I am forced to pray the rosary, but is it really doing anything?

Question

According to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk6ILZAaAMI&feature=related I'm apparently wasting my time. Wouldn't you agree that you should take action to help people? For example, instead of praying, I could volunteer to work at a hospital and "cheer" people up. Or donate money to charities instead of giving my money away at the church. Doesn't the money given there go mostly to the priest? I just want an efficient way of actually helping...

So, does prayer actually do anything? Your thoughts?

Answer 1

God knows what's in your heart, regardless as to whether or not you pray.  Doing good deeds and being a good person is much more significant than praying.  I suppose that the phrase "talk is cheap" fits here.  Volunteering at your local hospital will be a major contribution to your community, and to those in need.

Answer 2

if you do not have faith in it it does no good and you should do things that appeal to your inner light as our Lord said you need to go within  

Answer 3

No, prayer does little but comfort you. If you want to make a difference get off your duff and do what you said in your question. Jesus helps those that help themselves, so they say.

Answer 4

Your money goes to support the church, priests included. If you don't think the church does anything for you spiritually, why go there? If you go to a priest for spiritual guidance and all his says is pray the rosary, I don't blame you for not wanting to support him.

Answer 5

Don't recite the rosary if you are forced to do it. You should only do it cause you want to. The rosary helps you to have a closer bond with Mother Mary.  Yes prayers actually make your relationship and faith stronger with God. You can also volunteer as well.

Answer 6

since your being *forced* and your aware of it, what most people aren't

you will be a Lot more aware in the future

Answer 7

THERE ARE FIFTEEN PROMISES OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN TO CHRISTIANS WHO FAITHFULLY PRAY THE ROSARY

1 To all those who shall pray my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and great graces.

2 Those who shall persevere in the recitation of my Rosary will receive some special grace.

3 The Rosary will be a very powerful armor against h**l; it will destroy vice, deliver from sin and dispel heresy.

4 The rosary will make virtue and good works flourish, and will obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies. It will draw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5 Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary will not perish.

6 Whoever recites my Rosary devoutly reflecting on the mysteries, shall never be overwhelmed by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor will he perish by an unprovided death. The sinner will be converted; the just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.

7 Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8 Those who are faithful to recite my Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces and will share in the merits of the blessed.

9 I will deliver promptly from purgatory souls devoted to my Rosary.

10 True children of my Rosary will enjoy great glory in heaven.

11 What you shall ask through my Rosary you shall obtain.

12 To those who propagate my Rosary I promise aid in all their necessities.

13 I have obtained from my Son that all the members of the Rosary Confraternity shall have as their intercessors, in life and in death, the entire celestial court.

14 Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

15 Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.

Answer 8

I find that a rosary is a good way to focus my prayer. It is also a reminder to live life in Christ. If you are being forced to do it then it has no meaning. I feel fortunate to have it. You can do volunteer work also but if you do not pray you separate yourself from God.

Answer 9

I believe in bother prayer and action. Faith without works is dead...