www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer Prayer assistance

Well hello everyone.

I know its been a while since I have posted here but rest assured that I am lurking.

Many of you know me, maybe even remember me. Others don't know me, but I have been a member since 2000 or so.

Now for the reason for this plea.

I am currently discerning a religious vocation and it is coming to crunch time.

I find I am waiting on others to make decisions and those decisions will determine what happens. I feel a bit helpless.

I also am feeling .... well it is hard to explain... The only words I can put to it is that I feel as if I am under attack... Does that sound right? I don't know.

So I am return to my home on the 'net to ask for your assistance in prayer.

Thanks!

My best friend is a priest. When he was discerning his vocation he made a statement that I will always remember. He said it was like putting a bulls-eye on your back and waving it in front of Satan. That sounds similar to what you are saying, David, and it sounds like a good sign to me. I will keep you in my prayers.

Charles

Agreed.

Hang on there, David! You'll be in my prayers.

Hi David,

The call God is making to you, whatever that might be, only you can answer.

God will speak to you in the silence of your heart and through the people around you. Listen carefully to what He has to say.

Yes, spiritual warfare could be a good sign, but only if you maintain God's given peace in your heart. The moment you find yourself being part of the spiritual violence, you know you are on the wrong side of the war.

May the Lord guard you, keep you, have mercy on you, gide you and save you.

You will be in our prayers.

Shalom,
Memo

David, may the prayer of Jesus heart be fulfilled in yours by the love of service to his call on your life. Let it be according to God's will, hearing his words, knowing his love, casting the world aside to follow in his footsteps. For in his direction alone for your life will you be totally stisfied.

Abba, let your will be done for David, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen

Memo,
I must respond to this.

This statement is not wholly true.

There comes a time, especially when discerning a calling to religious life, where one has done all they can and then all they can do is wait on others as I am.

We can not truely discern a calling to religious life. If the call from the Church does not come, then is there a calling there?

This is a dilemma I pray that I am never faced with.


David, the Byzantine Catholic

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.

Hi David,

I said:

You replied:

Well, what you say in your second paragraph is true, however, I fail to see how that makes what I said before "not wholly true".

You see, it is perfectly natural, from a human stand point to find yourself waiting from specific actions, or the resolution of specific situations in order to discern the big decisions on your life.

However, your decisions are only yours. "The call God is making to you, whatever that might be, only you can answer" means that you are irreplaceable and irrepeatable.

If God wants you to be a priest, for instance, nobody else can be a priest for you. There are many priests, of course, but each one is following (hopefully) his own call.

You see what I mean?

If the call is for you, then you must answer. Your answer can be a "yes" or a "no", however, it has to be YOURS.

And concerning prudence, I said it is humanly natural to be cautious. But God is also expecting you to be courageous and trustful. Remember the guy who wanted Christ to wait until he said good bye to his family? Or the guy who wanted Christ to wait until he had burried his father? Or the guy who began to work on the field, but then looked back?

Prudence is OK. Using others to delay your decisions is NOT.

Of course. The calling to religious life can only come through the Church. That is an integral part of the discerning process of a religious vocation.

It is very unusual for the person being called to be the first one to realize he or she would do a good job as a priest, deacon, monk, nun or whatever.

As you know, I am also at some sort of vocational crossroads, so perhaps we have more to share with each other. If you'd like to continue our discussion privately, just say so in a private message (if you'd rather not to, that is also perfectly OK, of course).

Shalom,
Memo

Dear brother, in Christ, David,

You know that you are in my daily prayers, as you are discerning your call.

My prayers are both for you, and for those charged with considering your petition.

May God grant you great generosity and peace, in this difficult time of 'waiting'.

May God inspire and direct those whose special responsibility it is to care for vocations to the priesthood and monastic life.

I remember so many years ago, when I asked to join my religious community. It is not an easy time, and there is great vulnerability there. I encourage all our brothers and sisters on the forum to join with me in prayers for our brother David, and for all those who are caring for vocations.

May God direct their steps!

the unworthy,

Elias