If there’s one passage in the Bible that explains how powerful prayer is, it’s from Ephesians 6: 11-17: “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Men of all ages can envision the spiritual battle in which we all engage on a daily basis. But because Men are naturally providers and protectors, perhaps it’s best to maintain the image of the spiritual battle when speaking of the powerful intercession of the Blessed Mother through praying the Rosary on a regular basis.

IT’S YOUR BEST SPIRITUAL WEAPON.
Throughout the centuries, men in battle have prayed the Rosary for protection and heavenly aid. In some cases, seeming impossible turns of events happened in favor of those who devoutly and confidently prayed the Rosary. One such famous military victory is the Battle of Lepanto.

In 1571, the Muslim Turks invaded Christian Europe in Lepanto, near Greece. Christian soldiers were outnumbered 3 to 1, but the pope asked the faithful to pray the Rosary with the petition that the Turks would be unsuccessful in their endeavor to attack and conquer the Christians. Miraculously, the Christians were able to ward off 50,000 Turkish troops and 200 ships. This is entirely attributed to the effects of the Rosary.

Pray the Rosary as part of Ephesians 6 – to carry the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and the breastplate of righteousness – on behalf of your spouses, children, the Church and its ordained men, the conversion of sinners, etc.

IT CAN BE PRAYED BOTH PRIVATELY AND IN COMMUNITY.
Everyone has different temperaments. Some are introverts, some extroverts. Still, most men are very private when it comes to their religious practices. Few openly discuss their faith in terms of feelings or experiences, so the idea of praying the Rosary might seem a bit soft or unappealing.

While the Rosary is often prayed in community, that is, as a family or before Mass, it can also be part of your private devotions. Pray the Rosary silently after meditating on the daily readings from scripture. Pray it before bed or in the commute to work. There are ways to incorporate this traditional prayer into your life without it being uncomfortable or awkward.

MANY MALE SAINTS HAD A GREAT DEVOTION TO THE ROSARY.
The Dominican Rosary, as we know it, was given to St. Dominic by the Blessed Mother in an apparition. He subsequently promoted this devotion through his eloquent preaching, both to the laity and clergy. Here are some quotes from other male saints who had Marian hearts and loved the Rosary:

>> “Never will anyone who says the Rosary be led astray.” - St. Louis de Montfort

>> “Rediscover the Rosary in the light of Scripture, in harmony with the Liturgy, and in the context of your daily lives.” - St. John Paul II

>> “Say the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of Hail Mary’s which purifies the monotony of your sins!” - St. Josemaria Escriva

>> “Love Our Lady and make her loved. Always recite the Rosary and recite it as often as possible.” - St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (who was known to pray continuous rosaries daily at least 40 times)

>> “Those who pray the Rosary daily, wear the brown scapular, and who do a little more will go straight to Heaven.” - St. Alphonsus Liguori

BY PRAYING THE ROSARY AND DEVOTION TO MARY, YOU CAN CONQUER YOUR SINS.
St. Alphonsus Liguori carried immense confidence in the intercession of the Blessed Mother. He once wrote, “When the devil wishes to make himself master of a soul, he seeks to make it give up devotion to Mary.” A man who makes Mary the mistress of his soul will learn to conquer his sin and grow in virtue – in ways he never could have expected.

Men particularly struggle with sins related to their visual nature, but the perfect purity, modesty, and humility of our Blessed Mother are available to you, as well. St. Louis de Montfort believed that we could ask Mary for a participation of her grace and a portion of her heart, and she – in her maternal love and mercy – would grant them to us. That means greater custody of your mind and senses.

Modern exorcists also attribute the expulsion of diabolic influence to the perfect coercive power of the Blessed Mother. Whenever her name is invoked, demons immediately flee. Along with St. Michael the Archangel, there are no two greater saints to help you conquer the interior battles of sin you face every day.

Do you pray the rosary? Have you experienced specific blessings or life-changes by taking up this devotion to Our Blessed Mother? Please share your experience with us. 

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