Christian prayer and chat thread Open to all

[Dutchoma]

The old thread was nearly full, so here is a new one. Oldies and newbies, chat or prayer, all welcome.

Praying especially for MHD and JanFeb’s daughter.
Also praying for all who are preparing Holy Week/Easter services.

Has anyone read any good Christian books recently that they would recommend? I just finished one called ‘Gentle and Lowly’ by Dane Ortland that a friend recommended / it’s so good! Has anyone else read it? Any other suggestions?

What’s it about @Lovingthedawnchorus?

@JanFebAnyMonth

The title is taken from Matt11:28. It’s basically about Jesus and what he is like - how are automatic assumptions about him are so often wrong. Really found it so helpful!

That one's on my list, @Lovingthedawnchorus as a friend has recommended it.

Couple of good recent books:

How to pray by Pete Grieg
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
The badly behaved Bible by Nick Page

You could read one of mine, if you like give me a PM if you want a link. I write on faith and suffering, on finding hope in the darkness.

Under ‘normal’ circimstances I would say you could just turn up. There would normqlly people at the door to welcome you and take you to a seat. BUT at the moment there are a lot of churches which can only admit so many people and you have to book. Can you share with the nun you are talking to and ask what she would advise? Even if she is not local to you she will have contacts elsewhere.
I think you will find great comfort in seeking God and find His love for you.

@Zebra13

I would definitely encourage you to go to church. It can be a bit overwhelming knowing where to go when there are so many. We attend one that is part of the FIEC and it has been so great - genuinely like family. You can search for their churches here: fiec.org.uk/churches
Would be happy to advise more specifically if you pm me.

Let us know how you get on ❤️

@Zebra13 the Christian message is for those who are ‘not good enough’ - none of us are. We are offered forgiveness, healing and restoration that we cannot earn. Take a look at that fiec site and see if there’s a church near you. Would love to make contact with you and help if I can. Will pray for you that you will find a church family that will love and support you.

@ZenNudist I think having faith definitely helps with navigating life. I still get it wrong a lot though!

Nicky Gumbel's plan tends to be thematic. There are normally 4 or 5 passages to read each day, a couple from the new testament, a couple from the old testament, Psalms or Proverbs. He talks a lot about times of trouble, distress, disappointment, etc., which highlights how 'real' God is, to me. Life is full of ups and downs.

@Zebra13 I think you need to perhaps think about what style of church you would benefit from. Some people like the very formal style, so they would tend to go to a CofE church. Other people like a very informal style, so they would tend to go to a church such as an evangelical church. Catholics have a slightly different belief system to protestants. They believe that Mary as the mother of Jesus should be revered.

Either way, I'm sure you'll be very welcome.

@ZenNudist
I’ve been using a Bible reading guide called - Reading Between the Lines by Glen Scrivener. I’d really recommend it! He has a great way of bringing things out of familiar passages that I’d never noticed.

Would also recommend the Explore Bible reading notes produced quarterly by the Good Book Company.

Dear Zebra, what I would suggest in your case, is that you go out of your front door and have a look at what churches there are in your area. All the churches you mention are Christian churches and they have all slightly different views. For instance, Quakers have services which are mainly silent. Of course just at the moment is an awkward time to start going to church because of the Covid restrictions. Have you been in touch with the nun who showed such understanding of your difficulties?

Hey! Anyone remember me? It's probably about 2yrs since I posted and some of you may have name changed, but I recognise MHD and Dutchoma

Just read through the last few posts and Zebra , I just thought I'd share that I have had a time of debating which Church to go to and in the end I tried a few and decided that there was one where I felt closer to God and that could only be a good thing, so I went with that one! As a result, I went from being CofE through my teenage years to trying a different CofE church, Baptist and Catholic and ended up in the Catholic Church. There is no rush, I'd just recommend you keep searching and praying. God will love you wherever you are, just find the place that you feel at home and close to God and don't worry if that takes a bit of time.

Not a clue Zebra. I googled, but it is as clear as mud. Just go and see what they are like. Best of luck, let us know how you get on.
SESthe Brave how lovely to see you.

Thank you Dutchoma ! I hope you are doing well? I've had a bad experience on a Christian Discussion FB Group where it has become very disrespectful and anti Catholic, so I feel like I've come home being here

Welcome home SES

I don’t think Unitarians can be counted as mainstream Christians.

Hello Ses, welcome back. All welcome here, we just rub along. I like learning from other christian denominations and meeting fellow Catholics. What happened on the FB group? Sounds bad, but intriguing?

MHD I offer a prayer for your friend and for all those grieving their passing. I'm sorry. Were they of faith? I'm sure they are starting out on a wild new adventure. It's so sad for those left behind but I feel so strongly that they are with God. I bet you are sick of hearing these comments. I know it doesn't make up for the pain right now and you can't bring yourself to feel glad for them. Were they young?

Dawnchorus some good recommendations there thanks. I will add that Dane Ortland book to my amazon wish list. And the Scrivener. I have given up reading and switched to podcasts right now. Fr Mike in the morning and currently Jane Eyre in the evening. I fancy going back over the classics. Jane is religious too so I appreciate the scenes where she trusts in or prays to God.

Zebra I pray that you may be guided by the power of the holy spirit to a place that can do the most good in your life. But be wary. I worry you are vulnerable. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about yourself (you are doing that too much yourself) or put pressure on you. I think the advice to tryout different churches in your area is sound. But Im still biased towards Catholic mass. I reckon your nun confidant is your best bet for gentle guided introduction to Catholicism. I do think we can be an unwelcoming bunch. Methodist are friendly IME but don't give up on the Catholics!

Lougle I'm pretty positive I'm going to try nicky Gumble next year (much as I love Fr Mike Schmitz). Does it take up much time? I'm on 20 to 30 mins a day. I dont always pay enough attention!

Can I ask for prayer for those children leaving their schools to start anew next term and for anyone young or older finding it hard to cope with the change? Just had 10yo DS in here sobbing because his year 6 mix class are moving on and he is still year 5 and he's going to miss them all.

Goodnight and God Bless to all here.

Zenudist I think you are very wise to urge caution to dear Zebra. As you have made contact with the Catholic church and have found love and compassion there, it might not be the worst idea to stick with them, if there is anything locally. What you need is kindness, love and compassion, you are judging yourself so harshly. Whatever you do, wherever you go, remember that God loves you very deeply and nobody has the right to undermine that love.

I think you may well be right in thinking that a Roman Catholic service is going to be calmer and less ‘in your face’ than some evangelical services, although most of them are not very wild and woolly either. Certainly in the Baptist church I attended there was no speaking in tongues or any other ‘spiritual manifestation. It was all perfectly calm and not overwhelming at all. I think most RC services these days are in English, but SES and/or ZenNudist can confirm better than I can.
I have been going to a Church of England parish church and you can find out which is your parish church by linking it to your post code. But again there is a great variety of expressing worship and the only way to find out is to try it. That’s why I suggested walking out of your front door and trying the nearest church that is open.