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The Christian Prayer Thread Prays Again...

985 replies

Tuo · 31/01/2015 22:31

Welcome to our new prayer thread as winter turns (not quickly enough for some of us...) to spring 2015. 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...

... ALittleFaith, especially for her dad, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, praying that his medication continues to keep him as well as possible for as long as possible;

... 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;

... Anjelica27, as she tries to find ways to support her DS who has been self-harming;

... 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 Operation Flat Tidy;

... BlueTinkerbell, for a problem-free pregnancy with DC4 and a happy outcome;

... CaulkheadUpNorth, who is struggling with MH problems which are affecting her faith, and by extension her job in a church environment; prayer for her access the support she needs, inside and outside the workplace, and for her to find her way back to God, in her own time, if need be;

... ChocolateTeacake, for work and financial worries; and for her health;

... DontstepontheMomeRaths , for her busy life as a single mum, and for the wonderful work she does through her church supporting people going through separation and divorce;

... DutchOma, thanking God for the wonderful support that she provides for so many on here; praying for her relationship with her DD; and continuing to think of her in her life without her beloved Bob;

... FaithLoveandGrace, for her mental health as she undergoes painful, but hopefully helpful, counselling; for her relationship with her DSS; and for her work on her PhD;

... howtoapproachthis, for her health, following her diagnosis with CFS and for her to find support for herself and her DD;

... innerstrength100, for strength, hope and joy in her life as she rebuilds her life following the unexpected break-up of her relationship;

... 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 continue to support her DS through this process; and praying that her ex is able to see how damaging his current behaviour is for his DS so that, in this at least, he is able to change his ways;

... MadHairDay, for her ongoing health issues and for the strength to deal with them;

... MaryBS, in the discernment and selection process for ordination to the priesthood;

... ninetynineonehundred, for her relationship with her DH from whom she is separated but with whom she is still living , praying for healing, trust, love and forgivement for them both;

... Pipbin, following the loss of a desperately-wanted pregnancy, praying for strength, for hope, and for lots of support;

... PositiveAttitude, for her studies, her work situation, and her role within her church; for her and her DH as they consider where their engagement with their faith will take them next; for her mum, who has dementia and her dad who has finally accepted he needs help, but finds it hard to accept it; for her DD1, who has been depressed; and for the whole family;

... RoomForALittleOne, for her health in her new pregnancy;

... QuestionofFaith, thanking God that her DH has found a new job, and praying that this will be the turning-point that he needs to overcome his depression and for them to find ways to rebuild their lives;

... and me, Tuo, for my DD2 who has been self-harming, but seems much happier at the moment - please pray for that to continue.

We pray also for all regular and occasional visitors including: Badvoc, BlessedAssurance, CharlotteCollins, cloutiedumpling, DeladionInch, EilisCitron, Gingercurl, JugglingFromHereToThere, ktef, LollipopViolet, MrsPixieMoo, niminypiminy, PandaG, SEStheBrave, thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts, weegiemum, Zing and for anyone I've forgotten to name-check (don't take it personally, please!). We pray for our muslim sisters over in the tea-room, at a time when many feel afraid in a world which seems suspicious of their faith, praying for peace and understanding between all faiths. 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:
madhairday · 19/02/2015 17:08

Oh no PA that's so sad, praying that it will all get sorted out quickly, it must have really upset you :(

Praying for you Kaylat.

Kaykat · 19/02/2015 17:28

I couldn't log in this morning either I think MN must have had problems.

Anjelica I can only imagine the things going through your mind last night at the end of your tether I pray that your DS follows through with his new found bravery. I do think you have been let down badly by MH services. Surely a lot of MH patients must refuse treatment it doesn't mean they should be discharged I suppose they are very over stretched.

Horrible news PA I hope you can get it all nice again very soon.

Apart from my teeth woes I am proud and thankful today that the organisation responsible to police policy were interested in my opinions as a domestic abuse victim who was failed by the police and my experiences will hopefully influence future police policy and help other victims in the future.

Dutchoma · 19/02/2015 17:38

Well done Kay Some good has come out of a horrible situation.
Ongoing prayers for Anjelica and her sons and for PA. Let's hope that some good will come out of this situation as well.

First choir practice for the Good Friday service tonight.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 19/02/2015 20:46

You should be proud Kay! So fantastic that they're taking your experience on board and learning from it. It was awful but I hope more women can be better protected in the future.

Tuo · 19/02/2015 23:14

Prayer for Lent: Day 2

Thanking God for prayers answered in the case of Anjelica's DS. It's wonderful that he seems to have realised that only he can take responsibility for accepting help and hopefully getting better. Praying for this to continue. Meanwhile, as others have said, do take time to look after yourself too.

Praying, too, for PA - how upsetting that must have been.

Kay - I also have (had? - do I dare put that in the past tense?) a dental phobia, and didn't go back to the dentist for about 10 years, after a horrible dentist told me to 'grow up' while pulling a tooth out. I've finally plucked up the courage to go back (to a different dentist, obviously) and am slowly slowly getting over my fear. I think I've mentioned this before on here, but I find it helps to have something to repeat over and over to take my mind off what is happening. It could be anything, but I read about the 'Jesus Prayer' (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner) and how in the Orthodox tradition it is often repeated over and over, and that works for me. Also, definitely tell the dentist that you are scared and ask them to go slowly, to numb you if need be (I had a small amount of anaesthetic for some deep cleaning treatment last week and it really helped, because I was confident that I wouldn't be able to feel anything), and arrange a sign that you can use (e.g. raise a hand) to make them stop if you start to feel panicky. Praying for courage for you and for you to find kindness and understanding. And that's wonderful about the DV organisation (well - not wonderful that you had that experience to share, but great that they realised that they could learn from you): well done!

Continuing to pray for MHD, BES, Momey, amber, FLaG and anyone with health worries, tiredness, stress or all of the above.

Hope your choir practice went well tonight Oma - thanking God for the gift of song. It is not a gift with which I have been blessed, sadly, but I appreciate it in others. There was the most beautiful rendition of Allegri's Miserere at our Ash Wednesday service last night - so moving.

From tonight's Northumbria Compline:

May the Father of heaven
have care of our soul,
His loving arm about our bodies,
through each slumber
and sleep of our lives. Amen

OP posts:
Tuo · 21/02/2015 00:52

Prayer for Lent: Day 3

Keeping prayers going for all on this thread. I liked this prayer as a prayer for Lent, as it reminds us of some of the non-trivial things we ought to be giving up (and taking on):

A Prayer of St Apollonius

O Lord Jesus Christ,
give us a measure of your Spirit
that we may be enabled to obey your teaching:
to pacify anger,
to take part in pity,
to moderate desire,
to increase love,
to put away sorrow,
to cast away vain glory,
not to be vindictive,
not to fear death;
ever entrusting our spirit to the immortal God
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns
world without end. Amen

OP posts:
Tuo · 21/02/2015 22:37

Prayer for Lent: Day 4

It's very quiet in here at the moment... Praying for all, this weekend: for those who are ill, for those who are busy, for those who are stressed, for those who are sad, for those who are anxious, and for those who are rejoicing. God knows all our situations and hears our prayers.

A Franciscan Blessing

May God bless you with discomfort,
At easy answers, half-truths,
And superficial relationships
So that you may live
Deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression,
And exploitation of people,
So that you may work for
Justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears,
To shed for those who suffer pain,
Rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand
To comfort them and
To turn their pain to joy

And may God bless you
With enough foolishness
To believe that you can
Make a difference in the world,
So that you can do
What others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness
To all our children and the poor.
Amen

OP posts:
HardyLeodicean · 22/02/2015 06:04

I have been sadly absent recently, but I would like to give my prayers for Tuo and also for the kind, welcoming and downright lovely words I had from Dutchoma when I joined this thread. It has helped me in a difficult time and I truly pray for all others on this thread that they will have the strength to bear what they must and that things will work out as best they can. So - not very poetic, but heart-felt.

Kaykat · 22/02/2015 09:23

Thank you Tuo your lent prayers are a huge blessing.

Hardy sorry I don't remember what your difficulties were I may have been absent from the thread at the time but yes Oma is a star isn't she and I hope your situation has improved.

I have been ill this weekend and in a lot of pain. It's something that will get better soon and nothing like what some people on here suffer and I feel very sorry for MHD and others who suffer chronic illnesses when we are fit and well most of the time we can take it for granted. Dentist worries are still hanging over me as I wasn't well enough to phone and discuss it on Friday.

amberlight · 22/02/2015 10:15

Keeping all of you in prayers. Getting over a 'flu-ish bug, very slowly, and lacking patience for recovery. Deeply thankful for good things that came out of going to Synod with Inclusive Church, recently, though. Lots of really lovely people to meet up there.

madhairday · 22/02/2015 11:50

So pleased amber that some good things have come out of Synod for Inclusive Church :) Praying for quick recovery for you from nasty fluey thing.

Praying for you as well Kaykat for recovery and for peace about the dental situation. Thankyou for thinking of me. I guess it's something that's so normal for me that I don't think too much about life without illness, if you see what I mean, though like the idea!!

Hello Hardy, welcome, are you under a different name? (sorry if not, have awful memory), but either way, it's lovely to have you with us.

Thanks Tuo for the continued prayers for Lent. Prayers for you too. :)

Got out yesterday for first time in two weeks for team away day. Was brilliant, very encouraging :)

innerstrength100 · 22/02/2015 18:41

Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight Kaykat and feel stronger in the morning.

QofF · 22/02/2015 19:39

Thanks for the prayers Tuo. Glad you are out and about MHD. Kay and Amber prayers for improved health and Hardy welcome back.

Tuo · 22/02/2015 23:27

Prayer for Lent: Day 5

Thank you all for your prayers.

Welcome back Hardy - I'm sorry I missed you off the OP. I normally go back about a month or so into the old thread and pick up from there when I start the new one, so I suspect I just missed you. (I remember you well, because your nickname suggests you're somewhere near me geographically - though of course you may not be at all! [cryptic] Confused Smile ). Continuing to pray for you: do stick around if you can.

Thanking God for MHD's excursion out of the house yesterday. I have no idea what it's like to live with chronic illness, but I was hospitalised for several weeks when i had DD1 and remember that feeling of exhilaration when I was briefly allowed out of the hospital for a few hours! Praying for your recovery to continue MHD and thanking God for all you do - on here and IRL - to support others even while ill yourself.

Kay - praying for a swift recovery for you, and continuing to pray for a gentle dentist (I once went to a dentist called 'Gentle Dental' - I walked in and said 'Is your business name really true or is it just a name?' Grin ) too.

amber - praying for a swift recovery for you too, and thanking God for good results from your work at Synod.

And keeping prayers going for innerstrength, QoF, FLaG, PA, Oma, howto, BES and anyone I've forgotten to mention.

A prayer for today, by George Herbert, courtesy of the Northumbria Community:

Enrich, Lord, heart,
hands, mouth in me
with faith, with hope
and charity,
that I may run, rise,
rest in Thee.
Amen

OP posts:
Kaykat · 23/02/2015 07:39

Still in a fair bit of pain but I am going to struggle into work. My dentist actually tries hard to put me as ease and has a lovely manner but he is inexperienced and slow. Sometimes I think it would be better if he just said nothing and powered through the procedure as fast as he could go at least it would get it over and done with quickly.

Anjelica27 · 23/02/2015 09:05

Morning all, thinking of you Kaykat going into work, hope you are ok and everyone else that is suffering today. Thank you Tuo for the prayers, they help to focus my own. After the euphoria of last week reality has set in again. Unrealistically I was expecting my little miracle to be a big one and to see ds improve in leaps and bounds and of course that didn't happen. He is tho, as far as I know, taking his medication now but remains very withdrawn and is still cutting. I thought I had put the fear behind me but am still very afraid for him. Please remember us in your prayers - especially that I can stop being such a wuss and have a bit more strength and faith. I still believe and have hope that he will come back from this and I understand that he will not be the same boy he was before. Sorry this is a bit of a ramble, I'm feeling very overwhelmed by it all at the moment. I really do include you all in my prayers each night, I'm very grateful for a place to rant and ramble. Take care, hope everyone has a good day xxx

QofF · 23/02/2015 09:24

Anjelica the fact that he chose to take his meds again is still a big initial step in the right direction so dont lose sight of that because he isnt showing massive signs of improvement. That choice is an indication that firstly he knows he is ill and secondly he wants to get well and however that is manifesting in his behaviour currently they are 2 massive leaps in the right direction. And you are not a wuss! You wouldn't be human if you weren't still afraid! He is your little boy and he is suffering, of course you are! It will take a few weeks for the meds to kick in and to start seeing any real improvements but I am praying that will happen, and will happen before too long and in the meantime that you are able to rest in the Lord.

Tuo · 23/02/2015 23:02

Prayer for Lent: Day 6

Words of wisdom there from QoF: of course you want to just click your fingers and make it all right, Anjelica, but it truly is a big step that your DS has acknowledged that he is ill and is taking (small, but necessary) steps towards trying to get better. Praying for you, as you pray for him: for you to know peace and to stay hopeful, and for him to continue to take ownership of his recovery, and for it to be swift and lasting.

Kay - praying that today was OK for you, pain-wise, and that you'll be feeling back to full health very soon.

A Prayer of St Benedict

Gracious and holy Father,
please give me:
intellect to understand you;
reason to discern you;
diligence to seek you;
wisdom to find you;
a spirit to know you;
a heart to meditate upon you;
ears to hear you;
eyes to see you;
a tongue to proclaim you;
a way of life pleasing to you;
patience to wait for you;
and perseverance to look for you.
Grant me:
a perfect end,
your holy presence.
A blessed resurrection,
And life everlasting.
Amen

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 24/02/2015 07:30

DLA form two today. Back to school day. Lost football kit day... aaaaaghhhhh we are late day.

madhairday · 24/02/2015 09:04

Amen.

Hope you get t the forms done ok bes. Horrible things. Flowers

BlackeyedSusan · 24/02/2015 14:25

done. need to copy. hers was more woolley... and quite an eyeopener.

BlackeyedSusan · 24/02/2015 14:38

just been to fill in dd's DLA form. a little surprised at how much there was to fill in... she requires a lot more care than I realised... ds is bloody obviously needing help.. difficult to ignore if he bites you on the bum, dd on the other hand needs help for a much younger child which one sort of does not quite notice as you have always done it but by the time she is this age, she should bemore independent.

I am a little shell shocked that the charity worker thought she might get middle rate care and a possibility of lower rate mobility.

Dutchoma · 24/02/2015 14:51

Very glad you got some help with the filling in of the forms. They are an utter pig.

Kaykat · 24/02/2015 20:05

I hope you get it BES it will help to pay for the things they need and you probably should have been getting it for years.

DS said this evening that he wishes he could live with his dad and he doesn't feel that he fits into my family. It was in response to a stressful situation but still difficult to hear and he has said these things before. He didn't used to get on much with his dad as he was very strict and controlling and by the time we separated DS was keen for me to divorce but since then he has put his dad on a pedestal. I probably wouldn't have had all the problems with DS and maybe had a better relationship if I had stayed with ex which is hard. I find myself trying to come to terms with the possibility that he won't want much to do with me when he is grown up and that's hard too.

Dutchoma · 24/02/2015 20:18

You don't really believe that Kay, do you, that ds would have been better off if you had stayed in an abusive relationship. Giving your ds the impression that it is alright to go and cheat on your wife, to treat her like dirt. He may put your husband on a pedestal now because you have reasonable standards and he doesn't always like the discipline that it brings, but eventually truth will out and he will see that you have his best interests at heart.
Try and stand firm, and know that whatever happens you have love for your son in your heart and there will come a day when he will see that.

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