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Original poster

Christian Prayer Thread. Back to school and into Autumn

851 replies

Dutchoma · 28/08/2015 17:38

As we were nearly at 1000 posts and TUO is both very busy and away today, I thought I might have a go at setting up a new thread.
I have looked back over nearly four months of prayers, of sharing, of support, of gladness and sadness and so much more. I think there are about 50 different people on the thread, some are there from beginning to end, some come in, are here for a few days and then don’t post any more.
Both are valuable, all are welcome, we share with you in anxiety and depression, in worry for others, but also in prayers answered, wonderful healing, good exam results and so much more.
But we also realise that life moves on, that the prayer thread was helpful for a while and is not so relevant now. Never be afraid to come back, we all need prayer and support.

So, like TUO I shall pick out a few names for the new thread, but leave behind some that have not posted for a while, hoping that they will come back and update us.
Specially thinking of: Anjelica27; I know how much this thread has helped you. Bsshbosh and wondering how she is now.

Whoagirrrrl, after her operation. Dizzydaffodil, Pandora37 and PeterSpots .

There are so many more names to remember: Alittleroom, Bluetinkerbell, DontstepontheMomeraths, Howtoapproachthis and several more.

And then the ones that are quite recent like:
ALittleFaith, Amberlight; BlackEyedSusan, Dontbesilly; EdithSimcox; FaithLoveandHope, Kaykat, Lightnessofbeing; MadHairDay; PositiveAttitude; QuestionofFaith; QuietIsland2; SESthebrave; TUO; Weegiemum; ZipadiSoozi

And if I have omitted any one, be assured that God never forgets and holds you fast in His love and mercy.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 12/09/2015 18:58

I have just "told off" the bishop. Hmm

Amber... your work is desperately needed in this diocese...

BlackeyedSusan · 13/09/2015 10:28

Well, I have made a start. please pray. Head has now been stuck above the parapet, likely that someone is going to try and shoot it off.

Original poster
Dutchoma · 13/09/2015 10:38

Duck, when you see them coming BES

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 13/09/2015 22:30

ds has been having meltdowns again.

Original poster
Dutchoma · 13/09/2015 23:05

Sorry to hear that BES. Prayers that you will all have a comfortable night.

OP posts:
Tuo · 14/09/2015 02:00

Tiring weekend. Must sleep.

Praying for all, but especially for BES tonight. I hope DS has a calmer day tomorrow.

Also for you, Lightness, for rest and for your family at a time of change.

And for SES, for all those members of your family affected by illness at this time.

And for Lessstressed's friend. (Lovely to see you on the thread, Lessstressed...)

And for Don't and her dad, of course.

And for Edith and her DP. Edith - you are not selfish at all, but you are in a difficult situation and it must be very hard.

God of power,
may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,
may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,
may the gifts of your Spirit equip us to serve and worship you
now and always. Amen

PositiveAttitude · 14/09/2015 05:14

Sorry for lack of posting. I have been reading and praying regularly, but head has not been in the right place to post or read that as I have been over exhausted and too tired to put 2 words together

Self-indulgent post alert:

Mum had a stroke 2 weeks ago. She is still in hospital. Before the stroke she was in late stages of dementia and dad was caring for her at home, with carers coming into the house twice a day. Since the stroke she cannot speak at all and has difficulty swallowing. Hospital staff had decided that they need her bed (openly said that) and so want her to go home asap. Dad was not coping before the stroke and no way will cope with mum who now needs 24 hour nursing care. He will also not allow carers to "invade" the house. My father is incredibly controlling and inflexible.
Last 2 weeks have been incredibly stressful with dad being very hard work and my sister and I taking it in turns to be with dad, visit mum and hold everything together. I have had to speak to the social worker on the ward about not allowing my mum home, but her going into a nursing care home. It is very long and complicated and would mean a real epic here, so i wont go into detail, but if mum is sent home then someone (probably me, my sister or my brother) will have to report an issue with my dad so that my mum can get a place in a home. This is going to be so hard because my dad will hate us for doing it, but it is for mum's sake, and also for his sake too.

This weekend I have been unwell and I am sure it is my body just saying it has had enough and cannot keep going like I have been doing - work has also been very busy at the moment.

This week we are also meeting with our minister and telling him that we are leaving the church that I have been so involved in for 30+ years. We have been unhappy for years (since this minister came into post) but have not wanted to leave until we knew 100% that God had another plan for us. A door has clearly been opened to us.

This is all just the tip of an enormous iceberg that is my life at the moment and probably does not make a lot of sense to anyone, but prayers would be appreciated.

BlackeyedSusan · 14/09/2015 07:17

oh heck. the hot flushes overnight have begun with avengence. and I have woken up with a crick in my neck.. ouch.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 14/09/2015 07:34

Thinking of you PA and bes and Tuo
(as you posted during last night and this morning)
Trouble or darkness may come in the night but light comes in the morning? Flowers

(Something like that is coming to me from the back of the filing cabinet in my mind, but can't remember where it comes from?!)

Original poster
Dutchoma · 14/09/2015 07:42

I heard a lovely piece of music by Scarlatti yesterday and when I searched for some English words to it Google came up up with: 'Father we praise Thee, now the night is over.' Such early postings TUO's at 2 am, Pa's) at 5.14 and BES'* at just after 7, so I am praying for all of us on this rainy morning that God will shine His light. As I am typing Handel's 'Eternal source of light divine' is playing funny how these things happen.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dutchoma · 14/09/2015 07:44

x post with Juggling. Psalm 30:5, Google is your friend Grin

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 14/09/2015 08:18

yeah... preferably not form the bottom of the sick bucket... oh dear, I do feel very poorly. hoping the meds work. got to drive in 13 minutes.

BlackeyedSusan · 14/09/2015 09:57

children are at school. I am sitting in a corner wimpering.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 14/09/2015 11:52

Great cross post Oma Smile

And yes google and other search engines/boxes can be amazing at finding where those few remembered words come from!

JugglingFromHereToThere · 14/09/2015 11:54

Sorry you're feeling so poorly bes
Hope it eases soon x

BlackeyedSusan · 14/09/2015 14:36

Had a sleep and have got cool. fecking hormones and feeling better than before. I am exhausted from the weekend and monday is always difficult. I think it was only the power of prayer that got the childrne to school this morning.

Original poster
Dutchoma · 14/09/2015 15:46

Good thing, prayer.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 14/09/2015 16:03

off to get the children.

I think my emails have done the job they need to. I do need to reply to replies and need some wisdom to do that.

SESthebrave · 14/09/2015 16:29

BES - praying for the wisdom that you seek with the email replies

PA - thinking of you and praying for you and your family

TUO - thank you, that prayer to the Holy Spirit is very powerful, (but I guess that's a given!)

Praying for all, for God's love to surround us, Christ's grace to help us and the Spirit to enable us.

PositiveAttitude · 14/09/2015 17:17

Thank you all. I am now massively struggling with a huge amount of guilt. A safeguarding issue has meant that things are now out of everyone's control. I can't help thinking that I should have just kept quiet, but mum and dad's safety and health needed to come first. If my dad ever found out that I had spoken with a social worker about him and mum he would totally freak out and hate me forever.
Hospital is now not speaking to any of us. I suspect mum could be put in a home and we will just be told when it is all sorted. Not sure how dad will cope with that. OR....they could just send her home as they wanted to do.

Pandora978 · 14/09/2015 17:41

Don't feel guilty PA. My grandmother didn't have anywhere near the issues that your mum has but my grandfather still struggled to look after her. She run him ragged, and that was with occasional carers going in and her going to a day centre for the elderly a couple of times a week. He ended up dying years before her - not that I'm saying it caused it but I suspect it didn't help so she ended up having to go in a home anyway.

If your mum is that bad, then she needs proper nursing care. There's no way your dad will be able to cope with that level of need 24/7 without help. I do actually think it is a serious safeguarding issue so you've done the right thing. Your dad will probably be angry but it's the best thing for both of them in the long-term and he will realise that eventually.

Dontbesilly · 14/09/2015 18:58

PA sorry about your mum and dad. I just wanted to echo what Pandora said already.

Both of my grandmothers went to live in nursing care homes. For my mum and dad it was a difficult decision in each case but it was definitely the right one. It's such a demanding and full time job and like you said you had to put your parents health and safety first. Please try not to feel guilty as you have done nothing wrong. Your a caring person who had a tough decision to make. Please look after yourself, it's easy to forget about you and keep on going until like you said, you start to feel unwell.

Prayers for you and your family.

Tuo · 14/09/2015 22:08

Praying for you, your siblings and your parents, PA. It's very hard, and no-one wants to be in that situation, but (FWIW) I think you have done what is right, and I'm not sure you had any other option really. Asking God to be with you all, to comfort and guide you, and to fill you with His love at this time.

A prayer of St Teresa of Avila

Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Those who have God
Find they lack nothing;
God alone suffices. Amen

QofF · 14/09/2015 22:16

Tuo I love that prayer, thanks so much for posting.
PA echo what has already been said. Such an awful dilemma but agree that there isn't anything else you could do. Praying that the right solutions all round will happen and happen sooner rather than later. Praying also for your meeting with your minister and that your body gets a chance to rest and catch up with the whirlwind it is living through at the moment.
Bes hope you are feeling better.

PositiveAttitude · 15/09/2015 07:17

Thank you all for your kind words. I am feeling a lot better now and eldest sister and brother have both been brilliant and encouraging - I was worried they would hate me for causing this issue.

Praying that everyone here has a good day, whatever your circumstances or what you are doing today.