General Chat

Good morning :-)

Thanks Vera - just trying something different! :-D

Lighting the Advent candles is always exciting for little ones.....and the not so old I guess! :-D

The link...

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia, the advent calendar opens perfectly and I am enjoying opening the daily box.

Hello all

I'm liking your Advent Calendar theme for this month Cynthia. Thank you.

There was just one Baptism in church on Sunday and our Rector asked the 4 year old sister of the baby to come and light the first Advent Candle. She was so excited.

The first candle is coloured purple and symbolizes "Hope." It's sometimes referred to as the Prophecy Candle in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah who foretold the birth of Christ.

Wrap up and keep warm everyone during the cold weather.

Good morning :-)

It's certainly a bit nippy this morning. I hope the Advent calendar is accessible - if you would prefer the prayer here on the page instead, please let me know.


https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53

Cx :-)

Lovely Cynthia, thank you x

Good morning :-)

It was only last night that I realised I hadn't popped in yesterday....apologies!

Yesterday was Advent Sunday and, with that in mind, we think of Advent Calendars. Advent is the 4 week period before Christmas - the birth of Christ. Many churches have an Advent wreath consisting of 5 candles. One candle is lit on each Sunday leading up to Christmas Day and then the 5th candle is lit.

I have been stretching my meagre brains to their limit and hope I have created something different ….I am using it on my church's FB page and thought I would share it here too...….


https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=f72f8b2226aa3d9054c76612b1abec53


Hope it works for you - let me know! Cx :-)

Hello all

Brrrrrr, Jack Frost is around here today.

Happy St Andrew's Day to Emma and all our Scottish friends on GR
Enjoy your Burns Supper of neeps and tatties today. Don't forget the Haggis.

Wrap up and keep warm everyone. xx

Good morning :-)


We have been looking at bedtime prayers, but obviously, we can pray any time of the day. Having a set time where we teach our children to pray may help instil in them a lifetime habit of talking with the Lord.



Forgive, O Lord, for Thy dear Son
The ill that I this day have done.
That with the world, myself, and Thee
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I'm pleased you like these simple prayers......they are good for adults too aren't they?

The benefits of bedtime prayers for children.

Praying every day builds discipline in kids, especially as their faith begins to grow each day. Maintaining a routine each day helps keep kids disciplined. Praying can have a great effect on children, especially if parents are having a hard time disciplining them. Prayer discipline is good for adults too!

“Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me:
Bless Thy little child tonight;
Through the darkness be Thou near me,
Keep me safe till morning light.
All this day Thy hand has led me,
And I thank Thee for Thy care;
Thou hast warmed me, clothed me, fed me;
Listen to my evening prayer.


Cx :-)

Hello all

I also have loved reading the children's prayers this week. Thank you Cynthia.

I have been reminded of this very simple prayer from my own childhood.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Bless the bed that I lay on
And Blessed Guardian-Angel keep
Me safe from danger whilst I sleep.

Tis interesting that while the Disciples couldn't stay awake in the garden before the arrest of Jesus two shared a dream of Jesus talking to two OT Patriachs Moses and Elijah

Lovely prayers for children, thank you Cynthia.
Made me smile reading them and their simplicity x

Good morning :-)

The benefit of bedtime prayers for children....


Praying Strengthens Faith in God
The best way for parents to help and maintain their child’s faith in God is by having them pray before bedtime. Even if kids are unable to visit places of worship, due to school and homework, they still maintain a connection to God. Having a specific prayer time builds a habit that is likely to continue into adulthood as well.

This prayer asks for God’s care and guidance. It also asks God to bless all the people who love you.

“Lord in heaven, hear my prayer,
Keep me in your loving care.
Be my guide in all I do.
Bless all those who love me, too.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The benefit of bedtime prayers for children.

Praying Helps Develop Trust
Praying with your child strengthens the bond of trust and unity between you and your child. Praying with family members can help your child get closer to them.

Praying Makes One More Forgiving
Adults and children who pray regularly are found to be more willing to forgive others and are less inclined to hold grudges.

“Hi, it’s me, just come to pray
And thank you for a fun-filled day!
You’ve been with me, so I know you’ve seen
All the great exciting things.
But also when I’m sad or cross
I know you love me, no matter what!
So help me rest and go to sleep
And feel the peace of your love for me.”

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Lovely to see folk round and about again and to share in their news.

Children and bedtime prayers

Praying Helps with Self-control and compassion
Research has found that people who pray regularly have better discipline and self-control than people who do not pray. Studies have also shown that children who pray regularly are less prone to throwing tantrums and are more disciplined.

It seems that praying makes people more kind and compassionate. This is a value you definitely want to inculcate in your child. Studies have shown that regular prayer can reduce aggressive behaviour and prevent angry outbursts in adults and children.

Praying for the needs of other people makes children more empathetic and sensitive to the feelings of people around them. Overall, praying makes kids nicer.

“Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May God guard me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.”


Cx :-)

Good evening :-D thank you for having me. In previous times people were more
interested in The Bible, even if they couldn't read. A Priest and a Church sermon
were the closest most came to religion. This century the majority can read, many
with understanding.With the growth of literacy there has been a decline in Church
service attendance sand a questioning by many of the authority of the Church.
In my personal experience I'm what's refereed to as a sinner and the only time
I confessed to a Priest was in Hospital, when I was very ill :(

Good morning all

I’m here and, like Kandj, I am ok (ish). A few problems but they are minor compared to a lot of people so I plod on.

Thank you, Kandj, for your kind thoughts for my OH and my brother. They are both doing astonishingly well. OH is nearly back to normal. He may never walk quite as fast or as far as he used to but is still more active than most men of his age. My brother has some limitations but otherwise is leading a fairly normal life. In both cases I believe their positive attitude and sheer determination has helped their recovery enormously.

I enjoy David’s questioning and Rambling’s well reasoned posts and as ever I am appreciative of Cynthia for keeping the thread going. Thank you all.

EDIT. Forgot to say that sometimes the simplest prayers are the best. This is another well known one I learnt as a child and have never forgotten.

Lord, keep us safe this night
Secure from all our fears
May angels guard us while we sleep
Till morning light appears

Hello all

I'm here and ok (ish) this morning.

A lovely simple prayer which I'd forgotten about, so thanks for the reminder Cynthia.

David, I hope your knee/leg is less painful.

Emma, is Connie still doing well?

Vera, I hope that your Husband and your Brother are improving daily.

Rambling, I enjoy reading all your posts and hope you are well today.

Pat, could you send some warm sunshine for my old bones please?

Dermot, the Lord loves cheerful giver...........................................
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
(2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV Bible).

I hope Elizabeth is ok or ok (ish) like I am today.

Apologies if I have missed anyone out. Have a Happy Monday everyone xx

Good morning :-)

Hope everyone is okay - it's gone quiet again <3

Children are very much a part of church life, and we have a large amount of baptisms each year. Each month, at baptism prep, parents and Godparents are taken briefly through what the Christian faith is about and how important their role is. They are encouraged to help the child on its journey of faith by example and by prayer. I came across the following thoughts….

Saying Bedtime Prayers Helps Reduce Stress
Studies have shown that spending some time each night on self-reflection and prayer reduces stress levels in both adults and children. Praying increases feelings of calmness and wellness, thus, reducing the ill-effects of stress. Prayers can also nullify the negative effects of stress, on physical health.

Here is a prayer which many children have been taught over time…..it is in the form of a rhyme and can be remembered by children easily. It is also simple and can be understood without difficulty. This prayer is about thanking God for all the good things he has provided - it's fine for adults too!!

“Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you, for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything!”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


TODAY IS THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

In the Gospel, we hear Jesus talking to the criminal who was hanging with him at the crucifixion.


Cx :-)