When you can't go to church...

It sometimes happens that I can't attend mass on Sunday or on a Christian holiday. I keep to myself and don't socialize with people at my church, so I don't miss them when I don't go. None of my friends are church goers and I don't know how and when to befriend people that I see in church regularly. When I can't go to church, I usually say a prayer and tell God I'm sorry.

sometimes when i cant go to church i watch a local church's minister on tv. i also go on youtube and listen to my favourite hillsong united songs which we sing on sundays. i work at a christian organization too and we have devo every morning, so i get to fellowship with christians, just not the same ones i would get to fellowship with on a sunday (none of the people i work with go to my church).

I love going to church but I haven't been to church in a while and I miss it. I read my bible and listen to Christian songs sing and I pray for everyone I can. God says in his word pray for one another. I even pray over the movie stars,President and others I don't even know. Even our troops.

Cheer up. It doesn't make you a sinner if you can't go to church for health problems. Our salvation is not based on going to church and Jesus would check your attendance. I don't know why some Christians think that they are kinda feeling awkward when they do miss going to church. You yourself is the church. What we do on church is being fed by the Word of God and to fellowship with the saints. But i don't have any problem about missing or not going to church. As long as I do read my Bible, praising God and doing His will is much more important. Some people would be so much attached because they have ministry and they missed out already that they have much time on their ministry but not a time alone with God. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the fellowship of the saints. I have nothing against going to church on a regular basis too. What I am saying is that your emotions of being attached to church should not hinder you of worshiping God. God is there if your heart is pure and Holy. God will still speak to you even if you are at home and ministering to your family and the lost.

Hi caver1, I enjoy listening to Dr. Charles Stanley of "In Touch Ministries." He is on the radio and internet. I also enjoy Dr. Lutzer of the Moody Bible, he too is on radio and internet. The songs they sing are beautiful, and the preaching is truth, and not screaming at me. Before you know it you'll be back to church again. Thank you for asking.

It is not often I attend Church. I guess I find I have a good relationship with God as it is. Going to Church is certainly something I want to do more though. I am unable to right now as I too have bad health and I also get very anxious around people. I am working on this so I can go to Church and not feel like everyone is looking at me. When I do go to Church I go with my mother and sister so it's not as bad but I know I would be going by myself if I went more often.

It does bother me when I am unable to go to Church. It usually makes me really wish that I could be there to fellowship, sing with the, Praise God and listen to the Preaching of the word. But I know that God is in control and they will be Praying for me, so in the end things will turn out OK. But when it is Health reasons keeping you from Church sometimes you just need to reach out in Faith for Healing as well.

I try to follow mass either on radio or on television. I try to say some prayers on my own too. I hope that your health is a lot better now. Take care of yourself.

Not great, when I miss services. I make up for it by either watching it on TV (Hour of Power), or get on the Net and watch live streaming from the Potter's House (TD Jakes, in Dallas). But it's always better to attend one at your local church if you have one, 'coz we do need fellowship.

I use to feel absolutely horrible if I missed church. It did not feel like Sunday to me....a large part of my world was missing. Now, even though I love going to church I don't feel as bad if I don't go because I do so many things outside of church that is an extention of my Christianity I no longer feel that lack I use to feel. I can understand your feeling sad and alone on Sunday. It would be great if some of your church members could come and visit you. When my grandmother became homebound I would make sure she had TV, Christian tapes, books, her bible and her telephone (there's nothing like a good conversation with another Christian about Jesus!). It would get her through and sometimes she had visiters during the week to pray with her and give her communion. I don't know how close you are to your congregation, but maybe you could let someone know you are feeling lonely and they can make arrangements to have someone come out and spend time with you.

I would feel really bad if I don't go to church on Sundays. I've been brought up in a way that we should go to church every Sunday. Just like my father always tells me,"We have 7 days a week. We spend every single day with the television, the computer, our studies, and we don't even want to spend a morning of 2-3 hours with God at church?" When I was young, I used to be really afraid of my Sunday School teacher, because she might pick people randomly to pray for the whole lot of us. Then, I used to pretend I had tummy-aches, which I usually would have when I get very nervous, and try to skip church. Sometimes I succeeded, but most of the time I didn't. So I faced the truth that going to church was important. It doesn't matter if I had to pray or not. If I have unavoidable issues, such as sickness (as you mentioned), I would probably spend my afternoon at home, and listening to praise and worship songs...mostly by Hillsongs and Planetshakers! I would sing along with great joy :DD Whatever health issues you have, I wish that you'll have a speedy recovery, so that you can return to church and enjoy the happiness of praising and worshiping the Lord :)

For a year i turned my back attending mass because some personal issues and it made me miserable. But, now i surrender my self to him and it feel so good to be back and I am happy now.

I am a Catholic and it is an obligation on my part to attend Sunday masses. But then of course there would be times that I could not attend the mass because like you , I sometimes get sick. To be honest, I sometimes do feel guilty not fulfilling my obligation. I try as much as I can to make up by praying the Rosary at night before I go to sleep. Once in a while, I would watch the Mass on TV.

It's a pity that you can't attend church.Though I don't have this experience,but I can read you like a book.At fact,what make you sad is the feeling of being lonely.In my opinion,loneness is a terrible feeling,especially when we feel that we are the last one of the world.But let the past go!If you go through the health issues,you will be able to go to church with others again!So cheer up!God bless you!

Hope you get well soon. Whenever I can"t go to church I just watch mass on tv. And somehow you ca feel God's presence. After that I will read religious books that uplift my spirit. Get well soon and Happy my lotting to you.

I will sorry to God that I did not attend the mass. I will hear the mass live on radio or better watch mass in television. Or else I will read a bible for me to have spiritual guidance. I will ask God's forgiveness for not having the chance to go to church.

I get all sad as well when I do not get to go to church on Sunday. I love going to church once a week and not because I am so religious or something, I just like to hear the word to inspire you for the coming week. Honesytly it just makes me a better person. I do not see church as a 'you have to go' place but a time to just sit and relax to listen to the word as well as to thank God for every little thing that has happened.

When you praise and read the Bible, a special friend I know will be with you and fill your heart with Joy - like Jesus said. Otherwise, you can watch church services on TV or listen to a live broadcast of church on Radio. I do that and it works.

sorry that you were sick and unable to go. I praise your faith, but you really shouldn't worry about it that much.

I do feel the same too when I not able to attend Sunday service. To me, Sunday is a must to go church and it is my most joyful thing to do. If I'm absent, I do feel lonely too missing Pastors and bro sis. And, the most is I miss the worship and singing praises moment..so what I do is on the hyms CD, pray and read Bible.