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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:
QofF · 09/03/2015 19:51

FLaH how are you today?
bes poor you - sinus infections are horrid.
how to how is dd? So glad to hear has gone well with cm.
Can I ask you to pray for wisdom for me. I am trying to decide whether to go back on ADs or not. I havent been on them for quite a while now, since before all went wrong last year with DH. I didnt go back on them after our problems as I knew despite the devastation I was feeling I wasnt clinically depressed. I am struggling again now and have been for a few months and I dont know if its a delayed reaction to last year or the depression returning. I ideally dont want ads partly because they made me pile on a ton of weight last time and it is taking a long time to shift (shallow I know!) and partly because I think its probably normal to not feel great as am still living in this bizarre limbo with dh where I have no idea if reconciliation is on the cards for the future or not. I really dont know what to do but I know I need to get out of this joyless, grey, void i am in nearly every day. So prayers for wisdom and a signpost for which way to go would be very much appreciated.

Dutchoma · 09/03/2015 21:13

QoF is there any chance to hold off going back on anti depressants until Easter. Easter is very early this year, so the weather may not have improved much, but it is hopeful time of year, is Easter. In the meantime you could maybe make an effort to find one or two things that are pleasing, there are daffodils coming out, the blue tits are back in the box and so on.

I think you are wise to make a distinction between feeling understandably sad about the limbo your husband's situation has put you in and clinical depression which will not shift unless you employ some medication. I would want to be very sure that anti depressants are going to make a lot of difference before you go on them and would do everything else (like some exercise, a nice book or some music you like) before coming to that conclusion. If nothing helps and you are no further forward when the weather is better after Easter that might be the time to go back on them

innerstrength100 · 09/03/2015 22:36

Very sorry you are still feeling so low QofF. And that after all this time, you are still in "bizarre limbo". Anyone would feel crap in your situation. Sad. My horrible limbo in the Autumn came to a hideous head, but at least it ended. I do know how soul destroying it is to be stuck in a situation that you cannot solve or push forward. I really feel for you.

Will pray for wisdom. You do sound like you have many doubts about going back on ADs. And at the end of the day, how you are feeling is so so linked to your "stuckedness" with the situation you are in.

Do you feel low every day at the moment, or are some days better than others? If so, what makes the good days better?

Tuo · 09/03/2015 23:07

Prayer for Lent: Day 20

Anjelica - I pray that you had a calm day today and have managed to get some rest.

FLaH - I am praying for you, your DP, and your FIL-to-be... I hope that you have coped OK today, and that you may take some comfort from knowing that lots of us on here are thinking of you and praying.

howto - praying that your dd has had a better day today and that you've got some rest.

BES - sorry to hear about the sinus infection... get well soon.

QoF - I am sure that how you're feeling now is a reaction to all that has gone before - that you're (probably not consciously) letting some of those feelings out now that your DH is a bit better, where you didn't dare to before. That doesn't mean that you're not depressed, nor does it mean that you are... but it might perhaps help if you think of how you're feeling now as a normal (if delayed) reaction to all you've been coping with. I will pray for wisdom for you in deciding what to do next. I am also praying for some resolution to your situation, and for continued strength at this time.

MHD - how are you feeling after the outing to watch DD run? I hope you didn't overdo it too much. And is she better? Praying for you both...

This is really trivial (well, maybe not, but it is trivial compared to what many people are dealing with), but if you could spare a thought for DD2, she has an audition for a Christian rock band (on bass). Those of you who were on the old Christian chat threads will probably be laughing your heads off now, knowing that I am more - ahem - traditionally inclined. However, if it's a way for DD to stay engaged with church stuff (she has been quite disengaged recently) in a way that enthuses her then I could learn to change my tastes... Grin [stoic] She heard this band on Saturday at a youth event which she had to have her arm twisted quite a lot to get her to go to, but said that they were really good, but lacked a bass player. I found out how to contact them, and she has been in touch and set up an audition. She hasn't been playing bass for long, though, so I fear she may not get in and am hoping she won't be too disappointed if that's the case. So prayers for musical inspiration and/or strength to cope if she's not accepted would be much appreciated.

A prayer of St Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin...

O Lord, you have given us your word for a light to shine upon our path; grant us so to meditate on that word, and follow its teaching, that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day. Amen

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 10/03/2015 00:58

too much pepper from a late night snack

finally woke ds and offered him his tea, which resulted in wailing. mollified by offering an alternative topping to his toast. he has eaten his first fried egg. (everyone else had beans on toast hours ago as it was an oh fuck we have not done dd's homework at the weekend quick tea

oops. Blush

innerstrength100 · 10/03/2015 09:10

Hope you are feeling better today BES

Feel almost guilty asking this as everyone else on here deserves far more help than I do right now, but please could everyone send a few little prayers for a big challenge I have on Sunday.

I have a big sports related exam Sunday afternoon that I have been training hard for. This was one of the goals I set myself when I split with my ex, and to pass this exam is really important to me on lots of levels! I am very nervous about it and need prayers that I rise above nerves and perform well, and am fit and energised on Sunday.

Thank you. Smile

BlackeyedSusan · 10/03/2015 13:25

just caught up on some of the sleep I missed last night so am feeling more human again. Got to whizz off to school to see the SaLT soon.

BlackeyedSusan · 10/03/2015 19:23

Had a random text from the dwp letting me know that they had dd's form. cheaper than the letter they sent for ds I suppose. I will know when I get the letter saying that the money is for dd that we may be in with a chance of an award.

PunkrockerGirl · 10/03/2015 21:20

Praying for you all.
Db' s operation took place today. Not good news. Feeling distraught.

Dutchoma · 10/03/2015 21:31

I really was praying today that the operation would go ahead. So sad it isn't good news. Prayer continuing that you will KNOW beyond all doubt that God has the matter in hand and the ultimate outcome is victory.

QofF · 10/03/2015 21:36

Oh Punkrocker am sorry. Do you want to share? Praying for you both.
Thanks for your words everyone. I woke up this morning and felt strangely at peace with my state of "bizarre limbo". And that it might not be what I want ideally but actually it's OK. There is love there, mutual respect and ds is happy and oblivious to any issues. Oma I am taking your advice re waiting until Easter before deciding what to do. And in the meantime am going to go all out to focus on positives and see if that helps. Went for a run this morning for the first time in a while and that helped as did sunshine.

FaithLoveandHope · 10/03/2015 22:14

Sorry, thought I'd posted since my lost post but obviously not. Howto I really like what you said about saying out loud you don't like this, even if it is a bit child like. I actually found myself doing that and I think it helped to accept that I was feeling rubbish and I didn't like feeling rubbish but that's okay. I'm feeling slightly calmer about it all today even though we still don't know any more about what's happening. It really helps to know many people are praying for us all.

Punkrocker I'm so sorry it's not good news. Praying for you right now.

QofF very sorry to hear you're not feeling great. Oma has some really wise words. It sounds like you're feeling more positive and that's great and I think the steps you are taking sound really positive, well done! Praying for the peace to continue.

Tuo that's great about your DD. Can understand you preferring the more traditional side of things (me too!!) but like you say, if it gets her back in touch with church then that's great. Fingers crossed for good news with it.

Inner praying for calmness, fitness and energy for your exam :) best of luck with it. Please don't feel guilty for asking for prayers, we are all as equally deserving of prayers regardless of how big or small or trivial our problems or situations may seem to ourselves or to others.

Sorry if I have missed anyone. I try to keep you all in my daily prayers.

Tuo · 10/03/2015 22:38

Prayer for Lent: Day 21

Oh Punkrocker - I have been thinking about your DB today. I'm so sorry that you didn't get better news. Praying for strength tonight for you, for him, and for all who care about him. Praying that you will know God's presence with you in this difficult time, and in whatever happens next.

innerstrength - Praying for you as you prepare for this exam. This isn't trivial at all, especially in the context - it's about the 'new you', and about something positive coming out of a bad situation. Praying it'll all go well for you.

FLaH - continuing to pray for you, your DP and your FIL.

BES - yay for your DS trying something new. Praying for a quick resolution to your DD's DLA application.

This prayer of St Augustine is one I post quite often. I am posting it tonight for Punkrocker, FLaH, howto, MHD, Anjelica, Weegie, and anyone else to whom it speaks, in ill-health, anxiety, fear, despair...

Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and let your angels protect those who sleep. Tend the sick. Refresh the weary. Sustain the dying. Calm the suffering. Pity the distressed. We ask this for the sake of your love. Amen

OP posts:
DontstepontheMomeRaths · 10/03/2015 22:49

DD is coughing so much tonight. She's exhausted from lack of sleep.

I feel her current teacher just doesn't connect with her at all. No sympathy or understanding. And with her friendships struggles on top, things are hard for her right now. I've just been sitting on my bed praying about it all.

Falling asleep as I type. So a fly by visit from me. Life is so busy right now and I'm worried about DD too.

QofF · 11/03/2015 06:38

tuo hope things go well for dd's audition. Am another one who prefers the more traditional but sounds like this could be a good way to engage her.
inner will be praying for your exam as well.
mome sorry to hear things are tough for dd. does she talk to you much about the issues?
punkrocker continuing prayers

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 11/03/2015 07:21

As much as a 7 yr old does.

I asked the ht to speak to class teacher about circle of friends. Which is something the school can do. I'm not sure whether this will work as the class teacher needs to be fully behind this for it to work. Sorry if this sounds garbled. I'll try and explain better tonight.

howoapproachthis · 11/03/2015 09:49

thankful for this group. not doing so well - this week without a break has taken its toll, as dd became very bouncy and a bit naughty again the past couple of days and of course ive no energy to cope. bring on tomorrow when i get a proper break except i arranged first time for friend from church to come, i really don't want to cancel as im so isolated in the church and have been thinking about leaving.

BlackeyedSusan · 11/03/2015 12:28

how are you and dd this morning mome?

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 11/03/2015 14:04

Not good. I ended up with a crying dd not wanting to go to school. I took her in through school office so I could chat to ht quickly about how she's feeling and ht could walk her round.

I then rushed away crying feeling bad too.

Hoping at pick up she's had a good day. Tonight she's performing at a festival which I expect her to do well in and that'll help her self esteem even if school is rotten right now.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 11/03/2015 14:06

Howto praying for enough energy for coffee with this new friend x

Tuo · 11/03/2015 22:51

Prayer for Lent: Day 22

And... she's IN! [happy dance] They said that she needed to work on her playing a lot bit, but they are willing to work with her. I'm so pleased for her even though it complicates my life, as it clashes with another commitment, and means hours of listening to her running through bass lines without the corresponding 'tune' at home. No, seriously, I'm really happy and just hope she'll stick at it now. Thank you for your prayers.

Praying for you, howto, for rest and strength and for a good meet-up with your church friend.

Also praying for you, Momey. That sounds a really tough situation with your DD, especially if she's not well on top of everything else. I hope she's had a good time tonight at the festival where she was performing, and I pray that school will get its act together for her soon.

Keeping prayers going for all on this thread, and particularly those who are struggling at the moment.

From tonight's Northumbria compline:

The peace of God
be over us to shelter us,
under us to uphold us,
about us to protect us,
behind us to direct us,
and ever with us to save us. Amen

OP posts:
QofF · 12/03/2015 07:27

How was DDs festival Mome?
brilliant news re your DD Tuo Grin

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 12/03/2015 09:47

She got a special merit. She was 2 points below a distinction but she didn't get bronze, silver or gold. So in her mind she did rubbish. Lots of tears! But the competition was stiff. She also got a similar mark in her duo mime piece a week ago. Next year she'll definitely get a medal I'm sure.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 12/03/2015 09:47

Great news TUO!

madhairday · 12/03/2015 12:09

Praying for your dd Mome - so sorry she's having trouble at school, and feeling low about herself. Have been there with dd so really appreciate what you are feeling like with it. Flowers

Punkrocker I am so very sorry to hear it is not good news with your db. We are here if you need to talk. Praying now for peace, comfort, assurance for you.

Tuo - that's brilliant about dd2! she obviously appreciates the better sort of Christian music Grin - wow, that'll be such a great experience for her :) Sympathies about non stop bass lines though, I have enough earache with ds on his guitar and dd on her flute!

howtoapproachthis so sorry things at church are hard. Are you feeling that you are being left out of things? Prayers for you today for a better day. Flowers

I'm going to the New wine women's day this saturday in London so would appreciate prayers for strength...