A critique of an article by David J. Stewart of Jesus Is Savior Ministries entitled “God Hates Vain Repetitions”.
The chanting of the Roman Catholic Rosary is VAIN REPETITION!!! It is exactly what God hates. God is not impressed with such empty and meaningless prayers. Some Catholics try to justify vain repetitious prayers with Scriptures such as Matthew 26:44, “And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.“ But, asking God three times for the same thing, is very different than mumbling the same dead words (the Rosary) over and over for a lifetime.
It is quite sad in the part of Mr. Stewart to be spewing such deceptive words like referring to the Rosary as “dead words.” Anyway, let’s examine his claims from the Bible and let’s make the WORD OF GOD decide who is right. Let’s begin with the example of Jesus Christ that is quoted above.
Matthew 26:36-44 KJV: (36) Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. (37) And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. (38) Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. (39) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (40) And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? (41) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (42) He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (43) And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. (44) And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (Emphasis mine)
From the account of Saint Matthew’s Gospel above, it can be seen that Jesus said basically “the same words” thrice although they were not arranged in the same order.
Furthermore, this was not the norm when Jesus prayed. There are times in our life where we will want to keep asking God for something; but, that is certainly not the same as mumbling the same WRITTEN, dead, repetitious, religious, words over and over. A Catholic repeats 52 ”Hail Mary” in each DAILY Rosary prayer. Jesus clearly states that the “heathen” pray with useless repetitions. Since Catholics claim that their repetitious Rosary prayers are not “vain repetitions”; then I ask, who was Jesus speaking about? Do you realize that a faithful Catholic who prayers the Rosary every day, will in a lifetime say “Hail Mary” well over 1,000,000 times!!! Think about it.
Who was Jesus talking about? Well, let’s find out from the Gospel shall we?
Matthew 6:6-15 KJV: (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (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. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Jesus was talking about the pagans (heathens). Heathens first of all do not believe in the God of the Bible unlike Catholics do. Secondly, heathens pray to dead gods and the Bible talks about this clearly in the Old Testament.
1 Kings 18:22-29 KJV: (22) Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. (23) Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: (24) And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. (25) And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. (26) And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. (27) And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. (28) And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. (29) And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
A very good example of Scripture encouraging repetitive Spirit-filled prayer can be seen in the book of Psalms. For example Psalm 136 repeats the phrase “for his mercy endureth for ever” more than any known Catholic prayer and it is biblical and pleasing to the Living God.
Psalms 136:1-26 KJV: (1) O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (2) O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. (3) O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. (4) To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. (5) To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. (6) To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. (7) To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: (8) The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: (9) The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. (10) To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever: (11) And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: (12) With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. (13) To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: (14) And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: (15) But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. (16) To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. (17) To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: (18) And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: (19) Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: (20) And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever: (21) And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: (22) Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. (23) Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: (24) And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. (25) Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. (26) O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Even in Heaven there is repetition before the very throne of the Living God.
Revelation 4:8 KJV: And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And yet, not one mention is made of the name of Jesus Christ in the Rosary. Like it or not, the Word of God condemns formalized religion. It is abundantly clear that the nuns who are chanting the Rosary (which you are now hearing) are praying with VAIN REPETITIONS.
Finally, David J. Stewart exposed himself as nothing but a liar and a deceiver. He claims that “not one mention is made of the name of Jesus Christ in the Rosary.” Really? Let’s see the prayers of the Rosary mentioning Jesus.
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The Hail Mary that he claims a Catholic would have said over a million times in a life time unfortunately for his expectation includes THE HOLY AND LIFE GIVING NAME OF JESUS.
Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Emphasis mine)
The Apostle’s Creed which is said at the beginning of the Rosary also mentions Jesus Christ.
The Fatima Prayer also mentions Jesus.
Godwin Delali Adadzie
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Note: While content aims to align with Catholic teachings, any inconsistencies or errors are unintended. For precise understanding, always refer to authoritative sources like the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Always double-check any quotes for word-for-word accuracy with the Bible or the Catechism of the Catholic Church.