Prayers needed.

[gurneyhalleck1]

Hang in there, E.C. Keep up the good fight. I understand what you're going through and how you feel. There are days that I feel, "when I pray, am I REALLY talking to anything/anyone or is this just..." you know?

When I was at church yesterday at Vespers, they had a beautiful service where the Iveron Hawaiian myrrh-streaming icon was present. Reader Nektarios brought it to our parish. There were Catholics in attendance with the rest of us Orthodox, and I watched some of these visiting priests and Catholics, and my Orthodox brethren, and I felt this weird feeling like their faith is all so much stronger than mine. They had these huge ear-to-ear smiles on their faces and utter joy, hands raised up to God, eyes closed, feeling something deep and powerful. I was standing there 'trying' to be like that. I believe in God, and I certainly believe in the power of that icon, but not at a deep, penetrating, moving, emotional level. I "feel" nothing when I take communion or see the myrrh streaming or prayers are said. I digest them more intellectually than I do emotionally and impactfully-speaking. I believe in God more as a knowledge and awareness of existence and as philosophy and Truth than I EXPERIENCE and feel Him touching me. I wish I could do that. I get "dry" at times. Faith is so hard to come by. Stay in the race, my friend! We love ya!

 

[Philothei]

Lord have mercy!!! EC hang in there "this too will pass"! Stay positive and stay with God. Nothing is worth loosing that "relationship"! And bottom line that is what matters most!

 

[ArmyMatt]

Being a single military person who is incredibly lonely because I work in the middle of the night, there's hardly anyone of my own generation at the churches in the area and I'm on the east coast when I've been a west coaster my whole life which means that that culture here is drastically different.

oh, don't I know that one

It also does not help that I'm in the military which for many people means, "better not get too attached to this one since he'll be gone in a few years anyway". But little do they realize that it is precisely that attitude which is why most military people and people of my age are becoming increasingly more anti-religious (ironic ain't it? )

well, I can say that their POV is just silly. I went from Ft Leonard Wood, to Ft Sill, to Ft Campbell, to Afghanistan and my girlfriend turned wife was by my side the whole way. in fact, today is our one year anniversary.

keep hanging in there dude

 

[Jesse2014]

 

[graceandpeace]

I understand what you mean about the area - it is very family oriented. I hope somehow you can make connections or find peace in your church as far as friendships, etc.

Don't lose hope.

 

[RKO]

I've been in the "dark night" so many times and for so long that I sometimes think I'll never get out.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

I've been in the "dark night" so many times and for so long that I think I'll sometimes never get out.

Sometimes it can feel like you're there for so long that your eyes begin to adjust to seeing in the dark - and making peace with the fact that you may not come out of darkness..