April Already!!!? MN Christian Prayer Request Thread - The Bible Bashers Continue .......

[CaptainDippy]

Good grief - It is April!!? When did that happen!!? God has taken us through some interesting times this month - Times of Thanksgiving and Praise; Times of Sorrow and Pain - but He IS alive and He is with us ....



Here's a summary of March's Prayer Requests for you all......

Worzella - Has been feeling - worried she might be depressed. Having to make decisions about what to do once her maternity leave ends soon. Big //[hugs] and prayers to her ....

LongWayToGo - Has been v.v.v.v.tough for her this month. DH has moved out of the family home and she is struggling to cope with the emotional upheaval etc. MIL died too. Her DH has started drinking again. Prayers for protection over her and her DC's. She also has some health worries with an enlarged Gall Bladder....Finances are v.tight.

PandaG - Prayers for confidence to return following car accident. Prayers for her as she trains for new job.

MaryBS - Prayers for lady at her church who has advanced cancer. Not looking good. Mary is v.busy atm - lots of prayers for rest opportunities and for everything to go smoothly ..... Praise God for friends and BIL's adoptions that have gone through this last month, prayers for them as they embark on a new way of family life..... Prayers for Missinoary Priest shot in J'burg. Prayers for BIL in Iraq and for lost friendship, which has hurt Mary deeply. Prayers too for DS who is seeing Ed.Psych atm.

SleepySooz - Prayers for her new Vicar and his family as they settle in. Praise that hypnotherapy seems to be helping her emetophobia.

Podmog - Praise that DS2 is putting on weight! Church has not been good recently, but prayers for poss opportunities for Podmog's personal involvement with the church, which have been arising ..... Prayers for poor DS1 who has been poorly with ear / chest infections ....

harrisey - Going away for a wee while over Easter - prayers for R&R to be had. Praise that their car has ben recovered after robbery. Prayers for poss future involvement with Latin Link. Prayers that the harriseys can reamin healthy and fit .... Praise God for their Baptism / Dedications in March!

Twiga - Praise that God-daughter who was admitted to hospital is home - prayers for complete recovery. Praying for her PG too!

Pepperrabbit - Cont prayers for friend whose husband died in Feb. Funeral went ok.

Dumbledoresgirl - Prayers as she cont to struggle with Emetophobia.

MumToGusandAlbie - Cont prayers for her as she copes with relationship with her and ex-DH, esp for her precious boys. Prayers for friend's mum who is ungoing cancer treatment. Cont prayers for Vicar's son who is also currently recieving treatment for cancer.

CaptainCaveman - DSis is back at work and managing not to drink during the day! Cont prayers for her and her DD. Praise that CC's med reduction has gone so well!

Roseylea - Prayers for her as she seeks her "vocation", poss that she may join hospital chaplaincy - prayers for child care arrangements etc. DD's excema has been much better since healing service - Praise God! Prayers for mum who has recently has an exploratory op to check out health fears. Rosey's body is "complaining" against her dose of Prednisolone (Steriod), prayers for that. Prayers for general household health.....

NotQuiteSoGrownUp - Has been v.stressed and a bit recently. Finding life a bit tough. DS2 has been boundary pushing and DS1 is involved in a tricky situation. Prayers for resolution and rest....

FannieAnnie - 31 weeks PG, going ok - hoping bubba has turned as was footling breech. Work is not going well - lots of prayer needed there. Prayers for the family of Father Paul Bennett who was stabbed to death in front of his wife in S.Wales recently.

JBW - Cont prayers for mum and nan as they cope with the loss of her S.Father and for her too. Praise God she got the new job she wanted!!

Mars - On-going prayers for Dave and Sue - Dave still "not himself" .... any update recently Marsy?? Prayers for 2 babies recently delivered who are struggling....

Pirategirl - Divorce going through - feeling v. and struggling.

KittyLette - Mum poss has cancer, v.frightened. Lots of prayers needed.

Squeakybub - Prayers for DP's S.mum who is critically ill in hospital following road accident.

Chloe55 - Prayers for friend who "sold his soul to the devil". V.difficult situation.

CaptainDippy - Prayers for the Dippy Family as they prepare for the imminent arrival of Dippy3, esp for her and DH who have been rowing a lot recently. DD's are "getting ill" atm, so prayers against that would be cool! Can't think of anything else atm - brain is mush .... Prayers for finances would be cool too! Gosh - I sound v.selfish .... but I do love you all and - Praying for every one of you!!

Now - Get Praying!! ......

[Notquitegrownup]

Good morning and well done CD for getting the new thread started! You are amazing!

Prayers for you all.

Sleepysooz/Mufti - are you still lurking??!

[roseylea]

Thank you CD for that update! You always manage to condense so much info into quick reminders of prayer requests - well done!

I have a prayer request - also a practical request for any advice really. my dd (aged 4. 5 y o) has had a nasty bug that came on last Tues and is still not much better. She is eating v. little (so far today just one mini flapjack bar) but drinking loads of water and some milk. She keeps saying that she has aches all over her body and that walking or running makes them worse. So she's been snuggled up on the sofa a lot, very lethergic and just wanting to watch tv or sleep. Please pray that she recovers soon!

Thank you!

[roseylea]

Another prayer request svp!

The pastor of the Baptist church (which we left in December) is coming to see us this evening - please pray for a good evening, that we can build each other up and so on.

[MaryBS]

Well done CD!!!! Thanks for all that you do for us!

RL - praying for your DD. I'd be tempted to take her down the Drs now. I know they say children will eat when they're ready, but I would hope after a week, she'd be showing more of a recovery. Plus it'll put your mind at rest {hugs}

[sleepysooz]

Yep still lurking but not posting, everybody has so much to say and I don't, what a boring life I lead, I am really busy all the time but life still feels so empty! I cannot feel the same strength in my faith as all of you out there, so I get a bit dis-heartened at the tiny bit I do have, all the christians I know are full of life and smiley, I just feel knackered (pardon the language) and I suppose I only get out of life what I put into it so what else do I expect! I just wish I could be a christian without reading the bible, but I know that isn't possible, so I will just have to sit on the fence a bit longer till I can shake some enthusiasm to tackle (thats how it feels) the riddles of the bible, which I havent got time to sit around trying to work out what it all means, I get so far then I loose interest! (I have the twins during day and work till late at night so literally don't have any spare hour to work things out) why can't the bible be like a normal reading book without the riddles and gobbledigook!

[sleepysooz]

Sorry for that moan!

[neener]

Hi Sleepysooz (and everyone else here - I'm new to the prayer thread). I have a friend in my bible study class with a bible called "The Living Bible" and when she does the reading with her bible it is always so much clearer than my NIV! I don't know where she got it from but maybe Amazon do it? I would recommend it - I also struggle to work out what on earth it is going on about a lot of the time but find that the gospels are a good place to start. I just do two pages every night before sleep.

Hi to everyone!! I love the idea for this thread - it is hard to pray for people when you don't know what they look like though, eh?

I could do with some prayer right now, I had a missed miscarriage at 13 weeks a fortnight ago (baby died at 10+4) and although I am feeling positive a lot of the time, sometimes I feel so sad. This has come at a tough time for my family as my gran died a month ago and then my niece who has cystic fibrosis stopped eating and is now on the waiting list to have a tube put into her stomach so she can be fed through it at night.

I feel that God has been with me throughout these probs but I think my mum is struggling as she has borne the brunt of it with it being her mum who died and her grandaughter who is ill.

She also has a pretty rubbish church. There's only me and her religious in our family so she only really has me praying for her and most of the time I forget cos she is usually always so strong and happy.

Sorry for going on (and on)!

Praying for you all!

[MaryBS]

Neener, praying for you and ALL your family. You are so brave!

Sooz - what version of the bible do you use? I find my copy (NRSV or New Revised Standard Version) immensely readable, and it's also the one we use at church.

I've heard this recommended:

The word on the street"

and keep meaning to get myself a copy. I carry around a copy of "The Message" NT, proverbs and psalms in my handbag. There is a full bible version, but the one I have is small enough to carry with me everywhere, and only costs £3.99. Its not a study bible, but brings Jesus' message to life in an immensely readable way. I've quoted it on here a number of times. This tells you about it:

the message

As for being a Christian and not reading the bible - I'm going to be controversial here and say that's what a LOT of Catholics do! Not necessarily recommended, but don't run yourself down because you don't feel you measure up as a Christian! Until I put myself up for training, I hardly ever read the bible, now I read it regularly. My (RC)sister doesn't read a bible, but she's fond of quoting that "she hears the bible read to her every Sunday". My mother says the same thing (and she's RC too, although she does go to bible study classes sometimes)

[sleepysooz]

neener - welcome, Captaindippy is the fantastically capable starter upper of this thread each month, I hope to read from you again, and thank you for your advice on 'The Living Bible' I have a problem retaining information I have read, and have to start again alot of the time, that is why it I find it so difficult, I have not been able to concentrate to read books, etc. since having children 11 years ago, so am at a lost end, apart from CD's but my retention of information goes as far as what I hear aswell, I think a bit of my son's medicine 'omega 3 fish oils' might be helpful to me. But to be honest you have to work hard at anything in life to be successful, especially at being a 'christian' thats why I fail most things in life that require reading and concentration!

[sleepysooz]

marybs - sorry x-posted, yes I read the same bible as you, but I read a couple of verses then have to start again and again and again then still don't retain the info, although I do remember what I was taught as a child, I think its more 'short term memory loss'

Thank you for your help

[worzella]

I think the Living Bible has been around a while - I remember about 24 years ago in a youth group reading that 'Jesus loves everyone - even the bums and loafers....' we all disolved into giggles and it still makes me smile now!

[CaptainDippy]

Good evening - DD's seem (God-willing) to have gone down really nicely again tonight - seems marbles in a jar (thank you Bobsmum! ) & lots of prayer are helping no end - Thank you for praying guys!

Thank you for your compliments re: thread summary etc - You are all very nice. Like I said before, I enjoy doing it - it is an honour and a priviledge to be part of this wonderful thread!

Rosey - Your poor DD. Praying for a fast recovery for her. Must be v.draining for you too - at least she's not missing any school; but then she is missing the hols - Don't know which is worse!!? Praying that it goes ok with your ex-pastor tonight - Let us know.....

Sooz - Honey - //[[[hugs]]] Sweetie - you gotta get yourself some R&R - You poor thing - You sound so unrested & frustrated. Praying something amazing happens to enable you to get some "me" time. You need it and you deserve it.

neerer - Welcome!! Lovely to have you with us! Gosh, you really have been going through it lately! I am so sorry about your missed MC, praying for healing and a chance to grieve. Sorry about your gran too and praying esp hard for the situation with her niece. Poor child. She must feel so lonely and desperate. Please keep us imformed.....

All ok in DippyLand, esp now the DD's have gone to sleep!

[longwaytogoandabitfurther]

well done again cd - just think by the time you do the next one you could be doing it one handed.

marybs going to ask dd when she gets in to set me up an email account, then we can have a chat.

Not feeling too bad today, have got better as day has gone on.

[mumtogusnalbie]

CS - well done for an excellent synopsis of the March thread. - I really don't know how you do it! Praying that you and H can remain calm and sane during the last stage of your pregnancy. Praying also for you DD's that they can avoid being ill at this very inconvenient time. Also praying that God takes care of your finances too.

Roseylea - it sounds to me like your DD may actually have an infection of some kind which might need antibiotics. i agree with MaryBS and think she may well need a trip to your GP. Praying that she gets well soon.

Sleepysooz - I too find it very difficult to find time to read my bible. The boys and housework seem to take up all of my time and by the time I sit down in the evening my brain has stopped working! I am already findin myself becoming more familiar with my Bible though by reading any passages recommended and through the service every Sunday. I would like to do some kind of Bible study when I have a bit more time but I don't think that I am any less a Christian just because I don't read the Bible every day. I get strength in my faith fromo thers and from the beautiful things that god has put on this earth. i am just sitting at my puter desk looking out on my garden (picture on my profile) waiting for the bats to start their eveing show - definately something to thank god for imo.

Neener - welcome to this prayer thread. some of us have pictures on a profile page so you could get an idea of who you are praying for! Really sorry to hear about your miscarriage and the other sad things happening within your family. i will pray for you and your mum at this difficult time.

Good evening everyone else!

I have an update on the 2 friends who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer. The Ministers son has had some good news in that his tumour is shrinking well and he is now undergoing the final stages of his treatment. He is really trying to remain positive and I know he appreciates everyones prayers. My friends mum has had some not so good news. The tumour she had removed has some cancerous cells in the outer wall which means her bowel has some cancer remaining. She is now going to have the lower part of her bowel and rectum removed which will leave her with a permanent colostomy bag. The good news is that this is expected to completely remove the cancer.

Your continued prayers for both of these friends would be much appreciated.

I am still feeling really updbeat and very much enjoying life. I have a trip to the Zoo planned this week then a party to organise for DS2's 3rd birthday for Saturday 14th - prayers for strentgh and calmness for this task would be good as it is events like this that have triggered panic attacks for me in the past.

Well, off for a cup of tea now and then had better do some ironing so I have something to wear for work tomorrow!!

God Bless to Everyone.
xxx

[mumtogusnalbie]

oops - sorry obviously that should have been CD at the very start of my thread!!

[CaptainDippy]

Don't worry about it, MTGAA! praying for strength and calm as you embark on this busy time ....

Thank you for the update on the two people with cancer - wonderful news about your Minister's son and for the lady from your church too - I am pleased they feel they can get rid of the cancer. about having the permenant colostomy bag though; but she will adapt - My mum has had a colostomy bag for 35ish yrs now after having bowel and rectal cancer in her 20's and she leads a v.active, normal life. There are loads of support groups out there for "Bag People" too!

[longwaytogoandabitfurther]

ok mary i now have an email add. As dh has our computer I don't have your email address unless I trawl through past threads. So here goes kath dot harry at hotmail.com

[CaptainDippy]

Hi LWTG! How has today been hon??

[longwaytogoandabitfurther]

Hi cd has got better as day has gone on, so didn't want to be in work though which is not like me at all. Just feel totally overwhelmed, tired, worried about the future etc

[roseylea]

Oh well, our ex-pastor left a whiile ago and for some reason I'm feeling pretty low now. He is such a good person (the pastor) and so thoughtful and part of me thinks why? Why did we leave? THis evening we didn't go into all of the ins and outs of our decision-making but dh said that he didn't feel sufficiently convinced about the necessity of adult baptism to be re-baptised, and therefore we could never become part of the church, (we weren't allowed to take communion), just Sunday-morning attendees. And we wanted more out of church than that.

It just feels like a chapter in our lives closing. Which makes me feel a bit blue. I also feel a bit guilty about letting the pastor down by leaving the Baptist church. Oh well. I famous for my guilt! He thought that we'd stopped going to church, so he was pleased to hear that we are going somewhere, and he didn't say a single bad word about the new church (they are a fair bit different really). And he said "You must come back and visit etc etc", which was lovely. So it went well but left me feeling very flat. Maybe it just brought back all the heartache of the decision-making process to leave (iyswim).

Anyway! Post-match analysis over!

[CaptainDippy]

Understandably so, sweetheart. Glad the day has improved though - Am praying hard .....

[CaptainDippy]

//[[hugs]] Rosey sweetie - glad the "match" is over now though so you can get closure .....

[fannyannie]

well I just wanted to say thankyou for all your prayers in recent months about work. Finally made it through my last night (Sunday night) and now have the joy of 10 months at home with my DS's - 2 months (give or take a week or so) with the 2 of them, then 8 months with 3 . As I left work this morning I felt a 'weight' lift of my shoulders so feeling good .

Now just need to hope that DC3 turns head down and STAYS there - he doesn't seem to know which way to stay at the moment - been getting kicks left, right, centre, up and down LOL.

Got a really hectic week ahead - which thankfully will be made slightly easier with DH being on Annual Leave this week.

Tomorrow I have to go to town and post some ebay stuff then go and have my 28 week bloods taken (bit of a here as I'm 31 weeks tomorrow LOL). Then want to try and get a HUGE amount of stuff ready to launch on ebay. - Did quite well with some job lots of old sheet music at the weekend and would like to get some more of it turned into ££'s.

Wednesday I've got my Doula coming at 11am, the vicar is coming over at 2pm to do the hymns, I've got choir practice in the evening. Then thursday evening I've we've got our Agape meal at church - it's a 3 course meal (with food provided by those that are coming) with the communion service in between courses (bit like the Last Supper) - very informal though and some of my close friends from church (that are more my age) are going to be there this year so it'll be a nice chance to relax (in between playing the hymns LOL).

Friday afternoon we have an hours meditation and hymns in the church (which I'm playing for) and then of course Sunday is Easter Day.

[bobsmum]

Just droppin in cos I see everyone's online atm!!!

Am in the midst of a 3 week long stint of sinusitis which is really getting me down. Massive painkillers are making me drop off at every opportunity much to ds' amusement. I'm on stronger antibiotics now for a 10 day course, but I still feel pretty grim. Prayer for getting rid of this once and for all would be great.

Finances were looking grim too, but God has provided a bonus from dh's previous job, which in earthly terms he really shouldn't have got - v out of the blue! So this month should be a little healthier.

Ds could do with some prayer for his ongoing behavioural issues (whatever they are!). Me and dh have another appt with the Ed Psych after the Easter break. I'm hoping she'll have seen the real him this time rather than taking as gospel what the nursery have said about him. They're pushing for a dx (probably AS) but he has nowhere near enough "symptoms" for that to be the case IMO.

We might get central heating by the end of this year!! A plumber contacted us which is bizarre, but then God's ways are atm.

And just as a final thanksgiving, ds has learned the enireity of Psalm 139 off by heart (well the version in his children's Bible) and I was filling up listening to him read it to himself. He can recite things after hearing them once...hang on....thought I was trying to rule out AS

Anyway - sorry I'm so pants at keeping up with you guys, but I do appreciate your "presence" on here IYSWIM.

Having a passover meal with friends on Wednesday which should be good. we're going to try to morph it into communion, but I'm not sure how that'll work tbh.

[CaptainDippy]

Wow FA - You are busy .... praying for some R&R in there too sweetie!!

Hello BM!!! > So that you're suffering atm, hon - praying symptoms will relieve soon. //[[hugs] Continuing to prayer for DS and for finances and heating (would be nice!! ) Loads of //[[hugs] to you and your gorgeous family.

Ow!! HUGE pushes from baby ....