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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

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Dutchoma · 21/03/2015 21:30

Prayer for Lent Day 32
Just got myself confused about there being 40 days in Lent and here we are at Day 32 and it is nowhere near Easter yet. But then the Sundays don't get counted as Lent days I think, so that makes it alright.

Praying today especially for Zipadisoozi and her family, especially for her dad in his confusion.
Also for Howtoappoachthis, that she may feel stronger and more able to find the fellowship and friendship she needs.
And for BES that she may have the strength to deal with erratic bedtimes and mealtimes.

A prayer from the Northumbria service for Compline

May God shield me;
may God fill me;
may God keep me;
may God watch me;
may God bring me this night
to the nearness of His love.

'the nearness of his love'. May we all feel that this night and always

Tuo · 22/03/2015 10:36

Thank you for keeping prayers going Oma. Yes - there will be more than 40 because of the Sundays. I just do the counting as a way of reminding myself to do it every day... it's not 'official'!

It's 5.30 am here in Chicago and I'm awake with a headache. Going to try to go back to sleep for an hour now.

Before I do though I am adding prayers for all, but especially for Soozi, her parents, and her siblings. May God be with you all at this difficult time.

Back soon... I'm with friends till tomorrow morning, but after that will have more time to post properly. Meanwhile, have a very blessed Sunday.

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BlackeyedSusan · 22/03/2015 10:39

woke up at first light with the lamp stll on and the radio... oops.

off to church. shall see what they come up with this week.

ZipadiSoozi · 22/03/2015 11:25

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts, Dad has been prescribed AD's he seems more sociable, I think I just needed to get it all out of my system, am gradually accepting the illness, now it's plans of coping strategies for Mum, still upsetting but toughening up quickly. DO gave me a brill idea about a hymn CD, it put my train of thoughts into gear and I am going to look into our local Vicar to home visit Dad for Holy Communion, all these little bits of advice are gratefully received as well as your ongoing prayers, I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers, brothers arnt helping think they are in denial or scared and my other sister has problems with Bil going through cancer atm.

Dutchoma · 22/03/2015 21:29

Prayer for Lent Day 33
Today I think I would like to post a prayer for all those of us who would like, but do not have an easy relationship within the church.
I count myself among them as I struggle a bit with the direction the church is taking. Don't want to give any more detail.
I know there are others: HowTo, BES, just to name two, but I know there are others who would like to find a real fellowship in which to worship.

My prayer tonight is that, even if there is no fellowship within the church there still is a relationship with the living Christ. I pray that even if we have not made church today there has been an inspiration and we go into the new week with a new sense of commitment.
My prayer for tonight is also for those who find sleep difficult for whatever reason. Specially pray for TUO who was awake at a very early hour.

I will lay me down and take my rest: for it is Thou, Lord, only Who makest me dwell in safety (Ps 4:8)

ZipadiSoozi · 22/03/2015 22:59

Thank you for that DO, I am looking at the moment for a church service that fits in with family life and the children's commitments, their church youth club is on a Friday night which suits really well, I love hymns and find my strength singing them but I also enjoy Taize. We have 5 churches in the village, we are always made welcome so are very lucky, they work a lot together, Anglican, Methodist, United Reform and Baptist, I always go back to the same one in the end, must be a childhood thing, my Dad brought me up to feel safe in this Church, I love the architecture and feeling inside the building, I love the alter and all the statues and arches, the twins are having a Safe House sleepover in the Church soon, they are so excited. Oops I seem to be rambling, so Thank you God for our fortunate position xxxxx

BlackeyedSusan · 22/03/2015 23:36

finally found space to email the HT. It appears ds needs more support to follow out of the ordinary things than we thought. I usually discover this when my car is getting extensively tested for structurally integrity of the front passenger seat.

(someone do the grammar on that last sentence...)

off to bed...

KayKat · 23/03/2015 07:00

Thanks Oma church and sleep are two things on my mind right now. It's nearly a year since I tried going to a local church only to discover I wasn't emotionally strong enough to cope with it. Yesterday I had a look at the website of another local church who had put a leaflet through the door. They showed their leadership team. Pages of smiling married couples. Even those in single leadership had photos with their spouses and a write up about their happy family life. Would they accept and welcome a single mum going through divorce? I listened to a couple of their podcasts and I think I would break down and walk out again if I tried going there. Also i feel my natural home is this kind of evangelical church but I've changed so much I have become a lot more liberal and feel a bit uneasy at the black and white teaching.

And I'm waking up earlier and earlier each day so very tired and I'm not sure if its the lighter mornings doing it or the cat.

BlackeyedSusan · 23/03/2015 07:24
Shock
BlackeyedSusan · 23/03/2015 12:36

arse...grrr... DWP

madhairday · 23/03/2015 20:10

Just praying through, with love.

FlaH and Sooz especially praying for you tonight as you struggle with dear ones being so ill in different ways. Flowers

signing off for tonight, had an incredibly busy day and just got too embroiled in one of 'those' threads...

BlackeyedSusan · 23/03/2015 20:36

oh dear. hope you have a good night.

QofF · 23/03/2015 21:36

Can I ask for prayers for a friend of mine, very worried about her tonight, she is in a very precarious position.sorry to be cryptic.
Mad I admire you going on those threads and am always impressed with both your knowledge and patience Smile

FaithLoveandHope · 23/03/2015 22:17

Hi all,

Praying for all those who are struggling at the moment or who just need prayers. I pray that for those struggling to find a church they can be happy in, you can at least take some comfort from this thread, in the knowledge that there are many praying for you. Praying especially too for QofF's friend, hope she's okay.

Things are a bit surreal here. I saw stbFiL yesterday and he seemed absolutely fine. It's hard to believe he has cancer and may not be here at the end of the year :( DP and I are struggling generally in our relationship and his dad's health has only made things worse.

Got to go, phone is on 1% battery!

Tuo · 24/03/2015 00:50

Prayer for Lent: Day 34

Hello! Well it has been snowing quite heavily here, and I'd appreciate healthy prayers as I feel as if I'm coming down with a cold (I don't feel really 'ill' just 'cold-y') and i have to give a lecture later in the week so I need to have some voice and preferably not to be too snotty... I think it's probably just the dramatic changes of temperature that have done it. Indoors everywhere is boiling, outside it was nice on Saturday (UK-ish temperatures), bitterly cold yesterday, and snowing today... It needs to get a grip and warm up a bit - it's meant to be spring!

FLaH - That must be so hard, but I guess it's something to be grateful for that your STBFiL is not suffering too much - physically, at least; he must be under terrible pressure psychologically. I am praying that he continues to be well for as long as possible. Also praying for all who love him at this time. And praying for your relationship with your DP - for you to be there for one another, and not to let this strain affect the love that you have for one another too much.

QoF - I am praying for your friend. You don't need to give us details - God knows - I am just praying that she will be OK.

BES - Praying for rest for you and for whatever the situation is with the DWP to be resolved swiftly.

MHD - You are so good. Praying for rest tonight for you too.

Oma - I am praying for you and for all who don't find their relationship with their church easy. I pray that you find the right place for you, Soozi, and for you, Kay, that you find somewhere where you can feel at home. I come from the opposite end of the spectrum, I guess (smells 'n' bells!), but do find that our worship is really not as 'stuffy' as it might appear at first glance (not stuffy at all, in fact...), so it may be worth giving other places a try, if you have the energy, as you may be pleasantly surprised. It's not a hard-and-fast rule, of course, but often the more smellsy-bellsy (for want of a better word) a place is, the more liberal it may be. In any case, I pray that you find the place that's right for you - and that goes for everyone.

Soozi - continuing to pray for your parents as they deal with this situation, and for you and your sisters as you try to support them both. I also pray that your brothers (who are probably also scared at some level) come to understand that you all need their support too.

In my hotel room, I have discovered a prayer book as well as the usual Bible. I will share some prayers from it this week. Here is one specifically for Lent:

God, our liberator,
free us from the chains of selfishness
and the false idols of materialism.
Move us to show regard for the lowly,
advocate for the voiceless,
and rescue victims from their oppressors.
Remove the grind of poverty
by opening our hearts and minds
to your Gospel message to love our neighbour.
Awaken our desires with the gifts of your Spirit,
so your justice may be fulfilled.
In Christ we make this prayer. Amen.

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amberlight · 24/03/2015 08:00

Praying through...

FaithLoveandHope · 24/03/2015 18:11

Praying for your health tuo over the next few days. Praying you don't end up too bunged up! Nothing worse than having to give a lecture (or presentation - I'm not quite at the stage of giving lectures!) when feeling ill!

I spent a lot of time praying the other night and just completely broke down in tears. It was weird though. Even though I had completely broken down, I don't think I've ever felt God's calming presence so strongly before. It felt like even though everything feels so uncertain at the moment, that it'll all be okay and that he's here with me through it.

ZipadiSoozi · 24/03/2015 18:14

Haha Took Mum to have her hair done so had to look after Dad for 3 hours, bless him, took him to Nero's and forgive my ignorance I didn't realise about Expresso shots!! Oops poor Dad high on coffee shots! Well lets just say he forgot he had a limp! (After 3 Nero trips in 45mins cause he forgot he'd just been) Had to call sister for back-up, imagine how much coffee he'd have drunk in 3 hours, just couldn't distract him!

Thank you for your prayers x

KayKat · 24/03/2015 23:25

That's lovely FLaH.

I have tried a couple of CofE churches but felt a bit flat maybe because its not what I'm used to.

Tuo · 25/03/2015 04:09

Prayer for Lent: Day 35

Thank you for your prayers. I'm feeling OK today - a bit vaguely cold-ish, but nothing to worry about.

FLaH - thank you for sharing that experience: I am glad you were able to feel God with you at this difficult time, and that you knew His comfort and love in that moment.

Soozi - oops! I'm glad you were able to distract your dad and that you could have a laugh about it. I bet he was buzzing. Great that your mum could get a break and have her hair done too. Continuing to pray for all of you.

amber - praying for you... lovely to see you.

Kay - I hope you find the right place for you: only you will know what 'feels right' and I pray that God will find a way to direct you to that place.

Praying tonight also for those who died in the plane crash in the French Alps.

A prayer of St John of the Cross from my hotel-room prayer book:

O blessed Jesus
give me stillness of soul in you.
Let your mighty calmness reign in me.
Rule me, O King of Gentleness,
King of Peace.
Amen

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KayKat · 25/03/2015 09:57

Having a tough day DS told me about some things his dad said about my family making them sound really evil and about where all his money has disappeared to and why he's broke it all sounds like lies to me but DS refuses to believe its not true. I think these things were said quite some time ago and this is the first time he's told me. We had a long discussion. DS said he either wants to live with his dad (unlikely he would want him) or he would like to live in a house just like ours without me there. This was all as a result of him having a meltdown about having to do some difficult studying. There was a long discussion and the studying didn't get done, I will have to tackle that again later. Feeling very sad.

Dutchoma · 25/03/2015 10:28

Kay that's very tough. All I can suggest is that you keep your eye on the ball and insist the work gets done. A meltdown should not be a get out. Be glad that he feels secure enough to share it with you, but don't stand any nonsense. Because that is just what it is: nonsense.

BlackeyedSusan · 25/03/2015 11:02

eek dr's visit.

FaithLoveandHope · 25/03/2015 22:43

Kay that sounds so tough :( What oma says about it being nonsense is very true and also about him feeling secure enough with you. I know it must be so hard but she's so right. When I was a teenager I hurled so much abuse at my Dad which he didn't deserve at all. Looking back, I think it was because I was going through so much rubbish at the time (none of which was his fault) and I didn't know how to deal with it but I subconsciously knew that he'd always be there for me and so I let it out in the only way my teenage mind knew how. I'm not for one moment saying it's okay, I feel awful for the way I treated him at times, just that I'm sure he doesn't mean many of the things he's saying to you and I'm sure he'll look back as he gets older and feel bad for hurting you. I think it can be so much worse when your parents have split it up, because it's so much easier to hurt them - like your DS throwing out that he wants to live with his Dad. Praying that you get through this tough time.

stbFiL has an appointment with oncologist tomorrow. No idea what to expect tbh so would really appreciate prayers. I'm struggling quite a lot tonight and not quite sure how to deal with everything :(

Tuo · 26/03/2015 00:47

Prayer for Lent: Day 36

So.. my talk is tomorrow. It's not finished yet. It's going to be a long night! One of these days I will learn to behave like an adult (I am nearly 50!) and prepare well in advance instead of the night before. If that day comes, I will let you know. Don't hold your breath!

Anyway, having a quick break on here before getting back to it.

Praying for your FIL tomorrow, FLaH and for you and your DP too. I pray for strength for him to deal with the news, whatever it may be, and for him to be treated with sensitivity by the oncologist. I pray that all of you who love him find ways to make this awful situation more bearable for him. And I pray for the relationship between you and your DP as you face this together.

Kay you poor thing. That sounds so difficult. You know, I think, that your DS doesn't mean what he says, that he is lashing out, and that you can only do what you have always done - be there for him, be consistent, be loving, be firm. That doesn't make it easy, though, and I am praying for you and for him tonight.

BES - hope the doctor's appointment went OK.

A prayer of St Augustine

O Lord in whom all things live,
who commanded us to seek you,
who are always ready to be found:
to know you is life,
to serve you is freedom,
to praise you is our soul's delight.
We bless you and adore you,
we worship you and magnify you,
we give thanks to you for your great glory,
through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen

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