Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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:
Dutchoma · 29/03/2015 22:48

this is Keziah's thread

FlabbyMummy · 29/03/2015 23:25

I didn't know that this thread exists but I am very happy that it does. God Bless you all.

Dutchoma · 29/03/2015 23:53

And may God bless you too FlabbyMummy. You are very welcome here.

FaithLoveandHope · 30/03/2015 18:00

Just read the thread you shared Oma. Really can't understand reaction of the chaplain. Poor silver such an awful time for her :( will keep her in my prayers.

Was trying to post more but gotta dash as DSS has come running into the kitchen - I'm meant to be finishing cooking his tea but got distracted on mumsnet.

innerstrength100 · 30/03/2015 21:53

BES how are you doing tonight? Are you still struggling?

Tuo · 30/03/2015 23:04

Prayer for Holy Week: Monday

I'm back! Got about an hour's sleep and another half an hour on the train north, so forgive me if this is a short one too. Thanking God for smooth travels and for my lovely family who were pleased to see me (especially the dog! Grin ).

Thanks for posting, and welcome, FlabbyMummy. Hope you'll stick around.

How are you doing Briony? Have been thinking of you.

Also thinking of Kay and BES and FLaH.

I read Keziah's thread on the train and am shocked at the lack of support that she has received. I pray that she knows God's love around her, and that she has RL support from those who love her and from those who are trained to help her deal with this terrible situation.

Thank you for posting that lovely prayer, Oma, and for being there for all of us. You're the beating heart of this thread!

A prayer of St Ignatius

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. Amen

OP posts:
thegreatestMadHairDayinhistory · 31/03/2015 09:43

Glad you're back, Tuo and hope you get some rest now.

Welcome flabbymummy :)

Prayers continuing for you all, dear ones.

We have a busy but exciting holy week, so caught up in it all. We are doing a Passion Play in our locality which has been filmed round the area and we'll be showing it on Good Friday, bit of a challenge but I think it'll be good.

LifeOfBriony · 31/03/2015 20:47

Tuo I am ok on the surface, thank you, but things are not right between H and me. We are civil but neither of us is doing anything constructive. DS is now going to visit DD for the weekend, which will be good for both of them, but leaves me at home with H.

I was also shocked when I read Keziah's thread. Thinking of you, Keziah.

Dutchoma · 31/03/2015 22:29

I saw a message from Weegiemum:

"Well, here I am with Internet access! Still in the Victoria hospital, 11 days after being admitted with cellulitis in my leg. Galloping septacemia, poor reaction to antibiotics, couple of days tottering on the precipice of kidney failure, 4-5 days completely lost to me. I'll hopefully be home come the weekend though I'll have to have a PICC line for continued antibiotics."
I'm afraid I had no idea as I got no answer to an enquiry about her well being.

Tuo · 31/03/2015 23:01

Prayer for Holy Week: Tuesday

Praying today for all who are struggling with illness, but especially for Weegiemum. Praying for a swift recovery for her. Thinking also of the others struggling with long-term and/or chronic illness, including MHD and howto, of those affected by mental health issues, their own or those of people close to them, including FLaH and Anjelica, and of those who have relatives with dementia or other illnesses, including Soozi, BES, PA, and ALittleFaith.

Thinking too of those who are struggling with their relationships, and especially of Briony and QoF. Also thinking of those who are on their own, whether through separation/divorce or bereavement and finding that tough, including BES, Momey, Kay, innerstrength, howto and Oma.

Keeping Keziah in our prayers, too.

A prayer for today:

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 01/04/2015 00:41

oh no Oma. Sad

I fell over. have bruised knees. wincing as the ibuprofen has worn off.

on the plus side, it was on soggy grass, otherwise I would have been hurt very badly. also a neighbour popped out to see if I was ok. and ibuprofen is great. 'cept when it wears off

BlackeyedSusan · 01/04/2015 17:01

oo er.. my knees are an interesting colour!

not as stiff as I feared though, thanks to ibuprofen.

SESthebrave · 01/04/2015 21:54

Hello.....

Can I first of all apologise. I haven't been on MN in months and so haven't been keeping up with you all although I do often think of you fondly and pray for you.

I come here seeking refuge though. Life feels like it has spiralled out of control in the last few months and it is all because of work. I don't post about it or talk about it on FB or anywhere else as I have so many work colleagues & friends on there. Life at home with DH and the DC is good - I am very fortunate.
About a year ago though, my boss at work changed. This is the only thing that has changed and so I have reached the point of "blaming" him for all my work worries. With my previous boss, I was rated at the top rating of "Legendary" and my new boss had to go along with this rating last April seeing as he had only been in post for a month. He surprised me though and was emphatic about how I had had a good year and was getting that rating well deserved.
Then the new financial year started and we continued to talk about my development and career progression. At my Quarter 1 review, he told me I was "definitely performing" and I was fine with that. He didn't really give me a lot of negative feedback so things continued.
Suddenly in October, a week before my half year review he asked to meet with me and told me that he had big concerns about how I was fulfilling my role. He worded things very strongly and I suddenly became very anxious and concerned for my performance. Sure enough, a week later at my half year review, he told me I was "not performing".
I tried to be pro-active and produced my own plan to work on the issues he had identified. He scheduled fortnightly meetings with me to catch up. Some of these he cancelled and the others I would go to with dread, often working myself up into a state for 24hrs beforehand. These meetings were always unpredictable. Sometimes things went ok and sometimes I got more negative feedback. Comments such as "Tell me what do I need to do, to help you perform in your role", do not inspire me.
He is managing me and not leading me. He is not allowing me to focus on my strengths of leading / engaging with my team ton thus do a good job but instead is driving me into more reports and spreadsheets and financial management.

This is starting to come to a head as my end of year review is looming on 14th April and tomorrow I have another catch up planned with him. I feel on edge the whole time and close to tears / sick in the pit of my stomach. This is not me and I hate it!

In the middle of all this, we also have a big restructure looming. I'm sure this is driving some of his behaviours as he is uncertain of his future but if I need him to fight my corner to get a decent job in the restructure, I just can't see it happening!

In short, I need your prayers and I need to find my refuge in God.

Please forgive me for just selfishly barging in with this but I need you guys...

ZipadiSoozi · 01/04/2015 22:12

Hi SES, you are not selfishly barging in, sounds an awful time you are having at work, my prayers for you Flowers Cake xxxxx

Dutchoma · 01/04/2015 22:27

Certainly not barging in, well done for setting it all out so clearly.
My first thought is that he may be your direct boss, but he is not the boss of the universe or even the boss of the firm. Is there any way you could discuss these issues with someone 'higher up'. I mean, before he started to be your boss you were performing very well, it is just that he is not supportive. Is there a HR department where you can share this sort of problem?
The second thought is that you are quite right to commit the whole issue to prayer and concentrate on the fact that you are valued by God, who, when all is said and done, is the only One who matters and Who is definitely fighting your corner.
The third thought is that you might find a friend to confide in. What do your colleagues think of this boss? Are others having the same sort of problems?

Have a think and see if these thoughts are helpful at all

SESthebrave · 01/04/2015 22:27

Thank you Soozi, that means a lot.

SESthebrave · 01/04/2015 22:34

Thank you Oma, wise as ever.

I know others in the team have suffered / are suffering similar but one of the things he has done is divided the team. He creates a culture where people end up blaming others in the team instead of working together. Many people just put on an act in public and suffer in silence.

We do have an HR partner who I have spoken to a little. Part of her role though is to feedback to my boss where she thinks there are issues so I feel uncomfortable talking to her if I haven't / can't say it to him.

As for going higher, his boss is Director of the company for the South of the country and has brought my boss up through the ranks throughout his career so I can't see that any criticism would be looked at favourably.

I am lucky that I can talk to DH but he and I are very different people and he would react and deal with this very differently. I think I need to just keep my head and plough on with what I think is right in a confident manner, but the more difficult conversations I have with my boss, the more my confidence is eroded.

Tomorrow's meeting is at 10am and I just don't know how it will be!

Blueskies80 · 01/04/2015 22:48

Evening all, just found this thread. Wanted to wish you all a good Holy Week and Easter, and that all those experiencing difficulties and suffering will know gods healing presence.
My heart in particular goes out to those with Dcs with self harm and mental health issues. I have direct experience with family members and I pray that you will find a way through.
My grandma was a Dutch oma too - and now my mum is to my children :) xx

QofF · 02/04/2015 00:17

Praying through the thread. Am checking thread and praying for you daily even when not posting so much. Praying that all of us, especially those who are struggling find comfort and hope in this holy week.

Tuo · 02/04/2015 00:40

Prayer for Holy Week: Wednesday

I seem to have delayed zzzzz... sorry, I mean, delayed jetlazzzzzzzz..., delayed jetlag. [props eyelids open]

Had a busy day, as DD2 has been out doing things with her band [yay!] and then went to the theatre this evening [yay again!]. So all is good (and DD2 is so happy), but I'm sooooo tired.

Anyway, welcome to the thread Blueskies - it's good to have you here. Please stick around and pray with us.

BES - praying for healing for your knees. Hope you're not too sore tomorrow and that you're coming with all you need to do.

SES - It's good to see you, though I wish the circumstances were happier. I don't know what you do, or what kind of organisation you work for, so forgive me if any of this is inappropriate... It seems to me that you do need to take this beyond your immediate boss, but that the trick would be to do this not in a 'telling on him' sort of way (which I know isn't what you have in mind, but is how he might perceive it) but in a way which ensures you get the support you need. So if your company is big enough to have such a thing you might see if there's a mediation service. If you're in a union they may provide mediation too. Is there a work counselling service? That can be useful as a way of talking through difficult situations in a 'safe' and confidential space. If not, then I'd go through HR , but would insist that you want the meeting to be confidential and for only agreed notes of it to go to your boss (agreed by you, with the HR person, that is, before anything goes to him). His behaviour towards you (blowing hot and cold, leaving you uncertain as to whether you're performing well or badly, telling you you need help but not providing it or being unclear about what precisely you need to do) is hugely undermining and could be perceived as bullying/harrassment (albeit you may well not want to go down that route). Meanwhile, please know that we are praying for you; specifically, I am asking that you feel God's calming presence with you at tomorrow's meeting, and that He gives you strength and peace of mind in the run-up to the annual review meeting, as well as wisdom to pursue this in the way that will have the best result for you.

Hi QoF - how are things with you?

Keeping prayers going tonight for FLaH's (nearly) FIL, for Soozi's parents, for PA's DD1 (who popped into my head today...!), and for all who read this thread.

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,
ever with us to save us. Amen

OP posts:
thegreatestMadHairDayinhistory · 02/04/2015 16:22

Welcome, blueskies :)

Hello SES - it's good to see you. I'm so sorry things are so hard at work. That sounds so stressful and horrible for you. Praying for some peace in it all, and there is some wise advice above.

Praying for you all this Maundy Thursday, that you would know God's peace in the midst of your own longings and difficulties.

Love to you all.

SESthebrave · 02/04/2015 19:26

Thank you all for your prayers and support. It was not a good meeting. Boss has asked me to consider either stepping down into a different role (which does not give me as much flexibility around childcare or the company car) OR I can keep on in my current role but my performance will be managed through regular reviews (potentially leading to disciplinary action).

Feel broken but DH and friends have told me to fight and prove I can do the role.

legohurtswhenyoustandonit · 02/04/2015 21:51

TUO - I really like your prayers. I often hear people talking about the divisions in the church but your prayers seem to cross the divides and remind us about what is important. Thank you.

SES - just another thought, but is it worth the fight? Are jobs fairly easy to come by in your line of work? If so, would you want to look around for something else? One thing that struck me from your post was that there had not been any problems with your performance prior to the new boss. Could he have someone else in mind for your job? Praying you'll find peace and clarity.

Weegie - praying for a speedy recovery.

Tuo · 02/04/2015 23:29

Prayer for Maundy Thursday

Thank you for saying that, legohurts. It often strikes me that, even among regulars on this thread, unless I've read it somewhere else on MN, I don't even know what branch of Christianity they come from... I'm aware of Anglicans, Catholics, Church of Scotland, Baptist, and probably others on here but that almost never comes out on this particular thread because it's really not about that - it's purely about supporting one another through prayer.

I attended the Palm Sunday service of a diffferent denomination from my own on Sunday (just because I was in transit and it was what was nearest to hand at a time when I could get there) and it was strange and familiar and beautiful and thought-provoking and enriching. I'm glad I went.

Oh SES that sounds so difficult. I do think you need to involve HR in this if you can. You're being told that you're not doing your job properly (having been in the topmost category until last year) on the say-so of one person. You really need an independent verification of your performance, and to talk to HR, your union rep, and whatever else is available to you. Meanwhile, know that we are praying for you at this difficult time. I hope you'll have a few days off now over Easter and that you'll be able to switch off a little bit.

Continuing to pray for Weegie's health, and for yours MHD. BES - how are your knees? Also holding Keziah in prayer.

This passage from today's gospel gets to me every time I hear it:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13, 34-35)

My prayer tonight, then, on the basis of this and of what legohurts says above is that, is that we can all find ways to work to cross divisions between churches and denominations, and between Christians and those of other faiths and of none, so that our discipleship is clear in the love that we show to one another and to our neighbours, and so that, through this love and this prayer, our similarities may come to be more important to us than our differences.

OP posts:
thegreatestMadHairDayinhistory · 02/04/2015 23:45

Amen, dear tuo.

Praying for you all Tonight. Praying also for a dear friend of mine who lost her mum suddenly yesterday. Such a terrible shock. :(

Thinking now of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Of his anguish and pain and abandonment by his friends. Of the love he was pouring out, surrendering to his father's will. Of the depth of the Profound mystery of what he gave for us.

Swipe left for the next trending thread