In a year when a Pope from Chicago is elected, anything is possible. Anything.

Dear fellow missionaries

What are some of your personal experiences with Intercessory prayers during mission work?

Did anyone here find it difficult at first, but got better at it?

Has anyone here experienced a healing while doing this?

Please share scriptures, stories of your work doing this as well as any encouragement in images or poems or artwork even.

Thank you!

Gods Peace be with you

I think it's noteworthy that I've seen a lot of this sort of sentiment from the tradosphere on Twitter, a sort of patience and cautious optimism about Leo XIV where most are willing to at least wait a bit and let some time go by with the new papacy before casting any criticism or condemnation his way. Despite the flood of information both good and bad about our new Holy Father.

Dr. Kwasniewski writes, in part:

Since President Donald Trump was sworn into office in January, he has sat for just 12 presentations from intelligence officials of the President’s Daily Brief.

That’s a significant drop compared with Trump’s first term in office, according to a POLITICO analysis of his public schedule.

Presidents vary in how often they have received in-person briefings. George W. Bush saw briefers from the intelligence community almost every day and preferred hearing directly from analysts, while Obama was a studious reader of the PDB book itself.

But with Trump, there is added concern [beyond the paucity of in-person briefings] as he is known not to read the accompanying briefing document, referred to as “the book,” that is put together by intelligence analysts in a highly labor-intensive process. This document is delivered in hard copy or on a tablet device to the president and his key advisers five days a week.

In this season of seeing the Catholic Church elect a new Pope - one thing that keeps surfacing in the news is that there are 1.4 billion Catholics.

Then recently I saw a program where two non-Catholics were talking -- saying that they are counted as part of the 1.4 billion Catholics since they were born into a Catholic home and Catholicism is one of the infant-baptism groups.

ask AI - reports this
"It's difficult to provide an exact number of Catholics who have switched to non-Catholic denominations. However, Pew Research Center data indicates that 43% of those raised Catholic no longer identify as Catholic."

Almost all denominations can give a reasonable approximation for the question "How many people have ever joined this denomination?"

But to the question "how many people alive today , currently identify as members of this denomination" - very few denominations appear to give attention to that level of accuracy. Obviously the answer to this second question will be a much smaller number than the answer to the question above.

It is difficult for any denomination to track the actual number of people currently members of their group - because people switch denominations, some decide not to be Christian at all or join non-Christian groups entirely - Muslim, Hindu etc.

But if the AI statement above is anywhere near representative for the Catholic Church - then 60% of that 1.4 billion number is closer to reality.

I think the denominations that practice believer's baptism may be slightly more accurate in what their numbers actually are.

But then there is also another layer of accuracy where some denominations remove a person's name from the books if that person can no longer be located by the local church that claims to hold their membership.

So this begs the question in general - what is the real true number of Christians in the world (not just what is the real number for a given denomination".

We tend to say 2 billion Christians world wide - but how close is that number to reality? (is it off by 30%? 50%)?

David Hogg tried pitching a compromise to the DNC. He was rebuffed.​

DNC chair doubles down on his ultimatum for Hogg​

Or in other words, a mixture of French, Spanish, African-American, and Native American. His grandparents have roots in Louisiana and Haiti.

I wonder if this fact will bring more Black and mixed-race folks into the Church?

MSN

Catholicism has rarely been more prominent in US politics as the Trump administration openly embraces advisers and officials who proudly say faith has shaped their politics.

But any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".
Little is known about the political leanings of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago.

He has voiced concerns for the poor and immigrants, chosen a name that may reference more liberal church leadership, and he appears to have both supported the liberal-leaning Pope Francis and criticised the US president's policies on social media.

Continued below.

We have a pope.

Pope Leo XIV is the newly elected head of the Catholic Church and the first American-born pontiff. He was elected on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. Before becoming pope, he was known as Robert Francis Prevost, a cardinal from Chicago who had extensive experience in missionary work, particularly in Peru. His choice of the name "Leo XIV" is inspired by Pope Leo XIII, who was known for his focus on social justice and reform.

Leo XIV has emphasised peace, dialogue, and missionary evangelisation in his early statements. His leadership style is expected to continue many of Pope Francis' priorities, including synodality—a collaborative approach to decision-making in the Church. His stance on key issues, such as LGBTQ+ inclusion, is still being observed, but advocates remain hopeful that he will follow Francis' path.


His formal installation as pope will take place at a mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18.

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday morning that after a long night of U.S.-mediated talks, the nuclear-armed rivals of India and Pakistan agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire.

In a post on Truth Social, the president said, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”

The conflict between India and Pakistan intensified Saturday as the two countries accused each other of ongoing drone and missile strikes.

Continued below.

From 1990 to 2018, Democratic presidents deported over 3.9 million people, with an annual average of 246,006. In contrast, Republican presidents deported about 2.7 million, averaging 205,453 annually. These figures highlight a notable difference in the deportation rates between the two parties, with Democrats overseeing higher numbers.

President Obama’s first term saw 3,160,140 deportations, decreasing to 2,871,899 in his second term. Under Trump, the count was 2,073,208, while Biden, as of 2022, has seen 2,808,946 deportations.

Click to expand...

Hmm...That mean that in the first two years of his administration Biden deported 700,000 more people than Trump did in four years. Let's average that out.

Trump: 518,302 per year
Biden: 1,404,473 per year

As he was with most of his campaign promises, Trump was all talk, no action.

Shouldn't those of you who listen to him employ better critical thinking skills and remember everything he promised and didn't deliver?

I'm struggling badly it seems like lately with doubting things if things in my life are ok to do. For the most part it's not even major issues it's just trivial matters like eating certain foods or eating in general because I may be idolizing food or going to church before the service for our young adult Sunday school because it may lead to me lusting after someone and we're told if something leads you to sin then cut it off. I wish I could just ignore them and use scripture but even when I do I still doubt and anything we do not in faith is sinful. I just aggravated because I doubt so much and I'm just tired of it. The bigger issue that I need help with is how do I stop being so doubtful? Is it possible to have faith in something through scripture and still doubt? I just want to stop doubting things.

Catholicism has rarely been more prominent in US politics as the Trump administration openly embraces advisers and officials who proudly say faith has shaped their politics.

But any jubilation on the American Make America Great Again right about the new Pope this week quickly dissipated as key voices from Donald Trump's Maga movement came to a disappointed conclusion: the first American Pope does not appear to be "America first".
Little is known about the political leanings of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago.

He has voiced concerns for the poor and immigrants, chosen a name that may reference more liberal church leadership, and he appears to have both supported the liberal-leaning Pope Francis and criticised the US president's policies on social media.

Continued below.

And like us the non believer didn't get to choose their parents , their country , their color , their language and all the rest of it.
And like us they didn't have any say as to whether or not they would like to be born at all.

So when the unbeliever dies , we christians generally assume they will suffer some sort of horrible fate , some say hell , some say seperation from God and some say this and some say that.

Given all of the above , it seems unfair and cruel to punish some one who never asked to be here in the first place. So do you think there is still hope for the unbeliever even after death ?......I like to think there is , as I have family and friends who have passed on and were all unbelievers , and I hope to see them again one day.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses recent developments in EU-U.S. relations, emphasizing the necessity for a tangible and mutually agreeable solution before any visit to the White House.
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It is found in Matt 11:13 .

# 1 FOR // GAR . is a CONJUNCATION

# 2 ALL // PAS , is in the , NONINATIVE CASE , in the PLIRAL

# 3 THE // HO , is a DEFINITE ARTICLE , in the MONINATIVE CASE , in the PLURAL

# 4 PROHETS // PROHETES , in the NOMINATIVE CASE , in the PLURAL

# 5 AND // KAI , is a CONJUNCATION

# 6 LAW // NOMOS , in the NONINATIVE CASE , in the SIGNULAR

# 7 PROPHESIED // in the AORIST TENSE , means in past TIME , in the ACTIVE VOICE , in the INDICATIVE MOOD , means you better

believe IT .

# 8 UNTIL // HEOS , s a CONJUNCTION

# 9 JOHN // IOANNES , in the GENITIVE CASE is the case of DEFINITION and in the SINGULAR .

dan p

Hi everyone, I would greatly appreciate your prayers- there is a little girl in my family named Vivian that has a rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome, it is a severe condition that affects the brain, people with this illness cannot speak. Vivian has to speak through a computer device, the doctors are saying she will never speak. I believe God has the power to heal her, please agree with me in prayer that she is healed and can speak! Thank you!

Lord God we lift up Vivian to You right now and we pray for a miracle in her current situation and for a healing of Angelman syndrome, we pray that You would supernaturally re-create her brain and that You would loose her tongue and that she would be able to speak plainly, we pray that she would be able to speak without the speech device! We also pray for the healing of her cognition! We also pray for Vivian and her entire family's' salvation and good health! Thank You God!

Just need prayer had been a long tough day

The Trump administration is planning a number of flights, possibly for as many as 8,000 "refugees." The first flight is expected Monday and, "They are expected to be greeted by a government delegation, including the deputy secretary of state and officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, whose refugee office has organized their resettlement." The flight is expected to be one year the first of several in a “much larger-scale relocation effort.” Additionally, "The HHS Office for Refugee Resettlement was ready to offer them support, including with housing, furniture and other household items, and expenses like groceries, clothing, diapers and more, the document says."

I wonder if the same people who complained when they stated that Biden was doing this will now complain about Trump flying "illegals" into the country?

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@friend of @Hazelelponi

My soul awakening, you brought me here
Don't get too far away from me cause I'm so scared
This fear is overtaking me but you hold me close
Even with your blood on my hands, you won't let me go

Now, I never want to sleep again

I'm awake
(To a supernatural power)
You're shaking me
(Someone else's breath that I'm breathing)
I'm awake
(To a supernatural power)
You won't stop shaking me

To wake me out of this coma
Wake me out of this nightmare I've been in
Wake me out of this coma
Wake me out of this nightmare I've been living in
I'm awake

Celestial electricity all through my face
Sobriety is beckoning both fear and peace
Born again in emotion from another life
This eternity of consciousness won't let me die

Now, I never want to sleep again

I'm awake
(To a supernatural power)
You're shaking me
(Someone else's breath that I'm breathing)
I'm awake
(To a supernatural power)
You won't stop shaking me

To wake me out of this coma
Wake me out of this nightmare I've been in
Wake me out of this coma
Wake me out of this nightmare I've been living in
I'm awake

Shock the system
Take me over
Light me up like a supernova
Shock the system
Take me over
Light me up like a supernova

Shock the system
(Shock the system)
Take me over
(Take me over)
Light me up like a supernova
(Light me up like a supernova)
Shock the system
(Shock the system)
Take me over
(Take me over)
Light me up like a supernova
(Light me up like a supernova)

Shock the system
(Shock the system, I'm awake)
Take me over
(I'm awake, I'm awake, I'm awake)
Light me up like a supernova
(I'm awake, I'm awake, I'm awake)

I'm awake
(To a supernatural power)
You're shaking me
(Someone else's breath that I'm breathing)
I'm awake
(To a supernatural power)
You won't stop shaking me

To wake me out of this coma
Wake me out of this nightmare I've been in
Wake me out of this coma
Wake me out of this nightmare I've been living in

Oh

Shock the system
(I'm awake)
Shock the system
(I'm awake)

We all have trials. Some of our trials are hardly worth mentioning, while others are life-changing.

I honestly cannot complain much. I have it pretty good. I don't have to work because I am disabled. I have a roof over my head. I have food in the frige. I have a vehicle. I have air conditioning. I get to spend a lot of time on social media.

It is easy to praise God when everything is going well. It is much more difficult when facing trials and tribulations. I am having a tough day today. X recently shadowbanned me, which is not that big of a deal, but I do ministry on X, and my reach is reduced to way fewer impressions. That means, the people that I would normally be helping throughout the day are not getting good Biblical posts. Why am I shadowbanned? I think it is because I started complaining about the right-wing extremists. I criticized X itself, saying it is all about division. Since then, my posts have hardly reached any people. Again, not a big deal, but it is annoying knowing anything I post there will not get any traction.

There have also been other things on my mind lately. What do you do when someone keeps asking for favors at the last minute, and you just don't feel like helping them at the time? Now, I am not married and I don't have kids, but this gives me a feel for what it is like. Getting interrupted in the middle of being busy, and a person asking you to pick them up and bring them somewhere can get annoying. But, it is at these times where you just have to die to yourself and do the right thing even if you don't want to. I don't really feel I have the gift of service, but my dad thinks I do. I tend to give people rides a lot. I pretty much never ask for gas money in return. For some people, it is easy to tell the person no, but I have difficulty with that. I would hate to see someone not be able to take care of the things they have to take care of just because I was being selfish.

And then there are people who you see who have it way harder than you. And you start to wish that you could do more. I know a guy with stage 4 cancer. Just today, he made a post about feeling like he was closer to God now than before he was diagnosed. It was a beautiful post. It just communicates to me that I should not be complaining and just do the good works God has prepared for me.

You could say this day has been agitating for me. Between people telling me I am acting in bad faith and not listening to me, and an atheist never being satisfied with the evidence that is there, it gets draining. But today was still a good day. I filled my day with worship music. It was my coping mechanism for the day. It was like my reward for doing the right thing.

The funny thing about all this is that yesterday, I was praying that God would refine me in the fire and purify my motives. What today showed me is that I can be pretty selfish when it comes to my motives. Who am I to complain because my social media posts are reaching people like they usually do? Given that I live in one of the richest countries in the world and have everything I need, I should not be complaining. I could be living in Nigeria or something, and knowing if I go to church, it could be the last time because I could be killed by Islamic extremists (a story I was reading about today from Voice of the Martyrs).

In all this, I want to tell you guys not to tire of doing good. Look for ways you can have relationship with Jesus when you feel annoyed. Persevere. Do the right thing.

Could a woman be the next Archbishop of Canterbury ?

Evangelical and other Protestant leaders have provided a range of reactions to the election of Pope Leo XIV, from some believing he is exactly what the world needs to others who fear he will be a "woke" pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV, who was Cardinal Robert Prevost, became the first pope born in the United States of America on Thursday, as he was elected the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church.

In statements shared with The Christian Post, Protestant leaders have offered their thoughts on the Chicago-native's confirmation to the papacy. The following pages highlight their responses.

Continued below.

His maternal grandparents are described as Black or mulatto in historical records. They lived in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward, an area known for being a place where people with African, Caribbean and European roots intermixed. The grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, moved to Chicago in the early 20th century and had a daughter: Mildred Martinez, the pope’s mother. So, what does that mean?
When America was a young country, slave owners instituted the ‘one-drop rule.’ It was a historical and sociological principle of racial classification that said any person with a single ancestor of African descent (“one drop” of “black blood”) was considered Black, regardless of their overall ancestry or physical appearance.


That’s why light skinned Black folks felt the need to pass. They knew that if their true ancestry was discovered, they would be ostracized and treated like a second-class citizen—even if their skin was white as snow and their hair bowed in the wind. (It’s part of the whole plot of Imitation of Life, a movie beloved by Black grandmothers everywhere.)

This rule was forced upon us, so Black folks adopted it. Now, no matter what you look like, if you have a Black ancestor, you are invited to the cookout.

The pope is not just Black. He is a black person from Chicago who can trace his roots to New Orleans. That man is not only invited to the cookout, but we may also have make him actually cook.

Click to expand...

Like many Americans, he represents America's rich diversity--racially and ethnically. And, like most Americans of mixed race, he was not a DEI cardinal/Pope. He was elected for his holiness, compassion, background and experience, and intelligence.

But is this why there seems to be a conservative backlash towards him?

Pope Leo XIV is truly a leader chosen by God.

I just had a genius idea for housing, God just gave this to me! I am currently in an apartment building in Middletown, PA but I am looking to move out soon, I just had an idea that was straight out of the throne room! I can live in a mobile home! These are nice, they are a house, but dirt cheap, some of these are as low as $10,000, some $20,000! I have more in savings than that right now, I can move in NOW! This was brilliant! If you or anyone else you know needs cheap housing but wants their own house you may want to suggest this to them! You might want to have a look at this, I have a picture of something I am looking at, it is beautiful and only like $17,000!

https://harrisburg-pa.buysellsearch...lestate/for-sale/type-homes#related-108790001

-Dave