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.

Agree with previous comments Zebra, most masses will be in English and those that aren't will normally be advertised as such.
If you have any other questions, please do ask. I converted to RC from CofE in my early 20s and if I can help at all, I'd be happy to. For me, it just became a matter of finding where I felt closest to God initially and then the rest followed. Coincidentally I've had a couple of nuns support me / point me in the right direction along the way.

Zen - the FB group basically had been a supportive discussion and faith sharing group for around a year and then recently a couple of the group admins have changed their view points on a few things and it's become very anti Catholic. I have no issue with someone questioning my faith but would rather they seek to understand rather than be deliberately provocative and trying to catch people out. I'd rather find a group (such as my experience of this one) where members are supportive of each other, even if from a different back ground or denomination!

An example of a recent post by one of the administrators: "Catholics are united in one denomination, because they let the pope do the thinking for them. How can you trust the judgement of people who don't think for themselves?"
I'm sorry but I just find that insulting! The reason I am a Catholic is because I have thought through what is right for me and my relationship with God!

Ses it's a shame getting anti Catholic sentiment from other Christians. There is so much more that unites us than divides us. Also almost funny to think that all Catholics agree with the Pope. Remarkably ill informed!

Zebra you absolutely do deserve it. If you do decide to go to mass you can take comfort no one is doing the right standing up / sitting down / kneeling things because covid. People are quite confused as we were supposed to sitting and not move but now are allowed back to normal. I follow the usual actions and you find yourself standing alone checking out of the corner of my eye that some of the congregation are doing the same! You can be guaranteed that you would be very welcome. I hopd its a space for you to think and feel calm.

Waves to Dutchoma and Rafals 🙂

Zebra we are none of us worthy of the love of God, but He still gives us all the blessings we enjoy. As Christians we are asked to spread that love around, so please don’t feel that you are less worthy than any of us. I’m glad the nun you first had contact with rang you, hopefully she will put you in touch with a priest near where you live and you can go along to that church now that restrictions are eased a bit.

We are having an outdoor service on Sunday where we’ll all be able to sing. One of the hymns will be How great Thou art, so looking forward to that.

Fab news @SudokuZebra, well done. I hope - and pray - that you feel some peace there.

Yes, I do hope you will feel at peace.

Zebra there will come a point in the service, quite near the beginning, where there is an act of confession, saying sorry to God. I know how sorry you are and how unlikely to commit that particular sin again. And when you have said ‘sorry’ the priest will declare that God has forgiven our sin and that He will not remember it any more. I truly hope that these words will sink in deep into your heart and that you can accept God’s forgiveness over your life. Go in peace.

No, we all have sins to confess, every day and every week and for God there is no ‘big sin’ or ‘little sin’, the point is that we will accept His forgiveness and live ‘in newness of life’. We will still sin, that is our human nature and time and again we will need to come to Him and ask for His forgiveness. Your ‘sin’, in God’s eyes is a failing of your human nature and He looks kindly and with great love on you. My prayer for you is that you will be able to feel and accept that great love.

Hello, I've been reading through and catching up. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the service tomorrow zebra. It sounds like a positive step for you. I agree with others on forgiving yourself, that is so important.

Here I've been struggling with very low mood, and struggling a little. The covid uncertainty, worry about a friend who is shielding and feeling separated from her, a cancelled holiday (trivial I know) and work stress have combined all together and I just feel so flat. If any have a spare prayer going I have a friend (I consider her more a sister) who is anxious, shielding and struggling to cope, she has been very tearful and lives alone. I just want to hug her but can't (and had a few tears myself today over that).

Love to you all

coffeecup - sounds like you've got a lot impacting you at the moment. Go easy on yourself. Prayers for you and for your friend. Separation from those we love is tough and even tougher when they need us.

Zebra - I hope you find peace at mass tomorrow. I remember the first time I went and I was worried about doing the wrong thing or not standing at the right time, etc but it really doesn't matter and no one is there trying to catch you out. What is important is that you take time for you and for you to feel God's love and forgiveness, which I believe he wants to give you in abundance.

I'll be at 11am mass tomorrow morning and will pray for you all and give thanks for this group.

That’s a lot to cope with Coffeecup and I’m not surprised you feel a bit flat. I hope the nice weather helps and it is not too hot for you.
Zebra I too will be praying the peace of God over you.

Yes Rafals you are so right, it all seems a bit hopeless at the moment. I hope Zebra made it to church this morning.
I ended up watching the live stream of the open air service this morning. Two reasons: we heard at the party yesterday that there was a risk that the daughter of one of my amazing friends might have Covid. She had been home in the week, so friend and family are now isolating. Also there is not much shadow in the churchyard, so sitting in full sun for an hour was not the best idea. We were still much a part of the service and choir practice in person starts again this Thursday

Oma - choir practice!!! Sounds bliss!!! Our music group plus a few friends has been meeting each week on a Sunday at 6pm for a catch up, sharing the gospel and a song and prayer requests. It's been a lovely way to keep in touch, even when some of us have been able to go to mass as mass doesn't really give much chance to catch up due to social distancing.

There will still be some social distancing, but yes, we will be able to sing together and be in church 2 times out of three.

Thanks Rafals and Dutchoma, it is reassuring that others are experiencing the 'flatness' too everything does feel a bit pants right now. Inspired by zebra I went to church in person today, it was really nice.