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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:
Dutchoma · 20/12/2013 19:38

Thank you all.

RunRunRuby · 20/12/2013 21:01

Dutchoma I don't know your history but even in the short time I've been on the thread, it has been clear how much you love and care for Bob. This is not a failing on your part at all. I hope that the assessment will help the professionals to come up with the most suitable plan for Bob's care.

amber so pleased that Mr Amber has recovered well.

BES oh dear! I hope he feels better soon.

I'm trying to pray for everyone Xmas Smile my faith is a bit up and down hence the trying to pray, you're all in my thoughts anyway!

OComeAllYeFaithFul · 20/12/2013 21:40

Praying through.

Oh DO what you're dealing with is so huge! You have obviously done an amazing job of looking after Bob (or he wouldn't want to stay at home. Seriously my great uncle went into respite for a week while my great aunt went on holiday. He came home for a week then chose to go back to the care home!). It is not that you have failed at all but that the circumstances have changed. The assessment will determine how to best meet his needs. Giving thanks that a bed became available and praying for wisdom as the assessment takes place.

bes I'm so sorry about your neighbour. It must be a terrible shock.

ginger praying for comfort.

amber I'm thankful that it's done, praying for a smooth recovery.

Blessings to all.

niminypiminy · 20/12/2013 22:03

On this stormy night I pray that all will be held and comforted by the God who said 'Be not afraid', and that he will hold us safe in his arms till he brings us home. Oma, what you do, and have done, is amazing. Amber, that is very good news that your DH is recovering.

Praying for all who post here and all those whose needs are known only to themselves and God.

NoRoomForALittleOne · 20/12/2013 23:05

Oma, if nothing else, I pray that you get plenty of uninterrupted sleep and this helps you to clearly see the situation. You have been keeping going through exhaustion for so long that a short break will help.

Tuo · 21/12/2013 00:00

Hello ladies. This is just a very quick message to wish you all a Happy Christmas. I am off to France for a week first thing tomorrow morning, and won't have internet access (much to my children's disgruntlement!) so I will see you after Christmas when I get home. I know I've not been around much recently, but I try to lurk when I can and to pray.

Thinking of everyone on this thread at this special time and praying for blessings on each of us. But I am sure no-one will mind my singling out Oma tonight for special prayers. Oma - as everyone else says - please don't think that you have been anything other than a tower of strength through some hard times. No-one could do more than you do... and it's good that you can maybe get some rest while Bob gets the specialist care that he needs. But of course that's easy to say when you're not the one living through it. So just know that you are not going through this on your own, that our prayers are with you, and that we are thinking of you.

Praying also for MHD to stay out of hospital and enjoy a wonderful Christmas with her family as she so richly deserves. And praying for Amber and Mr Amber - glad the operation went well; you must be relieved. And for BES and her mum, for PA and her family - especially DD3, and for all who visit this thread, whether they post or not. May the thread be a comfort, an inspiration, a source of hope, a light in our darkness...

OP posts:
Dutchoma · 21/12/2013 07:51

Just seen this and I'm in floods...

Thank you dear TUO and everybody else who has posted such messages of encouragement.

I did sleep a nearly full 8 hours.

NoRoomForALittleOne · 21/12/2013 08:04

Brilliant DO! Now I challenge you to do something today that is not for anybody else but just something that you want to do. You constantly do so much for everyone else and now you have a little chance to do something that you'd like to do. And please know that if you are feeling lonely or finding it difficult, I will drive down and bring some children to liven things up for you!

Dutchoma · 21/12/2013 08:39

Oh Room don't tempt me.

NoRoomForALittleOne · 21/12/2013 08:49

If you do want me to, say soon and I'll drive during DD3's nap time xx

thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts · 21/12/2013 08:56

A very minor thing compared to the big stuff on here but prayers that I can find my get up and go which has got up and left...

I still have services to prepare for but after all the school services and nativity plays (which were great) I'm shattered.

bellsringingoutforMadHairDay · 21/12/2013 10:25

Sending all my love Oma - you are a very wonderful lady and do all you can for Bob. I pray for the God of all comfort and peace to be tangibly with you at this time, with Bob too. much love.

Praying for some energy, green!

Praying that TUO has a wonderful week away.

We are doing a big community service this afternoon - 'Bethlehem's Got Talent' - so prayers that it would go well would be great, I'm nervous as I have organised it and hope nothing goes wrong, there is a lot that could!!!

Dutchoma · 21/12/2013 10:26

If you lost something Greenheart: where did you last have it and have you prayed to St Anthony for it Xmas Grin

Dutchoma · 21/12/2013 10:29

I had a visit from my two former neighbours who came as angels from the Lord, to their total surprise.
I also got a bunch of flowers from Bob's sister and brother-in-law, so the day is definitely looking less like bleak midwinter.

Thanks Room, we will manage it, soon

OComeAllYeFaithFul · 21/12/2013 11:53

Oh that's lovely DO!

I have a poorly little girl :( she slept well but when we got her up she'd been really sick and has been sick again this morning. She's napping at the moment and hopefully she'll perk up after that.

Please pray for my neighbours, L and P. He had cancer in his leg surgically removed this year followed by RT. However I found out yesterday it's spread to his brain and they've given him 5-6 months. He's only 68. I can tell his wife is struggling and has lost a lot of weight. They definitely need our prayers!

BlackeyedShepherdswatchsheep · 21/12/2013 13:40

prayers do.

I am worrking my way though mountain of washing. vomit and poo. joy.

on the plus side ds was only sick once and recovered after 8 hours sleep.

NoRoomForALittleOne · 21/12/2013 15:31

BES prayers for speedy recovery and quick drying laundry!

If anybody has any thoughts about DD3's interesting sleep habit then I'd gladly hear them! I need some wisdom from somewhere and keep praying for it. Maybe you can be the answer to my prayers?

amberlight · 21/12/2013 16:10

OComeAllYeFaithful, are they doing cyberknife radiotherapy to the brain? Some local health groups decide not to mention it, because it costs quite a bit. But it has a 80% success rate on tricky cancers. Praying, either way.

OComeAllYeFaithFul · 21/12/2013 17:39

I don't know to be honest - it's another neighbour who told me (her DP is L's cousin). I'll wait and see if it comes up when I see them.

I'm in the same boat bes. 4th load of washing today is on and I've got 2 more to do ideally.

niminypiminy · 21/12/2013 20:29

Head shaking or rolling is quite common - it's a way of self soothing, and I think feels pleasant to the child, a bit like being in a swing. Young children get a lot of pleasure from inner -ear sensations ( it's only adults who find them nausea-making). You only need to worry if she is banging her head. DS1 used to get up on all fours and rock backwards and forwards so violently it would make the cot travel across the room! He still rolls his head every night aged 10 (for the behaviour to persist this long is very unusual and probably connected to his autism).

So nothing to worry about unless it persists - and even then, not in itself worrying.

Kaykat · 22/12/2013 10:01

I am struggling to log on with my phone but reading and praying regularly.

Hugs for you Oma I hope you can get some well earned rest and can do some of the things you normally find difficult but mostly that you won't be lonely.

MHD stay well, keep praying for yourself, not just for others.

I am happy in my new home. There is a CofE church round the corner it looks very popular I am going there for a carol service later.

Totally overwhelmed by everyone who has helped me. A local charity is going to give me a brand new bed before Christmas too it will be lovely having slept on a camping bed for many months.

BlackeyedShepherdswatchsheep · 22/12/2013 10:07

here we go again. ds has been sick agaion. same pattern as dd. we aea not going to my mums until tomoow. please pray that I do not get it as christmas relies on me.

on the plus side. the washing has dried reasonably well. one sheet drped over the indoorslide, one over the toy kitchen some left to air on coathangers hanging off the dolls house and various chairs.

ds manageed to be sick mainly on wet wipe packet and in the box shoved under his chin for the purpose. so not to bad to clear up. thank god.

bellsringingoutforMadHairDay · 22/12/2013 13:55

Kay I am so pleased you are happy and might have found a good new church, let us know how it goes. How is ds?

Do hope all the sick and poorly dc are better soon.

Praying for Faith's friend :(

Room I am trying to think back but I think dd did a lot of this kind of stuff, and she def had a bald spot where she rubbed her head back and forth, she just kind of grew out of it in the end, I guess it is quite normal. Hope you all get some better sleep soon.

Praying for Oma and Bob.

Our community event went so well yesterday - nearly 60 people so we were thrilled - I know it doesn't sound a lot but when you're not based in a church and trying to get stuff going believe me it's a lot Xmas Smile - it was loads of fun and ran very smoothly. I am absolutely shattered today, dh doing another service this afternoon but too tired to go so going to stay here and MN all afternoon wrap presents. Prayers for you all.

NoRoomForALittleOne · 22/12/2013 15:21

Can I ask for prayers for friends of ours who lost their first baby at 23 weeks a year ago today? Whilst nothing can replace their baby, they are expecting again and this seems to be giving them some hope although some anxiety too.

Dutchoma · 22/12/2013 19:08

Prayers for your friend Room, that all will go well with the pregnancy and the delivery of their new darling baby.