Finding a new church - would certain types of prayer put you off?

[Imustgodowntotheseaagain]

I've been attending a new church - friends of friends recommended this one to me - but something has happened to make me feel it's not for me.

Recently we prayed for someone having a hard time. Without being too specific, to me, it's clear that the person's issues are to do with a difficult start in life.

The church members prayed for their demons to be cast out and for them to realise that they are making bad choices and hurting others.

It's made me feel like they are being blamed for the situation.

It's put me off going back to another meeting - but I feel bad because I've been offered great help and support by church members. Should I be honest and say this is why I might be looking for a different church? Would they understand, or be angry with me?

I think if what was prayed for, and the way it was said, has made you uncomfortable, then this is a completely valid reason to perhaps decide it's not the church for you. Clearly, it is something that has been playing on your mind a lot, and has made a strong impression on you.
I have occasionally listened to things in my own church, sometimes in sermons (possibly prayers too, though I can't remember a specific example) which have made me feel a bit uncomfortable, but not to the degree you indicate. And it has always been just an individual preacher's viewpoint/interpretation, iyswim, rather than something which seems to be endorsed by the congregation as a whole. If I felt as uncomfortable as you do, then after a lot of hard thinking and praying, I would certainly consider finding a different church. Ultimately, I think you have to do as your conscience dictates.
Very best of luck - I think you are being very brave, as in many ways your current church clearly means a lot to you. There are such a broad range of churches out there, I'm sure you will find one you feel more comfortable within.

Yes it would put me off. And I always think its worth being honest, but I'm not sure they'd understand. And you will probably find you will be prayed for too for making a wrong choice. But I could be wrong

Anything about god being all powerful would put me off. Of any suggestion that we are sinful ( especially children) or any suggestion that jesus died for our sins.

Thanks, everyone. Lovely, I might be projecting my own past issues into the situation and taking it a bit too personally! Mary I guess they can pray for me too, it can't hurt! big, I do believe that we are sinners, but when it comes to young people I think they are more likely to be have been let down by those who are supposed to love them than to be possessed by demons.

I thought we were all born sinners- isn't that what original sin is about?

So even tiny babies are sinners.

If it makes you feel uncomfortable then I'd look elsewhere - plenty more fish in the sea! You don't have to tell people that you didn't feel comfortable with that aspect of prayer, but could just say something more general.

bigbluestars - not everyone who is a christian agrees with this. So going to a church where people go along with your way of thinking seems very sensible to me.

Imust - there are so many churches out there and loads of them wouldn't pray in this way - Definitely go where you feel comfortable.

"when it comes to young people I think they are more likely to be have been let down by those who are supposed to love them than to be possessed by demons"

You're not suggesting that sometimes they are actually possessed by demons, are you?

I really don't know. I walked off a congregation that had provided life changing to support to me. They mentioned "demons" in their prayers but I always sought the term as an allegory for "their problems".

Mind you, they were lovely but I left the moment I felt they we're guilt tripping me for not changing my life completely to fit what they thought were reasonable expectations. I particularly remember a day, when I qualified for a very important tournament, I was very happy for it and when I mentioned about that with my group, someone said: WHAT?!?! Are you prefering to spend this Sunday in a tournament rather than being in the presence of God?

I could never came back. I really felt they were getting a bit fanatical.

www.youareverywelcometorbay.org.uk/services-diary

Something new happening in Taunton?

Hakluyt - I don't know. I think it might be possible, I believe there is evil in the world - but maybe as Ana says, we should understand the idea more as 'being overwhelmed by our problems.' In the same way some people talk about 'the demon drink'?

I think there are certain styles of churches that use that type of prayer and I find it very uncomfortable. I have a church near me that is a bit 'in your face' in the style of worship and whilst I have lots of friends who go there and am involved in some of their out reach, it is not the style of worship that I feel I can gain anything from and I choose to go to a more 'traditional' church.

I remember saying to a friend when I went to the first church 'I didn't follow a word of the sermon, what did you make of it?' and her reply was that she never bothered listening and took a magazine to read .

I would be very wary of going to a church where you felt the congregation would be 'angry' if you went elsewhere. It sounds almost like they are trying to get you into a cult.

sorry wrong thread

ragwort- religion is a cult though.

Bigblue, I think it is you, not Serenade, who is on the wrong thread.

I am definitely on the right thread. This is about the divisions that religion causes is it not?

Bigblue, I think the thread is more about someone trying to find the right church for them.
OP, have you reached any kind of decision on how you'll approach it? I've been thinking about this, and in your situation I think I would try to tell them why I was moving on - would probably feel very nervous about doing so though, depending how understanding the people are (but I struggle to be assertive at times).

I am not sure I am brave enough to give the real reason, and I am also worried it would give offence. I like the sense of history and continuity of being C of E, I like ritual and prayer books, so I think i will talk up that side of what I want and hopefully depart on friendly terms.