#prayer bead reference

[rikkalorelei]

Hi rikka, Do you think it would be inappropriate for me to buy rosary beads for the purpose of using tnem as prayer beads? I'm non catholic.

As long as you use them to say the prayers of the rosary, I don’t see a problem.

If you are going to use prayer beads for a manner not intended during their making, then no. It would not be appropriate. This goes for a rosary, a chaplet, prayer beads for any diety, etc.

It would be wildly inappropriate to use a rosary to pray to Zeus and just as inappropriate to use prayer beads for Zeus to pray to Jesus. (Zeus was the first god that came to mind this morning.)

If you have a specific set of prayers you want to say, but cannot find a set of prayer beads that would be appropriate, I’ve heard that @beadeddevotions will do custom sets in any format you would like.

[rikkalorelei]

is it OK for a non-catholic witch (im devoted to mary) to pray a rosary or use chaplets? if not, is there an alternative?

Many non-Catholics use prayer beads, so that would not be an issue as long as you fully and completely agree with the prayers that are to be said. 

What strikes me is that you mention a devotion to Mary. The Virgin Mary does compel us to say the Rosary to bring us closer to her Son. If you are only devoted to Mary and not to Christ, I feel that she would find it highly disrespectful to do so. I will honestly take this a step further and say anything close to worship of the Blessed Virgin Mary would be disrespectful even if you are devoted to Christ as well, because I feel she would be quite upset to be put on a higher, or the same, level as Jesus.

Prayer beads are not exclusive to the Catholic faith. In fact, many religions around the world use them. And you are more than able to design your own set and own prayers to worship or praise whatever deity you like.

[rikkalorelei]

I hope that this isn't an offensive question, but in Christianity are there prayer beads that aren't associated with the Rosary or other liturgical prayers? I'm not a Catholic, so I wouldn't be using the Rosary prayers, but I have high anxiety and fidget a lot when I pray and the consistency and patterns of prayer beads would probably help my nerves a lot... I don't want to offend or appropriate anyone's religion though.

I completely understand the benefits of praying with beads as my mind can wander off track. There are Chaplets for various causes and Saints. I know the Anglicans have sets of prayer beads as well. Actually, many faiths use prayer beads. Prayer beads are not exclusive to Catholicism.

Honestly, the best thing I would suggest is for you to write out the order of the prayers you want to say. Designate a certain bead or spacing for prayers that repeat so that while you are using them you notice the reminder to switch. Then you can make one with cord or beads.

Shameless plug warning: I can also make any sort of custom prayer beads a person could need through my shop.