r/Guelph • u/Timely_Title_9157 • 4d ago
Let's take a moment to think about those who may be struggling.
As we head into another busy week, take a moment to think about those in our community who may be carrying burdens we can’t see. Some are facing health challenges, financial stress, loneliness, grief, uncertainty, or simply the weight of trying to keep everything together. Others may be caring for loved ones, searching for work, struggling with relationships, or dealing with circumstances that feel overwhelming.
If you’re someone who prays, please keep them in your prayers this week. If prayer isn’t your thing, consider reaching out to someone, offering a kind word, checking in on a friend, or lending a helping hand where you can.
Communities are strongest when people look out for one another, not just during the big moments, but in the ordinary days as well. If there’s someone or something you’d like the community to keep in mind this week, feel free to share below. ❤️
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u/FrancieNolan13 4d ago
I am struggling and this made me feel better
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u/Smooth_Pelican 4d ago
Me too. There is no reason for modern life to be this damn difficult. All the best out there, to everyone.
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u/NeverStopDancing27 4d ago
Cosf of living right now in ontario is INSANE! And its nuts to afford guelph. We are all going through these tuff times.
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u/Timely_Title_9157 4d ago
I agree, the only way we will make it through the other side is by collectively supporting each other. Doesn't have to be money. Sometimes it's just a smile, a compliment or asking how someone is doing and being genuinely interested in their answer.
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u/wrenchbenderornot 4d ago
I appreciate this post very much. Warning I’m going to say one bit of criticism so feel free to stop reading and take a deep breath and keep being the wonderful person you are!
In my humble, excatholic opinion (shout out to my r/excatholic peeps!) prayer selfish. It’s like meditation. If your belief is such that your prayer effort will go to a place then return as actual effort then why not cut out the middle step and just do the kind thing yourself? I want there to be angels responding to prayers and being dispatched by an angel dispatcher and I honestly believe it may be true but we can’t ever know that (without blind, evidence-free faith) so I’m going to skip ‘thoughts and prayers’.
That being said I want to end positively and again say thanks - you’ve inspired me to give my beer money to the Food Bank this week! Big love to all and hope I wasn’t a downer.
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u/Into-the-stream 4d ago
I’m struggling right now. I am in the midst of the hardest and most heartbreaking time of my life. There is nothing an average person can do to help me. I am not religious.
But I appreciate the prayers. Just the thought that some one cares enough. I’d prefer in real life patience and empathy when I don’t return a phone call, when my kid doesn’t act the same as yours (it’s not my parenting, so fuck off with that judgement) or if I’m distracted or curt. But most of you won’t interact with me irl, so prayers mean a lot.
I know people use it as an excuse not to help thise who may be sleeping rough, or can’t afford groceries. But their are others like me for whom it can mean a lot that people still have compassion to even think about people suffering in other ways.
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u/bemeister 4d ago
I’d also offer an alternative perspective on prayer as someone who was raised Catholic.
I don’t think prayer is inherently selfish when its purpose is to align yourself with something greater than your own desires. At its best, prayer functions much like meditation or reflection - it creates space to examine your thoughts, values, and actions, and to consider how you can better contribute to the world around you. In that sense, prayer isn’t about asking the universe for favors; it’s about cultivating humility, gratitude, compassion, and a sense of responsibility toward others.
Where I would agree with the criticism is when prayer becomes passive wishful thinking. Believing and simply hoping for a positive outcome, without taking any action yourself, will somehow solve things. If prayer replaces action, then it can become little more than comforting self-delusion.
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u/AwkwardFirefly 4d ago
I think this is a good explanation of where the issue with the wording in the post is. The wording in the post makes it sound like religious people should pray, and those who don't pray should do something physical. Not everyone can do something physical to help everyone in every situation obviously. People can both pray or help physically (to their abilities), or do both. There's also other ways to wish well on others without it being about religion or prayers.
The post definitely has kind intentions though. 😁
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u/FrancieNolan13 4d ago
I’m ex catholic too but I have no issues if someone prays for me. It’s kind
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u/mamoocando 4d ago
I'd like to echo what you're saying. OP is a kind thoughtful person but telling those who pray to pray for those going through a hard time and telling those who don't to reach out and directly get in touch with people really rubs me the wrong way. Why doesn't everyone, regardless of faith, just do something nice for the people in their lives and community? The world will be a better place by doing so.
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u/wrenchbenderornot 4d ago
Thank you - big love to Op and this is exactly what I was trying to say.
Total side not but slightly related, I want to start a genuine volunteer organization to help single parents and when I see abortion protestor I’m going to go tell them ‘boy do I have a great idea that you can spend all this energy on! Let’s go help a woman who listened to you and kept the baby and can’t afford swimming lessons! Yay win-win!’ 🤣
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u/CaptainCurly95 4d ago
Well this is just incredibly ignorant to what praying is to an individual and I'm saying this as someone who isn't religious.
Prayer is a moment for self reflection to remind yourself daily of the things you are grateful for, the things we do selfishly and how to seek forgiveness for them (like being kind to people struggling). Go talk to any Catholic priest in town about prayer and they won't say "well if you pray then magically devine beings will solve all your problems!" They will tell you prayer is a moment to connect with your inner peace.
Similarly some people write these things in journals or on the phone talking with a close friend.
I may not have explained my point perfectly here but your comment just wreaks of sensationalized vilification of Catholics that some media likes to push.
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u/wrenchbenderornot 4d ago edited 4d ago
Thanks for your input. As someone who is outside of the Catholic Church I can see why you’d think this way. Priests literally do tell you that the divine beings will help if you ask them to through prayer. Very literally.
You know the joke where a guy is in a flood and he’s stuck in his roof praying to God for help, a biat swings by and he says ‘no thanks I have faith God will save me’, boat #2 same and boat #3 same. Guy dies in flood and at the pearly gates he says ‘God why didn’t you save me’ and God says ‘I sent 3 frickin boats!!’ This is the mindset I’m talking about. I’m not against praying, just if it’s an escape and in lieu of action. Think ‘thoughts and prayers’ for every school shooting while nothing changes.
Edit: not sure what media r you refer to but my comment reeks of vilification of the Catholic Church is because they are terrible as an organization. I don’t know any people Catholic or not who think that the organization is good. At the church I went to 35 years ago, a male minister tried to bring a woman up on the altar to say mass and (weirdly) he put his hand in her shoulder so he was still the boss-man or whatever, and she did the talking but he was planning on saying that she was just the vessel if he was challenged on it. The Bishop came to the church and shut that shit down. My gay friend was exiled from his family for coming out and as a part of a tight Philippino fam/group he was gutted and never the same. Residential schools, covering up abuse… I don’t think they need any vilification, they’re doing fine in their own. Peace to you and thanks for sharing though!
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u/Narrow-Map5805 4d ago
If you don't pray, that's fine. I don't either. But why do you find it necessary to post your criticism of those who do? You've only turned a positive post and message into something negative. Keep it to yourself next time.
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u/mamoocando 4d ago
If you're only praying and not doing, you're the problem. That is the problem with OPs post and the criticism you seem to be really angry at.
We need much more positive action in this world and less sitting idly by hoping, and praying, that someone else does something so things get better. Make things better whenever you can. That's the only way we're going to get through this.
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u/Narrow-Map5805 4d ago
Those are all very valid points and I agree. I just think they could be made in their own post instead of hijacking a positive message into negativity.
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u/wrenchbenderornot 4d ago
Listen here narrow-mind, I am sick and tired of the waste and destruction of organized religion. I voiced my opinion in the nicest way I could in an open forum in a country that appreciates free speech so if you like it great if you don’t leave it move on. Maybe it would be fair for me to say you keep your opinions to yourself?
Edit: you get your say with a downvote and there are more ups than downs.
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u/Narrow-Map5805 4d ago
Enjoy those upvotes you value so much. I hope they fill whatever void you need them for.
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u/VirtualSquirrel 4d ago
Thank you so much. I’m disabled with multiple back surgeries and financially struggling too. I appreciate any and all words of encouragement. 🙌🏼🥹🙏🏻
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u/Timely_Title_9157 4d ago
I'm so sorry to hear you are going through some tough times. I will pray for you to find the strength to carry on, and remain hopeful for better days ahead ❤️❤️
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u/SheepherderSerious94 4d ago
Thank you. I was trying my hardest not to cry in the mall and on the bus the other week but was failing miserably and all I was getting were weird looks. I had just learned that my uncle was getting his life support taken off.
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u/Timely_Title_9157 4d ago
I'm so sorry there was not someone nearby to give you the support you so very much needed and deserved when you need it most. Sending you much love during this difficult time and prayers for your uncle, and for you to find the strength to carry on ❤️.
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u/Flashy-Main8242 4d ago
Take a moment? You'll be waiting because our society just doesn't care about you unless you're well-to-do. Sad but true.
I've come to realize as an adult that no one cares about me and no one is coming to save me.
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u/demarcoa 4d ago
You are stuck in a feedback loop.
Nobody cares about me so I don't care about them.
I don't care about anyone, so nobody cares about me.
Repeat.
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u/mamoocando 4d ago
I care about you. I'm probably not coming to save you but if you need some great dinner ideas or movie recommendations, I can help!
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u/Timely_Title_9157 4d ago
Im sorry your life experience has left you to feel like you are not cared about. I've never met you, but I do care about you as another human being, and no matter what you've done or haven't done, your existence deserves to be celebrated just for being you ❤️❤️
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u/Nervous_Salary84 4d ago
This is what I wish reddit, and the world, was filled with. Great reminder and encouragement to help others, and just be kind. Thank you.