly. Ask for forgiveness if you feel it necessary and KNOW that God, if S/He is at all like we comprehend Hir, is capable of infinite forgiveness. If Catholicism is too much for you, just now, try the Episcopal Church or the lutherans. They have Apostolic Succession and a common Eucharist.

I will pray for you and for your partner.

[cally]

14. (((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

I'll say a prayer for you and your wife. Please keep us updated on what happens.

[flamingyouth]

15. From another lapsed Catholic

You've got prayers and good vibes coming big time:hug:

Pray or do anything that makes you feel better, believe me. Anything that can give you and your loved ones any comfort during this horrible time can help your state of mind. In the meantime, please stay in touch with your DU friends so we can keep sending you good vibes, because we do care about you.:loveya:

[BigBigBear]

16. Wow

Such fine people.

I was looking forward to this summer so much, too. We were going to buy a house, do lots of whitewater rafting (we have our own boat) - enjoy the rivers and forests here in Colorado together, which we've done together for 15 years now.

Thanks for the strength and good wishes and your thoughts on faith. It all means a lot to me. :)

[NNadir]

17. I don't do prayer, buy you have my most fervent hopes.

If prayer does it for you, don't worry about abstractions like theoretical consistency. Do whatever helps you by all means. When my father was dying, although I am an atheist, I supported my step-mother in her prayers, because her prayers gave her peace. It hurts nothing to pray and if it gives you peace, I have nothing to say more than that I believe you must have all the peace you can get.

Don't worry about anything else other than the person you love. Do whatever you must. This will be with you for as long as you many live. Do what feels right. Regret nothing.

Good luck.

[carols]

18. Not a Catholic, but as one who has struggled back to God many times

I know it is never wrong to ask for prayer. And God doesn't mind if you've been away for awhile :-). Vibes, prayers, warmth and peace all coming your way.
Carol

[newyawker99]

19. ((((Big big bear))))

I am sending positive thoughts, vibes and
prayers your way.


~~~~~~~~~~~positive vibes to Bear and his special lady~~~~~~~~~~~~~