www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer Return to Faith

Hello, I've not been here in many years. In a nut shell, I ventured away from the Orthodox Church and Christianity altogether. I still have some hurtful, traumatic memories associated with the Church and thus the Christian faith. I still have a deep-set distrust of religious authorities and Christians in general, which I hope will be healed. I want to come home. I miss the sacraments deeply, which only goes to show they're more than regular bread and wine. But I'm still unsure. I struggle to maintain a prayer rule. I wonder if this isn't all just futile and should just leave well enough alone and eschew the Church altogether?

I've been talking to Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic priests. I've been attending both EO liturgies as well as RC masses since late spring. I've dabbled in Anglo-Catholicism as well. When I came back to Christ this summer, I asked myself the big question--where to go to church? Whether I should go back to Orthodoxy or perhaps become a Latin or Byzantine Catholic? Well, no BC church nearby anyways. Or maybe even investigate the local Oriental Orthodox parish and see if there's a chance of being received there (although as a parish of fairly recent immigrants there might be a rather large language/cultural barrier).

I'm a second year English M.A. student. My grad school experience thus far has been strenuous and discouraging at times. It's a competitive, fast-paced atmosphere and I feel like a boy among men. I could say other things but I don't want to get too personal. God knows my needs. Prayers are much appreciated. Lord have mercy.

Jeffery

Lord of the Powers be with us, for in times of distress we have no other help but You.
Lord of the Powers, Almighty Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, have mercy on all that have asked for prayer.
Remember Lord, for us, You alone are the Lord and Giver of Life, we move and have our being in Your love Sweet Jesus. Now come and heal all of our imfirmities, Jefferies wounds, grant him clarity of mind anf thought, making straight his path through the power of your life giving Holy Spirit, supply our needs. Hear the prayers of your faithful gathered here for your names sake. Amen.

Welcome back.

I can sympathise profoundly with where you have been and where you are, to the extent that even your comment about the nature of the Sacraments resonates.

Take it easy with respect to making a 'choice' between the traditional (read: apostolic) churches, but don't be put off by vast cultural and linguistic differences either. It will be important now to find a home in which you feel comfortable, and just to begin praying with the Church.

Over time, the impulse will grow stronger.

In the meantime, know that people will keep you in their prayers.

Welcome back, Jeffray.

Prayers for your spiritual healing and peace of mind and prayers that you find, not God - because one senses that you have rediscovered Him already - but that you find the home in which you are most comfortable and spiritually fulfilled in worship of Him.