Christian Coffee House - Prayer/Chat thread. No rubbish church coffee allowed.

[Madhairday]

With the latest prayer thread coming to an end, we thought we would create a new thread for prayer and general chat too - we had chat threads running for years alongside prayer threads, and we thought it would be great to combine them. I try and collate some of the prayer requests from the last thread in the next few days. In the meantime, dive in! Lurkers/newbies - you are welcome to post. Feel free to start any chat subject about Christianity, church, worship etc, and do share any prayer needs.
Would love to hear from those who were on previous threads and haven't been around for a while, too. Come and let us know how you are.

Hi @peajotter, you are very welcome to join in. Please tell us a bit about yourself. Maybe make next week the time to get back into regular prayer. You might need a new routine. I usually pray at the end of the day. I'm aware I've missed out on the motivational preparation for the day ahead side of it. But I just appreciate the time alone with God. I dont always get that feeling so it's nice when I feel more connected. I find its nigh on impossible to pray with small children around (except in a "give me strength" way!!). As I'm not a morning person I'd rather pray once they have gone to bed.

MHD I meant to say that I too have been rather flat after Easter. I've found it difficult to concentrate or get going, and life at home all the time has started to pall. It's been difficult to feel blessed or grateful (Even though I am lucky really). Divine mercy Sunday and the story of doubting Thomas has been restorative. I feel kinship with pragmatic Thomas and his pessimistic pronouncements. In a way it validates my own questioning, and gives me hope.

I have read red moon rising. Which I enjoyed. I couldn't face dirty glory after that. It was all a bit different from my usual take on faith. I have "How to pray: a simple guide for ordinary people" lined up on my kindle. I love listening to Pete Greig talk. His "How to pray" youtube course really helped me. I'm not naturally very comfortable with charismatic Christianity but he and 24/7 are very practical and speak to the heart.

@Donhill and @StrawberryJam200 you have reminded me that if the worst of my lockdown is annoying children and generally feeling cooped up and unproductive there are much worse situations for some. I do try and pray for people struggling with the lockdown, will make a special effort after these comments.

Yes I really love the Prayer Course too, Zen, and the book that goes with it is very good, like you say it's so practical and helpful, I love the PRAY acronym and all the others he gives in the book, very helpful. He's an amazing speaker too, incredibly inspirational. I can understand if it gets a bit much if you're not so comfortable with some of the more charismatic side, though Pete Greig would be what I term down to earth practical charismatic rather than crazy off the wall one! Very much after my own heart. Happy to chat about any of that stuff, if you want to know more or ask questions.

Yes yes to Pete Grier's How to Pray, so down to earth.

Just been brave and posted something spiritual on the current (very interesting) thread, "What will you do to prepare for a future lockdown?" I suggested thinking about what happens when you die mightn't be a bad idea, and linked to the CofE Big Questions page.

Am preparing to get roasted of course!

If anyone would like to lend some prayer support or even write a post (not too many otherwise they'll spot our "conspiracy" 😆) I'd be grateful. In real life I'm the most rubbish witness (in words, anyway): I do find it easier on here. Thank you!

• Autocorrect thinks Pete's surname should be Grier not Grieg, no idea why!

....and no one responded! Quite a fast moving thread yesterday, and a really useful one, I have to say. Pray that many will read all of it and that my message/seed will fall on fertile ground.

Oh that's great that you posted that strawberry! Well done. I'm sure some will have noticed that. It's hard posting stuff like that on MN sometimes isn't it, it can be a bit hostile. Well done :)

How is everyone doing?

Hello everybody, I saw this thread on Active Chats, I do hope you don’t mind me posting here. I have a friend who is really struggling with lockdown. She’s really missing church. Her family are Catholic, and she lives at home with her parents who are in their 60/70s. Her dad has some health problems and so they’re all shielding. She has some mental health problems and usually volunteers a couple of days a week in charity shops and has Church every Sunday and choir practice once a week. Her mum has tried to arrange choir via zoom, but timing is a nightmare so they’ve given up on that idea. I really wish I could help her, but I’m not sure where to start.

@GinghamStyle sorry to hear that. Can she access a/her church online at all? If she can do Zoom, there's lots of online prayer meetings etc, some open to the public (with safeguards).

@StrawberryJam200 well done for posting about faith outside the religion board. The reaction is usually pretty hostile or indifferent or patronising.

I've given up on the rest of the boards (too much crazy!). Or I'd venture out for a religion thread. I just don't want to get sucked into the rest of mumsnet again.

I have to find other internet spots to entertain myself. I like digitalnun but she doesn't blog every day. Any other faith chat or blog suggestions gratefully received.

I tried Catholic Answers forum after a recommendation on another mumsnet thread, but its very American, difficult to navigate and a touch erm intense.

How you doing MHD? Another lockdown weekend looms. Hopefully lots of time to see your family in the garden if the good weather holds. Are you finding your church's online efforts being well received now we are past the excitement of Easter, and with no end to the lockdown in sight?

I am missing church quite badly now. Am finding it more difficult to feel as if my prayers have "landed" because I've dialled back on the praying after divine mercy Sunday. In the morning I have wandered to the end of my garden saying our father, hail Mary, glory be and the Fatima prayer, then looked back at my house and thanked God for all my blessings. Maybe I need to take a bit more time to talk to God then next week. Thing is, it was a nice start to the day without taking too much time as I have work to do.

Hello @GinghamStyle. I have PMed you some ideas and links. Hope you can help her.

Have you had a look at the Creighton University readings and prayers? They are a Jesuit based establishment, quite American, but I find the readings quite helpful.
It is difficult to keep going without the rhythm of regular worship services and I think God understands that. I find just looking out of the window and seeing my garden reminds me that God is eternal and will still be there when all this is over - and be thankful.

@StrawberryJam200 @ZenNudist
Thank you for your replies.
It’s a tricky situation as her parents are very traditional and with how she is (undiagnosed but similar to another friend of mine who has Aspergers), she’s very reliant on her parents and trusts their judgement/word. They’re insisting that she stays at home and only goes out for a dog walk with them in the evening. She’s a lovely lady, we have such a giggle when we go out together and it’s upsetting to hear that she’s having such a tough time.
I’ll look into the online church ideas, and I’ve asked a friend of mine whose parents go to the same church to find out if there’s anything online from their church or any local Catholic Facebook pages. My friend has bad anxiety and so although I know she would be hesitant to join a new group of random people, if they were local and she could form some friendships that could become RL after lockdown, that would be really beneficial.
I’ve sent for a Bible verse Colouring Book and hope that will help to soothe her anxiety.

Please pray for my sister. She is in intensive care. Thank you.

Praying for your sister Donhill

Praying @Donhill.

Thinking of your friend @GinghamStyle, and anyone else too, I see the Anglican Church has launched a kind of "dial up church", a number anyone can call to access hymns, prayers or a whole service. Great for older people who may not have internet access. Called Daily Hope:
www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/archbishop-canterbury-launches-free-dial-worship-phone-line-during

I've just seen this on Active threads and thought I'd say hello. We've watched our local church service this morning and although I feel blessed that we've had the opportunity to pray together I am always saddened that we are not seeing everybody.

The number for Daily Hope, mentioned by StrawberryJam200 is 0800 804 8044; I've not tried it yet but I'm sure I will.

Gods blessings.

Welcome @forgetthehousework, it's great to see you here :)

@ZenNudist thanks for asking. I'm doing ok, it is hard with no end in sight shielding but I've settled into a routine now and getting quite a bit of writing done so it's good to have something creative to do. Some days are better than others!

Yes church online is still being well received with thousands of views, people seem to really appreciate coming together and just the chance to be in community a bit. Everyone is so missing worshipping together and seeing one another but livestreams help. We're getting people who are not sure about faith or who stopped going to church, and seeing people's lives impacted and coming closer to God in this time. Dh struggling though with leading a church like this. It's hard. he's doing a brilliant job.

How are you Oma, and also @BlackeyedSusan, ive been praying for you.

Thank you for your prayers.

Any improvement for Your dsis @Donhill? Prayed for her today.

Hello @forgetthehousework it sounds like you usually have a lovely community. Although it's sad not to be able to worship with them right now you are blessed to have them in the first place. (Pollyanna looking on the bright side !!). I miss church for the sake of getting out the house and dedicating some time to God on a Sunday. I dont have a good church community. On Sunday it felt a sacrafice to sit in my bedroom and pray mass when I wanted to get out in the sun.

Hey @Madhairday I'm impressed at thousands of online views. Your dh is doing very well. I really should watch one of his masses. I always prioritise Catholic mass...

I thought our priest was doing well with a couple of hundred views. Admittedly he doesn't publicise it but I thought he was getting many more online attendees in the week than the very very few regular who usually worship.

With that in mind Im off to pray mass. It's been a long day and I want to do this before I relax.

Checking in again.

It’s a long shot but is there anyone ordained C of E on this thread (or MN more widely, not sure an ordained minister would feel the need to hang out here)? I wondered if someone wouldn’t mind fielding a question or two by PM.

Other than that, my church is back on Zoom which I am finding quite moving as we have congregants from all over the world, seems to get more far-flung with each passing week.

Thank you for asking and for praying Zen. My sister is still in intensive care, but the signs are good that she is improving. Ongoing prayers would be very much appreciated.

@erinaceus there definitely are ordained ministers on here! Hope you find someone, Although is there a possibility that an educated involved lay person could answer your questions?

Of course @Donhill

Flying by to say hello. Have been lurking/checking in occasionally recently, but not always when I'm logged in, so haven't been posting.

Prayers for your sister's family, and for Molly's son too.

I know what you mean about different responses to the same situation, Strawberry. Isaiah 45:7–9 isn't quite there, but it is getting there:

I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things. “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness . . . I the LORD have created it."

Don’t know about righteousness, but the clouds have definitely ‘showered down rain’ today.

Hello @erinaceus! I'm ordained in the Church of England and would be happy to answer your questions.

Waving to @Madhairday and @Dutchoma! I haven't been on MN for a while but used to hang out here a lot.