Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

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 · 14/03/2015 12:48

punkrocker of course you don't sound sorry for yourself! You poor poor thing, I am so sorry for you all. am praying for strength, comfort and time for you all.

BlackeyedSusan · 14/03/2015 13:21

Well it would differ according to circumstances.

Some parents would welcome a cell/housegroup that meets in the day. others may be able to use a babysitter and therefore access an evening one. others would need to have something at the weekend as neither options are possible.

What would be nice is an acknowledgement that sometimes marriages break down. That abuse does happen in Christian marriages, that sometimes it is the right thing to leave a marriage.

There were a whole series of sermons on supporting one another at church, within cell groups but there were no cell groups that could be attended as a singel parent with a child that has a disability.

It was suggested that one helps out with something as a way to get to know people, however, there was no suggestion about who should make sure ds does not burn the church down by playing with the candles look after the children while this was going on. Nor any acknowledgement that to be able to give some output you need input.

There is literature about supporting each other, but no systems in place to pick up the marginalised. There is literature about helping each other as parents as it is a difficult job. Yet single parents are left to be supermum (dad) on their own as the support is designed for couples.

legohurtswhenyoustandonit · 14/03/2015 21:15

Regular lurker and occasional poster. I decided it was time to name change.

I'm not a single parent but in the past often took the dcs to church with out DH. I think it is important to have activities for children during the service all year round and that they don't stop completely in the summer. A full service can be heavy going without a crèche.

Lurking and praying for all, especially punkrocker and her family.

PunkrockerGirl · 14/03/2015 21:24

Thank you all. A bit of a breakthrough today was Db saying he'd be ok to be put on the prayer lists at both sil and my churches. He's always freaked out about this before. Today he said "ok every little helps" or maybe it was the morphine speaking Wink

Dutchoma · 14/03/2015 22:46

Prayer for Lent Day 25
As TUO may not have an opportunity to post a prayer tonight I said I would.

Continuing in prayer for Punkrockergirl's db and thanking God that he is now willing to be open to the power of prayer. Let us pray that we will see God doing 'immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine' (Eph 3:20).

Welcome to legohurtswhenyoustandonit, I hope we can be a blessiing to you as you are a blessing to us.

I am giving thanks for Amberlight's hospitality tonight. The pre-pilgrimage meeting is tomorrow in Oxford and as it is hard for me to get back from there on a Sunday she suggested I come and stay for a couple of nights with her and her family.

The prayer tonight is an old and very familiar one from the prayerbook. It comes in both Evensong and Compline:

Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord and by Thy great mcy defend us from all perils and evils of this night. For the love of Thy son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Dutchoma · 14/03/2015 23:04

I have just had another prayer request from SilverStars. She is now withing five weeks of the end of her pregnancy and has been told that the baby will be born with severe mental and physical handicaps. She does not know how long it will be before the baby is born, it has stopped growing, but her team are unwilling to deliver prematurely. Please pray.
Also bear in your prayers the little girl that Amber knows about. Her mother is part of Amber's support in cancer group, quite ill with cancer herself. And now her little dd (6) has been taken into hospital waiting for an operation for a brain tumour on Tuesday. These are such unutterably hard prayers and yet we must go on and keep trusting that we have a God Who will make all things new and Who works for the good of those who love Him

QofF · 15/03/2015 07:57

Thanks for the prayer oma and sharing those sad situations with us so we can pray.
punkrocker glad to hear about your Db change of mind.

innerstrength100 · 15/03/2015 08:30

Happy Mother's Day to all of you.

It is my big sports exam this afternoon. Praying for physical and mental strength to achieve what I want to achieve, and not too many nerves. It's a big big challenge.

BlackeyedSusan · 15/03/2015 08:40

good luck inner!

Praise God, I had breakfast in bed this morning, thanks to dd.

howoapproachthis · 15/03/2015 09:35

thats lovely BES! happy mothers day everyone! im meeting mum for coffee then hoping to rest while dd and her meet rest of family - if dd will go that is. done too much yesterday! have a lovely day everyone

madhairday · 15/03/2015 12:27

BES that's so lovely, your wonderful dd! Flowers

Oma so pleased you're staying with Amber - how wonderful, and prayers for the situations you mention, so heartbreaking.

Praying for your exam today innerstrength

Punkrocker I'm so deeply sorry about what you and your db are going through. It must be so incredibly difficult for you Flowers Never ever feel like you are being sorry for yourself, what you are facing is so awful. You're in my prayers.

Thanks for those posting about how churches can help single parents. it's so sad that there isn't the support there where there should be, and has certainly given me some pause for thought about how our new church can help people in this situation. It seems that lack of judging and practical help are really important - with home groups etc, we've always tended to try and meet at the home that needs the babysitters but can't get them for whatever reason - to try not to exclude people because they don't have an OH or a babysitter. Would love to hear more ways you think that the church can support single parents.

I had a great day at the New wine women's day yesterday but it was too much physically really and I really really struggled with it with the amount of people there and all the steps (didn't find the lift at first, duh!!) - and ended up in tears at feeling so limited and slowing my friends down, but they were lovely and supported me and the worship was so beautiful that I couldn't help but look beyond myself which was what I needed all along :) Knackered now, having a quiet (mostly) day, just our service later. The dc made me breakfast in bed and dd is cooking dinner so I can relax and not think about the mess in the kitchen

Happy mother's day to everyone, and love and prayers to all those who find it difficult today. Flowers

BlackeyedSusan · 15/03/2015 17:44

Church was interesting. ds went into the childrens group and seemed to enjoy it as they were making stuff. we are supposed to ask the leaders of our groups something... Oma, et al, expect a pm. there is no-one at church who does know me even after three years. Hmm

Kaykat · 15/03/2015 23:00

It would be great if people noticed when someone is on their own in church and would spend some time chatting. I used to go to a small fellowship that was good at dong this but in the larger congregations you often go unnoticed and ignored.

Tuo · 15/03/2015 23:28

Prayer for Lent: Day 26

I'm back! Thank you so much for posting last night, Oma. I couldn't get online at all yesterday. I had a great day, but the two 5 a.m. starts were a bit of a killer... The only advantage was that I was back home by 11 this morning, and managed to chill out a bit this afternoon. Can I take this opportunity to give thanks for wonderful colleagues, both here and there (the place where I was visiting), who are really committed to their jobs and enthusiastic. What a blessing that is!

Praying especially today for all the single parents on this thread (posters, lurkers, visitors, whatever). Praying that they will find support and comfort and help when needed in their churches and in their lives. Welcome legohurts (hmm... it does, doesn't it?).

innerstrength - how did it go? Too late to pray for the exam, but I am praying for you tonight, that, whatever happens, you feel that you did your best and are happy with your performance.

Praying for amber and Oma as they share one another's company and prepare for their pilgrimage.

Praying for MHD after her long hard day out on Saturday, for rest and recuperation. Also praying that howto managed to get some rest today.

Continuing to pray for Punkrocker's brother, and also for Silverstars and for amber's friend. In these terrible situations may they find comfort, support and love.

A Prayer of Edward Pusey (1800-1882)

Good Jesus, Fountain of Love,
Fill us with thy love.
Absorb us into thy love;
Compass us with thy love,
That we may see all things in the light of thy love,
Receive all things as the token of thy love,
Speak of all things in words breathing of thy love,
Win through thy love others for thy love,
Be kindled day by day with a new glow of thy love,
Until we be fitted to enter into thine everlasting love,
To adore thy love and love to adore thee, our God and all.
Even so come, O Lord Jesus. Amen

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 15/03/2015 23:58

at 5.30 am this morning the 'neighbours' were at it annoyingly loudly, first it was the cawing and fighting, then the screeching and calling of their bloody seagull relatives. bloody mating season.

took the children down to the lake today after church, there was a bloody ruckous going on there as well, and several dishevelled ducks emerging from underneath a flock of drakes. In 28 days or so the lake will be filled with little ducklings. Grin

so sympathies for the early morning and warnings to wait awhile to go and feed the ducks for those who do not want to have awkward conversations with little ones just yet Grin

anyway, I have to be up early. so better go to bed.

tomorrow I have a lunch meeting Smile and possibly an email to compose that shall take some thought.

innerstrength100 · 16/03/2015 09:00

Thank you for the prayers and good wishes, I passed my sports exam with flying colours!!!!!! Am absolutely over the moon that I have achieved this big challenge. Aching all over today but feel great and can't believe how well I did!!!Grin

Dutchoma · 16/03/2015 09:28

Oh, well done, Innerstrength.

I had the most blessed weekend, everything went so well, thank you for your prayers.

NotChimpandZeeagain · 16/03/2015 19:42

BlackeyedSusan I have recently been in the position of trying (not) to explain too much about why the ponies are so bad at leapfrog to my ds1 (7, with ASD). Have been praying through the recent posts. Thank you especially for the evening prayers.

QofF · 16/03/2015 20:09

innerstrength that is brilliant news! Well done! You must be feeling pretty proud of yourself, both for this achievement but also for how far you have come in the last few months.
oma glad you had a lovely weekend. When do you go on your pilgrimage? I have read a couple of John Pritchards books since you mentioned them and got a lot out of them. Ten in particular.
tuo good to hear your trip was a success.
Keeping prayers going. So many sad stories out there. Thank God for the ultimate hope we have.

BlackeyedSusan · 16/03/2015 20:43

oh inner, I thought I had posted a congratulations. (may have typed and forgotten to post) so congratulations..possibly again..

chimp, mine have asked several questions over the years that have been answered, so know the basics.

Tuo · 16/03/2015 23:41

I shouldn't laugh, but I am doing at duck goings-on and pony leapfrog. When my two were younger we went to some sort of animal park on holiday and there were these giant tortoises who were getting ... well, getting as jiggy as it's possible to get when you are a giant tortoise. The boy tortoise was making these rhythmic grunting noises, to which my DD1 piped up 'Oh look mummy... that tortoise has got hiccups'. Grin

The tiredness has caught up with me, so I'm off to bed now, but this is just to say a massive congratulations to innerstrength. You are truly an amazing woman, with inner and outer strength.

Keeping prayers going for all who need them: especially for Punkrocker and her brother, for Silverstars, for amber's friend, for MHD, for BES, for howto and for Oma and amber.

How are you feeling now, QoF? Kay it's good to see you. How are things?

A short prayer from the 8th-century Gelasian sacramentary for all on this thread or known to us who need prayers especially at this time.

Almighty and everlasting God, the comfort of the sad, the strength of those who suffer; hear the prayers of your children who cry out of any trouble; and to every distressed soul grant mercy, relief and refreshment. Amen.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 17/03/2015 06:47

urgg... I went to bed earlier last night. I had just fallen asleep when a quiet apparition arrived and joined me for most of the night. a slightly wriggly aapparition who was finally sent back to his own bed at 5 and allowed to get up at 5,30. as he was quite clearly awayke for the day. ds has insisted I get up early.

innerstrength100 · 17/03/2015 07:09

Thank you everyone for your nice wishes. I feel very blessed and very happy. My new romance is also ongoing and giving me so much in the way of long overdue laughs and fun. Obviously I am a little wary, I do not want to EVER feel as I felt a few months ago.

To be honest I can't actually even remember any of the Autumn. It all just seems like a horrible blur. Like a bad dream, that went on for months.

God has helped me so much, given me such strength, and brought me out the other side with such wonderful gifts and blessings. I praise God and thank Him. I am a very very lucky woman.

Kaykat · 17/03/2015 08:03

inner its lovely to see how far you have come in a few months.

I am ok thanks for asking Tuo. Enjoying a lull between court hearings and making the most of ex being in a nice phase which means he doesn't try to turn DS against me so much. DS is not easy. The teenage brain doesn't seem to understand logic so when I try to get him to be sensible like go to bed before midnight he finds that hugely unfair and says I am ruining his life. Most days he finds something unfair and thinks i am ruining his life. Its starting to wash over me now because his logic is so ridiculous. Other times he's chatty and lovely. I think my biggest worry is how rude and surly he is with other people as other teenagers i know aren't like that they are polite. He had to take an exam and despite several meltdowns in the run up and putting in the minimum of effort he did well. I suspect that will be the pattern for his GCSEs..

madhairday · 17/03/2015 15:11

innerstrength congratulations on the sports exam :) And so pleased things are going well for you.

Kaykat glad ex is being slightly more reasonable at the moment. praying that ds will be more chatty and lovely than unreasonable!

please can you pray for the family of a man who jumped from the top of our local car park. It's all over the news as there were people at the bottom encouraging him to jump and videoing it Sad Angry - we just can't believe it - I know several people who know the family who are local to us here so we are all praying for them and thinking about how we can support them in this awful, awful time :(

Swipe left for the next trending thread