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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:
fakenamefornow · 05/03/2015 19:01

Thank you. I do have somebody to share this with but we are in the same boat together. Thank you though, I'm going to have an early night and pray this go well for all on this thread.

Tuo · 06/03/2015 01:02

Prayer for Lent: Day 16

Welcome to the thread, fakename, I'm glad you stopped by. You don't need to be a Christian to be here (though most of us are, in some form or another), you simply have to want to be here - to have something that you'd like to be offered up to God. I'm sorry that things are so very hard for you at present: it must be really tough, especially after such a long time. I pray that your troubles will soon find a resolution, and that the next few months will be decisive for you in turning things around. I pray that those who are able to offer your RL support will be there for you when you need them, and that God will be with you in your time of need, that you will be blessed with strength and patience and, above all, with hope.

PA - it's good to see you though I'm sorry to hear you've been so unwell. Please look after yourself and get well soon. So exciting to hear how God is calling you, and so good to hear how well DD1 is getting on too. I pray now for the one remaining issue which gives her stress and makes her panic to be resolved.

BES - well done in getting the DLA form in the post; praying now for a good outcome for your DD.

And keeping prayers going for Kay and her DS; Anjelica and her DS; weegie for her own health and for that of her DD; for MHD and howto for their health worries; FLaG for her MH issues and counselling, as well as for longer-term work/study decisions; for Punkrocker and her brother; and for amber who needs our prayers tonight.

As I was writing the above, Psalm 46 came into my mind, so I will leave a few verses of it here as my prayer for tonight:

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
[...]
Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

May God be a very present help to all on this thread, or known to us, who are in trouble tonight. May we not be afraid; rather may we know that stillness in which we can become aware of God with us. Amen.

OP posts:
QofF · 06/03/2015 07:51

punkrocker so sorry to hear the operation didn't go ahead. I am praying it will take place on Tuesday and that all will go well.
howto I wanted to say that since you posted the thought I have copied below the other day it has been going around in my head. It is something I have always known but never truly 100% felt and this week since reading your post it has clicked. Have had a stressful situation with my family this week and this came immediately into my head and as a result I was able to stay calm, not panic and be patient, none of which come remotely naturally to me Smile. So thank you and I am reposting your post as a reminder. He is at the beginning, right in the middle of them, and He already is at the end of the trial
Praying through the thread. Even when I don't post I still check the thread a few times a day and pray for you all. This place is such a blessing.

BlackeyedSusan · 06/03/2015 07:51

busy day here. lots of places to be and cleaning up to be done. before I am buried with pots causing a landslide

PositiveAttitude · 06/03/2015 08:25

Thank you for the mention Tuo and praying for you today Fakename

piercedprincess · 06/03/2015 12:17

Hi people. Am popping in to say hello to everyone and ask you to pray for our Lord to bless me and my husband with the baby we so long for as we have been trying for a while now and it is hard on us both. I will add my prayers and good thoughts to all those on this thread who are in need of them and ask only that you might pray for us too. I've been lapsed in my faith until recently, I even turned against it during much of my twenties, I am 35 now, though I was always brought up to believe in Him. But lately have been finding great comfort in knowing God is carrying my load somehow. Positive thoughts to you all.

howoapproachthis · 06/03/2015 13:00

Hello fakename and piercedprincess thinking of you today and pray God meets your needs

sorry haven't read through all the thread, but this group is very special to me.

things very busy at the minute, im trying to keep up. think march is always the busiest month of the year for me!

Tuo dd is settling in so well at the childminders, thanks so much everyone for praying. it couldn't have gone better, she loves it. i was so nervous about it. she charges a LOT for extra hours though, so the thought that it might have been an option on a difficult day seems to be out.

Mhd thank you so much for what you said. i wish i could put in into words how i feel, but just know that it really really helped me, and i would love to have a pm at some stage about everything :)

i bought myself a little gift today. i went into the shop to look for a present for someone else, couldn't find anything, and got myself something nice instead. i feel a bit guilty. any one else do this? maybe it can be my mothers day present from dd! have a great weekend people.

Dutchoma · 06/03/2015 13:20

What have we been saying to you for months? Be kind to yourself, find yourself maybe a little treat. WELL DONE for doing just that, you are a Good Girl. So glad the childminder is working out for you and dd. You are doing so incredibly well. But don't overdo it

BlackeyedSusan · 06/03/2015 14:40

off to see the head. then hang around for an hour for dd, then brave the traffic, then feed the boy, then it will officially be the weekened.

it is fishfinger night tonight.

madhairday · 06/03/2015 18:47

Oh howto I'm glad I could help a bit. Continuing to pray and very happy to have a chat via PM. I do a blog on this subject which might help a little. Flowers

Praying for my dd tomorrow doing this big national race - bless her she was off school yesterday with a temp and shivers so not at her best But she's determined to go for it so praying she'll be ok. Looks like I might make it too if I take it very slowly so yay and thanks for your prayers.

Welcome to fakename and piercedprincess - you are very welcome here.

Prayers continuing for everyone. With love.

FaithLoveandHope · 06/03/2015 20:15

Hi all,

Slight name change but presumably still recognisable to all the regulars here. Thanks tuo for your continued prayers about everything. Work seems to be a little calmer this week and I'm slightly more at ease with at least sticking out the next 6 months.

Had some bad news this week. My soon to be father in law has been diagnosed with cancer. It's a huge shock and neither me nor DP have any idea how to respond. If you could pray for strength over the coming weeks and months, that'd be much appreciated.

Dutchoma · 06/03/2015 22:02

That is indeed a shock FLaH. The only thing you can do really is be open to what he wants to share. Listen carefully, not only to what is said, but also to what is unsaid.
Welcome Piercedprincess, praying for you and your husband.

Tuo · 07/03/2015 01:44

Hello. Praying for all, but very tired after a series of late nights and early starts, so am going to post and run now and will catch up in more detail tomorrow. On the positive side, I've just finished a fairly substantial piece of work, so thanking God for the last dregs of inspiration and perseverance that He gave me to get me to the end of that!

Prayer for Lent: Day 17

From tonight's Northumbria compline:

Save us, Lord, while we are awake,
guard us while we are asleep;
that, awake, we may watch with Christ,
and, asleep, may rest in His peace. Amen

OP posts:
innerstrength100 · 07/03/2015 07:15

FLAH so sorry to hear this. I hope you and DP are able to hold on to that hope you have and God sends all three of you strength.

Welcome fakename and pierced princess; you are in the right place for sharing your struggles.

mhd Good luck to your daughter today, how are you both this morning?

QofF · 07/03/2015 08:37

mhd good luck to you daughter. Hope you make it there today.
flah so sorry to read that but I pray for comfort and courage and the presence of hope for you all.

FaithLoveandHope · 07/03/2015 09:28

Thank you all. Currently trying to hold onto the hope that they've caught it early and they can operate and its not spread. Though really we've no idea and oma you're right, sometimes it's the unsaid things that say more. Before we found out it was cancer he told DP to prepare for the worst. I'm not sure if he knows something but won't say, or if he's just panicking and jumping to the worst case scenario. Tbh in my mind I'm jumping to worst case scenario - wondering how DSS will cope, how DP's mum and brother will cope, will he even be able to make it to our wedding, should we move it forward or not. I know I need to calm down and take each day by day because I'm not going to be able to help DP as best I can with my mind racing forwards like this. It doesn't seem real tbh. Does it ever really seem real?

mhd good luck to your daughter today.

tuo that's great news about the work.

Dutchoma · 07/03/2015 11:04

FLAH taking it day by day and dealing with what is rather than what might be is the only way you will be able to cope. And holding on to the fact that you will cope, whatever. Has there been a wedding day set? How old is your fil (to be)? Lots can be done about cancer these days. It is very difficult to cope with these things when you are already struggling.
Praying that you will make a good thing out of this new day. The weather here is really nice, so maybe try and get some fresh air?

BlackeyedSusan · 07/03/2015 11:06

dd is looking longingly at the computer... I can put it off no longer...

the big tidy has begun. also need to fit in a trip to the shoe shop.

madhairday · 07/03/2015 17:11

FLAH prayers for you, it must be a shock, Oma has really good wisdom as always. Flowers

Thanks for your prayers everyone. Was delighted to be able to manage to go and watch dd, I feel shattered now but just about made it and it was a beautiful day over in Birmingham, lovely atmosphere with thousands there for the national championships from all age groups so it was really a fantastic experience. DD tried really hard, we could tell she wasn't really better from this virus as she was struggling but she made it to the end and not last so she was happy! It was a 4K course with loads of hills, but there were some really super fast girls in her race, obvious future olympic champion I would say the girl who came first because she was streets ahead, amazing to see. So I'm praising God for the experience, which is especially lovely as she is dyspraxic and dyspraxic people aren't usually known for being great at sport. Proud mum :)

Dutchoma · 07/03/2015 17:27

So lovely to hear that MHD. The fact that she is even in the competition speaks volumes. And wonderful to hear that you too managed to the end. I hope you can rest now.

howoapproachthis · 07/03/2015 17:36

hey mhd. so glad you were able to make it and your lovely dd could complete the whole race even when she was under the weather! used to do a bit of cross country back in the day - lots of fun getting covered in all the mud and the exciting atmosphere . im sure she loved it and no wonder you were proud. please do pm the link to your blog would love to have a read

BlackeyedSusan · 07/03/2015 17:48

yay to minimad!

FaithLoveandHope · 07/03/2015 20:46

Thank you so much for your wise words oma and to everyone else too. Wedding date is set for December. Only 9 months away and I think if we completely wanted to avoid FIL being ill on the day we'd have to do it ASAP if he ends up having chemo, which I'm not even sure would be possible - how long does it even take to organise a church wedding as we've not had any wedding prep sessions yet? We'll know more (hopefully) about DFIL next week. I don't know his exact age but he's only early fifties. I don't even know what cancer it is, docs said it's quite rare though.

Today has been good though. DP was working so DSS and I spent the afternoon at the park with my friend and her children. I feel like I've been on a really short tether with DSS today. We've not spent a day together just him and I for a while and I think he was pushing his luck and seeing what he could get away with. I'm on edge about DFIL and just my general mental health and so I feel like I've spent a lot of the day telling him off. It's probably not as bad as I've felt though and DSS still seemed really happy snuggling up to me this eve and wanted me to do most of his bedtime routine despite DP being back by then, so he doesn't seem too bothered about me enforcing the boundaries.

mhd that's fantastic news about your DD, really well done to her! I used to love cross country though was never very good at it. Really glad you all had a good day despite being under the weather.

QofF thank you for resharing the thought from howto. I've not read far back but saw that thought and it's wonderful. Thanks howto for sharing that with the thread in the first place. It's something I need to hold on to now more than ever. DP has never been very vocal about his belief in God but he recently said he needs God now more than ever. I'm pleased he's turning to God and getting a lot of comfort from his faith in the same way that I do. I think he'd appreciate that thought too.

Dutchoma · 07/03/2015 20:55

I think FLAH if you speak to the priest-in-charge of the church you have planned your wedding at he will be able to tell you how long it will take before you can get married. But I think you will want to wait till next week until you know a bit more about what the prognosis is, and the proposed treatment. Communication seems to be quite important here.
It's good that you got on well with DSS tonight, enforcing boundaries is not a bad thing.

FaithLoveandHope · 07/03/2015 21:10

Definitely oma. DP doesn't want to tell anyone yet anyway so I wouldn't mention it to our vicar unless he wanted me to do. I feel so awful re DSS though. When DP tells him off it seems okay because he's his Dad. I know there was no one else there today but I still feel bad telling him off and sometimes I worry he'll grow up hating me - even though that's totally irrational because we don't really spend that many days together with just him and I.