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Philosophy/religion

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A Christian prayer thread for Autumn/Winter

990 replies

Tuo · 30/10/2014 01:17

Welcome to our new prayer thread for autumn/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 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; also thanking God for her recent 'all-clear' at her annual cancer check-up;

... BlackEyedSusan, for all the many things which she has to juggle in her life as a single parent; in particular, for her DS to get adequate support so that he is less stressed at school; also for her DD and for her mum, and for BES to find the RL support that she needs;

... BlessedAssurance, for life with her two LOs, and for her family who are far away;

... DontstepontheMomeRaths, for her life as a single mum, for God to provide if her XH is successful in training for a new role, and for the wonderful work she does through her church supporting people going through separation and divorce;

... DutchOma, as she continues to miss Bob; thanking God for the wonderful support that she provides for so many on here; and praying for her relationship with her DD, in particular;

... Gingercurl, for her work situation; and for the relationship between her brother and sister to improve;

... howtoapproachthis for physical and emotional healing; and for a good bond between her and her DD;

... Kaykat, continuing to pray for her as she goes through the stressful and painful process of divorce; praying, in particular, that she is able to find good ways of supporting her DS, and for him to find renewed happiness in the coming weeks;

... MadHairDay, for her health; for peace of mind about the choice of secondary school for her DS; and for her DD to find friendship and acceptance;

... MrsPixieMoo, thanking God for her baby DD; and praying for a new home where the family can be really happy;

... Pipbin, for her IVF treatment - for her to find support and a positive way forward, whatever the outcome;

... PositiveAttitude, for her new studies and her work as a Deacon in her church; for her mum, who has dementia; and for her DD1 to find one or more special friends;

... PurplePidjin, for a more peaceful life;

... QuestionofFaith, for her and for her DH - for his depression to lift and for them to find ways to rebuild their lives;

... and for a poster we won't name but whose situation is known to God, praying that she is safe and supported.

We pray also for all regular and occasional visitors including: ALittleFaith, Badvoc, BlueTinkerbell, CharlotteCollins, cloutiedumpling, JugglingFromHereToThere, ktef, MaryBS, niminypiminy, PandaG, RoomForALittleOne, SEStheBrave, thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts, tunnocksteacake, weegiemum, 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

[post edited by MNHQ]

OP posts:
KayKat · 09/12/2014 17:56

inner I know that feeling of sickness my husband cheated on me after 20 years together so believe me when I say you will get to a point where you won't care about him with another woman you may even feel sorry for her. You thought it was a great relationship because you didn't have the full picture. You didn't know how he would react to family troubles or the temptation of OW. Now you know. He was cruel, cold and cowardly. Imagine that for the next 20 years. Now imagine something better that's what God wants for you.

How was the Christmas play? I bet it was lovely.

FaithLoveandGrace · 09/12/2014 17:56

Hi aretepetite. Welcome to the thread :)

purplepidjin that's good news! Praying it's as good as it sounds and doesn't turn out to be dodgy. My DP had dodgy job offers for a while and it's so disheartening! Praying that's not the case this time :)

Sorry to put a downer on things but I'm feeling really low this evening :( I've been up and down all day but now I'm just feeling really low. My brother in law crashed at high speed and has broken his arm and his leg so is currently in hospital though I am grateful to God it's not as bad as it could've been!

On a positive note, I've been looking for a Christian counsellor and today I finally managed to sort it out - praise God that in my hour of need he provided me with a small light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately it seems unlikely I'll be able to meet up with my friend before the new year (the one I was going to talk to) which I'm disappointed about, but trying to hold onto the fact I can see a counsellor in the new year.

DP and I have been arguing about stupid things too - though he did buy me flowers to say sorry.

Writing this has cheered me up a little tbh, I think I really need to express my feelings more in healthier ways.

God bless you all this wet and windy (at least here) evening. May his light shine through even on this dark and dreary evening.

innerstrength100 · 09/12/2014 19:43

That is very good news Faith that you have found a counsellor. Hang on in there. I'm sure it will help hugely. And keep writing on here if that helps too.

I think I've done well today blocking as much as I can the obsessive thoughts and memories about the man concerned, and focussing on God and the children. The Christmas play was lovely, but I simultaneously found it very hard for some reason. Felt weirdly alone despite being in a room of 100 people; before the play started I found myself searching the faces row to row and just wondering if anyone else there was feeling how I am feeling right now. This evening the pain in the heart is bad bad bad.

Kay - yes - just the very idea of OW actually does make me almost vomit. That is the main thought I am having to try and block. It is very encouraging to hear how you have moved on.

Welcome Aretepetite - yes Psalm 13 has been quite a favourite for me in the past few weeks. It is the best one for when you are just so desperate for help, but none seems forthcoming, but you have to just hang on in there.

Praying for peaceful hearts for all the lovely people on here.

FaithLoveandGrace · 09/12/2014 20:30

Thank you inner. I currently feel like I just want to curl up in a ball and stay there, but I know that'll only make things worse in the long run. I'm glad you enjoyed the play. I understand what you mean about feeling alone whilst surrounded by people. It's a horrible place to be in. Scrolling through my twitter feed I saw this and thought of you:
www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationships/how-make-most-bad-breakup
It's probably not something that'll help right now but may perhaps be worth saving for a later date?

Tuo · 09/12/2014 23:57

Prayer for Advent: Day 9 - Maranatha: come Lord Jesus!

Popping in quickly tonight, as I'm just back from my work Christmas 'do'. Thanking God first and foremost tonight for my job - I know how lucky I am to have a job that I love - and for my amazing colleagues. Thanking God too for MrPidjin's new job, and hoping it all works out well for him.

Holding in prayer tonight all who are finding life tough at the moment. Innerstrength - go easy on yourself: it's still very early days and you will be raw and hurting for a while yet. But every day is a day closer to your new life, and we are here for you as you edge back towards happiness, no matter how slow it feels. FLG - if it helps to post here about how you're feeling (however contradictory or inarticulate it may feel to you at the time) please do so. This is not a place where you have to make sense or produce fully thought-out reasoned arguments - just share your feelings with us and let us pray for you and with you.

Welcome to the thread Aretepetite. It's good to 'see' you here.

For tonight, I have found this Advent prayer from Christian Aid:

God of the waiting,
give us courage to wait with those in the most broken places of the world,
and with all those who struggle to be bearers of hope there.

We pray with those who wait for wars to stop, for violence to cease.

God of the waiting, turn conflict into peace.
And we pray for those who have given up on the coming of hope,
because they feel they wait in vain at checkpoints, at borders, for jobs, for food,
and for all those whose lives are crushed under the structures and systems of injustice.

God of the waiting, wait with your world.
Turn anger into reconciliation,
and our lack of hope into courage,
so that our waiting may be over
and all the things of darkness shall be no more. Amen

OP posts:
DontstepontheMomeRaths · 10/12/2014 09:22

My mum has surgery today on her knee. Please pray for her safety, the op to go well and her to recover quickly.

Sorry for the fly by. I am lurking. I'm especially praying for inner strength. As a lone parent I can sympathise so much x

PositiveAttitude · 10/12/2014 09:46

Hi ladies, I lost you all for a while. Need to read and catch up. I see a few new names, so welcome to you. Smile

Life is a whirlwind for me right now. Loving my work, but working very long hours. Study is going ok, when I can fit it in. I am enjoying the day each week at college and have met some lovely people there.
DH is settling in his job, but is itching to return to Cambodia and do something "worthwhile".
A few struggles with the Dc, which I could well be sharing on here soon and asking you to pray about.

....of to read, so will return later today. Love to you all.

innerstrength100 · 10/12/2014 10:47

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers dontsteponthemomeraths.
Good luck to your Mum and may she have a speedy recovery.

Day 2 post split has not started well for me. Only managed about two hours sleep. Took kids to school then came home and wailed. God is definitely helping though. I think I did really well yesterday blocking upsetting thoughts. Going to go to a Communion service at lunch time which I know will bring comfort.

Keep having to talk out loud to myself - both prayers, and repeating out loud things like "you will be ok" "this will get better for you" "I am ok" "God will help me" - because there are no supportive adult humans with me in the house to provide reassurance any more, or say nice things to me.

Dutchoma · 10/12/2014 10:55

You are improving; the first night you had no sleep at all, no you've had two hours. Yes, it will get better, it's already getting better.

How old are your children? What other friends have you got? I'm hoping that it will help you to talk about something 'ordinary' on this thread. The more you can take your mind off your misery, the better.

madhairday · 10/12/2014 11:18

Just catching up and praying through. Especially praying for you innerstrength

Thankyou Tuo for your continued wonderful prayers.

I'm hanging in there. Bad day today am crying with pain, when will this end.

So sorry for being bad member lately. Bad couple of weeks with lungs. But no hospital yet yay!

cloutiedumpling · 10/12/2014 12:30

Oh MHD - praying you'll feel better soon.

I feel as though I'm in a hamster wheel at the moment - constantly running around trying to get everything done for work, home and school. Difficult to have a contemplative advent!

Great to see so many new faces on the thread.

BlackeyedSantaStuckUpAChimney · 10/12/2014 13:28

just about to step on the hampter wheel too cloutie. her we go with going into the nativity then hanging about with ds after school waiting for dd to finish her afterschool club.

Aretepetite · 10/12/2014 13:30

Thank you all for the lovely welcome. And I am thankful to have found you.
The advent prayer for today Tuo is lovely.
I will try to spend more time on here.

In the meantime I will continue to keep you all in my prayers.
Everything is possible with God. He definitely is the best 'Dad' to all of us.

MadHairChristmasEveryone · 10/12/2014 16:07

Welcome aretepetite and all the other newbies Xmas Smile

Hello Cloutie and Blackeyed - praying for some time for rest off the hamster wheel for you!

MumsyFoxy · 10/12/2014 16:13

If prayers worked then surely religious people would be the healthiest, happiest, and living in a safe place with high quality of life and with great jobs. However, the most religious people are to be found third world countries, countries torn by war, poverty, dosease, violence and lack of education. The countries with the best standard of living (Denmark? Norway?) also happen to have the highest rates of atheists in my humble opinion....

Dutchoma · 10/12/2014 16:41

Dear MumsyFoxy this is a Christian prayer thread where we try and support each other in thought and prayer. If you, as an atheist want to have a discussion about the usefulness of prayer, might I suggest you set up your own thread? Thank you

BlackeyedSantaStuckUpAChimney · 10/12/2014 20:21

prayer is about a relationship with a heavenly parent who cares for us and comforts us in the troubles. It is not a get out clause for any difficulty in life. People still die, relationships break up, illness still happens. it was not supposed to be like this. However, these will last for such a short time compared to the eternal time we will spend with god when there will be no more mourning, or crying, or pain.

if I am wrong, then I have lived with the comfort of supportive friends and beliefs, rather that than the alternative.

PurplePidjin · 10/12/2014 20:27

Oh shit, didn't work. Maybe making selfish demands for what I think, in my tiny weeny little opinion, is best isn't actually what will help? Hmm

MrsPixieMoo · 10/12/2014 21:16

God bless you Oma. All is well here. The children have been ill, my MIL and aunt both had serious falls, were in hospital so I've been away from MN and rushing but God is blessing us. We won't be in the house by Christmas but all looking positive and we are excited. A few days away next week for us and I'm just grateful to have my family, my health and work that I love. DH much better Wink. Thanks so much for asking.

Sorry to fly by. You're all in my prayers.

MrsPixieMoo · 10/12/2014 21:19

For Mumsyfoxy

Matthew 4:1-11New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 10/12/2014 22:06

Haven't read anything since my post this morning. Just wanted to say Mums op went well. Thank you for prayers. There's more I could say but please know the result was hugely positive.

So tired I'm off to bed now. I'll read in the morning to catch up hopefully. I'm not a morning person. I need a gallon of coffee to function Grin

KayKat · 10/12/2014 22:58

So tricky dealing with ex he lies about things he claims I've said and done, gets angry if I say the wrong things, manipulates, uses DS to try to engineer spending time with me. Today I bit back. As a result I suspect he will be trying to alienate DS from me again and he isn't emotionally strong enough for that. So I'm gonna have to swallow all his crap again, keep quiet and smile sweetly. Really wish I could get properly free from him. If only DS was a bit more mature and emotionally stronger. He's getting there slowly. Luckily ex lives a long way away but he still finds ways to hurt us.

Tuo · 10/12/2014 23:20

Prayer for Advent: Day 11 (couldn't count yesterday; managed to post two 'Day 9s' and no 'Day 10'... ah well!) - Maranatha: come Lord Jesus also to the mathematically challenged!)

MumsyFoxy - you are very welcome on this thread; all are welcome at any time, whether they are believers or not. It would be great if you could stick around. This is a support thread... it's a support thread that starts from a Christian starting-point and has a Christian ethos, but it is not a support thread for Christians only if that makes sense - people of other faiths and of none do pop in from time to time and non-religious good wishes/support/hand-holding is always welcome if anyone doesn't feel that prayer is something they can do (I think that this is something we all feel from time to time - even those of us who do have a faith). Alternatively, people will be happy to debate and discuss with you elsewhere on the board if that's what you want.

Momey - so pleased to hear about your mum's operation. Praying for a swift recovery for her.

PixieMoo - it's good to see you, and I am praying for your aunt and MIL and for your family in the run-up to the house-move.

MHD - lovely to see you too... you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sorry to hear you're in so much pain and really hope that your doctors can get it a bit more under control. Praying that you stay out of hospital this year and enjoy Christmas with your family. You are emphatically not a 'bad member'. There are no rules of participation here, as you well know, and we know you're thinking of us, as we are of you, even if you're not able to post. Conserve your energy, my dear, and focus on staying as well as possible.

Cloutie - I understand the 'hamster wheel' so well. Advent - with small children, or even without - is not really the best time for contemplation is it... it's always manic. Praying for oases of peace for you - and for BES too - however small.

innerstrength - you are doing brilliantly. Remember, baby steps... This won't be easy, but you can do it... I hope the communion service was reassuring to you and that you felt 'fed' by it spiritually. Remember we are here, holding your hands as you take each tiny step forward.

PA - it's wonderful to see you... I've been thinking of you too. Praying for your whole family and remembering also those touched by your and your DH's work in Cambodia.

Pipbin - computer was playing up last night and I lost what I wrote for you... I will continue to pray for you over the next week - for peace of mind as you await the next scan and for a good outcome.

From the Northumbria Community prayers for today:

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 63:1–7)

OP posts:
Tuo · 10/12/2014 23:23

Cross-posted with Kay - praying for you too, and for your DS, as you struggle with your ex's manipulative ways.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSantaStuckUpAChimney · 11/12/2014 11:21

I am tackling the mess and devastation in the flat after being out all day monday, shopping tuesday and nativity on wednesday taking up all the available housework time.