Lenten course: Let Holy Week be a fresh start!

 Let Holy Week be a Fresh Start to your life!

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Hello and welcome!

We are now in the final week before the celebration of Easter. I hope that you have been enjoying this, deliberately, very simple Lenten course - either as part of your chosen Lenten observations, or the central part of that. Admittedly, Holy Week, leading to the remembrance of Christ's sufferings, is such a sad and sombre experience. Yet, it is crucial that we remember the sequence of events and the sacrifice on Calvary. That is what our Lenten journey has been about. 

It is also my hope that, through a taster of my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God, you have moved nearer in relationship with Him. And that you have either begun to listen to His voice or are doing that more than formerly. If this is the case you may well be wanting to read the whole book, or to buy a copy for a loved one to help them in their journey. To do this click on this link:  Check out Pray Then Listen

Holy Week – Make a fresh start to your life!

In Pray Then Listen this comes in the section “The Two-Way Street of Prayer”

You may find the Fresh Start angle a little surprising in Holy Week. I have introduced it, though, for two reasons. Firstly, as you are a human being, I am not presuming that your Lenten journey has been perfectly carried out. You cannot change the past, though, but please don't let your faltering come between you and Holy Week. For that reason I want to encourage you to choose again! Secondly, I suggest that Holy Week is the perfect opportunity to ask God to help you start afresh in your spiritual journey towards Heaven.

Consider this: Christ died for us; died for you! And what a horrific death it was. But He did so willingly, and beforehand Jesus told His apostles, "I have longed to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer," (Luke 22:15) so at that point He was eager to go through with His Passion. That was because, by doing this He opened a gateway through which the faithful could, by approaching on the specific narrow pathway, enter Heaven. 

"... small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:14 

Use the following prayer to renew your commitment to Christ.

Prayer for a fresh start

Dear Lord Jesus,

I stand at the foot of Your cross to bring before You all my sins.

[Pause for a few moments to reflect on what you have done or failed to do, so that you can tell Him specific things you regret.]

I am sorry for each and every one of them.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.

I also ask that, when I have Your forgiveness, You will help me to forgive myself, and in doing so set me free for a fresh start to my life.

I ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Listen for a few moments for anything that Christ may want to say to you now. As you go about your day and the rest of Holy Week keep open to His communications. 

God may answer you like this:

God may remind you of certain things or events where you fell short of showing His love to others. That is your cue to ask Him what, if anything, He wants  you to do about it. He may, for instance, prompt you to make an apology to someone, or make amends in some way. 

After actively listening and watching for God's communications during Lent I hope that you are becoming familiar, or more familiar, with the variety of methods He may use. I would be so happy if you would take a moment to share those with us. Also, if you have any questions about anything we have covered in this Lenten course please do get in touch. Please post communications in the Comments box below. And / or visit my website for more info or to contact me 

God bless,

Teresa 

 To check out Pray Then Listen in the UK

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details here.   Also: Check it out In UK  In US  In Singapore

               

Read the Backstory here

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x

 

Lenten Course Week Four - Bring God into your daily tasks!

  Bring God into your daily tasks!

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Hello and welcome!

I don't know about you but, as the weeks of Lent go on, I'm finding following my plan of action quite difficult, but I suppose that's the point isn't it. Through my, admittedly little, sacrifices I am trying to show my love of Christ and my solidarity with His Passion. Having joined the Divine Mercy prayer group again and heard of other people's much greater sacrifices than mine, cheerfully undertaken, I do feel a bit of a wimp. If you do too, let's just keep going for the best of reasons mentioned above! And let's keep asking God for His help as we keep listening expectantly for His voice

As before, this week I will continue dipping into my prayer guide, Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God, to share more of my methods and experiences. As always I will be asking God what He wants me to write about. Though the topics will be those covered in the book, and I will use some direct quotes (not highlighted), the other text will be new.

Check out Pray Then Listen

Week Four – Bring God into your daily tasks!

In Pray Then Listen this comes in the section “Christianity as a Lifestyle”

No matter what your age and situation, your day will doubtless be filled with tasks. Irrespective of your personal role in life, the most important thing for the practice of your Christian Faith, is to do everything with Love. In this way, as you work, God's spirit can work in you, and through you.

Unless the LORD builds the house, 

Those who build it labour in vain. 

Psalm 127:1

I know many devout Christians who tell me things like, 'When I'm in the office, I can hardly wait for lunch break when I can spend some quiet time with our Lord'. And while, on one hand, that is wonderful, on the other I wonder why they are waiting to speak to Him. I advise them to stop compartmentalizing and invite God into their work. Try the prayer below, or one of your own, to do that too - no matter whether your tasks are at home or out in the world.  

Prayer for guidance with work 

Dear Lord, please come and partner with me in my tasks, and help me to work with love. Also, will You please guide me so that I do what You want me to. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

As the week goes on say the above prayer often and listen expectantly, and watchfully, for God's guidance. If this 'working with God' is new to you prepare to be astounded at how different and lighter all your tasks feel with His input. 

God may answer you like this:

In any week there could be a dilemma to mull over. I find that I can usually come up with a few solutions. When, though, I ask God which of them He favours, He often tells me of something I had not even considered, and which is the perfect answer. This never ceases to amaze me! When that happens I can hardly wait to get on my knees to thank Him! 

I would love to hear some of your insights and observations or any questions this course is bringing up in your spirit so please post them in the Comments box below. And / or visit my website for more info or to contact me 

God bless,

Teresa 

 To check out Pray Then Listen in the UK

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Blessings, Teresa x

Lenten course Week Two - Love thy neighbour!

 Love thy neighbour 

Listening for God’s Voice

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Hello and welcome!

I hope you are enjoying listening for God’s voice in your daily life! Throughout the coming weeks I will continue to dip into my prayer guide Pray Then Listen to share more of my methods and experiences. As I always do I will be asking God what He wants me to write about. Though the topics will be those covered in the book, and I will use some direct quotes (not highlighted), the other text will be new.

I wonder how you are getting on in your efforts to make Lent meaningful. In your spiritual preparation for Easter you may be doing something extra for God, or perhaps you are carrying out some form of denial.  No matter what you have chosen I’m sure that more than once you’ve wished it wasn’t Lent! I laugh as I write that; it’s human, and that is our sacrifice for Christ.

I do hope, though, you have been asking Jesus for His help and guidance to keep on going with that sacrifice. If you have, you will already be nearer in relationship to Him.

As I told you last week I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies and watching for His guidance for many years.

Check out Pray Then Listen

An example of me listening to God

Last Saturday, 4^th March I had a dilemma. I had thought to attend my first meeting of our parish Divine Mercy prayer group. But something was holding me back, including some social options for that afternoon. Feeling confused I asked God to show me what He wanted me to do. Then I sat down to read a booklet on Lent. That day’s reading opened with words about divine mercy. I chuckled. God’s guidance was crystal clear! I joined in with the group and had a wonderful time with prayer, singing and fellowship!

Week Two - Love thy neighbour 

In Pray Then Listen this comes in the section “Christianity as a Lifestyle”

Trying to be loving to everyone we meet can be difficult. Yet, in actively following Christ, we are not supposed to pick and choose.

You shall love your neighbour as yourself

Mark 12:31

As Christians we are therefore encouraged to be as loving and considerate as possible. It is good to remember that you are an ambassador for Christ, and to try to let that shine through as often as humanly possible.

That is sometimes very difficult to carry out, I know. But you could ask God, specifically during this week, to show you how you can do this even more than usual. Try the following prayer or one of your own to focus on this aim.

Prayer to become more loving to everyone 

Dear Heavenly Father, You have made it clear that You expect me to be loving to all. Please show me how to do that even more than usual this week. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

As you go on with your week say the above prayer often and watch out for God’s help and guidance. I have discovered that God responds in many different ways. You have seen one way in the example above. 

God may answer you like this:

Often God speaks an answer into my heart. His words can arrive almost as a whisper, and are easy to miss. So start to listen expectantly and with great attention for His answers this week.

If you have any questions or observations please visit my website for more info or to contact me

God bless,

Teresa 

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

ANOTHER OF MY BOOKS

 

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Also, For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Blessings, 

Teresa x

 

Listening for God’s Voice - Lenten course Week One

A Lenten course based on Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God

Perhaps as part of your spiritually joining Christ on the path towards His Passion, you have either given something up that you enjoy, or you are doing something that involves going that extra mile. Whatever you choose though, why not add a new and exciting dimension? Ask Jesus for His input and help!

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies and watching for His guidance for many years.

Check out Pray Then Listen

An example of me listening to God

On 15^th January 17 while cooking Sunday dinner for my dad, with the pots boiling I stood at the open backdoor. When a shaft of sunshine broke through the grey cloud blanket I smiled and thanked God for that sunbeam. God the Father then told me, “Write a book and show people how to speak to Me!” 

Throughout the Lenten course I will show you how to draw nearer in relationship with the Holy Trinity through Pray Then Listen, a heart-to-heart with God - my work of obedience to that command.

Week One - Opening your heart to God

In this busy crazy world it is all too easy to forget that we are spirit as well as mind and body. Since the pandemic there has been an extra focus on mental health on top of physical health. Unfortunately, the secular world completely ignores the spirit and its need for nourishment.

I am sure you know that when you don’t put enough effort into nourishing your Faith, everything feels a bit washed out and pointless. The antidote to that feeling is to walk closely with God. And so, for the whole of this first week of Lent use the prayer below, or one of your own, to invite Christ right into the centre of your daily life. 

Prayer to move closer to Christ

Dear Lord Jesus,  

Please walk with me this week as I strive to grow in Love and keep up my Lenten observations. If I encounter obstacles and challenges please guide me through these.

I ask this in the same name of Jesus. Amen

As you go on with your week say the above prayer often and watch out for God’s guidance. This could arrive in any number of ways, so keep alert and open for God moving in your life.

God may answer you like this:

You may speak to someone, maybe that you hardly know, or even a stranger, and find yourself confiding a dilemma. Only to discover they’ve been there too and have some important advice to impart.  

If you have any questions or observations please visit my website for more info or to contact me

God bless,

Teresa 

To check out Pray Then Listen in the UK  

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

2nd May 23 

Update: I want to share some good news with you:

My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - recently launched which is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland - I think you will love it! Find all the details and Backstory here.       

Look inside in UK   Look inside in US  Look inside in Singapore

You could also check out my other book...

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

Also, for more info about me please visit my website.  

Again, blessings, Teresa x