It is interesting when discussing different prayer forms with Christians who are not Catholic when the conversation turns to Catholics and their - Magic Beads - otherwise known as - the Rosary. Even though most faiths have prayers that involve some repetition - memorized words - chants - the rosary as a tool for prayer - seems to confuse some Catholics - majority of non Catholics. Often it is hard to explain to others - without showing them - how to use the rosary - letting them physically hold a rosary in their hands - saying prayers along with them. Besides the official prayers of Mary's Rosary - chaplets - other short repetitive prayers prayed using the beads to help one keep track of where they are in the different sequences. Once properly explained - once personally experienced - many non Catholic develop an understanding - comfort using rosaries in their own prayer life. A few become so comfortable that as non Catholics - praying Mary's rosary becomes a daily practice.
When Jesus was asked to teach His disciples how to pray - the Lord's Prayer was the first. Eventually - in addition to spontaneous - free form prayer - other prayers developed over the years. Today the different forms - prayer styles - have developed so much - hard to keep track of all of them. There are no bad - wrong - prayers - as long they are spoken to Our Lord - God - the Father - Jesus - the Son - the Holy Spirit. All Prayers help lead us to God - closer to the Father - His Son - helping us to know Him better - helping us to draw closer to the Mystery that is Him. At this point in our Lenten journey - prayer should be occupying the majority of our time spent with God.
Deacon Dale
