MN Christian Prayer Request Thread - May God Bless us all as we hurtle into 2011 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

[CaptainDippy]

Hello! Thought today would be a good & apt day to start a new thread

Let's hope it is an Exciting and Blessed year of New Beginnings for us all

Here's the summary from the last thread:

katsh - Prayers for her brother who's marriage has just ended rather traumatically He and his ex are sharing their children 50:50 at the moment and will be starting court proceedings for access etc very soon. They really need your prayers.

MadHairDay - Prayers needed for her friend's DD who is currently in a very bad way with Anorexia. Her organs are shutting down & she is being tube-fed Prayers also needed for other friend's and their DS who has just had a DX of Leukemia ; and for MHD's DF who's husband has just left her This is going to be such a tough year for them, hold them all closely, Lord. Praise though for recent favourable results for MHD's recent lung capacity etc tests

TeaandCakePlease - Her DF who has had a recent DX of breast cancer (which has spread to her lymph nodes) has just had her 1st course of Chemo. She needs prayers for the hard times ahead, as do her family. Prayers also needed for her friend's DS, William who has special needs, he has just come out of hospital where he was having brain seizures every 20 mins. He is home now with special meds.

JaffaCakeAddict - Did your pregnant friend who was snowed-in have her baby safely???? ....and did your sis and family make it home for Christmas!!?

LoveBeingaDaddysGirl - Lost her father at the end of November and suffered a m/c at the beginning of Dec. Such a hard time for LBADG and her family. Hold them close, Lord.

M44 - Prayers for her poor DS whose Eczema is being terribly exacerbated by the weather at the moment

MaryBS - Her BIL has been DX with a secondary brain tumour and will now require special care at home. Prayers for him and for his wife whose health hasn't been too good recently either. These are such hard time for them both. Prayers also needed for Mary's knee which recently collapsed and is causing Mary a lot of pain and discomfort; and for Mary's DD's friend who is currently in an Eating Disorder's Clinic, she is only 11

TotallyUnheardOf - Prayers for her as she seeks to find a church to attend where she lives; and for a more positive attitude to her faith from those around her. Praise for friends who has recently had a BFP after commencing fertility treatment

CaptainCaveman - Her DH has been acquitted of misconduct at work He is now looking for another job, so prayers for success in this would be great

WisteriaWoman - Prayers for family, especially her mum as they settle her father who has Dementia into a care home.

amber - Will need an op in Jan 2011 after the results of scary tests, which she bravely undertook a couple of weeks ago. Prayers for her friend's DS who is in hospital with bad Flu - how is he doing??

Caz&Belle - Has got through her 1st Christmas since losing Belle; but still awaits results of DH's lumbar puncture and finding out what is causing his poor health.

TooBlessed - Hoping that TooBlessed got to Zimbabwe with her family and has had a wonderful time with them

gingercurl - Prayers for her friend and her DF who have been the targets of some appalling behaviour, which has meant the DS has had to move schools. Prayers for 2011 to be a much better year for them.

DutchOma - Has Bob home after a hospital and rest home stay He is doing well and making progress.

JentlyDoesIt - Really needs our prayers at this time as her DH has been taken to start a 6 year prison sentence following a guilty verdict in court just before Christmas. Jently is understandably devastated and is struggling. Uphold her during these dark times, Lord.

BoxofDelights - Posted the following: ". To cut a long and complex story short, a couple of years ago I had a miscarriage and the aftermath of this revealed various problems with (longterm) relationship and it ended. The emotional fallout also led me to confront issues of abuse in my childhood by family members (which I had been trying to cope with, put to one side and hide)which happened for many years." She has cut ties with her family and a lot of her friends as a result of difficult circumstances and is so wanting 2011 to be a year of reconciliation and renewal; and we join her in these prayers

PositiveAttitude - Is finally feeling better for the 1st time since July - Yippee!! Prayers for a continued fantastic recovery

mufti -'s old Pastor died on 28.12.2010. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Prayers especially for his family at this time.

Last, but by no means least - Praise for the safe arrival of Saliswan's DS Thomas on 17.12.2010, weighing 7lb 8oz at 37 weeks - Hurrah!!

Think that is all - but please fill in where I have missed out - and GET PRAYING!!!!

May 2011 be a year of Renewal, Healing & Blessing for us all; and all our friends, families - and enemies too!!

i have started a thread in potty training re ds, if anyone would like a read,or advise/pray , anything really!
its getting us all down, and getting worse.

I've read your thread and bumped it for you. That sounds hard, praying for him x

Mufti - Just a thought but is it possible he could be doing it for any other reason? A friend's child was doing something similar and it turned out that he was being bullied. Once the bullying was sorted out he stopped immediately.

there have been a couple of little? things. eg a friend throwing his hat on ground,its hard to not be there for him all the time like i used to be, i just told him to tell the teacher. another lad has ben mentioned a couple of times, at this age too, its just horrid.

about your friend's DD MHD - prayers. Do update on gran when you know more ...

Sooo tired, glad smalls are in bed now ....

Prayers for all, and some good news.

Having been ill all week, I decided I couldn't face the thought of going somewhere new where people might [horror! ] talk to me and stuff (I am better, but not 100% yet), so I went back to the cathedral today. Didn't put pressure on the dds but said that I'd like it very much if they'd come, and dd2(8) agreed to come. To cut a long story short... she loved it. Went to Junior Church which was reasonably well attended (20 or so kids?) and has asked to go back next week. She's a bit embarrassed by the fact that they've got the wrong end of the stick about our time in the US (they asked if we were just there as a one-off - as there was a baptism today - and I said 'no' but that we'd been living abroad for a while (which seemed easier than telling someone I'd never met before that we've only recently (re-)started going to church and blah blah...) and now they seem to have got the idea that dd2 has lived abroad all her life... But hey ho... not the end of the world. Feel very happy with how today has gone so far! Thanks for prayers, ladies.

So glad dd enjoyed it TUO, sounds like it could be a good place for you?

dh is taking dd up to see his Gran this afternoon. She's still very much the same but staff are saying it probably won't be long. dd very much needs to see her I think.

Friends dd stil pulling out the tube at every opportunity and needs restraining to put it back in :( She doesn't seem to see that this will keep happening - she thinks they will give up. She just can't see what is happening. It is so awful. Wish I knew how to help my friend more. She is finding help in her fledgling faith, please pray God will strengthen this within her. I feel like there is a real battle going on around the whole thing. Her dd is mentioning death a lot and saying she wants to die. Please please will you join me in prayer for her that we see breakthrough here soon. Thankyou.

Praying hard for your friend and her DD mad

more prayers. Not very full of words at the moment...

Confession time. My final assignment on this OU course is due in on Thursday and I haven't even begun it

I feel directionless and dispirited. This was supposed to be the first step on my plan to train to work with Pre-schoolers but then I discovered I cannot do the next course unless I have 12 months part time experience with Pre Schoolers or 6 months full time and I realised I wouldn't be able to do the next course until Sept 2012 as by then DS will be in Pre School and DD in school and then I lost all motivation for this course and now I cannot find it again

Please pray for me, I know this isn't a massive prayer or as important as some but I often give up on things and never finish them and I thought I'd changed but now I've realised I'm doing it again

TACP What is the assignment? I'm very good at proof reading if you need it? I'm also bizarely good at fact finding and I know people who work within childcare who are currently in the processes of doing courses that I could contact for you if you wish. I pray that you find direction soon though.

Mad Praying for you and your friends and her DD.

Nowt much going on with us, DH has an interview on Thursday for a new job so a prayer or two for that would be good. It would help us financially a little bit. But we're trying to be wise with it all at the moment.

Praying for you all.

Hello all,
NHD, prayers aplenty for your friend and her DD, how very :( for all.

Oma - many prayers and hugs for you, I think the idea of having space to think "what if" is very true.

Hello and prayers for everyone else.

Well, HE RANG :o :o and I have a visit booked for Wednesday! We had a bit of a rough patch this week, with him saying he didn't want to phone or write any more as it was too hard, but he called his dad who managed to talk him round. I love him so much, this is all so utterly unfair :(

Off to write him a letter which I hope he gets before the visit...

xx

Praying for all.

I've nearly finished the "When Kids Press your Buttons" book that DutchOma (I think) mentioned on the last thread. I'm finding it thought provoking reading and hoping I can learn from it. Would appreciate prayers that some of it will stick and I can learn to step back from situations with the boys and stop screaming at them!

TACP - please don't give up on your course, speak to your tutor , that's what they're there for. I'm sure you can negotiate an extension. (From my experience OU tutors are lovely people and v v supportive). You'll be so proud of yourself when you complete your assignment and the kids will be so proud of you. You may not be able to do things as you originally planned but maybe its all the for the best. Just be patient - things tend to work themselves out.

Jently - hope all goes well on Wednesday. I went through something similar a few years ago before DD. Prison visiting is tricky - it's so great seeing your loved one, then so tricky saying goodbye. Make sure you've got someone to support YOU after the visit - if possible can someone go with you. Of course we will all be here for you.

Box - hope you're ok - have been thinking of you lots over the Xmas /NY period.

Finally thanks Captn for mentioning my dear dad on your prayer list. I so appreciate your prayers and thoughts. My dad still hates the care home and everyone time we visit he sobs when we leave. It's awful / heartbreaking but it is the best place for him as he has so many needs.

WW

PS hope everyone's heard the beautiful readings from the King James Bible on Radio 4 today. Lovely. Should be able to find them on Iplayer if you've missed it.

Night nigh all

Prayers for all - wasn't around much last week so just trying to catch up now!

Jently - so glad you've heard from your DH. Prayers for continued strength for you both.

MHD - many, many prayers for your friend's daughter. What a very desperate situation - I pray that she will realise very soon how much people love and value her, and in realising this she will allow people to help her.

TACP - what WW said! I for one know how difficult it is to study around children, but it CAN be done and you will be so pleased with yourself when you manage it :) Keep at it - you can do it!

A final request / question from me - one of my NY resolutions is to try to keep a prayer journal. My prayer life is very erratic and I really want to be in the habit of beginning each day by focusing on God and sensing him at work in me. I'm finding it very difficult though, and wondered if anyone else kept a journal? If so, what do you put in it / how do you go about using it to pray? (I wasn't sure if I should ask this here or start a new thread - would anyone be interested in or willing to share their own prayer journal with me?) I feel a little bit directionless at the moment but am hoping that as I go along a 'shape' will begin to appear!

Praying as I read through.

MrsCad - Re prayer journals. I used to keep a prayer journal and it was brilliant. I have to admit it has slipped over the past year, so should go back to it. I think that everyone's is different and It does evolve as you go along. I started each day with putting the date (I know that sounds basic, but you can then track when prayers are answered). I would jot down any new prayer requests, any updates on old requests, any verses that had spoken to me, or into any situation. I might stick in pictures that have moved me. I write down thoughts about God, about life and anything really. Sometimes I just have a line or 2, other days I seem to fill a page. It is all very random, but it works for me. (well, when I did it ) It is so uplifting to read through and be reminded of God's answers and his love for us.
I must dust off my journal and start again!!

I will be praying for Wednesday for you Jently.

TACP, prayers for you and your course.

MAry Are you feeling better? Prayers for you.

DO I can understand that you feel low when life has been so difficult recently. Prayers for you.

Its great that there are so many people on here now, but sorry for lack of personal messages for everyone.

DD3 came to church again yesterday morning, without even asking! It just seemed assumed (by her) that she would come along.

I struggled with energy levels last week, but that wasnt really surprising as I was back to work after having a few months of doing nothing and feeling ill for the past 5 months. A bit of a mess to sort out at the church after the secretary has tried to "help", but made more of a mess of things, but nothing that wont get sorted. I did say though, that if I am ever off sick again, I will resign!!! Other 2 jobs seem to have been looked after well and not too much of a mess to sort out. Please pray for energy for me as I try to get on top of things this week.

Have3 a good week everyone.

PA thank you, that's helpful! Ultimately I want to use the journal to pray for others but at the moment I find it so difficult to pray, full stop, that I am beginning by trying to simply focus / meditate upon God's presence and trying to achieve a sense of nearness to Him, and hope that the rest will follow. I am jotting down thoughts as I go along, and using the 3 minute retreat online (which I think Mary recommended?) as a starting point for the days prayer.

I hope this is 'right' (and yes, I know there is no such thing as 'right' or 'wrong' in prayer, but I do really want to avoid treating it as some kind of selfish self-improvement exercise, like going on a diet, or something - does that make sense?!). I did have an image in my mind whike praying this morning, of feeling like a toddler just learning to walk. I take a couple of steps, wobble, my legs take me off in the wrong direction, I fall over, I get up, wobble again.... and all the while God is at the other side of the room with his arms open and a loving smile, urging me to try again :)

Anyway.... I do hope your week goes ok, and that your energy levels stay good.

Keeping prayers going.

I don't do a prayer journal, but I do an "Examen" every day - a "hooray" and "boo", where I write out the best and worst things that happened that day/the day before, and then think about where God is in those events and what they might mean for my faith.

Feel oddly calm about tomorrow's operation now, possibly because I was awake so much of the night that I'm too tired to worry any more.

Wonderful stuff about church TUO So pleased your DD enjoyed it

So about your friend's DD MHD. Gosh. I just don't have the words and cannot possibly imagine how it must feel to have to watch your precious child go through this. Am praying so much that she would be healed and that some improvement can be seen ASAP. Heart-breaking xx

Prayers for you as you face another assignment TACP. You are certainly not the only one to get to that "fuck this" () stage with work etc - Especially running a home and a family on top of everything else. I for one have so much admiration for you; and want to encourage you to grasp this opportunity with both hands and just go for it!!! You CAN do it. I just doesn't feel like it at the moment. Speak to your OU tutor about your struggles and reservations and ask for an extension on this piece of work. Finish the piece of work and then start looking for places where you can help to gain the necessary experience that you need. I'm sure there are loads of people on MN doing college / Uni courses and trying to be a mum etc too - So find some of them and have a good whine together. You'll soon feel better, trust me My best friend has just completed her OU course after 7 years and five children (!!!) - she'd be very happy to chat to you if you like? Just let me know and I'll put you in touch Chin up and on with the fight ......

How heart-breaking for you with your dear dad, WW; but he is in the best place for him and so wonderful you can visit and give him lots of love & reassurance. He cries because he loves you all and misses you, no matter how confused he is. xx

Thank you so much for prayers for L's dd. Still taking out the tube all she can. I don't know how L keeps going with her dd saying she'd prefer to die. :( I really appreciate you joining me in prayers - it is a desperate situation and I feel like we're right on the edge. Come on God! :)

MrsC, I keep a prayer journal. I am so random and disorganised that I need it to keep me on the level a bit! I use it for all sorts - write down bible verses, poems, prayer lists (have a list which goes through praying for different people and situations different days of the week, some for every day). Mainly I write out my prayers so it is a bit stream of consciousness-to-God stuff. I love looking back and never fail to see answered prayer about so much stuff, sometimes you forget the small stuff and journalling helps with that. highly recommend it!

WW I am so sad for you about your dear dad. I'm sure he can sense how much you love him.

dh took dd to see his Gran to say 'goodbye' yesterday. She was very subdued about it but I think it was right for her.

Survived the gastroscopy this morning, although it was a little traumatic at the time - next time (if there ever is one) I'll take the sedative! Still, by not being sedated it was all over and done with in 5 mins...

Oh yes I've had one of those, they sedated me but started sticking the tube down when it hadn't taken effect and I kept wretching. Yuck! You poor thing

Prayers today especially for Amber, please.

Praying for Amber... God go with you and bring healing, today and always...

Praying for Amber.

Just had a great day retreat with dh. we've got to start looking for jobs as the curacy will reach 3 yrs in June. Had a real sense of leaving it in God's hands and that God has plenty to do where we are still and to concentrate on that, not be distracted with the new stuff - for now. Feel incredibly peaceful. There is a lovely 24/7 house of prayer near here and when you walk in it's like being soaked in God's presence. And we got to spend the day there. So awesome. Feel full of vision now about what we are doing right here, right now. Praise God :)