Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief - Nick Donnelly - CTS Finding God Series

Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief
CTS Finding God Series
Nick Donnelly
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784691769

eISBN 9781784692377

ASIN B072BC32GP

CTS Booklet PA36

I have now read several books in the ‘Finding God Series’ from the Catholic Truth Society. The first book I read in this series was by Deacon Donnelly as well, Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work. I have read almost 275 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society over the last several years. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. But this series is very different. All the titles and volumes in this series are about difficulties in life, or in the family, in faith. I have benefitted from all the books I have read from the Catholic Truth Society and from the pen of Deacon Nick Donnelly. There are a few different descriptions of this book they are:

“It can be difficult when experiencing indescribable pain and suffering to turn to the very God who allows it to happen. During such crises of the soul, we may even find ourselves doubting whether God is truly present in our lives or, worse, disbelieving his very existence. Recounting his own experience of doubt and disbelief, Rev Nick Donnelly offers understanding and a ray of hope for those in this position. Drawing on Sacred Scripture, 2,000 years of Christian living, and the wisdom of some formidable figures of the past, he seeks to provide comfort and support to help Christians keep going – and even grow closer to God during times of agonising uncertainty.”

And also:

“Drawing on Sacred Scripture, the wisdom of others, as well as his own experiences, Nick Donnelly provides comfort and support in growing closer to God during times of uncertainty and distrust.

There are many things that can cause us to doubt or disbelieve in God. Crises, grief and suffering may make us question, ‘How can God allow such things to happen?’ Prevailing secularism may also lead us to doubt whether God is truly present in our life, or even cause us to disbelieve in his very existence.

Nick Donnelly presents a sensitive exploration of the things that can lead to doubt and disbelief, and offers real hope. Drawing on Sacred Scripture, 2,000 years of Christian living, the wisdom of women and men who overcame doubt, as well as his own experiences, he provides comfort and support to help Christians grow closer to God during times of uncertainty and distrust.”

The chapters in this small volume are:

Sometimes Faith Can Be a Struggle

It’s Alright To Ask Questions

Famous Christians Who Struggled with Doubt

When Doubt and Disbelief Become a Problem

Tips to Get Through Times of Doubt and Disbelief

But I want to highlight not only the chapters but also the sections in those chapters:

Sometimes Faith Can Be a Struggle

     Our Lord On The Struggle Of Faith

     Our Wounds

     My Wound

It’s Alright To Ask Questions

     Salvation Begins With A Question

     Jesus Christ Is God’s Answer

     Our Questions Are Necessary

Famous Christians Who Struggled with Doubt

     St Teresa Of Calcutta

     The Way Of The Cross Is The Way Of Light

     St Teresa Benedicta Of The Cross [Edith Stein]

     The Unexpected Gift Of Faith

     C.S. Lewis

     Truly Encountering Christ

     The Trouble With Lack Of Faith

     Where Is God?

When Doubt and Disbelief Become a Problem

     The Certainty Of Faith

     The Three Threats To Truth

          “You’ve Got Your Truth, I’ve Got My Truth”

          “Nothing Is Absolutely True”

          “I Doubt That Religious Beliefs Are True”

     The Obedience Of Faith

Tips to Get Through Times of Doubt and Disbelief

     Keep Your Gaze Fixed Upon Christ

     Trust That Christ Will Give You The Necessary Help

     Stay Close To The Blessed Virgin Mary

     Lord, I Believe, Help My Unbelief

     Put On The Armour Of Faith

     Believers Strengthen Themselves By Believing

     Listen To The Symphony Of Faith

     Draw On The Wellsprings Of Faith

     Hold Onto Your Own Past Experiences Of Faith

     Don’t Make Any Life-Changing Decisions

     Tips To Get Through Times Of Doubt And Disbelief: Prayer Reflections

At the end of each chapter is a prayer reflection, an example is:

“Sometimes faith can be a struggle: prayer reflections

In the battlefield of life, when doubts and disbelief confront me, give me the grace to fight the good fight and let Christ heal the wounds I am afraid to let even him touch.

In the depths of my heart, let the soil become deep through: prayer; the sacraments; daily study of Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Church; and, imitating the life of Jesus Christ.

In the fire, when I stand on the tenth floor of the burning building, give me the courage and wisdom to jump into the safety net of God’s love.”

And the final section of the book ‘Tips To Get Through Times Of Doubt And Disbelief: Prayer Reflections’ states:

Go to Eucharistic Adoration: Keep your gaze fixed upon Christ

Trust: Trust that Christ will give you the necessary help

Pray the Rosary: Stay close to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Pray: Lord, I believe, help my unbelief

Ask for faith, hope and love: Put on the armour of faith

Choose to believe: Believers strengthen themselves by believing

Read the Catechism: Listen to the symphony of faith

Train the habits of faith – prayer, religious reading, church going and sacraments: Draw on the wellsprings of faith

Remember: Hold onto your own past experiences of faith

Hold on to Christ: Don’t make any life-changing decisions.

This book is an excellent read. I read it because of the author and series. And I was greatly blessed. I have recommended the volume to a few friends who do struggle with doubt, disbelief, or depression. The greatest strength of this volume is the personal examples from Deacon Nick. Wow! His vulnerability, and transparency are deeply moving, and I am certain will be encouraging to readers. His sharing about losing siblings and his own children is very honest and raw. I had a great deal of respect for Deacon Nick before reading this book, and even more after reading it. This is an excellent read in a very important series. Pick it up and give it a read, then pass it on to a friend who could use it. Or pick up a few copies to be able to give to friends as the need arises. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by Nick Donnelly:
Finding God Series:
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness
Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief
Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work
Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith

Other Books by Nick Donelly:
Living with Illness and Suffering
Hope and Healing: Living with Illness and Suffering
Prayers for Grieving Parents: Help After a Miscarriage or Still Birth
Praying the Rosary with the Martyrs
Praying The Creed In The Year Of Faith
Praying the Rosary with the Saints

A Catholic Survival Guide for Times of Emergency 

Companion to Faith

…

With Pope Francis Series:

Loving Mary: What Pope Francis Says

Finding Forgiveness with Pope Francis

Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis

Who Is the Devil? What Pope Francis Says

Our Journey to Christmas: With Pope Francis

…

Fiction by Nick Donnelly:

Ben Armstrong Adventure Series Series:

Curse of the Seawolf

Snare of the Demons

Faith of the Armstrong

Fury of the Dragons

…

Unattributed books cowritten\ghost written by Nick Donnelly:

Priesthood Today

Fit for Mission? Church

Fit for Mission? Schools

Fit for Mission? Marriage

Fit for Mission? A Guide

...

Finding God in Anxiety and Depression - Father Antonio Ritaccio - CTS Finding God Series

Finding God in Anxiety and Depression
CTS Finding God Series

Fr Antonio Ritaccio
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784691936

eISBN 9781784694579

ASIN B075P2PD6R

CTS Booklet PA43

2025 Reprint Edition

ISBN 9781784698461

CTS Booklet PA71

I have read several books in the ‘Finding God Series’ from the Catholic Truth Society. The first book I read in this series was by Deacon Donnelly as well, Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work. I have also read almost 200 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society over the last several years. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. But this series is very different. All the titles and volumes in this series are about difficulties in life, or in the family, in faith. I have benefitted from all the books I have read from the Catholic Truth Society. I believe that Father Ritzccio has published just three books and they are all in this series. The description of this volume is:

“Anxiety and depression are among the two most common mental health conditions today. Social stigma is still attached to mental health and sufferers can be under pressure to hide their condition. While good medical treatment and care are often necessary, what place does faith have in aiding recovery?

Drawing on Jesus’ own suffering on the cross, the author shows how hope, prayer, forgiveness, closeness to God and an understanding of his plan for our lives can act as powerful lifelines. There is a rich selection of considered, practical tips to aid readers, and a resource section with helpful contacts and recommendations on further reading.”

The chapters in this small volume are:

God has a plan for your life!

Finding hope when faith is weak

When forgiveness is impossible

When we don’t have strength to carry the cross

Clinging to God in Prayer

Prayers

Useful resources

Bibliography

This book begins with these words:

“God has a plan for your life!

Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental health conditions in Britain today, yet sufferers can often feel ashamed of what they are going through because of the stigma attached to mental illness. Sometimes sufferers can be misunderstood and judged by others to be morally weak. Comments like “Try harder” or “Pull yourself together” can make things worse. For this reason, some people who live with anxiety, depression or both can be extremely good at hiding their condition. In a few cases, the consequences of pretending that everything is okay can be devastating. The 2004 document Cherishing Life, produced by the Bishops of England and Wales, states:”

When I picked this book up it was only because I really enjoyed the series. I have a friend who calls me a completionist, in that I find authors I like and read everything they published, or that once I start a series I have to finish it. There were a few titles in this series, this one included, that did not directly apply to me. But the series is so well written That I wanted to read them to be able to speak about them to friends, and to review them. But that being said, there was still much that I benefited from in this book. I now want to review all of the books in the CTS Finding God Series. As mentioned, as I was reading it I realized there was a lot I could learn from and apply. I picked it up just to complete the series but have benefitted greatly from reading it. This is a very important title in the collection. I know many people who have struggled with anxiety and or depression. And this volume would be excellent to read with the. 

In one of the passages that hit me most Father Ritaccio declares:

“Another common mistake is to treat prayer as a relaxation technique with the goal of avoiding the cross by “emptying the mind”. Prayer techniques based on New Age spiritualities such as yoga and reiki are increasingly being offered, even in churches and schools. These should be avoided, because they do not flow from the Christian tradition handed down to us from Jesus and his Apostles and therefore can even be harmful to those who are already spiritually vulnerable (see Pontifical Councils for Culture and Interreligious Dialogue, Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life: A Christian Reflection on the “New Age”, 2002).”

This mirrored much of what I have read previous, for example in, A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness by Susan Brinkmann, and my own experience with yoga. But he doesn’t just tell us what to avoid, he provides several helpful tools. Including information on:

Vocal Prayer

Meditative Prayer

Spiritual Reading

Contemplative Prayer

And many others tools and resources. This is another excellent read in a very important series. And it was one that I really needed. I needed the reminder of several things from this book. I look forward to reading the remaining few books in the ‘Finding God Series’. Now I have several different series from CTS on the go, and over 100 books on my want to read list from the CTS. So many great books so little time. This is an excellent resource that I highly recommend.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Other Books in the Finding God Series:
Finding God in Times of Stress - Fr Antonio Ritaccio
Finding God in Loneliness - Fr Antonio Ritaccio
Finding God in Anxiety and Depression - Fr Antonio Ritaccio
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness - Nick Donnelly
Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief - Nick Donnelly
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness - Nick Donnelly
Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work - Nick Donnelly
Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith - Nick Donnelly

...

Finding God in Loneliness - Father Antonio Ritaccio - CTS Finding God Series

Finding God in Loneliness
CTS Finding God Series

Fr Antonio Ritaccio
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784695651

eISBN 9781784696634

ASIN B07DG23GGP

CTS Booklet PA53

I have read several books in the ‘Finding God Series’ from the Catholic Truth Society. The first book I read in this series was by Deacon Donnelly as well, Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work. I have read almost 200 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society over the last several years. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. But this series is very different. All the titles and volumes in this series are about difficulties in life, or in the family, in faith. I have benefitted from all the books I have read from the Catholic Truth Society. I believe that Father Ritzccio has published just three books and they are all in this series. The description of this volume is:

“Loneliness can point to the very question of our identity – “who am I?” This question affects everyone in every generation, yet very few people are willing to admit that they feel lonely because of the stigma attached. With the help of the saints and other Christians who have experienced loneliness, Fr Antonio Ritaccio offers practical and spiritual help to sufferers – revealing that loneliness, instead of crushing us, can become a significant mechanism that leads us to discover who we really are, and to recognise that we are loved by God.”

The chapters in this small volume are:

You Are Not Alone!

Hungry for a Word

When We Cannot Escape Loneliness

When We Can Do Something about Loneliness

Praying in Loneliness

Prayers

Useful Resources in the UK

Bibliography

This book begins with these words:

“Are you lonely? Feelings of loneliness can affect everyone – young mothers and their babies, the elderly and their carers, pupils and teachers, the police and criminals, soldiers and doctors, seafarers and truckers, clergy and lay people, the rich and famous as well as the poor and homeless. It is tempting to see the feeling of loneliness as a modern problem that needs to be fixed like a broken machine. Countless books have been written on the subject with advice on how to eradicate loneliness from our lives, but often without addressing the reason why we feel lonely in the first place.”

When I picked this book up it was only because I really enjoyed the series. And I wanted to review all of the books in it. But as I was reading it I realized there was a lot I could learn from and apply. I picked it up just to complete the series but have benefitted greatly from reading it. As much as I have loved some of the other books in the series, I believe this is one of the most important titles in the collection. I know many people who have struggled with loneliness in their single state, and have tried to fill that void. This book offers several helpful tips for how to counter loneliness and fill the void. 

Father Ritaccio states:

“We can find ourselves alone even though we may be surrounded by people who love and accept us. For some of us, having poor experiences with trusted friends can lead us to put up barriers to prevent ourselves from being hurt again. We can become emotionally distant with our friends, pushing them further away from us. Our experience of loneliness can lead us to deeper levels of depression. Loneliness can feel as if there is no escape. We may think that we must change our behaviour to be accepted. However, for some of us, our loneliness is a call to change our circumstances, to challenge our thinking patterns, to humble ourselves and ask forgiveness from those we may have offended. If we have hurt the person we love, it is not surprising that we find ourselves alone. In this case, the cure for loneliness is to accept that we were wrong and to say sorry without reservation.”

And further on:

“For others, our loneliness is a trial that cannot be changed. For example, in the case of sickness and death or homelessness. For some of us, the death of a beloved pet can be as devastating as losing a relative. The loneliness and pain of finding ourselves unable to express our loss to someone who understands us can be made worse if we feel we are being ridiculed for being overly sentimental. We may end up helplessly alone because we have been abandoned by our family in our old age, or because of life-changing experiences such as sickness, leaving our home behind, starting a new career or beginning our studies at university. We can feel isolated because we are misunderstood or we find it hard to understand others. These are the sorts of circumstances that we have little control over. In these trials, the Lord calls us to trust, to wait and to hope in his providence and to know that our trial will come to an end.”

And one of the most important lines in the book is:

“However, there are some instances where it is not so clear if we are called to change our circumstances, or to carry our burden with patience. In these cases the Holy Spirit makes us know the difference and how we should deal with our situation.”

Interspersed throughout the book are prayers and tips. Each chapter ends with a prayer and tips in fact. An example from the chapter Hungry for a Word is: 

“Prayer

Heavenly Lord, at times my loneliness overwhelms me, and I have no strength to carry on. Forgive me for the times I have failed to find rest in you and instead turned to distractions to feed me. I thank you for waiting for me and loving me in the Holy Eucharist. Please allow the fruit of the Good News to take root in my heart. Amen.

Tips for Finding God in Loneliness

 • God is waiting to be discovered in others who are in need. Find ways to reach out to others who are lonely and in need. If you cannot leave the house, make a list of people that you know who would appreciate a phone call.

 • Volunteer your time in visiting others who live alone. Ask your parish priest if he can arrange for you to visit or call someone who would like some company.

 • Meditate on Christ’s Judgement of the Nations. “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 31-46).”

This is an excellent read in a wonderful series. And it was one that I really needed. I look forward to reading the remaining books in the ‘Finding God Series’. Now I have several different series from CTS on the go, and over 100 books on my want to read list from the CTS. So many great books so little time. An excellent resource that I highly recommend.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Other Books in the Finding God Series:
Finding God in Times of Stress - Fr Antonio Ritaccio
Finding God in Loneliness - Fr Antonio Ritaccio
Finding God in Anxiety and Depression - Fr Antonio Ritaccio
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness - Nick Donnelly
Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief - Nick Donnelly
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness - Nick Donnelly
Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work - Nick Donnelly
Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith - Nick Donnelly

...

Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith - Nick Donnelly - CTS Finding God Series

Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith
CTS Finding God Series
Nick Donnelly
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784691776

eISBN 9781784694555

ASIN B075P25P9B

CTS Booklet PA37

I have read several books in the ‘Finding God Series’ from the Catholic Truth Society. The first book I read in this series was by Deacon Donnelly as well, Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work. I have read almost 200 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society over the last several years. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. But this series is very different. All the titles and volumes in this series are about difficulties in life, or in the family, in faith. I have benefitted from all the books I have read from the Catholic Truth Society and from the pen of Deacon Nick Donnelly. The description of this volume is:

“Many influences can cause a person to abandon the faith that they once loved: the hostility of secular society, misleading philosophical arguments, and painful experiences that undermine one’s beliefs about God and his Church.

This sensitive exploration of the reasons why people leave the Church offers encouragement and support to those most deeply affected by their decision. The central truth remains: that God comes looking for us when we are lost and separate ourselves from his life and his love. Drawing on the parables of Jesus, and the wisdom of famous men and women who were once lost and later returned to the Christian faith, Nick Donnelly explores this fundamental truth about God’s loving response to humanity.”

The chapters in this small volume are:

God Knows We Easily Get Lost

What Does It Mean To Be Catholic?

Reasons Why People Leave

Famous Christians Who Got Lost And Came Back

Facing Problems Caused When Family Leave The Church

Tips About Coping When Family Leave

This book begins with these words:

“Every family I know is affected in some way by the modern loss of faith. I’ve lost count of the number of young people I’ve known who have left the Church. The practice of the faith has collapsed in my own extended family. My paternal and maternal grandparents were all devout Catholics who attended daily Mass. They had between them eight children, who all practised the faith, one of them becoming a nun. In the next generation there were twenty-two children, including myself. Of this generation, only seven are practising Catholics, three are members of other Christian ecclesial communities, such as the Church of England and the Baptists, while the remaining twelve are now secular. Most of my grandparents’ great-grandchildren have not been baptised and have no contact with the Catholic Church.”

As such we have a book written from personal experience and a personal passion. Donnelley’s passion for the lost in infused throughout the volume. This book outlines many of the causes of falling  away from the faith. And also provides hope. Some of those are the many great examples in this volume. Examples that give hope, and will inspire renewed prayer. Such as examples of:

Blessed Charles de Foucauld

Blessed Bartolo Longo

Dorothy Day, Servant of God

Some passages I highlighted my first time through this book are:

“The danger is that, for the sake of peace in the family, the remaining faithful members sink into a practical indifference. There is the temptation to ignore the practical atheism of those who leave by focusing on their positive qualities and natural good acts, overlooking the fact that they are gravely lost, living their lives as if God does not exist. The danger for us is that if, out of love, and for the sake of peace, we acquiesce to their leaving the Church, we also live as if God does not exist.”

“It’s sobering to realise that we all have an inclination to rebellion, to disloyalty and to betrayal. Why does original sin leave us with this inclination to rebellion against God?”

“The sacraments, particularly the sacraments of Confession and the Most Holy Eucharist, protect us from the power of the devil. But those who place themselves outside the protection of the Church, especially if they do so as a conscious act of rebellion against God, put themselves under the influence of the devil and in harm’s way.”

“Since the early Church, Our Lord’s Parable of the Lost Sheep has been understood as revealing the truth of the Incarnation from God’s perspective. The parable (Lk 15:1-7) is one of the “parables of mercy”, a series which also includes the parable of the lost coin (Lk 15:8-10) and that of the father and his prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32). Pope Benedict XVI comments that these parables of mercy constitute God’s explanation of his own being as love and his activity towards sinful man (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 12).”

“Nowadays people use the word “Catholic” in many different ways. Some people say they are Catholic because their grandparents were faithful and went to Mass. Others call themselves Catholic because they went to a Catholic school during childhood, even if they haven’t had any contact with the Church since. There are those who call themselves Catholic because they were baptised as babies and they attend family christenings, weddings and funerals. There are also people who call themselves Catholic because they occasionally attend Mass at Christmas.

Faced with this complex modern reality, the question arises, what makes a person Catholic? To answer this question, we should begin with the Catholic Church’s understanding of herself. The Catholic Church’s understanding is that all of humanity is in a relationship with her, because she is the sacrament, the visible expression, of Jesus Christ in the world. And Jesus is the expression of God’s desire and will to search for lost humanity and bring everyone back into the safety of his divine purpose and grace.”

“People leave the Church for all kinds of reasons, some of which are more understandable than others, but at the end of the day leaving is always a serious mistake. St Paul warns Christians of the danger of making a “shipwreck of their faith” (1 Tm 1:18-19). For whatever reason a person leaves the Church, they are always harmed by losing the priceless gift of faith.

Some leave the Church deliberately after much thought and struggle, while many leave the Church almost by accident, carelessly losing the habit, as if they misplace their faith. C S Lewis, the author of the Narnia novels, got lost after the death of his mother, returning to Christianity later in life.”

Jumping from C.S. Lewis to the author of this work. Donnelly also writes from his experience of falling away and his own return. He states:

“I was born a cradle Catholic and grew up in a loving, practising Catholic family that faithfully went to Mass on Sunday. I’m a husband, a permanent deacon, a catechist and a journalist. I was granted a mandatum by a bishop that officially acknowledges me as a teacher of theology within the full communion of the Catholic Church.

But despite all this, there have been times in my life when I was lost, and sometimes very lost. I still attended Mass, and to outward appearances I was a Catholic, but I was lost all the same. As a teenager I got involved in occultism, using Tarot cards, I Ching and occasionally Ouija boards. For several years I read the works of occultists and dabbled in occult practices. Looking back I can see that I was seeking direct spiritual experiences in the natural world. At the time I didn’t realise that messing around with the occult put me in danger from the devil.”

His vulnerability and openness about his own failings is heartening. And will encourage those of us with loved ones away from the church. This book is easy to read. Easy to understand. It is well written.  

It is an excellent read. And one that I really needed. I look forward to reading more in the ‘Finding God Series’. But now I have several different series from CTS on the go. So many books so little time.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.


Books by Nick Donnelly:
Finding God Series:
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness
Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief
Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work
Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith

Other Books by Nick Donelly:
Living with Illness and Suffering
Hope and Healing: Living with Illness and Suffering
Prayers for Grieving Parents: Help After a Miscarriage or Still Birth
Praying the Rosary with the Martyrs
Praying The Creed In The Year Of Faith
Praying the Rosary with the Saints

A Catholic Survival Guide for Times of Emergency 

Companion to Faith

…

With Pope Francis Series:

Loving Mary: What Pope Francis Says

Finding Forgiveness with Pope Francis

Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis

Who Is the Devil? What Pope Francis Says

Our Journey to Christmas: With Pope Francis

…

Fiction by Nick Donnelly:

Ben Armstrong Adventure Series Series:

Curse of the Seawolf

Snare of the Demons

Faith of the Armstrong

Fury of the Dragons

…

Unattributed books cowritten\ghost written by Nick Donnelly:

Priesthood Today

Fit for Mission? Church

Fit for Mission? Schools

Fit for Mission? Marriage

Fit for Mission? A Guide

...

Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work - Nick Donnelly - CTS Finding God Series

Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work
CTS Finding God Series
Nick Donnelly
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784695590
eISBN 9781784695934
ASIN B07B6LKMGB
CTS Booklet PA50


This is the third book in the ‘Finding God Series ‘ that I have read from the Catholic Truth Society. It is also about the 100th book from CTS that I have read over the last 2 years. I read this one with more of an academic, perspective. Because I have not had this struggle myself. I guess I was always taught God has three answers to prayer; Yes, No, and Not Right Now. And even in my times furthest from my Catholic faith I would pray Hail Mary’s an the rosary. But I know many who have gone through dry spells, and experienced difficulties in prayer so I wanted to give the book a read. In part as a resource to know about, and in part because it is an excellent series. The chapters in this small volume are:

This World was Made for Prayer
The Battle of Prayer
Our Lord Knows We Find it Hard to Pray
Famous Christians Who Had Problems Praying
What to Do When Prayer Doesn’t Work

I greatly appreciate the examples from the life of C.S. Lewis in this book. The book begins with a Lewis quote:

“The world was made partly that there might be prayer; partly that our prayers…might be answered. But let’s have finished with “partly”. The great work of art was made for the sake of all it does and is, down to curve of every wave and the flight of every insect.”
Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, p.59

We are then told by Donnelly that:

“Friends suggested the book should be called, Finding God when Prayer Doesn’t Appear to Work. My approach throughout is that prayer is as important to our existence as breathing, eating, drinking and loving. The explanation for this essential role is that prayer works on many different levels in our lives and in the world, “prayer is a vital necessity” (CCC, 2744).”

He also states:

“However, we must also take absolutely seriously the pain and desperation of people whose prayers have not been answered – those who have seen their loved ones suffer and die despite their desperate prayers for help. How do we say that ‘prayer works’ to the parents of children who have suffered and died despite their bedside prayers? Or to the spouses of husbands or wives who have suffered and died despite their prayers during sleepless nights? How do we make sense of Our Lord’s teaching that the Father will always answer the prayers of his children, giving them what they need? Jesus’s parables about prayer can become a hard stumbling block to those in desperate situations whose prayers have not been answered.”

This book addresses those examples and more in a serious and direct manner. The author draws examples from friends and family. He also has a strong focus on prayer as battle or prayer as spiritual warfare. This was a book I did not think I needed to read. I read it more to keep reading the series than anything else. But what I discovered was an excellent resource for my prayer life. I am certain that any Christian who reads this book will benefit from the reading and that their prayer life will be changed. It is a book I know I will read again, and that I will read with my children when they are a little older. The author gives examples of fictional books that can serve as examples and tools in prayer. Including Michael O’Brien’s A Cry of Stone and the novels of Robert Hugh Benson. 

There is much that I learned while reading this book. This was an excellent read. And one that I really needed, even though I did not know that when I began. I look forward to reading more in the ‘Finding God Series’. But now I have three different series from CTS on the go. So many books so little time.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.


Books by Nick Donnelly:
Finding God Series:
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness
Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief
Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work
Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith

Other Books by Nick Donelly:
Living with Illness and Suffering
Hope and Healing: Living with Illness and Suffering
Prayers for Grieving Parents: Help After a Miscarriage or Still Birth
Praying the Rosary with the Martyrs
Praying The Creed In The Year Of Faith
Praying the Rosary with the Saints

A Catholic Survival Guide for Times of Emergency 

Companion to Faith

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With Pope Francis Series:

Loving Mary: What Pope Francis Says

Finding Forgiveness with Pope Francis

Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis

Who Is the Devil? What Pope Francis Says

Our Journey to Christmas: With Pope Francis

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Fiction by Nick Donnelly:

Ben Armstrong Adventure Series Series:

Curse of the Seawolf

Snare of the Demons

Faith of the Armstrong

Fury of the Dragons

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Unattributed books cowritten\ghost written by Nick Donnelly:

Priesthood Today

Fit for Mission? Church

Fit for Mission? Schools

Fit for Mission? Marriage

Fit for Mission? A Guide

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