₦airaland Forum

RealityKings:
This morning around 5am, I decided to go to church. When it was morning proper I was so determined. I went and had my bath and dressed up and this unusual rush was in me.

On my way, I saw alot of people heading to church. Some on foot, some on bike, taxi or private cars. Obviously, life is beautiful regardless how difficult it may seem. Seeing alot of people with our eyes gives hope.

But one thing that bothers me and I kept thinking about is, "why do we pray"? or "why do we have to pray"?
My question or thought may seem simple but then it's an innocent thought after all.

For the past 100 years before I was born, people from all kinds of religion have been praying. And here I am now in 2024, in this age and time, I am praying.
It appears we are all saying the same prayers over and over again.
Our prayers revolves round just 1 factor, "needs" and "solving a problems"...

Is it that God doesn't know what the problems or needs will be before creating this system?
Why do we need to pray? Even when these prayers are not answered. I'm just thinking,

You keep saying a prayer and working towards it and nothing happens. You start to see yourself as a nuisance keeping others awake through the night
Your neighbor will even tease you in the morning with "Oga prayer worrior afadura jagun".

First of all, what is prayer?

AdeCityzen:
Yes, unless your understanding of the requirement is strange in my view of the dogma

This is what i know to be the requirements :
1. That you must be a baptized and confirmed catholic
2. You must confess your sins to the Priest
3. You must believe in transubstantiation(ie the bread substance as the body of Christ)
4. You must observe the Eucharist fasting
5. That you are not under excommunication

For No 2 above, what if from the look of things you didn't sin at all, is it necessary that you must go to the priest to confess something before knowing that you are ready for it?

Because one cannot tell when he or she has fallen into sin

AdeCityzen:
No, i'm always ready for it.

like, you always fulfil all the requirements or you know that you are forgiven in spite that you did not fullful some of the requirements?

ocnovakmichael:
Sometime ago, the Lord gave me an illustration on this issue.

The Lord said to me: if you go to a wedding banquet, before the ushers starts the distribution of food and drinks, the groom gets up an make the following announcement, "This wedding food and drinks is prepared for those who came prepared and well suited with the wedding attire recommended in the invitation."

The question is: what do you think those in attendance with or without the recommended attire of the day would feel?

Even those who put on the right attire might feel threatened to participate in the distribution of the food and drinks because they don't want to be publicly embarrassed.

That is exactly what is going on in the minds of many Catholics during the communion. After that announcement is made, some might mutter under their breath, "Am I really prepared?" Some will sit back on the pew because they're afraid.

The mass is a feast. The Bible says in the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 25:6
[6]And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.


The mountain in that text is the church.


I write this for many to think and re-think again.

You that is responding on the contrary, think about how many times you have been held back while others go to the altar to receive the communion. You sit on the pew and condemn yourself because of your sins and faults when God has forgiven you after you've asked for mercy: for He says, "let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help."

I am a Catholic, I've been in that situation countless times. If you say you haven't been in that situation, then you're not telling the truth.

You see, we've all sinned, and when we ask for God's mercy he says He is faithful and just to forgive us. And after we are forgiven, then we are made righteous again before God. And as such, fit to receive the communion: because if you're good to fellowship with God, then you're good to receive all that He presents in that fellowship.

1 John 1:3
[3]That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

You have said it all.

But the question i was going to ask is, what if a catholic takes the communion when he or she is not fully prepared, what will happen?

Will the communion turn to poison or some spiritual misfortune that is making them scared to go and receive it in the first place?

Dtruthspeaker:
hahahaha! You think because i am anticatholic therefore, i am protestant? Real spoken like a true catholic! You hid that fact well. I had no hint you were catholic until this thread, Last year i think when you spoke about going to mass, i thought you were just moving there. But, now it is clear you go to mass regularly hence your delusions and semi.atheism!

With all these you should know that i was catholic, (of a sort because God helped me keep my head and in my house we house we have both catholics and what you people call protestant and i got to see. that between the sides, they agree that the bible was greater and better, so i held it above my 'Missal" and "simple prayer book' and "bulletins" and rosary.

And every question i have asked catholics here, i have asked every catholic that feels he knows God and the bible eg legion of mary, charismatic renewal people, even priests and they all run away or pleading the "in the cathiolic church thing" which clearly means that you have no reasonable support or connection with God and the bible but just a "Your house, your rules" thing!

But any way, i can be proven wrong if any catholic could answer.the question the op asked to wit

1) "Does it mean God did not hear our prayers for mercy? (at the begining of the mass or.furing the mass or the one just before the communion is given)

2) Does it mean God hears only the confessions we make before the Priest?"

And we understand if no catholic, not even your pope is able to answer this question!

you certainly have nothing to do with the right answers to the op question.
They cannot edify you.
At it stands right now nothing works in your brain, so nothing can help you

Dtruthspeaker:
Correct!

you are saying correct today, what happen?

immortalcrown:
No. The person should either remain in the Church that baptized him/her and receive holy communion in the very Church or properly become a Catholic member and fulfil the Catholic requirements for the holy communion.

ok

Your question came from a mindset of lawlessness, uncommittedness and disorganisation.

my question came from the mindset of unity of the body of Christ.
Laws, commitment and organisation is dependent on the church.
Not all churches have the same laws and organisation. Even commitment is still subjective to the laws of the church. But the most important is that all churches should be subjected to Christ.

Among the pentecostals and most Protestants, communion is open for all believers of Christ, irrespective of the denomination.
If you think there is anything wrong about this, you can explain to me, why it is wrong

Dtruthspeaker:
You went to catholic church? No womder you are full of mad delusions and wishes.

There is no amount of your delusion about Catholics as a Pentecostalist or Protestant that will make Catholics less Christians.

If you want to know the truth about Catholics visit a cathecist yourself and ask reasonable questions

immortalcrown:
The spiritual preparation includes but is not only the confession.

The spiritual preparation is by Catholics who are baptized and confirmed. Confession and celebration of the Holy Mass are the preparation mentioned in the announcement. The announcement does not mean that someone who went for confession should not receive the holy communion.

The announcement simply means that the holy communion is for baptized and confirmed Catholics who went for confession and participated in the celebration of the Holy Mass. As a matter of fact, a baptized and confirmed Catholic who could not go for confession before the celebration of the Holy Mass can receive the holy communion and go for confession after the Mass.

are there holy communion for non baptized Catholics or Christians who were baptized somewhere else but came for confession?

ocnovakmichael:
The following treaties are my conversation with a Catholic. Although, his responses were not captured here. But these were written for many to think.

It was early hours of Sunday 14th July' 24. I had just come out of the church, after the Rev., father had pronounced the dismissal, having celebrated the Holy Mass.

Nonetheless, a few minutes back, before I stepped out to engage that brother in a conversation that would herald this discuss, I was burdened in my spirit as to the faith we profess as Catholics. Now what is this burden? Let me narrate it here because this burden will be the very foundation of my conversation with a fellow Catholic brother.

Sitting on the pew right inside the church, while the mass was ongoing, the communion prayers was in the air, I began to laugh in my spirit.
I said to myself, after one of the Lectors had announced to the congregation that "The grace of this mass is for everyone; but the reception of the Holy Communion is meant for practicing Catholics who have prepared themselves in the spirit," what other way can a Catholic prepare himself to receive Christ after he had confessed his sins in the beginning of the mass, he'd also asked for God's mercy during the recital of penitential Act?

Now to my conversation with a Catholic:

After the Priest had walked down the isle and out the sanctuary, I stepped out of the church and proceed to look for a Catechist, a fervent brother, a sister, or anyone that I could have a conversation with, to glean from the mouth of the person that could explain the perception of my burden.

So I went up and down the church premises but my spirit couldn't accept those I'm seeing around. Yet, as I returned from my walk to and from the church, I saw a brother standing close to the Rev., father's office with a Bible in his hands, and my spirit said to me, go to him.

The following are my conversation with that brother:

I started by way of salutation: Good morning sir, I'm sorry for interrupting you (: because the brother was busy with his mobile device). I have few questions concerning the profession of our faith as Catholics that I would like you to enlighten me on: because I don't think anyone knows it all.

The brother replied: Ok!
Then I said: In the beginning of the Holy Mass, the Priest ask the congregation to call to mind our sins and confess them before God. And after that, the Priest recite the prayers of penitential Act (:which goes like this: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy. You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy...). And all the congregation respond by saying: Lord, have mercy.

I then said to the brother: At this point, we all have confessed our sins before God and asked for mercy. My question is: do we really believe that God has heard us and have forgiven us our sins; or are we just saying those words to fulfil the order of the mass?

I said to him: Why is it that after we have confessed our sins and asked God for mercy, when it comes to receiving the communion, the Lector will announce to the whole church that the communion is meant for only those who have prepared themselves in the spirit? Does it mean God did not hear our prayers for mercy? I mean what other way can one best prepare himself if not before the presence of God, asking for mercy and forgiveness of sins? Does it mean God hears only the confessions we make before the Priest?

I then laid the foundation of my argument on a Scriptural perspective:

I said to that brother: If God did not forgive us after we'd asked for mercy, and we're not well prepared to receive the communion during the mass, then the Bible told a lie in the following scriptures:

1 John 1:9
[9]If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we confess our sins, and God did not forgive us, then this verse of scripture should be expunged from the Bible.


Matthew 18:21-22
[21]Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
[22]Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

God cannot tell us to forgive, and not forgive us when we ask for mercy from Him during the mass: He will be an unjust God!

John 6:37
[37]All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

If we come before God asking for mercy and he cast us out, then Jesus told a lie.

Matthew 11:28
[28]Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.


If we bring our burden of sins to Jesus and we are still laden with them during the mass, then Jesus told a lie here.

James 5:14-15
[14]Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
[15]And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.


If we say the prayer of faith for the forgiveness of our sins in the name of Jesus Christ, and our sins are not forgiven, then this verse of Scripture is a lie.



Note that that brother gave good response to my questions. He even admitted that my points are valid. But in the end, he says, "we know in part, and we prophesy in part."


These were written for us Catholics to put our faith in Gods word, not on our doctrines.


Jesus is Lord!


Do not hoard knowledge, propagate it!

I was in one of the mass today, it reminds me how it used to be then...

But mehn...
Religion itself antagonizes the truth it teaches.

And i also understand that the Vatican officially accept that the earth is a sphere and isn't flat in shape most recently, after all these centuries, even when Neil Armstrong had landed on the moon in 1969 it really do not matter to them.

Imagine the level of dogmatism

Danniedpastor:
The Lord ask him to lay his hands on the wall and immediately he found himself in the crusade ground.

Is that so?

fuckJones:
you statement contradict with that on Jesus to the Samaritan woman, He said and I quote, woman believe me a time will come that you will not worship me on this mountain neither do you worship me in Jerusalem (church) but in your own heart..

if there is a way for them to erase this scripture in the bible they will do it

Yes

obonujoker:
but their minds is on the heavenly, which is the most important thing to obtain, hence, the simple lifestyle

It's not about you living simple life in poverty or living in affluence.
It's about you being conscious of the fact that there are no other heaven elsewhere other than here.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

For the fact that the disciples were poor spirit they have the kingdom already. That was 2000 years ago.

So, why are your minds still gazing the heavenly searching for what was given since 2000 years ago?
That means, there is no way you will focus your minds on this earth to make life better for you because your minds are not here.

When you have a bad and oppressive government ruling you, you can never think of how you will have atleast a democratic freedom, because your mind is already weakened by a false hope of heaven from the sky.
Meanwhile heaven is here

Michaeltreasure:
Thanks sir. I guess we have too many misinformation so called Christians in Nigeria without any iota of logical reasoning...

You don't blame them that much.
Environmental factors such as lack of quality education could just be the reason why they perceive things the way they do

Michaeltreasure:
Thanks sir. But what will we say about Christians who say evil happenings are the will of God? Is it out of ignorance or misinterpretation scripture?
I need more of your wisdom sir...

there are no scriptures that suggest that evil happenings are the will of God. Rather

Luke 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.


Evil and good things happens to everyone equally by chance, it doesn't not matter whether one person is good and the other is bad.
The school children who lost their lives never did anything bad to warrant the evil.
It wasn't God that punish them.
It all happened by chance that the engineers who were suppose to be responsible professionals did not carry out good quality survey before constructing the building.
An expensive human carelessness which God himself will frown with.

This kind of attitude is also seen among our politicians today

MrPresident1:
OP olodo. Hpwndo you live in heaven when beans is not affordable, and rice is for the soper rich?

did you not read Jesus saying my kingdom is not of this world?
Beans and rice are of this world now Mr olodo

How do you live in heaven when Farina aka garri cannot be soaked by the poor ordinary man?

if na garri you dey find for this heaven you are ya own o.

Jesus says i came that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly, na garri you dey find abi?

When i talk say Christianity is not for the poverty minded una think say na joke.

Africa, una mind too full of poverty things.

Think of eternal life like Europeans are doing without poverty infection una no go think.
Na food were you won chop dey una mind first

When will you stop posting blasphemies on Nairaland?

you will tell me whether eternal life na blasphemies

You will surely be held accountable, you will surely give account.

certainly, you will surely be held accountable for your ignorance.

Nor go know the truth first

Mankind2024:
Why Bitter Obi Would Never Celebrate Professor Wole Soyinka.
Professor Wole Soyinka is a voice for the voiceless. He embodies Nigeria's intellectual prowess and has brought numerous accolades to the country.
Bitter Obi and his cohorts, the "Obi-diots," cannot attain the esteemed professor's heights, despite their ill-gotten wealth.
Bitter Obi and his reactionary gang only revel in negative news about Nigeria, unable to appreciate the positives.

dont be naive.
Peter Obi has no issue with the prof.
It was the prof that got bittered because obidients were trolling him for not criticizing Tinubu government the way he did to Goodluck Jonathan.

If obidients trolled him how is that Peter obi concern?
For him to now be angry with Peter obi because obidients trolled him, it shows that the man has truly lost his right sense of judgement . Hence the agbado in charge has used his intelligence.
Someone who was suppose to be a professor?

Between him and the agbado right now, who is more mumu?

Lies, there are no spirits behind your dreams, they are just coincidence with your last thoughts of your mind before sleeping.

If you had eaten enough food last night before sleeping you will have no reason to feel tired in the morning.

engaging

1. In all our actions there is cause and effect which may happen by chance
2. Any unfortunate situation that happens to anyone is never God's will. it may also happen by chance
3. Any fortunate situation that happens to anyone is God's will and it may also happen by chance
4. Fortunate occurrences are not miracles. They occur as a result of deliberate actions, or by chance or luck and they are God's will

Purposeful living

Will a Christian live a miserable life on earth in anticipation of heaven or rapture?

Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

His death and resurrection has translated us into his kingdom already, you don't need to wait for any rapture.

Now, Europeans and the western world who brought Christianity to Africa have understood this. Are their lives today looks like people who are waiting to have good things?

Waiting is a mind-set of poverty
It's a perpetual slavery of the mind, it was never scriptural.

So, instead of waiting, why not think of solutions to the problems around your immediate environment?

Chanchit:
Who comes first?

God.
Your country.
Your Boss.

Give your reason.
cc Lalasticlala.

You did not fully define who God is, what your country is and who is your boss.
By so doing, you have made your question open to anything including false or confused answers for ignorant and vulnerable people.

To start with, who is God ?

Because, if one do not know who God is, he may think that serving God implies being churchy where you find yourself paying tithe and offering to pastors who end up becoming wealthy without doing any work but receiving money from the congregation.
Hence they want you to consider God first before anything so that they can achieve their flamboyance

Na lie, no case there.

Freeze nor do anything wrong, the man no go see shi shi

Why she nor dey act since?

There is no such thing in the bible that suicide or any sin at all for that matter can take anyone to hell fire.
Rather, the bible categorically stated that whosever does not believe in Christ shall perish, not whosever that commit sin.

But this doesn't serve as a blanket for sinners or suicidists as any sin you commit, you shall surely pay for it in this life.
If you like, believe in Christ like Christ himself, you will be punished for every sin you have committed like any unbeliever

Very immoral organization

Ilamina:
Atheist is understandable. .they are on the right track
They know God does not exist

They know nothing but what they can perceive with their senses only.
And that alone, can never be enough to debunk what other people have perceived with their spirit, so they should just back off, remain where they are with their limited senses and leave other people alone who want to seek more knowledge beyond their senses or they remain in perpetual depression