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.

Oma that sounds a lovely day, I'm so glad you had a good one.

I loved our online Christmas services. Being ill again this Christmas I would have missed out if all was usual, like most years, but this time I felt a part of it and that was lovely. Good things are coming out of it all.

Sorry to hear you were ill again MHD but glad that you still were part of the fellowship.

I had two more blessed days, was able to be in church and singing on Sunday and then spend the rest of the day with my ‘bubble’ family again. This time we played ‘Ticket to Ride’

Oh that's lovely Oma. I love ticket to ride!

I am a little better. I have managed a walk in the snow today :)

I'm getting increasingly angered and upset about the covid deniers and minimisers on many threads here. I'm really struggling with the polarisation of views and split in society over this. It's so sad to see and so much misinformation out there that doesn't help. I know @RafaIsTheKingOfClay knows what I mean.

I want to pray today for unity and for softened hearts to listen to one another, but also for justice and righteousness to prevail. And for the NHS frontline staff under the most horrific stress right now. May they find strength in the midst of it all and peace and rest despite all they are facing.

I’ve just popped in here to see how you are mad. We keep meeting on other threads.

I guess the thing that’s shocked me most this year is the ease in which a lot of people write off other people’s lives. I guess I know why people are doing it but it isn’t easy to read. Especially if you have an underlying health condition.

I think it’s a bit more difficult being here and watching family at home where there is no covid go about their lives as normal.

I’ll join you in that prayer for unity. Will keep you and your friend in my prayers too.

Yes I've been rocked to the core on that Rafa. I blogged on it the other day and it's resonated with many people who feel absolutely sucker punched about the whole thing and are feeling. It's really marred my view of humanity in general tbh :(

Whereabouts are your family, remind me? Are they Australia? It must seem like a different planet.

I will keep praying for unity in all this and simple human kindness.

I really appreciate seeing your posts as they are always an oasis of reason.

*and are feeling forgotten and expendable.

I’m not sure about an oasis of reason. I might take a break from the Covid boards here in the New Year.

Yes I know what you mean. They've been dragging me down over the last few days, I've been finding myself getting blindingly angry and that's not good for my mental or physical health!

Same. I do have it hidden so they don’t pop up in active convos but I need to make more of an effort not to click on the threads in the trending box. It’s not like it’s helping anyone.

I think I need to just focus on doing what I can to keep myself safe. Hopefully I should get a vaccine in the not to distant future. Had to turn down the Pfizer one because of an allergy but hopefully might get a chance for the Oxford one soon.

Yes I've seen you both elsewhere too 👋!

It's always so tempting to try and speak truth but sometimes not wise in those contexts......

There could be a massive ministry on MN but it would definitely be a full time job wouldn't it, especially at the moment?!

Remember I asked (on 17th, have just checked) for prayer that I'd be able to get my DD to talk more with me about some important issues? This happened - only a short convo but about a key issue - the other day. It's definitely changed things between us for the better, and she seems more relaxed, which is a blessing to the whole household. And may pave the way for other chats.

So thanks for your prayers.

Happy New Year everyone! I pray we will all grow in our relationship with God this year. I think it'll be a difficult few months ahead with covid but my new year resolution is to try and be more of a glass half full rather than a glass half empty person. Maybe I should join the gratitudes thread. Meantime, the sun is shining, God has created a beautiful world and I'm going to get out for a walk to enjoy it.

Happy new year everyone. I pray the new year brings you all good or improved health and happiness.

I started the new year off with mass (dh was dismayed!). A lovely thing to do on NYD.

I need to do something "extra" this year as my daily prayers are same same. I have started psalm reflection from Timothy Keller "my rock my refuge" its a short reflection and would allow me to pray the psalms every day. I'd also like to do Fr Mike Schmitz bible in 1 year but too tired for that today. It seems unlikely I'd keep it up. Can but try!!

Hi all. Just thought I would introduce myself. Well, reintroduce myself actually.
I was on mumsnet quite a bit until about 2015. Rejoined today.
I even remember madhairday from back then!

I am with appleandpears as regards, look up to God and think of good things. Cant remember the Bible verse, but will find it if anyone is interested.

Welcome (back) Lightand.. Would we recognise your earlier username?

I have been given a copy of New Daylight Bible notes. Not very far in, of course, but it looks good so far. The first topic is Gratitude and Gladness. The gratitude I can manage, the gladness not so much. We have had to go back to no live music in services and watching from home. In my case that means watching with my ‘bubble’ friend, which is something to be profoundly grateful for, but I would be gladder if we could be in church.

I had a few earlier names. Cant even remember them myself. I was rather marmite[not on God subjects]. One of the names might have had the word fish in it?
From lurking for a few months, I think the relationship board is not as harsh as it used to be. thankfully.
even the feminist board looks a little tamer.

Welcome lightand. Been here since 2009 but may not recognise an old username. What brings you back to MN. It's mental right now. I was off it for the start of covid so I avoided the crazy. It's got worse over Christmas and out of boredom I've been riveted! I need to withdraw to just this corner but I'm enjoying the debates!

Is your username linked to a hymn?

Today listening to our organist and aged soprano alternate singing carols alone i wanted to volunteer to sing in church (alone). I'm not a soloist (except in my own home!) So I don't know if I dare. Even singing the alleluia before the gospel if I'm reading is embarrassing. But it seems a shame not to help out if it makes mass a bit better. I dont in a choir and love hymns and usually sing loudly whilst those around mutter. Plus it feels like a good way to praise God. I'm scared. Should I have volunteered to the organist?

Hello, can I perch myself down with a coffee too please?

I’m very much a lurker so don’t post much but it’s nice to read your posts.

Could I ask for prayer for a potential house move and new career that this year may bring. If it’s the Lord’s will then may it all happen and be smooth. I’m excited about it all but also a little apprehensive about getting hurt if it all falls through.

Happy new year to you all.

Thank you for the welcome!
I was going to put in light and something, but lightand was a name not used before and I couldnt be bothered to go through a whole gammut of potential names. And I know a name on here can be changed quite easily.

I have been on another social media site for a while, but fancied some social interaction that isnt frenzied and is pleasant only. Plus our church has been closed down again because of covid, and I miss the social interaction of it.

I tend to come up with ideas for things, and am musing of having an outdoor church with members of other local churches who may be interested. But that is one of my ideas still very much in infancy stage. And not sure it is feasable, and I have other irons in the fire at present so to speak.

I like to bounce ideas off others first, to see what others think.

Also I've just realised that the hymn I was thinking of volunteering to sing was "Firmly I believe and truly" which is also the hymn that Lightand's name reminds me of:

Simply to his grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong;
And I love supremely, solely,
Christ the holy, Christ the strong.

What a coincidence

Zen, yes do it. Every bit helps and all that.

TL - yes, a prayer from me.

Zen - yeah!

Making me smile. I love how God does "coincidences"!

TL hello! Prayed on this for you. Let us know how both things move on and we can keep praying. Sounds like 2021 could be your year.

Lightand it sounds like a great idea that some people will be crying out. Im sure youve already thought it could be hard to implement unless on church grounds depending on your tier and area.

We have masses in church car parks around here and what it loses in liturgical trappings (Catholic) it makes up for by being more inclusive for those who don't want to worship indoors.

Streamed church has its place but I think people want to physically gather in Christ's name and frankly, get out the house!

Something to consider: the police broke up my friends carol service on church grounds and socially distanced in tier 4. Neighbours complained and it was such a sad thing to have happen. My friend felt that it's ok for people to go to the nearby huge shopping centre mask or no, but not a small gathering of masked people following rules for organised worship and wanting to celebrate the real Christmas not commercial Christmas. The police quoted rule of 6 and didn't allow it being organised worship. They since apologised but its too late as it will deter the older folks who came thinking it was safer than indoor mass. In any case a carol service is a one off and I can see that singing is a real flash point as some people think its too risky.

So we live in crazy times. Plan but be wary seems the best advice. Perhaps you can say meet outside but fall back on zoom?

Interesting thoughts.
I wasnt thinking on church grounds, as didnt want there to be any comeback on our group of churches if things didnt go ok. So a park or something like that, that is a bit central to some of the churches at least. All within tier rules of course. I believe in going by the law.

Hello all, and welcome to lightand and TL, good to see you. How is everyone going into lockdown? I'm bracing myself for a hopefully final round of shielding.

Thoughts on online church - this Christmas was amazing for me because it was the first time in years I was able to attend all the Christmas services - this time of year is always hopeless for me and I usually get to very few, if any. It felt really special and even though the attendance was online I still felt very much a part, it was really profound. Just throwing that out there - most of you know my thoughts on it anyway

Praying for you all as we go into this time, especially those with young children

Thanks all. I wanted to come on here this morning and see how people were feeling, esp those shielding.

I'm feeling relieved in a way, spent last month waiting for this lockdown. But a bit worried about how it will affect my children, and of course praying for the NHS.

Did you watch the video of the Christian nurse last time (Mar) which gave prayer points for hospitals? It was brilliant and one of the amazing bits of info it gave was that the chair of the National clinical committee set up to decide on priority order for ventilation etc was a Christian lady, and to pray for her.

Think we need to be praying for them all again now.