https://www.christianity.com/plus/rss/ PLUS channel for Premium Christianity.com content Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2026, Christianity.com Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:28:20 -0400 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/church/why-the-eucharist-is-central-to-christian-prayer-and-spiritual-life.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/church/why-the-eucharist-is-central-to-christian-prayer-and-spiritual-life.html Amanda Idleman https://www.christianity.com/author/amanda-idleman/ Discover the profound meaning of the Eucharist—Holy Communion as a prayer of thanksgiving, spiritual nourishment, and a unifying practice that draws believers closer to Christ and one another. Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:49:03 -0400 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/10-sneaky-signs-you-may-be-a-people-pleaser.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/10-sneaky-signs-you-may-be-a-people-pleaser.html Wynita Walther https://www.christianity.com/author/wynita-walthe/ “Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”— Psalm 32:2When most of us picture a people pleaser, we imagine someone with a spaghetti noodle for a backbone. Overly agreeable. Unable to say no. The kind of person others casually label a doormat. But real people pleasing is far subtler than that and far more common than we realize. It can look like kindness, helpfulness, even sincere spiritual devotion. What appears loving on the surface is often rooted in fear of rejection, disapproval, or conflict. We soften our words, hide our true feelings, and tell small white lies to keep the peace. Everything seems calm outwardly, yet inside we feel anxious, stretched thin, and quietly disconnected from the freedom God offers.Psalm 32 reminds us that blessing belongs to the one “in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Yet we often manage impressions because we are afraid of what honesty might cost us. If this feels familiar, you are not alone. Below are ten subtle signs you may be caught in a people-pleasing pattern and how faith can lead you back to honesty and peace.Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Vitaly Gariev Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:17:22 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/plus/why-dont-catholics-eat-meat-on-fridays-during-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/plus/why-dont-catholics-eat-meat-on-fridays-during-lent.html Sophia Bricker https://www.christianity.com/author/sophia-bricker/ What many of us may not know, especially if we are Protestant Christians, is that the tradition of eating fish instead of other meats on Fridays originates from a Catholic tradition. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:25:00 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/plus/8-peaceful-morning-prayers-to-bring-joy-to-your-days.html https://www.christianity.com/plus/8-peaceful-morning-prayers-to-bring-joy-to-your-days.html Sophia Bricker https://www.christianity.com/author/sophia-bricker/ The day started like every other one. Sun illuminates the curtains, letting in the soft glow of morning light. The sound of the house creaking as the rest of the family awakened and started the day. But something was different. As I pulled back the covers, I felt a fluttering in my chest. Panic gripped me, and I dreaded starting yet another cycle of endless tasks that demanded my attention. Tears welled up at the thought of facing the light of another day.  Sometimes the joy of a new morning is apparent; we made it through a challenging night, or the gentle forgetfulness of sleep blessed us with a fresh perspective. Other times, we need a reminder of the joy that can be found in Christ, regardless of our circumstances or feelings. As Psalm 30:5 tells us, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” NIVThe comforting aspect of this Psalm is that David was writing from a difficult experience. He had faced death and felt the fear of being surrounded by his enemies. Yet, the Lord had rescued him and healed him. David did not rejoice because events had turned to his favor or because he was assured of a trouble-free life. He found a reason to rejoice because of the Lord’s kindness. As the final verses of this song of praise say, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” - Psalm 30:11-12 NIV  We, too, can experience this transformative joy in the Lord, whether life is filled with good things right now or we are struggling to get out of bed. The following eight peaceful morning prayers offer practical yet thoughtful ways to turn our attention back to the Lord whose kindness is ever new. To lean against our Savior, as the Apostle John did, and rest in the greatest friendship we can know. Then, we can face the new day, not from a posture of dread, but from a place of gentle refreshment and reassurance that we are not alone.      Photo Credit: Getty Images/DigitalVision/Klaus Vedfelt Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:32:21 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/plus/5-ways-to-find-gods-purpose-for-your-life.html https://www.christianity.com/plus/5-ways-to-find-gods-purpose-for-your-life.html Shea Smith https://www.christianity.com/author/shea-smith/ Purpose can be a loaded word, you know? I remember choosing a college major and panicking over the decision! I would question, “What’s my purpose and how do I get there?” It’s easy to assume purpose is what one does day-to-day, such as a job or career, or another may assume it’s what one is called in a deeper purpose, such as a role or specific service. I tend to think purpose can ebb and flow in different seasons. So while we approach this subject of purpose, let us seek God humbly to lead us to Him. I have a feeling we’ll know more about the purpose the more we draw near to the Lord! Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Zbynek Pospisil Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:36:08 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/plus/4-ways-christians-can-pray-for-muslims-during-ramadan.html https://www.christianity.com/plus/4-ways-christians-can-pray-for-muslims-during-ramadan.html Sophia Bricker https://www.christianity.com/author/sophia-bricker/ The following prayer points can help direct your prayers and focus on specific concerns that are unique to Islam and Muslim culture.   Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:05:00 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/plus/learning-to-be-still-in-the-presence-of-god-through-psalm-46.html https://www.christianity.com/plus/learning-to-be-still-in-the-presence-of-god-through-psalm-46.html Sophia Bricker https://www.christianity.com/author/sophia-bricker/ When anxiety rises and the world feels unsteady, Psalm 46 gives a clear answer. Learn what it truly means to be still before a sovereign God who fights for His people. Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:59:49 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/plus/living-out-your-purpose-in-difficult-seasons-of-life.html https://www.christianity.com/plus/living-out-your-purpose-in-difficult-seasons-of-life.html Arris Charles https://www.christianity.com/author/arris-charles/ In seasons when life feels uncertain, complicated, or limited, discerning or living out our purpose can feel harder than it once did. You may feel like you have no sense of purpose right now, even if you did before. Perhaps you have a general sense of direction, but feel unsure what God specifically wants you to do next. Maybe you know your calling, yet struggle to see how it fits in this season.Whether you’re still seeking clarity, discerning your next steps, or already on your path, you may wonder what moving forward looks like right where you are. When progress feels slow, or we feel stuck, it’s not a reflection of our ability or a loss of purpose, but rather the result of what’s happening within us or around us. God’s purpose for you remains, even in difficult seasons, though the pieces might come together differently than you thought.Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Anthony Tran Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:41:10 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/plus/8-ways-to-become-a-better-friend-and-partner-through-ephesians-49.html https://www.christianity.com/plus/8-ways-to-become-a-better-friend-and-partner-through-ephesians-49.html Judy McEachran https://www.christianity.com/author/judy-mceachran/ One of the great privileges of the Christian life is not simply believing in Jesus but living in a relationship with Him. Jesus did not call people merely to follow rules or adopt religious habits; He invited them into friendship. “I have called you friends,” He said, “for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). To know Jesus is to walk with Him, trust Him, and join Him in His redemptive purposes.Being welcomed into God's Kingdom is entirely an act of grace. Through Christ, believers receive forgiveness of sins, are declared righteous before God, and begin a lifelong journey of spiritual growth. Like a seed planted in good soil, new life begins quietly, then grows steadily—roots forming beneath the surface long before fruit appears. The letter to the Ephesians was written to help believers understand both who they are in Christ and how to live out that identity into maturing unity as the body of Christ. Paul's emphasis on spiritual maturity was especially vital for believers living in Ephesus—a city steeped in pagan and occult practices. His call to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians 4:1) wasn't abstract theology; it was urgent, practical instruction for Christians surrounded by spiritual darkness.Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Omar Lopez Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:45:10 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/plus/8-ash-wednesday-prayers-to-prepare-your-heart-for-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/plus/8-ash-wednesday-prayers-to-prepare-your-heart-for-lent.html Judy McEachran https://www.christianity.com/author/judy-mceachran/ These 8 prayers will guide you into repentance, renewal, and deeper joy as you begin the Lenten season. Let God realign your heart through Scripture-rooted surrender. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:44:55 -0500 2026-03-31T02:28:20-04:00