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A new Christian prayer thread for 2014

999 replies

Tuo · 02/01/2014 00:58

Welcome to our new prayer thread for 2014. 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 for her dad; prayers too for her aunt who is seriously ill; and prayers for a good recovery from her gallstones operation;

... BananasForTed, praying for her mental health and for her difficult work situation, and also praying that she was able to go back to her church and that she found support there;

... 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 both her DC to receive the support that they need at school;

... BlessedAssurance, when she feels challenged because of her faith at her place of work; also for her pregnancy and for her eye problems;

... BoxOfDelights, for her to find somewhere good to live and a job;

... bountyicecream, thanking God for her renewed happiness after leaving a very difficult and abusive relationship, and praying that she will continue to grow in happiness and strength in the future;

... CharlotteCollinsisinherownplace, giving thanks for her new home and new job;

... Don'tsteponthemomeraths, thanking God that an MRI has shown her brain to be normal, and for the continued progress of her niece, little Grace, born prematurely;

... DutchOma and Bob, for Bob's health to be as stable as possible and for him to receive good care in the hospice; also praying for him to see some glimpses of light in what is, admittedly, a very difficult situation, so that his outlook may be less 'catastrophic'; and praying for Oma that she may find rest and peace of mind and support at this time;

... Gingercurl, giving thanks for the successful completion of her thesis and praying for her viva to go well; also for Ginger’s MIL who has been diagnosed with cancer;

... HadALittleFaithBaby, for all bugs to leave to Faith household; also for her neighbour who has cancer and for his family;

... JugglingFromHereToThere, for a job which interests and fulfils her;

... Kaykat, giving thanks that she is now settled and happy in her new home with her DS, and praying for her DS to cope well with his new situation and not allow his dad to influence him in a negative way; also praying that she will find a welcoming church community in her new place;

... MadHairDay, thanking God for a Christmas spent at home with her family, and praying for continued health in 2014; praying too for health and love and friendship for MHD’s DD;

... NeverKnowinglyUnderstood, for her relationship with her DS and for support for them to understand his anger and frustration and find ways to avoid it if possible;

... niminypiminy, for happiness in her new home;

... octopusinastringbag, thinking of her as she feels drawn to explore faith in more depth;

... PandaG, for her mum's health;

... PositiveAttitude and her family; in particular, at this time, for DD3, praying for a happy end to her pregnancy with no complications; also praying for PA's parents’ health, for her DD1's finances, for her DS's anxiety, and for PA as she awaits the outcome of a job application and misses her DH and DD4;

... revivingshower, praying for her back pain to ease and thanking God for her family who've been supporting her during this tough time;

... RoomForALittleOne, for her DD3 to stay well and to sleep well too, so that Room can get enough rest;

... RunRunRuby, thanking God that she has come to our thread and praying that her faith may be strengthened;

... SESthebrave, for all that she has to juggle in her life, with work and DC;

... SunshinemMum, praying for her and her family as they look for a new spiritual home after leaving their previous church; may they find the place that is right for them, and may it welcome them with open arms;

... thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts, for a more peaceful time now to recover from the hecticness that is Christmas, and for her academic work;

... weegiemum, giving thanks for her own better health, but praying for her stepmum and for Kat, who are both seriously unwell and for all in the family affected by their illnesses;

We pray also for all regular and occasional visitors, and those we haven't seen for a while, including: Bluetinkerbell, cloutiedumpling, EasyCompadre, FairPhyllis, fluffieduckie, FriendOfDorothy, GoodbyeRubyTuesday, harbinger and her family, JakeBullet, jan and her DD, ktef, LollipopViolet, MaryBS, notquiteagrownup, PloddingDaily, Soozi, thehorridestmumintheworld, trish5000, youretoastmildred, and zulubump, and for anyone I've forgotten to name-check (don't take it personally, please!). 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.

May God bless us all in 2014.

OP posts:
Dutchoma · 18/01/2014 20:26

No need to be always up-beat Charlotte. You have been through a lot and you are bound to have ups and downs, especially as the children are not with you, which must feel very weird.
I don't think that it is divorce that is bad for the gospel but the fact that your STBX is not living up to the demands of the gospel. I have said this before, but read Eph 5:22-33 and see how much more is required of the husband than from the wife. From what you have told me he has fallen so far short of it that he does not even realise how far. You have put up with this behaviour for such a long time that you do not now know where the end and the beginning of all this is.

If you think back maybe 18 months and see what your life was then, you will, I think have no trouble realising that you were being controlled in a way no Christian wife should be controlled.

Was STBX also at the question and answer for the new minister? I thought he was a bit of a stalwart of the church, priding himself on his importance?

I'm so sorry to hear that you still fell foul of the vomitting bug Weegie in spite of the handwashing. Hopefully you will cope till Thursday even with dh not on the scene to help.

Prayers continuing for BES

Badvoc · 18/01/2014 20:54

Hello all.
Well, yesterday did not go well! They gave me the max amount of sedation but it had no effect (!) so they couldn't do the gastroscopy.
Am feeling quite upset about it. Took me a while to screw up the courage to go on the first place.
My aunt has gone into the McMillan unit at the local hospital today....I don't know what this means. I don't know if she will ever come home.
I think my mum and sis and I will go and see her tomorrow.
Glad you have had a treat Oma.
Hope you feel better soon weegie.

Dutchoma · 18/01/2014 21:06

Oh Badvoc I am so sorry that things did not go well for you yesterday, what will happen now?
Your Aunt going into the hospice is probably a very good thing as she will be cared for with the utmost care, if Bob's care was anything to go by. They have such amazing kindness and expertise, I don't think she could be in a better place. Will you be able to see her there?

madhairday · 18/01/2014 21:10

I'm sorry to hear that, Badvoc, you are in my prayers.

Charlotte, Oma has some very wise words, just what I think. Your stbxh caused this situation through not living up to what God requires of husbands, for grinding you down, for years of ea. You're doing so so well, keep pressing on. It must be hard being without the dc. prayers.

Prayers for you weegie.

Oooh mome, I love Phil Wickham too, and Hillsong Utd's album 'Zion' is my favourite christian album of the past few years, it's different which I like but awesome. Maybe it's Tim Hughes I am thinking of more than MR with teh range thing - I love 'Happy day' but it's impossible to sing!!

Badvoc · 18/01/2014 21:15

She really needs 24 hour care now Oma :( she fell twice last week during the night. My mum, sis and I have been trying to help as much as we can but it's tricky as mum is finding it all so hard so soon after dad (he and my aunt were very close and she took his death very hard) and my sis and I both have young children to look after too.
I have been going down in the mornings and doing her breakfast and making sure she drinks, sorting her bedroom out etc.
My cousin (her daughter) is really struggling with it all as she lost her dad to cancer 19 years ago so she knows what's coming. To an extent ignorance is bliss isn't it? :(
I am not sure what going to happen wrt me. Am going back to the dr next month so will ask her opinion.
I think that physically I am at a very, very low ebb. Post op, post infection, gynae issues...lots going on.
Constant worry and emotional distress really can take a physical toll can't they? I feel like I am walking rough treacle most days. But I plaster on a smile.
Hoping to go and see her tomorrow.

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 18/01/2014 22:08

I should think you are very run down, with all that's going on, Badvoc. I was going to tell you to eat healthily (or take multivitamins!), but you probably don't need advice like that!

I was praying for Badvoc's aunt a moment ago, when I suddenly remembered feeling very cocooned, coming round from day surgery about 18 months ago. (Funny I should remember it just after reading your post, Oma, about thinking back 18 months.) The nurse spoke to me with such unfamiliar kindness and it was so unusual to lie there with the expectation that I would do nothing, that I felt absurdly grateful for the break from normal life.

H turned up while I was still feeling woozy, two hours before I'd asked him to come, stressed at having to pick me up and full of his troubles. He showed no sign of caring how the op had gone. If this had been a one-off, it would have been fairly insignificant, but there was a weary inevitability about his behaviour.

Even so, it's so difficult to justify leaving over something like this! It's as though it's not what he did but what he didn't do.

I said something to DD2 the other day about believing that if a marriage made someone unhappy God wouldn't tell them to stay in that marriage. And then I felt very uncomfortable with that, because it sounded like seeking personal fulfilment and looking out for number one. Maybe, though, it's the distinction between being unhappy in a marriage and being unhappy because of the marriage? The first happens to everyone, but the second shouldn't?

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 18/01/2014 22:18

Thanks for what you said about Eph 5, Oma. I have just read it through and find it strangely comforting. That bit about "no-one hates his body but feeds and cares for it" cuts through the crap that STBX sometimes came out with that he treated himself just as badly as he did me.

STBX was not at the Q and A, but will go tomorrow when Potential Minister preaches with a view (and I will stay away because DCs will be there). :o at "stalwart" comment... but :( Potential Minister is a newish member of the congregation and has been meeting with STBX for a few months, so has heard one side of the story... Hopefully I'm being oversensitive, but I feel judged.

Badvoc · 18/01/2014 22:28

I believe what you said to your dd2 Charlotte. I really do.

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 18/01/2014 22:44

Really? That's reassuring. I wish God had thought to slip it into one of the prophets somewhere though! "I hate divorce, says the Lord, and I also hate fuckwittery" (MNV)

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 18/01/2014 22:56

Oh Charlotte my love, the guilt over divorce can be huge. Questioning our choices. The fear of being judged and wondering what others think. Especially in the Church.

Please know that God loves you and understands your heart. I pray he'll bring you peace, deep within and help you to find your place in this new season you're in. A place you feel loved, supported and accepted.

I still struggle with feeling like I belong and am accepted 4 years on, post divorce. But a lot of it is my insecurities these days.

Even reading all the great books on divorce and the church sometimes can't shift that nagging fear that unless you divorce for adultery, it's not ok.

As that's pedalled in most Church circles as the only reason allowed but an unloving abusive husband, is no life. God knows your heart. And I'm certain that he would not want that for any woman.

Marriage should be for life of course, it ought not to be broken. But sometimes sadly it is and I'm praying for you x

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 18/01/2014 23:05

X posted with you all.

Do you think stbxh has been feeding him a watered down version of the truth? That's really hard. I would feel uncomfortable in your shoes Sad

I'd be tempted to find another Church in due course, if the minister becomes biased against you, but your DC maybe settled there. I'd rather have a fresh start though and go somewhere new.

Abusive men can be master manipulators. I am wondering on his motivations for all of this. But it's late and I may not be making any sense. Good night Charlotte, I'll say another pray for you x

Badvoc · 18/01/2014 23:24

I agree with mome.
A new church and a new start for you?
X

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 18/01/2014 23:41

The DCs are not settled there, but we're in a very rural area and have to travel a long way to this church already. A new church would be even further, which wouldn't help us settling in.

It is the one thing that makes me think we may have to move eventually. In the mean time, I'm praying for a Christian family or two to move into our village! Or maybe an unexpected church plant within three miles.

I miss our old pastor! I told him everything and he was great.

BlackeyedSusan · 19/01/2014 00:16

((hugs)) charlotte.

read through and will pray for as long as the attention lasts.

Kaykat · 19/01/2014 10:50

Hi Charlotte you could have a read back of some of the horrible things he did and said that would quickly remind you that you had no choice. If he was a decent caring husband you would have been happy to stay with him right? That means he is the one that ended the marriage not you. Our divorce law backs that up too that's why the respondent sometimes has to pay costs. Never let the church or anyone else make you feel guilty for his actions.

SESthebrave · 19/01/2014 13:59

Prayers for all as I read through, particularly Oma, Badvoc and Charlotte

Charlotte - I believe marriage to be a sacrament. It is not perfect but it is the closest example we have if the love God has for his church. It demonstrates this love in a glorious way, witnessing to the world but also through the graces each member of the marriage receives. They only receive this love and grace through working at it, striving for it to be God-centered and loving it. Where one or both people are actually being harmed physically or emotionally through being in the marriage, it ceases to be a marriage and IMHO, God would not want it to continue. I remember your posts as you made your decision. This was not something you did lightly but for the benefit of you and your family. Stay strong in God's love. I will pray for a family as you describe and for peace.

I saw a friend at church this morning I'd not seen for a while. She is going through a divorce of a civil partnership and has been feeling lost but praise God, she has met someone new who seems so perfect for her - they are a natural couple. I am so happy for her.

Lord, I pray for all affected by marriage & relationship breakdown, that they will feel your unconditional love and your presence in their lives.

BlackeyedSusan · 19/01/2014 17:12

oh goodness. (bangs head on desk) getting sense out of mum sometimes is really difficult.

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 19/01/2014 17:15

Thank you so much to everyone who has posted and prayed. It is so sad that the marriage ended, but you're right, SES, it wasn't me that ended it. I'm not sure it ever really began; it was a bit of a sham right from the beginning. :( I'm just owning up to that truth now, rather than lying to the world by pretending everything's ok. He always treated me better when we were with others; it was horrible to experience the difference. And sometimes he didn't feel the need to impress the people we were with, and he'd ignore me or treat me like some servant in front of them, which was humiliating.

Of course, there's only one person at church who knows any of this. A few people know that I am much happier now, but that is all. I don't know where I'd be without the support of you lovely people on this thread!

Anyway, to update. STBX phoned this morning, mid argument with his parents, to say they weren't going to the church so I could if I wanted. Really sad to hear the tension in the house (with my DCs being partially blamed). But what a gift! I was able to be at church with Prospective Minister preaching with a view - the place was packed and it was a great service. Some of my reservations about PM disappeared because of things he said or did; I stayed and chatted with a few people after the service (there was such a buzz!) and felt soooo much more part of things when I came away.

God is so good to me!! :o :o

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 19/01/2014 17:37

Oh Charlotte I'm so glad Church was a blessing today. God is so good. I'm just sorry that your kids were caught in the middle of it, from the sounds of things. Praying for them as they come home to you x

madhairday · 19/01/2014 19:23

I'm so pleased church was so good this morning, Charlotte :) Thanks
I'm so sorry for all you have been through :( God did not mean marriage to be like that, and I agree also with all you told your dd. I think sometimes there is too much blame in Chrsitian circles when it comes to divorce, and God is a God of love and compassion, we need to remember this. I pray for continued positive things to happen in your life. I'm not too far if you'd like to come visit sometime. :)

Continuing to pray for Badvoc. For strength, peace, comfort, healing.

And for BES' mum.

And for lovely Oma.

cloutiedumpling · 19/01/2014 19:31

Lurking and praying

ZingSweetApple · 19/01/2014 21:43

just a quick update to say we saw the house yesterday, put in an offer which was promptly accepted - so we are going to move as soon as the sellers find a place.

yay!Smile

thanks for support and prayers, we are really happy with this progress!
And definitely thank you God, amazing as ever!

Dutchoma · 19/01/2014 21:47

Congratulations on the house purchase Zing. Have you sold your present house or are you renting?

DowntonTrout · 19/01/2014 21:57

I have only just found you. I hope you don't mind me posting. I am lost.

If anyone could say a prayer for the swift and peaceful passing of my mum I would be very grateful. We are 11 days without fluids and I have exhausted every avenue, her heart is strong, but she is suffering in terrible ways and there is nothing I can do to help her.

Thank you.

BlackeyedSusan · 19/01/2014 22:01

yay zing.

charlotte, zing, oma prayers prayed for you while at church.

mum is an emotional mess not surprising really. got to face the issue that she is not able to live alone for much longer.