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A new Christian prayer thread for Autumn and Advent... All welcome!

589 replies

Tuo · 06/11/2013 00:03

Starting a new thread as we head from Autumn into Winter... This is a safe and supportive place of prayer, where regulars, occasional visitors and lurkers, committed Christians and those just dipping a toe into the water are all equally welcome. Come and leave a prayer, tell us what’s going on in your life, bring your worries, hopes, fears and joys to God, and know that you will be prayed for.

We pray, in particular, for...

... amberlight, for her work raising awareness of autism in churches, and for her to know love and acceptance wherever she goes;

... Badvoc and her family, as they grieve the loss of her dad; we pray too for her aunt, who’s very ill, and for all those affected by the death of Badvoc’s uncle who was estranged from the rest of the family;

... 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 and for BES to know how best to help and support her, for strength to deal with her DS’s meltdowns, and for both her DC to receive the support that they need at school;

... Bluetinkerbell, in her new job and as she explores her vocation;

... bountyicecream, who is in a very difficult relationship situation and needs our prayers – may she find strength and support and self-belief;

... CharlotteCollinsisinherownplace, giving thanks that she has had the strength to get out of an emotionally abusive relationship, and praying for a happy future for her and for her DC;

... cloutiedumpling, thanking God that her DS doesn’t need surgery, and praying for his continued good health;

... Don'tsteponthemomeraths, for her niece, little Grace, born prematurely – may she continue to grow in strength; also for Mome’s health, and in particular her persistent headaches – may they turn out to be easily treatable; and for Mome’s DS to receive the support he needs at school;

... DutchOma and Bob, for health for Bob and for good support (moral and practical) for Oma as she cares for him day by day; for Oma’s eyes – giving thanks for good sight in the one already treated, and praying for the one still to be done;

... EasyCompadre, for a healthy pregnancy, and for the strength to do what she needs to do for her business while waiting to meet her baby;

... fluffyduckie, that her terminally ill relative is well looked-after and as well as is possible in the circumstances, without too much pain; and that fluffy find a church where she feels comfortable and where she finds a supportive community to sustain her faith;

... FriendOfDorothy, grieving for the loss of her mum – may she know love and support at this difficult time;

... Gingercurl, for the successful completion and examination of her thesis; for strength and discernment for A; for Ginger’s nephew, who has health concerns and is suffering bullying – may he know health and strength and love; and for Ginger’s MIL who has been diagnosed with cancer;

... HadALittleFaith, for her to feel happier now that she has been prescribed anti-depressants; for rest and peace of mind; and for her to find a church where she feels comfortable and welcomed;

... JugglingFromHereToThere, for a job which interests and fulfils her, and for peace and love in her immediate and broader family;

... Kaykat, as she continues to deal with the breakdown of her marriage, giving thanks for the support she has already received and the strength which she has found, and praying that she is soon settled in her own home with her DS;

... LollipopViolet, as she mourns her grandad, and as she explores her faith;

... MadHairDay, for health as she lives with chronic illness - may she be well enough to spend this Christmas at home with her family and not in hospital; praying too for health and love and friendship for MHD’s DD;

... MaryBS, for her work as a Reader, for her DS, and for her friend who was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer;

... niminypiminy, as she begins ordination training; and praying also for her mum’s health, following a recent fall;

... PositiveAttitude and her family; in particular for her parents’ health and for PA and her sister as they take care of them; for her DD1, thanking God that her depression has lifted and that she is enjoying university, and praying for a job for her; for her DD3 who is pregnant, due in February – may she have a trouble-free pregnancy and birth and may she know the joy of being a mother; praying also for PA as her DD3’s pregnancy brings to her mind her DD, Emma, sadly born too soon; and for her DS who is struggling with settling back in the UK, for his studies and for a job for him; and finally praying for PA’s DH and DD4 in Cambodia – may they stay safe and well;

... RoomForALittleOne, for the whole family as her DH embarks on an exciting new curacy placement;

... tunnocksteacake and family, as they cope with Mr Tunnocks’ illness; and

... youretoastmildred, for her friend, R, for a swift recovery from her operation.

We pray also for more occasional visitors and those we haven’t seen for a while: for BoxOfDelights, for thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts, for JakeBullet, for jan and her DD, for notquiteagrownup, for SES, for Soozi, and for weegiemum. And we pray for those who read and pray but don’t post, for those who need our prayers but are afraid or too uncertain to post them, and for all those known to us in our own lives who need God’s love.

Calm us, O Lord, as You stilled the storm.
Still us, O Lord, keep us from harm.
Let all the tumult within us cease.
Enfold us, Lord, in Your peace. Amen

OP posts:
bellsringingoutforMadHairDay · 05/12/2013 10:08

Oh DO, praying for Jo and her family, there are no words :( Praying for you and Bob too.

BA, don't be too hard on yourself. we all have moments we wish we could go back and change but the thing is you did give her the comfort she needed when you realised and you were probably just in a moment of shock, we never know how we'd behave, I have screamed at ds before for nearly getting running over by running into the road, when he was v upset and just needed cuddles. It's not easy - take heart. And thanks for your prayers.

BES - hope ds ok today and hope you are ok, praying for you.

Have prayed through the situations as I have read through.

I feel OK today....one day at a time.

BlackeyedSusan · 05/12/2013 10:30

well he is at school. [tchsmile] i got a shoe thrown at me but he hs gone.

RoomForALittleOne · 05/12/2013 14:41

Quick update from me: DD3's sleep is improving to an acceptable level (without any bottles or food in sight Xmas Smile). We are off to get her 8 week jabs this afternoon. She is 22 weeks Xmas Blush Prayers that we both cope well appreciated.

SunshineMMum · 05/12/2013 15:56

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BlessedAssurance · 05/12/2013 15:56

Thank you so much everyone. I feel better and juggling i like that God is a God of surprises and delight. Which brings to mind the verse delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your own heartthank you for riminding me.
DO you put into words what i could not express myself.I was so shocked by that fall that i just needed someone to blame in case it turned out to be horrible. She got the blame. My first thought was why did you try to do the one thing that i have forbidden you to do hundred times, then came the thought what am i going to tell DH? That our child hurt herself and i was not watching? I think when i did not see blood that's when i started shouting because i knew she would be ok. I still hate that i shouted. 2minutes later she was watching some kids programme and i kept asking if she was ok. Turned out the sound of hitting the floor was worse than the actual fall.

BlessedAssurance · 05/12/2013 16:12

DO i read your post and Smile at your DS having a playdate with the police. Then the smile left when i continued reading. Dear Lord!!Jo's family and herself. There are no words other than to say we are praying.
sunshine i hear you. Thank you . Regarding your son, only time will tell really. My job is working with kids and i see that some kids manage one thing better than the other. Your darling son might struggle with words and writing, but then again might be very good say in maths. Great that he has been given a place that can help but be of good cheer. Children have a way of surprising their parents, even the world. Don't be surprised to hear one day that your son has managed to break some code and gone into the Pentagon,hacked every database and know all their secrets,then gets a job offer from the FBI..Grin now who is rumbling???

SunshineMMum · 05/12/2013 16:28

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BlackeyedSusan · 05/12/2013 19:43

ds is wild tonight. he has hd all privaledges removed.

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 05/12/2013 21:51

Offering up heartfelt thanks for a perfect job that's landed in my lap. I'm a teacher, but just can't teach while the DCs take so much time and energy. I have been given a TA job, all maths which is my subject, all directed at the kids who most need the intervention, 3 days a week, which is all I can manage right now with DD3 only in nursery 2.5 days.

While I was still trapped in my marriage, I thought I'd be unable to work for years and years. I am so pleased to be able to do something to help people outside my family. I've not worked for 5 years, so this is big regardless of the other circumstances!

NoRoomForALittleOne · 05/12/2013 22:13

I know it's a bit late, but I'm praying for you, BES. We had similar issues in our house. DD1 and DD2 are very tired and poorly behaved. Roll on the Christmas holidays...

BlessedAssurance · 05/12/2013 23:19

charlotte congratulations on your job. Wonderful news.

BananasForTed · 05/12/2013 23:36

I hope its ok to post here.

I was just wanting some support. I am a lp with 2 dcs. They are a real blessing and I would be totally lost without them.

I'm really struggling with my mental health at the moment. My job is causing me a lot of anguish and anxiety and I need to find a new one. I have drifted away from my church and feel like a total hypocrite to go back just because I need help. Just feel a bit lost and don't know where to turn.

BlackeyedSusan · 06/12/2013 00:02

welcome bananas! how old are the dcs?

GoodbyeRubyTuesday · 06/12/2013 07:16

bananas you wouldn't be a hypocrite, please go back to your church if they can help you. They will want to help whether you're an active member or not.

BES I hope you had a peaceful night.

Thinking of and praying for all x

FaithTheVampireSlayer · 06/12/2013 08:56

Oh that's wonderful news Charlotte! It sounds exactly what you need and I expect it will boost your confidence, giving you a renewed sense of self.

Praying bes and Room, difficult time of year with overstimulation.

bananas, please go back to church. I drifted away this year after a very difficult time and depression that followed. However I realised how much I need church in my life. I went back and was welcomed back by my church family. I'm still struggling with my faith but I feel better for being back in church. Do go back - the first time is the hardest!

Dutchoma · 06/12/2013 09:18

Welcome bananas. When yo were in the church was there any one particular person that you became close to? Does it run a mums and tots group? Anything that will provide a way back in that is not the main Sunday service?
I would find that very daunting too, there might be comments of "Hallo stranger" or similar and I would cringe.
Yet, the church is there to support us in our walk with Jesus Christ. It will find it hard to do so (although of course not impossible) if you're not there. Like Faith you probably feel that you want the support, that you are incomplete without it. So, what I'm saying really is, if you find the front door too daunting, see if there is a back door to get into.
And keep talking here, there is wonderful support on this thread.

SunshineMMum · 06/12/2013 11:14

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BlackeyedSusan · 06/12/2013 12:42

oh my gosh. write the date in history. ds went down the stairs without tantrum this morning.

Dutchoma · 06/12/2013 12:55

Miracles will never cease. Grin

revivingshower · 06/12/2013 13:44

Bananas don't forget the story of the prodigal son. Even if you haven't gone as far from God as the son in the story did from the father, He will still be happy you are feeling closer to him and be glad you want to go to church again. I hope all the people there will follow His example.

BananasForTed · 06/12/2013 14:15

Thanks for all the kind replies.

I was feeling so lonely and lost last night. But I almost felt a release after posting on this thread. Today has been a better day, I have managed to clean the house from top to bottom which has made me feel much better. The mess is oppressive and really gets me down. It looks lovely now.
I also had a job interview so hopefully I will get through to the next stage and can get the job. I'm pretty sure my job is what is causing me to feel so low.

I'm going to go back to church on Sunday. My friend has said she will go with me so it makes it a little less daunting. I'm not even sure why I am so worried about going, the people are so lovely and have helped my whole family through some pretty horrendous times. I

My dcs are 5 and 6.

SunshineMMum · 06/12/2013 14:48

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BlessedAssurance · 06/12/2013 17:14

Bananas welcome, you are at the right place in here. Just to add to what has been said already about the prodigal son. Remember in the story when the son finally decides to go back home, his father is the first to notice him coming. We are not told otherwise so assume or would like to believe that his father was on the lookout, hoping that his darling son would come back to him. It is no surprise then that he is warmly welcomed home.I did not think about it that way before but i believe God is always on the lookout, such that when we finally decide to go back, even after having been away for ages, He is just there, watching and waiting and for Him to say finally dear child,welcome home..

It is great that you have a friend who is going to be by your side. The reluctance to go back on your part is understandable. You might be embarrassed, but i believe the lovely people in your church will just be happy to have you back. We are to be there for each other as long as there is a need to be met, for spiritual encouragement and a lot more. This does not only apply if people come to church, nope. We support them especially when they stop coming because many times they leave due to some pressing issues and at times just given up. Praying for you and your children. Praying that you will find another job that is less stressful as well. Sorry for postong so muchGrin.

PositiveAttitude · 06/12/2013 19:56

Lovely to see some new names around here, welcome! Smile

Thank you for your prayers - DD1 has been here for 2 days and all good so far! Wink

I would like some views on something....I had a look for the Christian chat thread, which probably would have been a better place, but I could not find it, so please can I ask here?

Ok, so it is about the Mike Guglielmucci song "healer". (background in a nutshell - famous preacher, lied about having cancer for years, conned lots of people out of lots of money for treatment - then wrote the song "healer" - he had a few "miraculous" healings of the "cancer" then it all came out that he did not have it at all anyway, but was addicted to porn.)
Do your churches use this song?
If they do, do they know the background to it?
Do you feel strongly one way or another about singing this song? Are you prepared to share your thoughts...you can PM me if you would prefer.

I would really appreciate your thoughts - I am not wanting a bunfight, by the way. I will respect everyone's views. Smile (and please will everyone else, too)

wikipedia page about him

Many thanks, I hope no-one minds me asking.

JugglingUnwiselyWithBaubles · 06/12/2013 20:10

I wouldn't really want to sing that song knowing the background to it PA - but then Quakers don't sing in their Meetings anyway. But I think I'd feel there are so many other lovely songs to choose from right through the ages. I think I'd definitely be put off.
But I can respect anyone having a different view - especially if it's a particularly good song which speaks to you and says what you want to say.

Are you considering it for a particular service?

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