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A new Christian prayer thread, just in time for Easter!

992 replies

Tuo · 09/04/2014 23:44

Welcome to our new prayer thread... just in time for Holy Week and Easter.

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 the ways in which we can work to make life easier for our autistic friends, and for her to know love and acceptance wherever she goes;

... Badvoc and her family, as they grieve for her dad and for her aunt - this has been a very tough time for the family... may spring bring them happier times;

... 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, and for her to feel welcomed, accepted and supported at her church;

... BlessedAssurance, for breast-feeding to settle down for her following the birth of her baby son, for her relationship with her extended family (and in particular her MIL and her bonkers baby-naming ideas ), and for her parents who are far away;

... CharlotteCollins, for her new life as a single mum - may she be happy and fulfilled and supported in it;

... DontstepontheMomeRaths, for her life as a single mum, for support for her to do all the things she'd like to be able to do, for her DC, for difficult relationships at work, and for the wonderful work she does through her church supporting people going through separation and divorce;

... DutchOma, as she grieves for Bob, that she may find peace of mind, love and support at this time;

... Gingercurl, for her relationship with her DH, for the final 'tweaks' to her thesis, and for friendship for her DS;

... ALittleFaith, for baby Faithlet as she approaches her first birthday, for Faith's work to bring her joy and not exhaustion, and for her to find happiness and fulfilment in her church;

... jan2014 for her to understand what the right thing to do is vis-a-vis her relationship with her DH, and for her to have the courage to do what needs to be done, and to find support in doing it; also for her new church to be a place where she finds love and support and welcome;

... JugglingFromHereToThere, for her sister and her family as they grieve the loss of Juggling's nephew;

... Kaykat, giving thanks that she is now settled and happy in her new home with her DS, and continuing to pray for her situation, that she receive the moral and practical support she needs for herself and her DS

... MadHairDay, for her health to improve this spring and for her to stay out of hospital, and for health, friendship, and freedom from bullying for MHD's DD;

... PandaG, as she and her family grieve the loss of her mum; and for

... PositiveAttitude, praying for the right outcome for PA's DH as he decides between a career opportunity at home and a return to Cambodia; also praying for PA's parents health, for her DD3 and DGS as they move into their own home, and for her other three DDs and one DS in their various situations; and finally praying for peace for PA herself and - whatever happens work-wise in the UK and/or abroad - for God to provide for her and her family.

We pray also for all regular and occasional visitors, and those we haven't seen for a while, including: boxofdelights, bountyicecream Bluetinkerbell, CheerfulYank, cloutiedumpling, EasyCompadre, FairPhyllis, fluffieduckie, FriendOfDorothy, GoodbyeRubyTuesday, harbinger, JakeBullet, ktef, LollipopViolet, MaryBS, NeverKnowinglyUnderstood, niminypiminy, notquiteagrownup, PloddingDaily, revivingshower, RoomForALittleOne, saintsalive, SchrodingersFerret, SEStheBrave, Soozi, SunshinemMum, thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts, thehorridestmumintheworld, trish5000, weegiemum, youretoastmildred, ZingSweetApple, 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.

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:
JugglingFromHereToThere · 20/04/2014 14:37

Thanks bes and I do like mhds words .... "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms"

Also the words from the Northumbria Community prayer beginning ...

"Keep your people Lord, in the arms of your embrace ....."

I pray those words for my DSister, and for all my friends here on this Easter day.

As I've described on the AIBU Easter thread we've just had a wonderful Easter egg hunt with the DC in the garden Easter Smile
There was definitely a spirit of Easter about it as we went out to hide our eggs anyway even though it was raining.
Later the sun almost came out, and the rain stopped, and there was much laughter about how well the eggs were hidden and how we'd forgotten where we'd put them - and the simple joy of finding one up in the branches of an apple tree in it's spring blossom Thanks

As someone said up-thread joy after pain or in the midst of it is somehow even more precious x

amberlight · 20/04/2014 14:41

Sending unmumsnetty hug and/or virtual Brew with the prayers for those who have had an eek time of it today.
BES, I have just had a hugely noisy service but loved it because Mr Vicar always sends me a short email to tell me what's what. Then I can take earplugs/headphones or sneak out for anything too overwhelming. Not sure if that would help here. But then I can be in the service but still cope with the noise.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 20/04/2014 14:49

Wow amber he really sounds like my sort of vicar - one that sends you a personal email so you will know which bits of the service might need ear-plugs. Fab!

amberlight · 20/04/2014 17:46

Easy to do and takes a minute.

CharlotteCollins · 20/04/2014 18:29

What a fab vicar you have, amber.

Kay - oh dear. I guess with it being Easter it makes it harder, because everybody seems to be joyful and victorious and you feel anything but. Tears can be a good thing, but feeling vulnerable in an unfamiliar place is not. I find stupid little things hit me: I looked on FB the other day and there was a pic of a friend who's just run the London marathon with her DH celebrating her achievement with his arm round her. And I had a mental jolt and thought, "Oh yeah, that's what husbands are like, in general," and was thrown back into thoughts of my marriage which was very different. I've had a few of those recently and you end up wondering if anywhere is safe - do you get that?

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 20/04/2014 22:11

My DD really wanted to do something with her Dad tomorrow. He won't agree to it (not can't) it's a running theme here. Please pray I can help her understand, enjoy the day with him anyway and I speak well of him.

Kaykat · 21/04/2014 09:02

Thank you Cerulean, BES, Mome, Charlotte. I'm sorry that others had a difficult church experience yesterday too but glad I'm not alone. Yes Charlotte i also find that little things like that can be like a punch in the stomach. Yesterday was so weird because in everyday life I am mostly content nowadays but I don't go to church. So weird to walk into a building and suddenly be so emotional. I don't think this church would judge divorce I can see by their website they are supportive of people in my situation. This church is probably ideal for me but for now I'm not strong enough, plus some of them now think I'm a weirdo!

Dutchoma · 21/04/2014 09:40

Kay I would be very surprised if they thought of you as a 'weirdo'. If they have any sense as a church they will have seen you were struggling and will be praying for you. Maybe you can keep a look out for something they organise other than a service, a coffee morning or some such where you can get to know a few people without the emotional pressure. You have been through a lot and any church worth their salt will be able to cope without thinking it is anything out of the 'ordinary'

jan2014 · 21/04/2014 10:27

totally get that kaykat. today i was going to go to a church function, an easter day out. i have little energy for socialising and seeing all the happy families and dealing with dd too, so just going to the park myself with her, its been a challenging morning. i feel so down.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 21/04/2014 11:23

Sometimes just getting myself motivated enough to leave the house is hard enough.

These days it hurts less seeing other families together for me but I still have moments where I long for a whole loving family. But I don't think I ever had that with ExH sadly.

I feel I have little in common with a lot at my Church now. Probably why I've developed so many friends through the course I help on. I feel they 'get' me.

I feel for all you ladies on here struggling. Much love to you x

jan2014 · 21/04/2014 14:23

love to you too mome im sorry you are feeling that way about church too, but glad you have the people from your course to feel connected.

funny how we are all different.... i cannot stay in house with dd as i literally get tortured. she cannot do anything on her own for one second. shes fallen asleep now so ill do an online shop. its when i don't have her that i can't get motivated to do anything or go anywhere. weve already been to a shopping centre, soft play, and are going to the park when she wakes up. im shattered and my head feels fried...today is just one of those days!

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 21/04/2014 14:56

How old is she now? Mine are 5&6 so it's infinitely easier now. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm at Knebworth House right now.

SESthebrave · 21/04/2014 15:37

Jan - I can relate to that and also the fact that now DS is nearly 5yo, it is so much easier. I'm trying hard not to wish away the precious early years with DD (22mo) as I'm hanging on for when she's around 4yo and won't need my constant undivided attention!

Mome - that sounds very difficult with XH. Prayers for you and DD.

thegreatestMadHairDayinhistory · 21/04/2014 15:38

Just to say I am especially praying for you dear ladies who are lone parents today. I think you are amazing. I pray you all know God's blessing today in amazing ways.

Thanks
BlackeyedSusan · 21/04/2014 16:20

i am extremely hormonal and crying at daft things. waiting for the storm to break.

we, ok ex has ordered a new computer. it is now being built somewhere up in manchester. Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile Easter Smile

BlackeyedSusan · 21/04/2014 16:21

praying for Oma.

jan2014 · 21/04/2014 16:54

really struggling today. back from park after a mad tantrum... seems we have done everything and still the day has 3 hours left to go and i just have nothing left.... ! getting tortured...tbh can't wait till shes 4... that sounds terrible.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 21/04/2014 18:46

Jan does she like CBeebies? Embrace the tv now if she will watch it. You need a cuppa x x x

Praying for peace.

jan2014 · 21/04/2014 18:59

I don't have tv but I have loads of dvds but she's too hyper to watch them. She's never been one to watch any thing just wants to jump on me really anxious here

SESthebrave · 21/04/2014 19:01

Prayers for you Jan

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 21/04/2014 19:12

I thought you may say that Jan.
Praying for peace.

Does a long bath help wind her down? Thankfully mine are quiet if something interests them on tv, or I'd never get anything done.

PositiveAttitude · 21/04/2014 19:17

Hi lovely ladies! Smile

Prayers for everyone struggling right now. It seems many of us are struggling in different ways. I can totally understand the crying in church. A few years ago in a particularly bad time in life I went to see an old minister who was an amazing man. I explained that whenever I stood in church, especially whenever music started I just cried. He told me that when you feel like that it is the spirit crying out to God with the groans from the depth of our despair. In a way that comforted me.......not sure it sounds that good to you who are feeling like it now.

Well, DH is definitely returning to Cambodia in August. We had a little time of being a little uncertain, but now are absolutely sure that this is right. I know it is right.......so why have i been in tears and feeling like rubbish all day??? Confused

DD3 and her DH are both turning into the walking dead! It appears my perfect grandson (8 weeks old) is perhaps not that perfect at the sleeping lark!!

Mome I am Envy of the knebworth house visit. Hope you had a lovely day.

Oma big hugs to you. I hope you are ok.

Thanks to God for DS having a lovely 18th birthday this week. He went out for a celebration "drink" and called me to go and collect him within 20 minutes.......he was bored!! He is definitely not going to be a party animal. I am so thankful!!! Wink

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 21/04/2014 19:22

They had jousting PA too. So much fun. I'm now broke but meh. The kids deserve fun and memories.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 21/04/2014 19:27

PA my love, are you not able to go back with him in Aug? Sad I'd be sad too if I wasn't able to go too. Even though you know it's Gods will, it's hard. You'll miss him. And the family life he will miss out on too.

I like my creature comforts too much, I'm in awe of those who go abroad to serve.

PositiveAttitude · 21/04/2014 19:59

Ooooh jousting. We have that in our local castle each year and my DC used to love it!

No, I cant go back with him - he is moving into a room with some friends he has out there, which will reduce his monthly bills considerably and I need to be here for my parents. It's fine, I will be fine. I know me, if you see what I mean. After a little pity party I will bounce back and put those blinkers on and get on with life. I think, actually, it is worse today because DD1 and DD2 are here. I love them both to bits, but they are driving me up the wall!! By the end of the week I will have the house back to being just me and DS. That sounds so horrible and I couldn't say it in RL. I do love them, but they are both used to living alone now and coming back to living all together for a few weeks has been trying to say the least!