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.

Hands together and eyes closed: a new Christian prayer thread (May 2015)

958 replies

Tuo · 19/05/2015 10:32

Welcome to a new prayer thread to take us into the summer. 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;

... 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 through his mental health problems and self-harm;

... AnxiousKeziah, following the loss of her baby DS;

... BlackEyedSusan, for all the many things which she has to juggle in her life as a single parent; for good support for her DD and DS; and for her mum;

... BlueTinkerbell, thanking God for the safe arrival of her beautiful DD4;

... Bsshbosh, who has terminal cancer, for the best possible quality of life for her for as long as possible; also for her DH and DD as they travel this road with her;

... DizzyDaffodil, who is struggling, asking God to be with her and for her to find RL support at this time;

... 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;

... FaithLoveandHope, for her mental health; for decisions about her academic work; for her STB-FIL who has been diagnosed with cancer; and for her relationship with her DP;

... fakenamefornow, thanking God that things have taken a turn for the better for her;

... howtoapproachthis, for her health, following her diagnosis with CFS and for her to find support for herself and her DD;

... HydrochloricTulip, for stresses at home and at work;

... innerstrength100, for strength to decide what to do in the aftermath of the break-up of her relationship last year and the unexpected coming back into her life of her ex;

... 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;

... LegallyBlonde77, as she goes through the adoption process - praying for a match very soon and for her family to be complete;

... LifeofBriony, for problems in her relationship with her DH;

... littlehouseinthebigwoods, for problems in her relationship with her controlling DH;

... MadHairDay, for her ongoing health issues;

... PositiveAttitude, especially for her mum who has dementia and for her dad, who finds it hard to accept help; for her DD2 recovering from a scary reaction to a dog-bite overseas, and for her whole family; for her studies and her role within her church; and for her and her DH as they plan new and exciting ways of working with the people of Cambodia;

... QuestionofFaith, as she tries to rebuild her life with her DH following his mental health problems and withdrawal from her;

... SESthebrave, for problems at work; also for her MIL who has had a cancer diagnosis;

... TooBusyByHalf, as she explores and hopefully rediscovers her faith;

... weegiemum, for her continued recovery from her very scary infection and septicaemia, and also for her DD's continued progress in overcoming her anorexia;

... ZipadiSoozi, for her dad who has dementia and for her mum and the whole family as they find ways to support him in this; also for her BIL who has cancer;

We pray also for all regular and occasional visitors including: Badvoc, BlessedAssurance, BlueSkies80, CaulkheadUpNorth, CharlotteCollins, chocolateteapot, cloutiedumpling, CocoaBean, DeladionInch, EilisCitron, FlabbyMummy, Gingercurl, JugglingFromHereToThere, ktef, legohurtswhenyoustandonit, LollipopViolet, LostinChilli, MaryBS, MrsPixieMoo, niminypiminy, ninetynineonehundred, PandaG, Pipbin, RoomForALittleOne, ScarletDancer, thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts, weegiemum, WobblyRainbow, 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:
madhairday · 03/07/2015 16:03

Oh Kay praying for you. It must be so very hard. You're being so strong. Praying for you to know God's arms around you and God's peace deep within. Flowers

Hi Edith - sorry dp is being this way. That's incredibly difficult for you. I am praying for you.

ZipadiSoozi · 03/07/2015 16:25

Prayer please, may have to go back on AD's not had them for nearly 12 years so struggling trying to stay strong, I am all over the place, bit manic to tell the truth, I have ignored the signs because of the up days, but there aren't many. Accepting help is my downfall, I am dreading going to the doctors for fear of wholly falling to pieces then having to deal with the issues which are many, work have noticed so can't cover it up any more! How to tell family don't know cause I am not comfortable admitting. Bleugh bleugh!

amberlight · 03/07/2015 20:43

Reading through and keeping each of you in prayer. Prayers please for a dear friend H who is in hospital with major brain bleed after misdiagnosed.

ZipadiSoozi · 03/07/2015 20:59

Amber, that's awful, prayers for them and their family.

Thank you God for my therapist DO she is fantastic! X

Dutchoma · 03/07/2015 21:46

Soozi, don't be silly. Amber, sorry to hear that, prayers.

Tuo · 03/07/2015 23:21

Oh Soozi - I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so unwell. I know it's hard, but all you have to say to people is that you're not well and that you need some help to get better again. It's a tired old truism, I know, but it's no less true for all that: if you had a headache you'd take a paracetamol, and if you had appendicitis, you'd let them take your appendix out. You are just allowing yourself to be helped in the same way. So please do ask for, and accept, help. We will be praying for you at this difficult time. Do keep talking to us if you feel able to do so.

And Kay, that sounds so awful. I feel for you so much, but also for your DS (for all he's making life horrid for you right now). He must be so confused. I agree that it would be good if he could spend a bit more time with his dad, partly to give you some breathing space, and partly because it would allow him to see what it would really be like to live with him full time. Praying for peace and hope in your life.

Also praying for PA's DD2. I am glad that the worst part of the case is behind her, but am also praying for the right decision, and for her to be able to walk away feeling safe and that she has been treated fairly and properly listened to. Also praying for your DH as he makes that next big step. And for you too, of course. How are your parents doing these days?

And praying for you, FLAH - for your stb-FIL and for your DSS in particular. How are you feeling in yourself these days? Are you still seeing the counsellor? Don't put your own feelings and your own health (mental, physical or both) on hold while there is this other horrible thing going on... you need to look after yourself so that you can be strong for others.

And, amber, that's awful about your friend H. Praying for H and for all those who care for her/him

And praying for you, Edith - for you to find understanding and a clearer path ahead.

As the country remembers those who died in Tunisia, we pray:

Lord, have mercy on those who mourn
who feel numb and crushed
and are filled with the pain of grief;
whose strength has given up.
You know all our sighings and longings,
be near us, and teach us to fix our hope on you.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

OP posts:
FaithLoveandHope · 04/07/2015 18:41

DP and I are arguing so much lately. I'm seriously questioning whether we're doing the right thing being together. I feel so lost, confused and upset at the moment :( I keep praying about it but I still have no clue what to do. Today I've been with DSS as DP was working last night. I feel like a single mum to somebody else's child, even when DP hasn't been working nights DSS still seems to come to me more than DP, I'm just not sure I can deal with that at the moment. There's more to it than just that but got to run as DSS is getting bored and I feel bad being on my phone when I should be doing something with him.

Dutchoma · 04/07/2015 19:14

You are both under so much pressure and the situation is made worse because there is a young schild involved and you want to protect him at all costs. I can only suggest that you tread gently and try not to engage in arguments. Do you think your DP is also having questions about your relationship?

FaithLoveandHope · 04/07/2015 19:21

Oma I'm not sure. I think he knows we're not quite right atm. I spoke to my counsellor about it and she said for every reason she gives for us to work, I give a reason why it won't. But it was conscious, which says a lot really doesn't it?

FaithLoveandHope · 04/07/2015 19:21

I meant it wasn't conscious. It was only when she mentioned it that I realised I was doing it.

Dutchoma · 04/07/2015 19:34

Yes, an outsider, like your counsellor can see things you haven't really noticed, that's the value of it.
I do pray things will work out for you, endless arguments are very tiring and you keep going over and over it, don't you?

FaithLoveandHope · 04/07/2015 21:33

Thanks Oma It's exhausting! It all feels so horrible, my gut feeling is this isn't working but every now and then I'll look at DP and think how did we reach this point, maybe we can make it work. It's very confusing but I think deep down I know it just isn't working. Is that really possible though, to one minute be so in love with someone that you want to marry them, to just not feeling like you're in love any more? I think everything is so much more complicated because of everything going on, because of both of our struggles with MH and obviously the fact there is a child involved (albeit not mine biologically).

FaithLoveandHope · 04/07/2015 21:34

Sorry, bit of a derail to the thread there!

Dutchoma · 04/07/2015 22:43

What do you mean 'derail of the thread'. That exactly what we're here for: support and listening and prayer.
I'm sorry to hear that you know deep down it isn't really working. Do you think that maybe if you gave it some time and some calmness it might settle down, maybe not in a wild romantic affair, but a good and steady relationship in which you can support and uphold one another? Can you make a real concerted effort to stop quarrelling, maybe just for a week and see whether that leads to a deeper understanding?

Tuo · 04/07/2015 22:56

Don't apologise, FLAH. It's good to have a safe place to come and talk about this stuff. Would it help if you gave yourselves a bit more time. I mean, I know you've postponed the wedding because of your FIL's illness, but what if you consciously took some time to try to get back to enjoying being together and to work on your relationship. I know it's hard in the circumstances, but it's clear that not so long ago you did feel you could be happy together, and DSS clearly loves you too... But you do have to do what is right for you, and if it's not going to work out it's better all round if you decide that before you're married. Whatever you decide, I pray that happier times are around the corner for you, and I ask God to guide your decision-making.

Continuing to pray for amber's friend, H. And for Edith, and PA (and her family, especially DD2 at this time), and BES, and MHD. And I pray for Momey - it's good to see you on the thread.

Give to us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Grant to us also, O Lord, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness finally to embrace you; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

OP posts:
FaithLoveandHope · 04/07/2015 23:12

Thank you both. The problem is our rental contract is coming to an end soon and we can't renew. We're suppose to be signing for a different place in a few weeks which is a 12 month contract. I don't feel like we have time to figure things out without ending up either tied in for 12 months or stuck back at our parents place for a while until we figure things out / find another place.

Dutchoma · 05/07/2015 06:30

Would you be living together at one of your parents' or would it mean him living with his very poorly father and you with your parents? What would happen to DSS?

PositiveAttitude · 05/07/2015 07:57

Prayers for peace and guidance in your situation, FLAH.

Thank you for praying Tuo and MHD. Parents situation is still trundling along far from ideal! Mum went for a wander again on Friday evening and was found by a neighbour. Mum seems to be deteriorating again and dad is falling out with absolutely everyone who is trying to help. Dsis had a massive row with him a week ago and I have been trying to smooth things over between them this week, but they have not spoken since.

Prayers continuing for everyone struggling on here, especially Sooz, Kay, MHD, Edith .......
And I would like to thank you Amber for all your prayers.

KayKat · 05/07/2015 08:29

His dad now can't have him and probably won't see him for the next two weeks. I got annoyed with XH yesterday and made myself look even worse in DSs eyes. The harder I try the more I mess things up. I don't want him to witness arguments but I sort of forgot he was there. Feel like such a failure.

FaithLoveandHope · 05/07/2015 09:00

It would either be us all living at my parents or him and DSS living at his mum's (mum and ill dad split up years ago). Thing is if we sign for this place I don't think either of us can afford it on our own. And I think I'm back to what my counsellor said of finding reasons for it not to work. Not sure if that's because I don't want it to work if because I'm trying to protect myself from something.

Kay I'm sorry you're feeling that way. You are most certainly not a failure. You said yourself you're doing your best, that's all any of us can do for DCs. Hope and pray you feel better soon. May DS not seeing his dad will be a good thing for your relationship. I can't remember your back story but if ex lets DS gets away with a lot then there's no wonder he wants to be with him. I know as a teenager I thoght my parents were grossly unfair and I gave them a lot of abuse but actually in reality they only did the things they did because they care. One day your DS will realise that too, that you care and love him and that actually his dad is a bit of an unpleasant man (understatement but trying to keep it polite).

That sounds really difficult PA. Praying for you and your family too.

Dutchoma · 05/07/2015 09:42

That is quite a dilemma FLaH. And one that you need to discuss quite openly and calmly. What do you both want to do? Do you need the protection of your parents' house (interesting what you say to Kay in this context) for a little while and does your partner need to see that the relationship needs both your input? Love conquers all, but it has to be mutual.
Kay, honestly...there are limits and boundaries have to be in place.

ninetynineonehundred · 05/07/2015 10:31

Hi all, I have come here once or twice before but not for a while.
My husband and I seperated last year and he moved out 4 months ago.
I'm so full of anger and pain and have just watched him take my children away for the day, one of whom was crying for me.

I can't go to church any more because there's no way that I can stand in front of God and pretend to praise Him while I'm holding so much anger .
I'm blaming my husband for it all. I'm calmer without him but so desperately wanted him to want this marriage.

It feels so hard to be this angry .

Please please can you pray for me, us, the kids. I know that He is in control but it's very hard to trust that right now.
Thank you

Dutchoma · 05/07/2015 12:09

Oh my dear, what pain. If there is anyone who understands it is God, praise Him anyway, even if not in church, but don't shut Him out. These things are so very, very hard, do come on here and rant and, yes I will pray too.

ninetynineonehundred · 05/07/2015 14:08

Thank you so much duchoma.
I won't shut him out and I know that he's looking after me in my little burrow.
I just can't pretend in church to not feel this way while I'm sitting with him and the kids .

EdithSimcox · 05/07/2015 15:56

So sorry about your situation FLaH, and 99 too. Praying for you both.

And Kay that must be really hard but as FLaH said maybe it'll be good for DS to have a break from his dad.

PA praying for you and your parents.

My situation is worse than ever today. I went to church (which was lovely) and DP has cried nearly all afternoon. She's unconsolable.

Swipe left for the next trending thread