Prayer bracelets?

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

If all these things are is a method of remembering who to pray for than how can there be a problem? I remember someone teaching how to use your fingers as a way to remember to pray for people.

No claims these beads have any kind of New Age power.

 

[nate]

Originally posted by tamborine lady:

Well, Nate, let's look at it from another prospective.

Did anyone in the Bible ever use prayer beads for anything? I can't think of any.

Then there's always the question, "what would Jesus do?"
Peace,
Tam

No no one in the Bible that we know of used prayer beads. But they also did not stand behind pulpits.
Again these beads are used as a help during prayer to remember things and help one concentrate. It has no power. It's just a little strand of beads.

 

[webdog]

What would it be called to tie a string around your finger that helps you remember to pray for someone? If the bracelet is used similar to this, I have no problem with that. I also have no problem with rosary beads. I do have a problem with the object of the prayer while holding them.

Next week we are giving out "prayer stones" to go along with the message to either put on your pillow or in your shoe as a different and fun way to remind you to pray daily.

 

[nate]

Originally posted by Linda64:
You are comparing apples to oranges. Everyone I know uses a prayer list--but "prayer bracelets" are synonymous with "rosary beads" in the RCC.

Actaully no there is a huge difference between using prayer beads in the manner we're speaking of and the RCC use of the Rosary! The RCC views the Rosary as a Sacramental. A way to purge sin. On the other hand Christian prayer chains are used to help one remember things to pray for and consentrate.

So-called "prayer bracelets" are pretty much a New Age thing, very similar to the way people used "crystals" in the 70s.

Crystals? No as I and others have repeatedly said these beads contain no power. There is no mystical force around them. They are used by some as C4K suggested as maybe a prayer list.

 

[nate]

Originally posted by webdog:
I also have no problem with rosary beads. I do have a problem with the object of the prayer while holding them.

Likewise. The prayers to Mary attached to the Rosary are unfortunate.Like the rock idea.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by nate:
No no one in the Bible that we know of used prayer beads. But they also did not stand behind pulpits.

Good point. BTW, Jews in Jesus' time used prayer shawls. Jesus, a devout Jew, would have used one. Scripture never once denounces them.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

The prayer shawl was to cover their heads to keep their eyes from being distracted. A far cry from beads in the hand.

 

[Linda64]

Orthodox Jews still use prayer shawls

 

[nate]

Originally posted by standingfirminChrist:
A far cry from beads in the hand.

How are using beads to help with concentration 'a far cry' from using a shawl to cover your eyes?

 

[Linda64]

Jesus gave His disciples a "model" prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. In 1 Thess. 5:17 we are to "pray without ceasing"--which means to always be in a prayerful attitude. Read the words of this famous hymn by Hel­en H. Lem­mel, written in 1922:

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

We don't need "prayer bracelets, beads,etc" when we turn our eyes unto Jesus--the Author and Finisher of our faith!! (Hebrews 12:2)

 

[Marcia]

I've read all the views here and I see what each side is saying.

I think that on the face of it, using beads as a way to concentrate could be alright. However, I see a danger with them as well:
1. Using them daily could make prayer a rote thing
2. Using them daily could lead to make one feel more "spiritual;" this is a common human temptation, I believe
3. Using the beads daily could make one dependent on them

Personally, I would not want to use them as the prayer bead bracelets I've seen are Buddhist. They were real popular a year or two ago and were being sold in dept. stores. Prayer beads would just remind me of the buddhist beads, especially since I was involved in buddhism, though I did not use any beads nor did I pray to anyone except some Hindu gurus (I combined Hindu and buddhist and Taoist beliefs, pretty common with new agers).

I think if someone uses them and is praying sincerely, it's okay. But I still feel wary of it.

 

[DHK]

Originally posted by webdog:
What would it be called to tie a string around your finger that helps you remember to pray for someone?

I try to remember to put a string around my neck each Sunday and am glad to take it off as soon as I get home.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

LOL, DHK

 

[Melanie]

Well, I use my rosary every day as a rule. The word bead actually is derived from old English for pray or so I have been told.

Without getting all antsy about the rosary, I use mine to pray and reflect on aspects of the life of Jesus . Each bead can be used as a moment to reflect on the wonderfulness of the life of Jesus to save us from damnation.

The rosary can be used on a deep and intimate level of pray or it can be used as a grounding for a person in despair or great need. One of the reasons Catholics gain comfort from ritual. Again I do not particularly want to open up a derogatory discussion re this. Pray beads are used by non christians as well, (to my surprise).

Of course you do not have to have a rosary to pray the rosary (10 fingers will do it) but it is a comfort. I carry some on my person at all times...mainly to let folk know if I was in an accident I am a Catholic.

At times the profound nature of the rosary is lost by individuals and to non Catholics it can be seen as supersititious nonsense....but it is not designed to be that...it is an aid to deepen ones faith and intimacy with the Divine. It works for me and other Catholics never use it for a whole bunch of reasons......

 

[Melanie]

Originally posted by standingfirminChrist:
The prayer shawl was to cover their heads to keep their eyes from being distracted. A far cry from beads in the hand.

Hmmn, the beads slip thru the fingers, one is hardly aware of them, certainly not a distraction , you tend to be very focused, even in a group of folks all clutchin' their beads, heads bowed thoughts introspective....

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by Marcia:
Using them daily could lead to make one feel more "spiritual;" this is a common human temptation, I believe

There's likewise no shortage of people who eschew prayer beads who think themselves more spiritual because of it

Seriously, though, your points are well and good. So long as those points are avoided, I'm sure you're agree that prayer beads are permissible. Like I said before, I personally have no use for them. But that fact doesn't mean they're bad for all. And that's where I take issue with some of the posters: those who have decided that they're bad for all, based on a personal view instead of a scriptural view.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Pray the Rosary?

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

 

[Johnv]

Note the phrase "vain" repitition. Scripture does not forbid repetition in prayer, it forbids vain repetition in prayer. Big difference.

I agree (and I think most here do) that vain repetition is to be avoided. But repeating prayer? Not forbidden.

 

[BobRyan]

Catholics of the 20th century publish the connection to paganism for the world to see and understand.

Pagan prayer methods.

Catholic Digest 12/1994 pg 129

“The Rosary is, unsurprisingly, Not mentioned in the Bible. Legend and history place its beginning in the 13th century long After the Bible was completed. As a Pagan practice, praying on counting beads goes back centuries before Christ…

Buddhists use prayer wheels and prayer beads for the same purpose… Counting prayer beads is common practice in religious cultures”.

Cath Digest 9/1993 pg 129
Question:
“My husband has been transferred to Japan and we have been here in Hiroshima for about two months. On a site seeing tour the Japanese guide brought me to a Buddhist shrine. There were statues of Buddha everywhere. The guide told me they represented different aspects of life and that the people offer food to the Buddhas and ask for Favors. It made me think of Our Catholic praying to the saints and wonder whether they have anything like the Ten Commandments to guide them.

There were fountains at the gate where pious visitors washed their hands before entering the shrine grounds. Could this be the same as our holy water?”

Ans:
“Very probably the physical washing signifies some kind of spiritual cleansing, AS it does with Us! Some Muslims say prayers on rosarylike beads Just as We do, so there is no copyright enforced on prayerful customs among the great world religions. The Pagan Romans prayed, each family to its Own household gods, JUST as we do to our patron saints. In Old Testament times the gentile had local gods for their town or country, and our Christian Saints eventually supplanted Them!

The Hebrews, of Course, had the mission of Wiping Out such heathen worship with the worship of the one true God, and while they have always had great respect for spiritual heroes, they Never set up any of their own race as substitutes for the local pagan gods!!
They had no need to make distinctions between praying TO the saints for their intercession with god and total adoration of God as the source of everything, as we must!

..

 

[rbell]

I have never owned a prayer bracelet.

My dad did own a "sin belt" though.

It made me pray.