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Philosophy/religion

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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 · 29/01/2014 14:11

Blessed: speaking in tongues. I don't do it either, but I have learned to listen very carefully to others who are doing it and to hear what they are saying. Interpreting tongues is as much a gift as is speaking in tongues itself. (1Cor 12). And don't forget to go from 1 Cor 12 straight into 1 Cor 13. Thank God for the gifts you do have, gifts of love, of listening, of care, of prayer for others.

cloutiedumpling · 29/01/2014 14:51

BA - maybe other people look at you and wish that they had your patience, or generosity of spirit etc etc

Please pray for me to have tact and patience with something that I'm doing later today. I don't have much of either of them (the bull in a china shop image comes to mind).

Dutchoma · 29/01/2014 15:07

Cloutie praying that the bull will not get anywhere near the china shop. Leave the poor beast tethered outside, or, even better, don't take it into town with you.

madhairday · 29/01/2014 16:20

Praying for patience and peace this afternoon, cloutie.

BlessedAssurance, it is hard when you would love a spiritual gift but it doesn't happen. You can't force it to happen, and sometimes it just never does. I don't know why, but it can feel isolating when it seems everyone else has it. They probaby haven't, but it's not always easy to see.
I always think the fruit of the spirit is so much more important, and that those who receive gifts, if they are not also displaying fruit through them, are not honouring them.

I always find this passage great help int hinking about these things:

1 Corinthians 13

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I think this is of so much importance. Spiritual gifts can be of great help, and it's good to desire them and pray for them, but this puts it in some perspective and goes even deeper than tongues, prophecy et al.

I'm not a cessationist, I have the gift of tongues myself but have seen these gifts misused and used without love which saddens me. I think what gladdens God's heart most of all is how we love our neighbour, how we help the poor, how we bind up the broken hearted.

It's OK to keep praying for it though, but don't be downhearted. God has great things for you, and it may not involve this at this time. I don't know the reason why, but I do know God works everything to the good of those who love him.

Thanks
Badvoc · 29/01/2014 16:38

MHD...we had that reading at my wedding!
And then years later I read it at my brothers :)
Such a wonderful passage....

cloutiedumpling · 29/01/2014 18:21

We had it too!

PositiveAttitude · 29/01/2014 18:38

Wonderful answer to prayers for me today. Tax credit update: I phoned back late this afternoon and spoke with a lovely lady who was very helpful and she spoke with a manager who decided that I can be a "Special case" because, she said, it seemed unfair that woman with husbands in prison can claim as single parents, but a husband being a missionary can't! So all sorted and that will help out just a little each month, so Thank you God.

Also DD1 has text to say that she has a job interview on Sunday and she has also got an assignment mark back and she has done really well again, so that has really bucked her mood up today.

I feel like I am on a roller coaster of emotions at the moment. DH is normally the one who keeps me grounded and talks sense into me when I need it, It is very hard him not being here to do that sometimes.

BlessedAssurance · 29/01/2014 18:40

Thank you Oma,

BlessedAssurance · 29/01/2014 19:07

Grrr,posted too soon, Cloutie, than you for your kind words. Isn't it amazing how we see the greatness is others but not so much in ourselves? My fellow church friends tell me how calm and collected i am when dealing with DD. I only see myself as just a bad parent. DH thinks i am the best he could have found, i feel he deseves better than me. For someone so assured and confident i sometimes lack the assurance and doubts attack me. Do other christians go through the same? Doubts about life in general..The one thing i am 100% sure of is God's love for me, no worries there. Wish it would apply to the rest of my life.

Twice in my life have i received a prophetic word from different people telling them that God has raised me up to be an intercessor and both times my mouth has been very much open due to surprise. I have doubtet it because i always go yeh right, an intercessor[sp]? With no gift of tongues?. Oma i will read that verse again. Madhairday, thank you for the kind words,another beatiful verse which i love, that all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
I think i an now at peace about it and will now focus on praying for others as God has raised me to be, if that is true at all..

On a positive note. My mat leave has started today. My lovely boss told me to leave work yesterday that means i get paid those three days for not workingGrin thank you God. I was stopping 1feb. My male boss on the other hand wanted me to work a bit longer, he does not know what being pregnant is like whereas my female boss with kids wanted me to stop way back..
Nb-please forgive me for my me,me,posts. This thread does something to me. It is like having your very own spiritual shrink..it feels good to say it out loud without fear of judgement. Thank you all for being here.

BlessedAssurance · 29/01/2014 19:12

Positive that is just blooming fantastic. Halleluia. Such wonderful news. So glad Gos has answered your prayer and that DD1 is on the road to finding a job.xxxx

BlessedAssurance · 29/01/2014 19:13

Ipad,grrr,God not gos..

PandaG · 29/01/2014 21:39

lifting you all up in prayer.

Am now finally home after nearly a fortnight at Dad's. Mum's funeral and thanksgiving were on Monday. Thanksgiving was an amazing celebration of her life, I managed to give the tribute without breaking down. The church was packed which was great. NOw I am home I think the grieving really starts. My sleep had been all over the place and a very sympathetic gp prescribed me a short course of sleeping tabs over the phone yesterday. Had a much better night last night, and have managed to function a bit today - made it to options evening at school for DS. THanks so much for your prayers, I know I have been so well upheld.

Dutchoma · 29/01/2014 21:53

Oh Panda*, I know that feeling of it all sinking in only too well. So glad the service went well, that is a memory that will always stay with you. Also that you managed to hold it together and give the tribute. Hope you sleep well again tonight. I have not wanted any sleeping tablets, have tried the valerian but have not found it that helpful.

PandaG · 29/01/2014 22:00

Thanks Oma. I just know that in order to function to look after the DC and go back to work (work been great and say have off as long as I need - but I want to go back on MOnday if possible) I need to sleep. Hence just a couple of sleeping tabs to break the sleeplessness cycle. Will take one again tonight, then I intend not to tomorrow.

Badvoc · 29/01/2014 22:21

Panda - my mum had a weeks worth of sleeping tablets and they did help.
She is back to not sleeping but doesn't really want got take meds...she is on so many now :(
Praying Oma (and indeed all of us) sleeps well tonight x

cloutiedumpling · 29/01/2014 22:44

Panda - well done you for managing the tribute, it can't have been easy.

LollipopViolet · 29/01/2014 23:29

I am praying for my cousin and her DP tonight. She gave birth to a beautiful DS yesterday, exactly 4 months after I lost my granddad. They are now home from the hospital, and I pray that the transition to parenthood is as easy as possible for both of them, and that they continue to feel the warmth, love and support from both their families.

I am praying for all of you, in particular Oma and Panda - the grieving process is one I am sadly going through at the moment, but I know that eventually light will break through the darkness, and I will begin to heal.

NoRoomForALittleOne · 30/01/2014 06:49

Praying through xx

Tuo · 30/01/2014 08:01

Sorry for long silence. Am reading and praying, but struggling with workload (no change there). Love and prayers to all, but especially the bereaved, the sick, the troubled, the stressed, the carers...

Keep Your people, Lord,
in the arms of Your embrace.
Shelter them under Your wings.
Be their light in darkness.
Be their hope in distress.
Be their calm in anxiety.
Be strength in their weakness.
Be their comfort in pain.
Be their song in the night. Amen

OP posts:
GingerCurl · 30/01/2014 10:24

Praying as I read through.

After waiting over a month to find out, I finally received an email about the date for my viva last Friday. At one level, it's a relief to have a final date at last, but it's nearly two months off. I just feel that the last half of this PhD I've spent waiting in one way or another for things and people that are beyond my control. Now that I've got an end date, I feel so, so tired.

DS is having a rough time at the moment. He's trying to exert his independence only to find that, at 6, that doesn't get him very far and he's becoming quite despondent and negative. Please pray for patience and understanding for DH and I. I want to be a gentle parent but he's a strong-willed child (nothing wrong with that per se) and only seems to take things on board when I get really, really angry. It's exhausting. I've tried "How to talk so that your child will listen" techniques, but he just ignores me and I'm left feeling angry, sad and a failure while he feels frustrated and sad.

BlessedAssurance · 30/01/2014 14:59

ginger praying for strength nd patience when dealing with your Ds. Pardon my not being clever but what is a viva?
Tuo lovely prayer thank you and i receive the blessing.
panda that was a difficult thing to do but you did it without breaking down, it takes a lot to be able to hold it together. You and oma are and have been really incredible. You are now grieving and it is gonna take a while before it all settles down. There are so many stages of grieving and having sleepless nights is just one of them. Expect more and do not be surprised when at times you be hit by a bout of tiredness. The great thing is God will be with you all the way. He will hold your hand till your days have become better and enjoyable again.

Praying as i read through..

madhairday · 30/01/2014 19:22

Prayers for you all, and especially tonight for Oma and Panda.x

Badvoc · 31/01/2014 07:34

A very quick morning prayer request....
Please pray for my little ds2 (5) who is ill again and that it doesn't turn into tracheitis again and nesseccity from a hospital stay.
For my aunt who is coming home from respite care today to a Reduced care package.
For my mum, who is so very unhappy and being hurtful in her unhappiness.
And for me. Because I don't think I can take much more.
Thank you x

Dutchoma · 31/01/2014 09:08

Praying Badvoc. For all these issues.

GingerCurl · 31/01/2014 10:18

Praying.

BA Good question and sorry for just assuming that people would know. "Viva" is short for viva voce or oral exam. In this case, it's an oral examination where I have to defend my thesis. As it's for a PhD, I've been told to expect a grilling lasting about 3 to 4 hours.