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Philosophy/religion

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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:
BsshBosh · 13/04/2015 16:18

Praying especially for the self-harming children. So sad. My heart goes out to them and you mums Flowers

littlehouse I have no experience whatsoever of what you're going through; my instinct is that abusive people rarely change unless they want to. Does he want to? Will he contemplate Christian counselling? I have no experience of Christian counselling but I know it exists. Could you talk in confidence to your priest?

madhairday · 13/04/2015 18:33

Oh BsshBossh that's good news, it must be so very hard for you. Prayers for you and so glad you've joined us here on the prayer thread. Cake

innerstrength100 · 13/04/2015 19:17

Thank you, still very struggling here. I have taken no action as yet and am praying very very hard.

I am afraid I am totally unable to harden my heart in the way that everyone seems to want me to. That is not my way.

Will continue to pray. Eventually this will pass, God knows how. It is a big sad messy mess and I do not know at all what to do.

Sending strength to all on here.

FearfullyAndWonderfullyMade · 13/04/2015 19:28

inner praying for you as you decide what to do. It's hard to harden your heart if it's not in your nature. I'm a softie at heart and I will forgive almost anything. My experience is like that of Bsshbossh

Bsshbossh that's good news about your mouth and especially about the scan results.

Anjelica praying for you and your DS. I used to self harm, I greatly regret it now but at the time it really helped. Not that I'd recommend it of course. It's hard to accept that there are things we can't fix isn't it? There is something that I would greatly love to 'fix' for my son but I've come to accept that it is a part of who he is and I've concentrated on supporting him to do everything he wants to do despite the issue and encouraging him to do it. Easier said than done though.

Anjelica27 · 13/04/2015 19:38

Thank you Fearfully. Ds says it is better than the alternative.

I'm just in awe of you ladies. U seem to be so brave and strong. I'd like a bit of that.

Have taken on board what Dutchoma said earlier but it is just so difficult.

I found real comfort in prayer, but not so much at the moment and it is very hard.

Tuo · 13/04/2015 19:43

innerstrength, my dear, it's easy to say 'harden your heart' when it's not your heart that needs hardening. I am praying that you find peace of mind and the (ahem...) inner strength (see what I did there?) that you have shown in such abundance up till now, as you decide what to do. There is not a 'right' answer... I think it's a sign of our desire to protect you that we have said to step away, but it's also true that sometimes in relationships we have to be prepared to make ourselves vulnerable in order to move on. My worry is that when we make ourselves vulnerable we have to be able to trust the other person involved not to take advantage of that vulnerability, and your ex has let your trust down in quite a massive way. Whatever you decide to do, though, we are here for you...

Praying for you too littlehouse. I'm glad you found us. I would second the idea of counselling. My DH used to have 'anger issues' (which only flared up occasionally, but scared me when they did) and counselling (not Christian counselling in his case - he's an atheist) helped him massively. If your DH is prepared to accept that his behaviour needs to change then there may be hope, but his current behaviour does sound abusive, I'm sad to say, and if he doesn't accept that he needs to change (and isn't prepared to work to make that change happen) then it may be that you'd be better off out of there. Once again, know that we will be here and praying.

Bssh - so glad to hear the news of your scan. Continuing to pray that you have a good a quality of life as is possible and that the chemo continues to help.

MHD - sorry to hear you've not been so well. Praying for you too.

Answers to prayer re. DD2 here, who played her first gig/service with her band last night. For complicated reasons (involving the inability to be in two places at once and a broken-down car - don't ask!) I only heard the last 10 minutes but it sounded good and I was so proud. She seems so much happier at the moment, thank God.

I'm off abroad again tomorrow (I'm mad, I know... I need to learn to say 'no' - though I'm kind of excited about this trip too!) and am a bit stressed as I am totally disorganised a little behind with my preparations. I'll probably go silent for a bit, but will update when I can from t'other side...!

Love and prayers to all...

OP posts:
Tuo · 13/04/2015 19:46

Adding prayers for you and your DS Anjelica and for you and yours Fearfully.

OP posts:
KayKat · 13/04/2015 20:25

Bssh you are an inspiration thank you for joining our thread.

Inner could you maybe leave it for a few days just to see how you feel when the shock wears off? He hasn't actually said he's interested in a reconcilliation has he and what about the new romance? Do you think you would miss this new man if you gave him up for the original man?

Anjelica that sounds so hard. Praying for you.

FearfullyAndWonderfullyMade · 13/04/2015 20:54

Angelica I think you probably have more of it than you know. I have recently been told how brave I am for various reasons not for this thread but I can't see it myself, maybe you are the same.

Tuo · 13/04/2015 21:15

At risk of sounding twee, I think A. A. Milne has it when he says:

“There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

OP posts:
Dutchoma · 13/04/2015 21:19

Anjelica, I really didn't mean to give you any kind of reproach, it just seemed that there might be a different perspective and I wanted you to have the opportunity to ponder it. Don't do anything you feel is not right for you or for your son on the say so of some meddling Oma on the internet.

Inner I think that when you are right in the thick of it, it is hard to see the wood for the trees. Being on the outside it is easier for us to see that you have been very shamefully treated by this man, however much you thought you loved him. That's why it is easier for us to say: "Get rid", if not once and for all, then just this time. Every time you do it, it will become easier to say that you are 'over' it, it will take less time to dry your tears, to get out of the fog that this man's power has over you.

Bssh good to hear your news, hopefully your mouth will feel better so you can eat properly.

ZipadiSoozi · 14/04/2015 01:15

Oh my goodness, what a lot to pray for today, better get on my knees! (Well not quite, laying in my bed may have to do)

I pray you all have a restful night sleep, whoops, just seen the time! Nytol it's is then!

Xx

FearfullyAndWonderfullyMade · 14/04/2015 06:41

Posting and rushing, sorry.
Praying you all have good days.

innerstrength100 · 14/04/2015 07:01

kaykat yes totally agree I should not rush into any decisions which is why so far I've done nothing. Has actually been nearly a week since I received his message. And no, a reconciliation was not mentioned. It was more of an apology / explanation, although it wad clear he was hoping for further communication. Very very sad.

QofF · 14/04/2015 08:19

bssh very good news about the scan.
inner just take your time and pray. You don't have to act now (or at all). It is very difficult to see what to do when the cause of someone's awful behaviour is potentially some form of mental illness/depression which I think from what you said was what you thought initially was the case rather than straightforward nastiness. However you have sounded so much happier and as if you felt you were on the right path recently and that can't be underestimated? To be honest there have been times I have envied that in your posts( in the nicest possible way!), that you were past the worse case scenario, it had happened and you were moving on as a stronger person free of it. Have you spoken to the counsellor you were seeing last year about this?
tuo good to hear about DDs gig going well Smile
Praying for you all. Have a good day

littlehouseinthebigwoods · 14/04/2015 09:03

Thanks for messages and prayers everyone. Quick update is that he did come home from work last night but we haven't said a word to each other. Which is tiring, but not as tiring as dealing with it currently.

Also last night after the bath ds decided he wanted to tidy the house. This upset me as I think he was probably trying to protect me/avoid another incident. I apologised to him (ds) for all the arguing the other night, and said it wasn't acceptable for daddy to talk to me that way. He insisted his tidying had nothing to do with that and he just felt like it. He's 8. Sad

I like the counselling idea as I'm not yet ready for drastic action. But that will require some actual talking. Usually our arguments are resolved quickly. This is new and I don't like it....

Dutchoma · 14/04/2015 09:37

Littlehouse so long as you are not thinking about couples counselling with an abusive partner.

My grandson is 8 and even though his mum would sometimes like him to tidy the house she is very glad that he does not feel compelled to do so because he likes tidying. Mind you, his daddy has not lived at home for four years. It's all very sad.

FaithLoveandHope · 15/04/2015 10:22

Hi all,

There seems to be a lot to pray about since I last posted. Thanks Tuo for the summary a few days ago, it really helped my prayers on Monday morning and throughout this week so far. Thanks for your prayers. Re bringing the wedding forward, that thought had crossed our mind, but our vicar advised against it since we've been so up and down lately and arguing lots. Problem is, since saying we'll postpone the wedding, things have been much better between us and it now feels like we're in a weird sort of limbo phase - if we plan anything it's on a what if basis with DP's Dad but if we wait until we're out of the what if stage it pretty much means we're waiting for him to die :( I've no idea what to do tbh.

Things are pretty up and down in all aspects of life atm. I really really really don't want to be doing this PhD any more. I feel like it's so much work for something that I'm not all that into, but everyone I speak to seems to think it's best for me to stick it out at the moment - everyone except my counsellor that is! I feel scared to consider any other possibility, especially as our university chaplain is a huge source of support for me and I'd lose that if I got a job, but my heart really isn't in the PhD. I'm not sure what I expected from it, but I'm really not enjoying it.

Hi littlehouse and welcome to the thread. I'm glad you've had a warm welcome by all. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling in your marriage. Oma has given you a fab response. I agree with her that whilst individual counselling could be good, definitely don't try and have couples counselling. I was in an abusive relationship as a teen and what you described really doesn't sound abusive. It's probably not what you want to hear but I think it could be good for you to have individual counselling just to hear someone in real life say you deserve so much more than how your DH is being at the moment - whether that be him changing or you finding the strength to break free, only time (and you both) can tell but honestly, you do deserve more than how he's acting at the moment.

BsshBosh that's really good news about the tumour shrinking. I'm so pleased to hear that and have been keeping you in my prayers. I think your faith through this is amazing and a real inspiration. As others have said, thank you for sharing your journey with us.

inner what a complete and utter horrible thing for your ex to do. Even if he did have a breakdown it's completely unfair of him to spring this on you now. Sending you lots of love and prayers and hoping God gives you strength and guidance to get through this. I remember how utterly heart broken you were at the time of the break up so it's no wonder this has knocked you.

Anjelica I do you think you are being brave and strong. It probably doesn't feel like it when you're in the thick of it but I really do think you are. I used to (can I say used to after just a month or so?) self-harm and like fearfully said, it's better than the alternative, but I've no doubt it was incredibly difficult for my Mum when she found out. I've found it hard enough dealing with the news of friends self-harming at times even though I do / have done it myself, so I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you. I've no words of advice really, sorry, but I do keep you all in my prayers.

Tuo glad your DD's gig went well. Hope you enjoy the trip abroad.

Apologies if I've missed anyone - no doubt I have. I do try to keep you all in my prayers, even if just a generic prayer for all on the prayer thread. Hope you all have a good day.

Dutchoma · 15/04/2015 11:44

I had a couple of text messages from BES. The weather is fabulous, h is behaving but she is finding it hard to cope with ds' autism. When I asked how she was coping she said that everyone was still alive.
Good on you BES.

TUO is further away than she has ever been, so let's pray for her as well.

I have not heard from Keziah for a week now, so we need to keep her in prayer. WoollyHugs sent her an angelhug, which should have got there by now but I have not heard anything. Pray that she is not overwhelmed by her grief.

FLAH that is really a hard situation to be in. Are the two 'problems' (the PhD and the arguments with your p) consequent one on the other? That is are you arguing because you are exhausted, or maybe not enjoying the PhD because you are under so much stress with your p and his father's illness?

Prayers continuing for all other situations, there has been an awful lot on here just now, hasn't it? Let's give thanks to God for His greatness and His love at all times.

FearfullyAndWonderfullyMade · 15/04/2015 16:31

popping in. Are you all enjoying the sun?
I'm not feeling very well, I had a bit of a shock earlier and I need time to deal with it.

BsshBosh · 15/04/2015 21:06

Oh Fearfully, praying that you are able to deal your shock and that you have support around you...

Today I am praying for more patience and compassion. My illness causes me physical discomfort sometimes and it makes me impatient and I snap at people such as, today, my darling mother and my darling daughter who I actually made cry just because I was too snappy at her to finish her homework (she's only 6!). Illness can make one so selfish so I pray to God to take me out of myself more and think how my impatience affects others...

HydrochloricTulip · 16/04/2015 07:10

Name change!
BsshBosh - thank you, and praying for you.
I've not had the chance to process it and it's lurking in my mind ready to catch up with me later so I'm feeling quite out of sorts at the moment.

ZipadiSoozi · 16/04/2015 08:04

Woken early by birds in my roof scrabbling about, got straight into mind over drive, Dad had a bit of a dizzy turn and shaking yesterday, I told mum to phone the doctors, doctor phoned and told them he has all his notes in front of him there is nothing he can do for Dad and doesn't do social calls and to just give Dad a tablet, we were so shocked by this because he is housebound now, he has gone down hill so fast with Dementia. My poor Mum who is caring for him has now lost all her confidence in the doctors who have been no help at all for them, she said it's like they have just been left on the shelf cause there is nothing anybody can do now, it's just a waiting game. Note to self, fetch their pension, shopping, sort incontinence clinic out, stair lift, carers, district nurse, social services and occupational help, MRI scan, etc etc etc I am supposed to be going away in my caravan tonight so better get a wriggle on.

Sorry for the moan
X

madhairday · 16/04/2015 20:12

Oh gosh Sooz that does sound stressful and no wonder you and your mum are losing confidence in the gp :( You poor things, it must be such a tough thing to be going through. Flowers

Bsssh don't feel bad about the impatience. It's very natural, because your body is struggling and that affects your mind and every part of you. Everything seems so much harder when you are ill, little things become big things and it's so easy to become irritable. Forgive yourself - others will understand. It's good to find ways to help in those moments though. Mindfulness (or Practising the presence of God, which is basically Christian mindfulness) can be really helpful. Praying for you.

Fearfully hope you are ok and managing to cope ok with the shock you had.

Praying for you, innerstrength and littlehouse

Tuo hope that your overseas trip goes really well.

HydrochloricTulip · 16/04/2015 22:30

Thanks Mad. I was fearfully btw.
No, not really but I've got good support and tomorrow is another day.

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