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.

Thanks, Rafa. Yes, I feel uneasy with the opposing view of how meeting up is a right enshrined in law and also a right given by God so we should be doing it as churches. It was interesting to take part.

We're looking at some kind of outdoor thing for Easter Sunday. Really hope we can. Like you Rafa I'll be due my second jab soon after so it's a difficult one, but I think if it's outside I will mask up and go if I am well enough that day.

So missing church in person. It will be sad not to be able to sing though.

Yes interesting about the common cup. I wonder if we might adopt the Methodist model of those tiny little plastic cups. Not good for the environment but still. Maybe could get paper ones...

Little eco friendly steel cups maybe.

I didn't realise lots of people only received the bread. Is that a catholic thing?

I'd forgotten all about swine flu

The baptist churches I have been part of use small glass cups which go in the dish washer, so environmentally friendly.

I think it might be, jolly. Offering both the the wine to lay people seems to have been a post Vatican 2 thing. Even then you have to have a bishop’s dispensation to do it to regularly. In practice in the U.K. there’s a blanket dispensation but it’s still quite common for people not to take it.

I don’t usually because I can do without the Prednisolone and month long recovery that tends to follow any respiratory infection.

What's the theology behind only taking the bread?

I love the little cups, having spent my youth in Methodist churches. Have to sometimes suppress a 'bleurgh' moment with the chalice......

That Christ is fully and equally present in both forms I think. So by taking it in one form you aren’t missing anything.

Not sure whether that particular piece of theology dates back as far as when the practice of lay people receiving wine died out in the Middle Ages though.

But how is that squared with Christ's commandment to eat this bread and drink this cup, Rafals? And why did it die out in the Middle Ages?

Sorry, had never heard of this, am interested.

I'm glad it's not just me that worries about this

This seems like a silly thing to ask for prayers for when there are so many problems in the world, but I’m struggling a lot with doubt and uncertainty about Christianity. I only became a Christian last year and my friends and family are all quite anti religion so I don’t have anyone to talk to or ask questions. When I’m reading the Bible and come across things I don’t understand or which don’t quite make sense I find it hard to push aside my doubts and ignore that voice in my head telling me this is proof that there isn’t really a God. I don’t believe that, I know I don’t, but sometimes being alone it’s just hard to silence or reason with that voice of doubt.

That is not a trivial question at all, Pandas. It’s been a very hard year to be a new Christian in a family of unbelievers. And of course the Bible is a very difficult book to understand, written in a completely different time to ours. It then has suffered through translation and the simple passage of time. There are armies of scholars fighting of interpretation, so what chance have you got. BUT: I truly believe that God will come to our aid when we are struggling and will make things clear to us as we are listening.
For me, when I am in doubt, I go back to basics: the Resurrection is a historical fact, just as well ‘proven’ as the battle of Waterloo. The mere existence of the church proves that something significant happened roughly at the time that we changed counting at the year zero. Everything else flows from there and this is what we all need to hold on to: Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. Hold on to thaat for a bit and see if it helps at all.
I will hold you in my prayers and try to answer questions you may have.

@PenguinsAndPandasOhMy I will pray

@PenguinsAndPandasOhMy I will pray as you ask. I like the prayer "Lord I want to believe. Help me with my unbelief".

I didn't originally believe the bible but I believe in God. I read marcus borg "Reading the bible again for the first time: Taking the bible seriously but not literally" which is one way in to thinking about the bible as a mix of historical accounts and then figurative and allegorical sections. I also enjoyed Nick Page books. Hes a Christian historian and doesn't try and either justify or explain the supernatural elements of the new testament but puts the history in context.

I dont think the bible proves or disproves the existence of God as such. I do find it speaks to me at times. Some of the most resonant and instructive parts of the bible are the parables of Jesus and they are definitely fiction.

Sending you my prayers, Pandas

Managed to get my second jab yesterday as they had a load of spare appointments. Might think about booking myself a spot for one of the Easter services, just have to work out which one now.

Good news on the vaccine, Rafa. I'm thinking of going to our Easter day service - first one we're having back in church, even though I'll have my second vaccine a week or two later. I'm impressed with the immunity the Pfizer vaccine gives after one dose. Still need to be very careful, and it depends on whether the govt do end shielding on march 31st. So much to consider.

Pandas, not at all trivial. I echo everything oma says. It's been a really tough year for a new Christian, without the support of community, no wonder you're floundering a little. Please feel free to ask questions here. For me it's about the peace that somehow underpins it all even when everything else is chaos and misery. Still that assurance, knowledge we are loved, hope of the resurrection shining through.

How is everyone doing?

OK. No side effects from the vaccine, luckily. Looking forward to maybe being able to go home soon. Shouldn’t any later than July. Hopefully a bit earlier.

Still undecided about Easter. Think i’ll go to a midweek one and then start going again regularly the week after Easter.

I'm good thanks ventured on to 2 religion bashing threads with predictable results so need to hide back here where people are nice .

Glad to hear you had the vaccine without side effects Rafals. Lucky as so many have felt bad. I hope everyone here who is eligible has managed to get one. Bit of peace of mind.

I need to decide what we are doing about Easter. Whether we see in laws/my family after all this time. It seems a bit mean that I'd rather be home and go to church.

I've volunteered for reading at the maundy Thursday mass. I'm told that the Easter masses are going to be as short as possible.... just the three readings on Saturday! I find the lengthy masses too much especially if there are baptisms etc. My back hurts for sitting on wooden bench so long. I still go.

Have never managed all 3 masses. Good Friday at 3pm I want to be out with the dc.

I'm conscious that this thread is nearly full. I hope you dont mind MHD but I'm hoping you start another one? I've really valued this place to hang out for some Christian fellowship without the judgement that you get elsewhere on MN. I know anyone can start it but think most people will agree you are best to lead the way. If that wasn't an imposition?

Looking forward to another quiet weekend.

I'm learning a lot from Pete Grieg's book on unanswered prayer, God on Mute^^ - am reading it and my home group is doing the study course. Takes you to some very emotional places though.

My DD still needs prayer please....

A new thread would be lovely.

I have been in touch with MHD who is not feeling too well, so happy for me to start en new thread. I’m sure we will continue in prayer for her and all others who are in need of prayer themselves, or care for others in need.

New thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/4197440-Christian-prayer-and-chat-thread-Open-to-all I hope the link works.