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Philosophy/religion

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Christian prayer and chat thread Open to all

984 replies

Dutchoma · 20/03/2021 16:13

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.

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Madhairday · 23/01/2022 09:20

I pray for you now, @Meadowblossom that you will know God holding you close. God is still there with you. I'm so sorry for your loss.

How is everyone here?

Meadowblossom · 24/01/2022 22:45

I went back to church on Sunday and have got back to praying. I am feeling a little less angry too. Going for bereavement counselling soon hopefully.
Thanks everyone for your prayers.

Dutchoma · 25/01/2022 07:53

That’s good news Meadowblossom.

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Madhairday · 25/01/2022 08:21

That's good, @Meadowblossom. Go gently and take things slowly with yourself.

Hello Oma :) Flowers

Dutchoma · 25/01/2022 11:27

MHD hello to you too. It is eight years ago since we had the service for my Dh Bob. Eight MN buddies came to the service, I am in regular toucch with only one of them now, CaptainDippy, who is just the sweetest friend anyone could have. She hasn’t been on here for several years, remember her in your prayers, if you can. But so many of you were in touch then, even if you couldn’t come. I have had so many FB memories turn up, the support was quite incredible. Eight years ago.

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Madhairday · 25/01/2022 22:07

Oh my word, eight years. I remember I really wanted to come but was ill. Yes I sometimes see Dippy on FB, it's nice to remember her and the others, do miss them on here. I remember that time we visited you too, that was a lovely day.

whataboutbob · 26/01/2022 20:04

Saying hello to all on here ( I post very occasionally). @Meadowblossom I had to manage my father’s affairs and estate after he died, if you need any practical advice please ask ( I feel that’s my skill set here rather than spiritual guidance, but I like the gentleness of this board). Best new year’s wishes to everyone. As Socrates is supposed to have said “ Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

applesandpears33 · 29/01/2022 16:04

Hi all. I only post occasionally, but have been around under different name changes for quite a while. Praying for @Meadowblossom and @Dutchoma. Eight years ago? Wow. More time has passed than I realised.

Meadowblossom · 30/01/2022 22:22

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate you all. I have been in contact with the Vicar who did dad’s funeral and he has been really fab.
I have been helping in Creche at church and started listening to worship songs too.
I can feel God in the wings waiting for me when I am ready; I feel it’s ok to take my time to get back to praying.

Dutchoma · 01/02/2022 14:05

That is all very good news Meadowblossom I pray God’s continued blessing on your life.

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RVN123 · 02/02/2022 21:11

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind me joining the thread.

I have always been a Christian, though just started attending church about 5 years ago. I am the only person in my family who does this.
I am struggling with my faith right now.
My 46 year old fit and healthy brother died suddenly and unexpectedly in his sleep in the summer, it has come as a total crushing blow to the family. The post mortem was inconclusive and we have been told that the likelihood is that he had a genetic inherited cardiac arrythmia, which will possibly affect blood relatives.
I am waiting on genetic screening and a cardiology exam. I have been told that there is a 50% chance direct relatives will carry the same abnormality, so this might affect my own children and my brothers children.
I am still reeling from the loss as is his family.
I know it's a cliche but I am constantly questioning why God allows bad things to happen to good people when all sorts of evil people are allowed to go on living and to flourish.
I have a massive unrelenting anger to God right now and feel like I am losing my faith. I have found myself thinking that it's all a load of nonsense and a crutch for people who can't face that death is the end. I have never had thoughts like these before but I am SO ANGRY all the time that he is not here anymore and that his kids are fatherless, his wife a widow, and that he never got to enjoy the retirement that he had planned.
I don't know what to do with the anger. It is overwhelming.
I wish I could draw closer to God but it's like I am praying into a dead phone.
My Brother was not religious at all and I worry that he is not with God.
I am worried that my kids may have inherited something.
I wonder what we did to deserve this.
I am questioning God's judgement which is terrible but I can't help it.
I would appreciate some prayers for strength and renewed faith.
Thank you all.

Donhill · 02/02/2022 22:49

I am so so sorry for your loss RVN123. How horrendous for you and your brother’s family. I am praying for you now, that you feel God’s love and comfort, for strength for you and that your faith stays with you despite all you are going through.

Dutchoma · 03/02/2022 08:09

Welcome RVN123, I am so glad you have found us and have been able to write this whole problem down,

I think there isn’t a single Christian who has not struggled with the same problem and of course there is no solution. We live in a fallen world, evil may be conquered in the victory of the Resurrection but I think we all feel sometimes like saying: “You could have fooled me”.
All your feelings are nattural and the only comfort can come from the fact that Jesus suffered more than we did, felt abandoned by God and yet…
Hold on, God is not dead yet, any more than He ever was and He loves you.
Psalm 37 may be helpful. My prayers are with you

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Madhairday · 03/02/2022 09:40

@Meadowblossom I'm glad to hear that. Go gently, and find God's breath in the small things. Flowers

@RVN123 welcome. What a horrendous tragedy for you and your family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Sometimes there are just no words in times like this, but I totally understand your anger, it's very normal. I always look to the Psalms when feeling like this because you can see the writers there sharing their raw anger - at the world, at injustice, at grief, at God. Where are you, God? They say. It's good to find a kind of resonance there, an admittance that things aren't always easy and sparkly with faith (far from it.) And it's good to realise that God is okay with that anger. He created us with great capacity for love and with awareness of injustice and sadness, and our anger flows from that. In those Psalms, the writers always get their pain out then make a decision to trust, to 'yet praise', and I've found that very powerful in my own life. However there are also some times when it's okay to sit back and allow those emotions to happen, to mourn, to shout. You don't have to suppress them. God understands.

I don't have answers to the age old problem of suffering. No one does. It's interesting to me though that our suffering comes from a place of absolute knowledge that death and destruction in any form is not how it is supposed to be. Deep down, we know we are made for beauty, purpose and life, we know there are moral absolutes which is why we respond to news articles of great shocking injustice with so much horror. We know that there should be justice. We can only know that if life isn't arbitrary; if there is a God who has made us and loves us, who gave us choice. If everything is random, where can we locate our absolute certainty of injustice, our overwhelming love that leads to such great sadness at times like these.

I don't have answers. But we are here to listen to you, to hear your pain, to hold it with you. To pray for you.

Father, I lift your child to you now.
Where she is broken, would you soothe over her cracks.
Where she is raging, would you rage with her against the evil and injustice of what has happened to her.
Where she is despairing, would you bring hope in the ashes.
Where she is scared for the future, would you bring peace.
Where she is uncertain of your love, will you surround her in your everlasting arms.
Amen. Flowers

RVN123 · 03/02/2022 16:20

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your prayers.

Meadowblossom · 04/02/2022 21:12

RVN123 I am very sorry to hear what has happened to your brother and the added awfulness of the worry over the genetic condition. It’s so terrible and I offer you my heartfelt sympathy.
My father died unexpectedly just before Christmas. The circumstances were not good. He was older than your brother but they have also been unable to establish the cause at PM. It is very difficult when there is no death certificate and you can’t register the death. It feels to me like there is no closure. It was such a shock I can’t accept he is not here. I keep thinking there has been a terrible mistake.
I have been feeling very similar to you. Especially with the anger. I had/have very similar feelings towards God.
What really helped me has been grief counselling and of course time.
There is a great thing called GriefChat where you can chat online- I was unable to talk without breaking down but found online chat was good. I have since moved on to telephone bereavement counselling which has been very helpful.
It helped me to know that God doesn’t mind your anger. He understands, loves you and welcomes your honesty.
It also helped me to know God sits with you in the dark. He understands your pain and has experienced it himself.
I am at the point now where I just listen to worship songs and have been back to church but I still find it difficult to pray.
Please do try GriefChat or bereavement counselling. Perhaps contact the pastoral support at your local church.
Be easy on yourself.

Meadowblossom · 04/02/2022 21:13

griefchat.co.uk/

RVN123 · 05/02/2022 13:38

Thank you for the link, I will check it out today.
Thank you again for all your thoughts.

Dutchoma · 05/02/2022 21:01

Has anyone come across John Butler? I found him on YouTube when I googled: Why do bad things happen to good poeple. Of course he has no answers either, but I liked him and what he had to say..

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applesandpears33 · 06/02/2022 12:21

RVN - I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Sudden loss can be so difficult to come to terms with. Sometimes when I'm struggling to deal with something I'll write a letter to God in my diary. It's difficult to explain how, but putting things down in writing seems to help me get things straight. Don't be afraid to rant at God - if it was good enough for the psalmists then it's good enough for us. God is big enough to take it.

RafaIstheKingofClay · 10/02/2022 11:40

RVN I have no words but I want to give you a massive virtual hug.

I lost my sister suddenly at the end of November and it’s tough, isn’t it? Be kind to yourself.

strawberrymilkshake123 · 10/02/2022 13:38

Am a lifelong Quaker, ( so not exactly mainstream, and accept our way of worship can be "different," to traditional services ), but overall believe we are part of the same faith. Hoping I can join all on here for chat etc.

Dutchoma · 10/02/2022 14:53

You are very welcome Strwberrymilkshake. I have friends who are Quakers, but I have never been to any of their services.

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strawberrymilkshake123 · 10/02/2022 21:10

Thank you so much @Dutchoma x.

I don't know where you live/ whether you have a Quaker meeting near you or your own church's service times, but if you were ever interested, we are very welcoming to members who want to attend in addition to their home church if that makes sense.

We have a couple of members who attend their home church, ( be that Methodist, C of E, Non-dom), on a regular basis, and then attend us afterwards as their own church service times means they can attend their home church service first, and then us, if that makes sense.

It's a funny thing, religion. My parents are both Quakers but as a teenager I got bored/ dropped out as it wasn't "cool." Now as an adult, I feel almost certain of God looking down on us, even if I can't understand the exact why's/ wherefores etc.

Dutchoma · 11/02/2022 16:33

There is a Friends meeting house sufficiently close for me to attend, but I don’t think I have the emotional energy for another religious activity. I am in the choir of a local parish church, so investing quite a lot in that. But it is a kind thought, so thank you

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