New beginnings: a Christian prayer thread for summer

[Tuo]

I have called this thread 'new beginnings', as it felt appropriate to lots of us at the moment, in a whole series of ways.

Since I started our last thread, back in April, we have welcomed Abigail Faith, daughter of HadALittleFaithBaby, and Hannah Faith, daughter of RoomForALittleOne. We thank God for their safe arrival and pray that He will watch over them and surround them with His love as they grow.

We pray for Kaykat and for CharlotteCollinsismovingon as they deal with the breakdown of their marriages. We pray not only for Kay, but also for her friend who has been providing her with excellent support and legal advice, for a clear way forward and a swift resolution. We pray for a clear and positive way forward also for Charlotte, and for her children to cope with this change in their lives with understanding and resilience.

We pray for PositiveAttitude as she settles back into life in the UK, and prepares for a period away from her DH and DD4. We pray, in particular, for her DD1, that she find a job in which she will feel supported and which will help her to feel happier and better able to cope with life. We also pray for happiness for PA's DD3, who has just got married, and for her DS in his new job. Finally we pray for the work of her DH in Cambodia, praying that the separation is bearable and that he continues to be able to make a real difference to people's lives over there.

We pray for BlueTinkerbell as she moves to a new home, looks for work, and continues to explore her vocation. May this move be a really positive new beginning for Blue and her family.

Likewise, we pray for niminypiminy who will begin ordination training in September.

And we pray for my church and diocese in the aftermath of some major structural changes. This is a new beginning that was imposed rather than chosen, but may it bring positive developments nonetheless.

We pray also for:

... amberlight, for her work raising awareness of autism in churches, and for this work to be welcomed and valued, rather than greeted with incomprehension, far less hostility;

... BlackEyedSusan, for all the many things which she has to juggle in her life as a single parent; in particular, we pray for her mum's health, for peaceful and restorative holidays, for order in her flat and with her paperwork, and for her DC; we pray especially that they both receive the support that they need from their school;

... BoxOfDelights, for her to receive a clear diagnosis and suitable treatment for her eye problem very soon;

... Don'tsteponthemomeraths, that her DS is able to access the support he needs and is valued and nurtured at school; for better support also for her DD; for better relationships at work; and for her nephew, who has suffered a burst appendix;

... DutchOma and Bob, for health for Bob and for good support (moral and practical) for Oma as she cares for him day by day; and for the ability to rest and breathe easily in this heat;

...JakeBullet as she deals with her uncle's ill-health and decision to move back to his native Switzerland. May he be well cared-for and peaceful there, and may Jake not miss him too much;

... MadHairDay, for health as she lives with chronic illness, and for strength as she mourns the death of a friend; we remember also MHD's friend and all who knew and loved her at this time;

We also pray for friends who haven't been around for a while... for Badvoc, for Gingercurl and her thesis, for Jan and her DD, for MaryBS, and for all those who lurk, for occasional visitors, and for those known to us who are in need of prayer, whether mentioned here or not.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

[Dutchoma]

I have never seen the inside of a rocking chair either PA. And I give you a few years. Congratulations.
We are doing better this morning. We both slept better and feel brighter this morning. I'm having a new computer, so will be without for a bit.

[BlackeyedSusan]

congratulations pa.

oh dear. dd has had her third nose bleed in 36 hours. i may have been a little upset at the caretaker making comments about being late today... we were only just in the gate before it shut, having dealt with said nose bleed.

[BlackeyedSusan]

actually, come to think of it... i have a rocking chair, a fleecy blanket throw... not much hope!

[cloutiedumpling]

Oh Congratulations PA. Hope DD3 isn't feeling too rough.

My Mum has a rocking chair. Dad made it for her when she was pregnant with my DSis. I've always wanted one but we just don't have space in our tiny house. Even our sofa has built in storage.

[madhairday]

Congratulations PA and PAs DD3! :) How are you feeling now it has sunk in a bit?

I have a rocking chair, I love it, we bought it when dd was born for 'nursing at night' (yeh right) ;)

Haven't heard from dd since yesterday, so trying to assume she is having a fabulous time and forgotten all about it.

[PositiveAttitude]

Thanks for the congratulations. Please pray for DD3, unfortunately she is taking after her mother and is throwing up everywhere and anywhere constantly! She is looking so ill, poor thing. Her new DH is being wonderful with her, but what a start to married life!!

DD1 has a job interview on Friday. Please, please pray that she gets this job. She so needs this.

We only have 5 days before DH goes back to Cambodia.

[KeepTheFaithBaby]

W

[Bluetinkerbell]

Congratulations PA and DD. Hope the sickness eases soon.
I have an interview tomorrow so prayers would be appreciated

[KeepTheFaithBaby]

Wonderful news about the pregnancy PA! I recommend sucking on ice lollies. I got pregnant in August and had bad MS. Praying for DD1 and the job interview! Also for your DH's preparation to return.

Glad to hear Bob felt better DO. Praying he remains cool in this heat.

Praying your DS enjoys her trip and can shake off these unpleasant girls Mhd.

We are pottering along. Very warm baby, working to keep her cool! Currently snoozing though :)

[Tuo]

Oooh! PA! How very exciting! Praying for your DD3 to have as trouble-free a pregnancy as possible. Is pregnancy likely to exacerbate her previous condition? I am really praying that she is able to stay well. Also praying for your DD1's interview, and for you and DH as you enjoy these last few days together. It will be hard when he goes back, for sure, but keep telling yourself that it is not for long. And, well, in the circumstances perhaps it's just as well that you are there for DD3!

Praying for Blue's interview tomorrow too.

Thanking God for a better night for Oma and Bob. Praying that you sleep well tonight, and both stay well.

And continuing to pray for MHD's DD. Praying that she is having lots of fun on her trip, is well supported with friends around her, and is able to put that nasty girl right out of her mind. Also praying for you MHD as you prepare your seminar. Hope that's going well.

Continuing to pray for Faith and Room with their new (and new-ish) babies. Praying you're managing to keep them cool and to get some sleep in this heat.

And also for Kay and Charlotte, for BoxOfDelights, for BES, for cloutie, and for all who pass through here.

[RoomForALittleOne]

Apparently it's growth spurt time

[BlackeyedSusan]

oh dear. there is a lot of shouting going on. hopefully the weetabix will hit his system soon... ds still has growth spurts here he is constantly hungry. costs me lot of money in school unifom as he suddenly grows out of trousers!

[DontstepontheMomeRaths]

The more I work with this person, the quieter I'm becoming for an easy life and the more confidence I'm loosing as she belittles me so much. I'm ten years older and had my first job when she wasn't even in senior school yet. I'm not stupid. And yet I'm finding myself starting to feel that way. Please pray for me.

[madhairday]

Praying, Mome - that sounds really, really hard - is there anyone else at work who sees what is happening and can support you?

Thanks for the prayers for dd. Got a very giggly phone call today with her and a friend bellowing down the phone at me - all I could make out was that they were at the beach and having an awesome time, so I take it she's managed to move on ok from the horrible texts. So very relieved and thanking God.

TUO thanks, the seminar is nearly ready, just a few bits to trim and tidy up and then try and commit it to some kind of memory. It's a bit too long atm...

Praying for you all, for babies in this heat, for PAs dd3. Hope Bob is doing ok in the heat Oma.

[PositiveAttitude]

Hello all,

Mome praying for you in this horrible work situation.

MHD so pleased that DD is happy again.

DD3 is wondering about the wisdom of pregnancy and wondering why people do it more than once in a lifetime! Tuo - yes, M.E. and pregnancy are not a good combination, but we are hoping that she will be ok. Her improvement over the past few years has been good, so hopefully she wont go too far backwards. Her Dh is brilliant and I plan to help out too, with filling their freezer with home cooked meals and popping in to do housework for her etc. She will be fine - she is a very determined stubborn young lady!
DD1 has an interview today - please pray for her to get this one.

I am really enjoying this pleasantly warm weather! I am finding cool but very enjoyable, especially at the beach yesterday.

[SESthebrave]

Just grabbing 5 mins to read through & pray.

PA - congrats to your DD3 :)
Prayers for her, her new DH and a smooth pregnancy.

MHD - prayers for your DD. I hope she manages to enjoy her residential trip.

I need to get ready for work now but prayers for all on this thread - for health, relationships, families and above all that the one true God will hold us all in his loving care, that we may follow the example given us by Christ and for the gift of the Spirit to guide us.

[PositiveAttitude]

Hi SES

I meant to say earlier - please pray for us as we have had some people at our church talking behind our backs about our plans and disapproving of what we will be doing next year. I wish they would come and speak to us directly, then we would explain everything and if they disagreed then, well, that's their prerogative, but without all the facts, how cant they decide what is right and what is wrong for US? We had prayed yesterday for a final confirmation that we were doing what God wants and we got it - with bells on!!!!
I sort of feel the need to convince everyone, but on the other hand I feel "Why??" - however much they question, we will never doubt and will follow God and what He has asked of us. God does not ask everyone to do the same. But I don't like people doubting our sanity/spirituality etc......

[Bluetinkerbell]

had a job interview yesterday and got offered the job

[Dutchoma]

Blue Halleluhah.
PA how are you feeling about cutting loose from your church? Then they can talk all they like about you behind your back, but it wouldn't matter.

[cloutiedumpling]

Lurking and praying, praying and lurking. Actually I'm skiving. It is DS2's birthday party tomorrow and I should be getting stuff ready instead of being online. Slightly nervous about having lots of children I don't know in the house. More than one person has told me I'm brave or mad!

SES wrote "prayers for all on this thread - for health, relationships, families and above all that the one true God will hold us all in his loving care, that we may follow the example given us by Christ and for the gift of the Spirit to guide us." Amen to that.

[BlackeyedSusan]

"I am really enjoying this pleasantly warm weather! I am finding cool but very enjoyable, especially at the beach yesterday."

this has made me

it hsa been an emotional day. I lost and found quite a lot of money. please pray blessings onto the lovely lady who ent to aquite a bit of trouble to get it back to me.

[AdmiralData]

Hello all! I am new to my local Church having finally given in the the calling I've felt for some time now. My DS 4months and I are due to have a double baptism in August. I devote my time to taking care of my son and my parents who are quite ill, I also contribute to the community and charities whenever I can. I'd really appreciate your prayers to give me strength and extra faith :)
It's really inspiring for me to read others stories on here, I wish you all the best x

[BlackeyedSusan]

inspired? more a terrible warning [hormonal]


sorry to hear about your parents.

[AdmiralData]

Thank you Black, my Dad is living with me and will be fine (God willing) but my mum is battling a demon, goes by the name Al Cohol :s I find a quote from Matthew 28:20 very strengthening, 'and surely I am with you always'. :)

[Tuo]

Hello and welcome Admiral. It's good to 'see' you here. Praying for you as you prepare for baptism, for your DS too, and for your parents. That must be very hard with your mum - hard to know how you can help her, I mean.

Praying for you BES - even though you got your money back I bet you're still feeling the stress from when you thought you'd lost it. Praying, too, for you the kind person who got it back to you.

MHD - so good to hear that your DD is happy and having a good time, praying for it to continue and for her to make good friends who will support her and stand by her against the bullies.

PA - praying for you to feel sure in your decisions about the coming year. You know that your decision is the right one for you and your family and also for the work that you have been doing in Cambodia. What anyone external to the situation thinks or doesn't think is no-one's business. Praying for DD3 to stay as well and as strong as she can, and for DD1 to find a great job where she'll be happy.

Lovely to see you, SES and also Cloutie. Praying for your DS2's birthday party, Cloutie... I'm sure it'll be a great success. You're neither brave nor mad... it'll be great!

Prayers also for all lurkers and visitors and for those known to us who need our prayers.