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.

Thanks @Madhairday for thinking of my DS. He is quite fragile and has had another panic attack. Came home for long weekend and now back at college. I feel quite stoic about it all ( it takes time to grow an adult etc) but DH is in bits worrying about him.
Just spent a week on holiday with my lovely cousin who is a lot more spiritual than me, he has recommended some reading ( New Testament, John) so I am going to try that.
Hope you anxiety alleviates. Small steps help me, and being mindful of triggers. All obvious stuff, apologies!

RafalsI like the idea of a decade a day. Do you pray with an intention?

I swim and pray the rosary. It makes it impossible to pray quickly!

Oma I'd have to agree with MHD.

Thank you both.

Just checking in. Not been in for a few weeks but I think of you all and raise you in prayer often.

Checking in too. I watched a documentary on the iplayer earlier in the week and aspects of it have been on my mind ever since, especially what as Christians we should aspire to be like.

Which documentary @applesandpears33?

It was the Storyville one about Hillsong Church. I'm not anti Hillsong, but it did make me think about a few related issues.

I watched that one too @applesandpears33. I did find it disturbing tbh but also it was obvious it was set out to a certain bias from the start and concentrated on certain aspects over others. I love Hillsong music but I've always been a bit meh about their teaching because to me it tends towards prosperity gospel and health and wealth etc, but I also know they have huge social justice programmes and make a big difference in their communities. So I think it's a nuanced issue really and there will always be bad apples like that pastor. When there are, though, churches should never close ranks and pretend, they should shed light on it and be honest and learn from it. That's been the whole issue with the Catholic church and historic abuse I guess. It does make me weep though when this sort of thing happens.

Ses hello and thanks. I'm finding it harder to pray of late. I feel like I'm weighed down by work and worldly things and paying less attention to my spiritual side.

Apples. How are things with you? Will look into that hillsong story now.

MHD I'm glad you mentioned the abuse in the Catholic Church. I read the report on the findings about abuse in the French Catholic Church today. Similar to what has happened in the UK Ireland US etc. I was wondering whether to mention it here. That was more than a few bad apples. It's something that makes me believe in the devil. What better way to undermine the good work done by the church than to get to those working in the church?

When my dc are older I'm going to have to talk to them about the evil done by Catholic priests and religious and the damage done. I hope they can see at the end of the day it's you and God. Church and all that goes with it is important but not the most important thing.

The documentary got me wondering about what we look for in church leaders. On the one hand, it is great to have someone who has charisma and who leads people. But I think we have to be careful that people don't become more attracted to the leader than to the message. And I don't think Jesus would approve of preachers spending £1000 on trainers. But on the other hand, if preachers had no charisma at all would anyone listen to them? I mean, I wouldn't want to listen to someone who was so boring they sent me to sleep. At what point does someone who is good at delivering a message become a bit of a showman?

Also, the people who wrote the documentary were very quick to criticise the preacher who allegedly cheated on his wife. Now I'm not supporting adultery, but it is a bit depressing to see how quick people are to criticise Christians and accuse them of hypocrisy. We are all human and make mistakes and it makes it difficult to be a Christian if each time we get a bit grumpy, or act in an "unchristian" way people are quick to criticise us. Sometimes I don't want to tell people I'm a Christian because I suspect I don't live up to their stereotypes.

Hi everyone, I’m going to church on Sunday for the first time and have no idea what to expect. Is it ok if don’t take part in the Eucharist? Will I be expected to do anything?

Welcome mymapaddington. Some churches have people at the door to welcome you and might link you with a regular worshipper, in that case you do what they do by way of standing and sitting. You do not need to go forward for the Eucharist if you don’t want to, jast stay in you seat. If there is nobody there when you get in, find a corner at the back and watch proceedings. Don’t feel embarrassed, everybody who is there will be glad you are with them. I hope you will feel blessed. Let us know how you get on.

Thank you, I will let you know how it goes!

Are you going to a Church of England church, myma?

Quite a standard way of doing it would be for the invitation to come forward to include something like “all are invited who love the Lord Jesus” - but that will depend on the exact theology of the church. When the usher type people reach your row of seats people will file along and up to the front but anyone is free to just remain sitting. If anyone prompts you, perhaps because they’re worried you want to go up but are unsure, it’s fine to just shake your head or say ‘No thank you’.

Yes Church of England.
Thank you, that’s good to know!

Mymapuddlington - hope you had a good experience this morning and enjoyed the service.

I need a few prayers please because I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. It's my own fault, I've just taken too much on!

One of those is really positive though - I coordinate the RCIA group in our parish and we are meeting for the first time on Tuesday since March 2020! I have 5 adults interested in finding out more about being a Christian and potentially looking to be received into the Catholic Church! Please pray that all will go well, through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Can anyone recommend a daily short bible reading and prayer online.
Thank you.

@DaffyDaydream I start my day with the 24-7 prayer app Lectio365. There's a theme every week, sometimes over several weeks, based on a short piece of scripture and praying around it. Usually around ten minutes. There is also an evening prayer which is a repeated fortnightly cycle. I really enjoy starting my quiet time with it every morning.

Dreaming of the Southof France Thank you. I’ve had a quick look at it and its the sort of thing I wanted.

Ah I’m glad somebody answered. I had no idea as I have New Daylight in bookform and that is just a Bible reading and a short refelction, no prayer.

Glad it's what you were looking for @DaffyDaydream

Hey @DaffyDaydream I love lectio365 its short, thought provoking and centring.

Was also going to recommend the bible in a year podcast I've been doing all this year. You can start any time. It's the Father Mike Schmitz one and I listen via free Spotify but is on most podcast platforms. 20-30mins chronological run through of the Bible, 2 readings plus a psalm or proverb + prayer + Fr Mike discussing the readings. I like it.

ZenNudist. Thank you for your suggestion. I will have a look at that as well.

Please will you pray for me.
Am in a lot of trouble and my mental health is giving way under the strain, I can access nothing in terms of support, please pray for me, my soul, but especially for those who have tried to help me. It’s so difficult. There’s a thread with details in 30 days, it’s there for a good reason, if you want to know the details. Sometimes people do before praying for someone.
Thankyou.

I’m afraid I’ve really dropped the ball with praying for people, I struggle so much to keep away from bitter and mean prayer that it’s very hard. So I ask your forgiveness for that.

Praying for you now Becca. I am so sorry you are feeling like this. I pray you get some comfort. And prayers for anyone supporting you too.