Catholics, please don’t take offense. We understand Catholics and Protestants have specific theological differences and we can all get along because we share the same purpose – a life with Christ and Heaven ever after. This is just stating a significant difference between the two denominations; Protestants don't put as much emphasis on Mary as do Roman Catholics. Protestants believe we don't need a mediator to talk to God. When the veil was torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:37-38) we believe God tore the veil as a symbolic act to say Christ's death removed the barrier that separated us from God. Now we can come to God ourselves at anytime and any place.
The following is just my Protestant version of the Rosary Prayer, using God, and Christ to worship rather than Mary, and encompass purposeful communication between God, Jesus, and you.
Where do I get a Rosary?
You can find a rosary at just about any local Cincinnati religious store, such as Family Christian Stores (with locations throughout Cincinnati), Inner Blessings in Cheviot, or even on the internet. Amazon.com has a wide selection with varying prices.
If you have trouble staying focused on your prayer and get distracted easily, a rosary might be just what you need.
Why Pray the Rosary if you're Protestant?
Devotions or a prayer time should be an every day discipline for a Christ Follower. I've found that a Rosary isnot just for Catholics.
If you have difficulty staying focused on your prayer and get distracted easily, a rosary might be just what you need. I find that holding the Rosary focuses my attention on God and my conversation with Him.
What About the Differences in a Protestant cross and a Catholic cross? (the first symbol on a Rosary)
Protestant crosses are just that – a cross. A crucifix, which is used on rosaries includes Jesus on the cross, and sometimes the sign that was posted atop the cross.
I find that looking at the cross, with the figure of Jesus still on the cross is a reminder of what He suffered, just so we could have a relationship with Him, and one day be able to see Him in heaven. A reminder of His suffering so that I can have relationship and one day be with Him helps me stay focused on the things that are really important.
The Modifications to the Rosary are mine. You can choose to modify it (as I did) to suit your needs. Sometimes I like having structure when I pray, particularly when I’m having my specific time with God. Holding a rosary keeps me focused.
I have left the original Roman Catholic words in this text so you can see the differences.
Prayers for Praying the Rosary
Keep in mind that the Rosary here is intended to keep us focused, as we talk with God. I improvise and just tell Him what's on my heart each time, so the structure is there, but I leave it wide open for additional conversations and no two prayers are ever alike, because prayer is having a conversation with God. So anytime you pray, you’ll have specific things on your heart.
· Preparatory Prayer, said as you hold the rosary
(This is to prepare our hearts for prayer and reminds us of the purpose)
“Oh God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech you, that while meditating on these mysteries of the holy Rosary, may we imitate what they contain, and obtain union and relationship with you.
The Order of Prayers with the Beads
1. The Apostle's Creed – (said while holding the Cross.)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
2. (first bead) One Our Father (The Lord's Prayer)
OUR FATHER
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
3. Three Hail Marys (traditionally offered for an increase in faith, hope, and charity for those praying the Rosary), a Glory Be, and, if desired, the Fatima Prayers.
The next grouping is 3 beads together, generally considered for Faith, Hope, and Love.
I pray for family members who I’m closest to, or whomever you choose to remember first.
4. There are 5 beads in the rosary that are set apart individually between sets of ten. In some rosaries, these beads look completely different from the others.
Christ’s life was full of mysteries and miracles. You meditate (or talk out loud to God like I do) when contemplating the day’s Mystery.
I have found it helpful to leave these times of reflections on the particular event in Christ's life in my prayer. I can never be reminded too often of all Christ endured just to have relationship with me (fill in your name here). I find that every time I consider that specific mystery, God points out something I've never thought of before.
Try to place yourself "into" the scene of the particular mystery as you pray, imagining the sights, smells, sounds, and emotions – using all your senses that Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and other participants experienced during the actual events. The Gospels don’t include every single detail of that event. For example, when Mary came running to Jesus to tell Him he was too late to save Lazarus – he was dead, the gospel of John just says, “Jesus wept.” That leaves room for you to imagine the tears streaming down Jesus face; how it sounds when someone is truly weeping; and consider did Jesus place His hand on Mary’s face to comfort her? You fill in the blanks
It’s also okay to meditate on the meaning of the words of the prayers as you pray them, or even to meditate on the person for whom you are offering the Rosary. (this isn’t necessary, since we are praying for people with the beads.)
Mysteries for Certain Weekdays (Each one explained at the end)
Monday - Joyful
Tuesday - Sorrowful
Wednesday - Glorious
Thursday - Luminous
Friday - Sorrowful
Saturday - Joyful
Sunday - Glorious
Use the first separated bead for the First Mystery
(The charm in the middle is saved for last.)
5. Use the next set of beads, to prayer for ten Hail Marys, a Glory Be, and, if desired, the Fatima Prayers. Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen. Please say a few extra prayers after the Hail Holy Queen for the Pope friends or family, or situations that you need to talk about with God.
6. 2nd Mystery
7. Use the next section of beads (ten) to continue praying for individuals or situations that are heavy on your heart.
8. 3rd Mystery
9. Use the next section of beads (ten) to continue praying for individuals or situations that are heavy on your heart.
10. 4th Mystery
11. Use the next section of beads (ten) to continue praying for individuals or situations that are heavy on your heart.
12. 5th Mystery
13. Use the last set of beads to talk with God about your own personal life, failures, sins, praises, whatever you are lead to talk with God about that’s happening in your life right now. This is getting real with God. He already knows anyway, so opening up your heart and surrendering to what He has for us is really the heart of prayer.
Notice I’m using the words “with God” NOT “to God”.
Prayer is a two way conversation.
If you’ve always just prayed to God, you’re missing out on the greatest blessing we have to hear from God, our Father. We need to take the advice of Mother Teresa when she was asked, “what do you talk to God about when you pray?” Her answer, “I mostly just listen.”
14. The Charm – use for the following liturgical heartfelt prayer:
HAIL MARY GOD OUR FATHER
Hail Mary, God, full of grace. The Lord be with me. Blessed Father, art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of our God, we pray that you forgive us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
FATIMA PRAYER
O my Jesus, forgive us of our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.
HAIL HOLY FATHER QUEEN
Hail, holy God, Queen, Father Mother of mercy, our my life, our my sweetness and our my hope. To you do we I cry, poor banished children of Eve: to you thee do we I send up our my sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Even when we’re lost for words, you see us.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward me us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, we I long to be with thee, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Savior! Virgin Mary!
Leader: Pray for us O Holy Mother of God,
All: That we may be(come) worthy of the promises of Christ.
(Optional)
Leader: Let us pray.
All: O God whose only begotten Son by his life, death, and Resurrection has purchased for us me the rewards of eternal life; grant we I beseech thee, that (by) meditating on these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary, and we I would enjoy relationship with Thee. of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
We I long to want to may imitate you, how you lived your life, what they contain
and obtain what they (the) promise(s) through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
GLORY BE
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Offering Intentions
For Catholics, practically everyone who prays the Rosary "offers" the Rosary to God and Our Lady for an intention. Some people offer particular intentions before each decade.
For Protestants, we can come to God ourselves to ask God to be with us in our daily struggles, grant you a favor, heal a sick person, or convert a sinner, anyone whom God brings to your mind who need special prayer for a multitude of needs. Some people offer the same intention every day--sometimes for years on end--especially when asking the Father for the conversion of a particular person. Intentions are as varied as the people who pray.
Never give up on some one. Our God is a God of wonders.
Ask for big and small gifts. Be bold! In this sense, the Rosary is an exchange of gifts between friends.
Help us to delight in You, that You might give us the desires of our hearts. Help us in our humanness to trust you, commit our way to you, and know by doing so, our desires will be your desires. (Psalm 37:4-5)
It is widely known that Our Father Lady answers seemingly impossible intentions to all who seek Him honestly and humbly. those who are first beginning to pray the Rosary. This is His her way of drawing us closer to Him. Her and to Jesus. If you are praying your first Rosary prayer, or returning to the Rosary Him after years of not talking to God, Our Lady, ask for something big, spectacular, "impossible." SHe'll often surprise you!
The Twenty Mysteries
The Scripture Reference is included for your continued Bible study.
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
- The Annunciation: The Archangel Gabriel "announces" to Mary that she shall conceive the Son of God. Luke 1:31-32
- The Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Luke 1:42 & 45
- The Nativity: Jesus is born. Luke 2:6-7
- The Presentation: Mary and Joseph "present" Jesus in the Temple where they meet Simeon. Luke 2:22
- The Finding in the Temple: After losing Him, Mary and Joseph find young Jesus teaching the Rabbis in the Temple. Luke 2:46-47
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (THE MYSTERIES OF LIGHT)
- The Baptism in the Jordan: The voice of the Father declares Jesus the beloved Son. Matthew 3:17
- The Wedding at Cana: Christ changes water into wine, his first public miracle. John 2:1-12
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom: Jesus calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him. Mark 1:15
- The Transfiguration: The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ. Luke 9:35
- The Institution of the Eucharist: Jesus offers the first Mass at the Last Supper with his apostles, establishing the sacramental foundation for all Christian living. John 13
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
- The Agony in the Garden: Jesus sweats water and blood while praying the night before his passion. Matthew 26: 36 & 39
- The Scourging at the Pillar: Pilate has Jesus flogged. Matthew 27:28-29
- The Crowning with Thorns: Roman soldiers crown Jesus' head with thorns. Matthew 27:28-29
- The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus meets His mother and falls three times on the way up Calvary. John 19:17-18
- The Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies before His mother and His apostle John. Luke 23:45-46
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
- The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead. Matthew 28:5-6
- The Ascension: Jesus leaves the Apostles and bodily "ascends" to heaven. Luke 24:50-51
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit: The Apostles receive the Holy Spirit in tongues of fire in the upper room with Mary. Acts 2:3-4
At this point, you should choose two of your favorite events in the Gospels to meditate about, since Protestants don’t believe the following mysteries.
- The Assumption: Mary is taken bodily--assumed--into heaven by God at the end of her life here on earth. Judith 13:18
- The Coronation: Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. Rev. 12:1 (Protestants are not convinced the reference is to Mary)
I hope that this article and instructions have been thought-provoking for you. I even hope that many of you will purchase an inexpensive Rosary to begin this way of praying. And I hope that through using the Rosary as you pray, your relationship with God will be strengthened and enriched.
Now what are your thoughts?
Have you tried it?
How has it changed the way you pray?
Has it changed how long you pray?
Please leave your comments below - I can't wait to hear from you.
Comments