Praying into 2016: a Christian prayer thread for the New Year

[Tuo]

Happy New Year friends.

This thread is a safe space where anyone - regular, occasional visitor, lurker, committed Christian or waverer - is welcome to come and leave their prayers in the knowledge that they will be prayed for. No problem is too big or small to share here, and if you just want to come and say 'hi', that's fine too.

Looking back through our previous thread, we pray in particular for:

ALittleFaith - for good treatment for her anxiety; for better understanding from her boss; for the lovely Faithlet.

amberlight - for her work supporting people with autism, and for her and her family.

Anjelica27 - for her DS, who has mental health problems, and for Anjelica and her family.

BlackEyedSusan - for all that she has to juggle as a single mum, for her DC, and for her mum. Praying for a peaceful and happy 2016.

Dontbesilly - for her dad, who has been diagnosed with cancer, and for all who love and care for him; also for the medical team looking after him; for her DH's work situation; and for Don't's DDog who has a heart condition.

DutchOma - with gratitude for all she does to support people on this thread and elsewhere. Thinking of her especially as the anniversary of the loss of her beloved Bob approaches, in particular after the recent death of her brother as well. May she know God's closeness to her in her grief.

EdithSimcox - for her to be able to find ways to support and nurture her faith; and for understanding from her DP.

FaithLoveandHope - for clarity about what she wants (and what God wants) for her future.

HardyLeodicean - especially for her FIL.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece - for her to find comfort and joy in exploring her faith; also for a good recovery from heart surgery for her best friend's dad.

JugglingFromHereToThere - for her search for rewarding work, for health, and for comfort and strength for her and the rest of her family following the tragic death of her nephew.

Kaykat - following her divorce from an abusive ex; for happiness for her and for her DS.

legohurtswhenyoustandonit - for her to feel more at home and accepted by her church.

LifeofBriony - for her relationship with her DH; also for her DS going back to university after Christmas.

LightnessofBeing - for her new church, and for energy to cope with her punishing work schedule.

MadHairDay - for her health, especially in the cold, wet winter months which are always so hard on her lungs.

Pandora97 - as she starts a new job in a new town for the new year following difficult and stressful times relating to a court case in recent months.

passportmess (formerly known as QuietIsland) - for a colleague whose husband is very ill, and for a university friend who has been diagnosed with cancer.

PatchworkTurtle - for healing in her relationship.

PositiveAttitude - for her DD1, who is depressed, to get the support she needs; for her DD3 and her DH to work through their relationship issues; for PA's DH to find work that makes him happier, for PA's DMum to continue to be happy in her (relatively) new care home and for PA's DDad to cope with her being there. Above all, we pray for PA herself, who is always there for others when they need her, to be happy and fulfilled in 2016.

QoF - for courage when she is feeling anxious.

ScouseQueen - for a full recovery from recent illness.

SESthebrave - for her DH, who has been working abroad, and for SES, juggling everything at home; for her DS to find ways of communicating, rather than lashing out, when he is frustrated; and for her to feel appreciated for the work she does at her church.

TheRealGracePoole - for her ministry to women in her area.

weegiemum - giving thanks for an improvement in her DD1's (borderline) anorexia; praying for weegiemum's own health and for the Master's course which she has undertaken.

And, as always, prayers for anyone I've forgotten (with apologies), for all who lurk but don't post, for 'old-timers' who haven't posted recently, and for newbies who may not have posted yet.

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

(still doing a late-ish club, on a school night. and do. not.want to. wwaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh)

Hi everyone. I have been reading through the posts and catching up with everything.

I had a busy week. Dads still in hospital. On oxygen and a drip. He massively declines once the drip is removed and he is quite miserable as the new oxygen pushes water in with the oxygen and is great if it wasn't for the deafening sound it makes strapped to your face morning and night.

Dad was quite upset today as another patient passed away. He had been in hospital for a while and my parents would talk to his relatives and gotten to know them briefly, however his death upset dad.

We managed to take dad out for a walk in the wheelchair with a portable oxygen cannister. He was desperate for fresh air. Anyway we got to the side entrance and just then an elderly inpatient wandered to the doors and lit a cigarette, billowing the smoke on dad. I completely lost my rag. Dad waited ages for a porter to bring a almost empty can of oxygen to be wheeled to the doors, in a bloody wheelchair with a can of oxygen and a mask on!!! This man could have walked round the corner, we could not as the wheelchair and oxygen wouldn't fit round the corner and still, oh yes, still he carried on smoking. I called him a selfish p#ick and had to return dad. My mum was worried that the oxygen and the cigarette would blow up . The whole of the hospital grounds are no smoking. Anyway I am finding I have a short fuse with defiantly stupid people. Apologies for the choice language.

The dh and dc are making some improvements, although tonight I did a crying sort of rant at the kitchen sink about needing more support and dh did what he always does and offer me a cup of magic tea. I told him I felt sick hence the glass of fresh orange. Then came his defensive attitude that usually follows about how what he feels like and what he does, going to work for us and walking the dogs and erm oh yes fixing things that sort of thing. Erm hello, washing, ironing, dusting, hoovering, mopping, cleaning and so on the other day he text me asking for what he should do while I was out. I replied nothing you need a rest and expected a sarcastic reply or a query about if I was being sarcastic (which I suppose I was) anyway he had a rest...... had I said do bla bla would it be done anyway? To coin Ediths express, he is an arse lol

Anyway off to exchange some light bulbs for the kitchen, I seem to always buy the wrong ones.

Oh and I treated myself to an orchid. My first one. It's lovely so hopefully it will not suffer at my hands as I am a bit hit and miss with plants.

That was a random post.

Regularish but name changed...

Please pray for nobodyspecialanymore. Her husband is ill and she is going through a pretty shit time. If I was more computer literate I'd link her thread. It is the one in chat called Husband in ICU.

Good to get these things off your chest and glad that your dad is being looked after in the hospital just at the moment.

I can understand that you blew your top at the chap blowing smoke on your poor dad.
Now, there is one thing that I want to say to you in the kindliest Oma fashion:

If and when your dh asks you what he can do to help, you should be saying something like: "That is wonderful, thank you. Could you please just take the hoover round the lounge and if there is any more time, could you have a go at the bathroom; the sink and toilet are in need of a clean, so is the bath."
And whatever he manages to do, appreciate what he has done and on no account 'improve' on it, that is very disheartening. Appreciate the effort, not the outcome. Just for a little while, as your dad is so ill there is no need for it all to be spic and span. Remember the MN saying: 'you can dust and polish and clean all you like, but in six months you have to do it all again'.
Obviously, if there are other jobs to be done, substitute them for what I have said. Think about it before he asks, so you have a little list in your head.
Oma sermon over.
With much love and

Oma you are absolutely right. Reading back I can see it now, not so when I was in the moment. I will do my best to try to change my approach. I did buy two books on mindfulness, something passport mentioned earlier. So I am listening and acting on all the pieces of advice offered and I am really pleased to hear them as sometimes I can't see the wood for the trees. Looking from the outside in they are trying to help me and I need to know where and how they can do that, and that takes less time and effort to do than to complain about it. Tomorrow I will start afresh x

How are you feeling today Oma, how did your weekend go? I really felt for you when you posted. You sounded, understandably, very disappointed with how things had turned out. Really hoping that you get to spend more time together soon with your dd and dgc and you all have a wonderful time. How are you feeling in general as it's still early days since you sadly lost your db and then you had the Christmas and new year period which holds memories for you too. Really hoping that you are doing well x

todays damage count is one wardrobe without a door and one expensive supposedly forever chair with a deep hole dug out. deep for wood iyswim.

Thanks Dont. I'm glad you didn't get annoyed with me and felt I was criticising you in any way. I hope it helps, you are under so much pressure already and I wouldn't want to add to it. Blessings on your day.
I think maybe I have been too much of a helicopter parent and should have left the car issue for my dd to sort out, rather than taking the next step to try and sort it out. It is done now though, whether I did it right or wrong. Time will tell.

BES that all sounds difficult. You have talked about this wardrobe before I think?

not the first time the door has fallen off. this time it ws ds whose "arm was too long" and he straightened his arm all the way and the door fell off.

back to school.

The mind boggles BES. I hope you get them to school without too much trouble.

the interpretation of that is that he psushe dthe door back too far but it is not his fault as his arm is too long.

Oma, I could never ever get annoyed with you. Promise

I made a small to do list for dh. It's tea related. I made it this morning and he is sorting it out for everyone tonight as I am going to the hospital followed by a few doable tasks that are not urgent.

Dh apologised last night and I did too. I think that when I feel out of control I tend to try to over control areas I can, like the house and that's how it's manifesting. Plus as dh said quite rightly, I can be a closed book and people really want to help me but I find it difficult. Plus I come from a long line of very strong women and it's in my genes to be strong I was surrounded by strong women so it's there in me. Baby steps.

great. hope you enjoy your tea. remember even if it is not quite how you woulddo it you did not have to cook it. (i hope) though I do hope he has cooked it, til done properly....

Praying for you, Don't. I'm sorry to hear that things have been so difficult for you and for your dad, and I don't blame you in the slightest for losing your temper with that smoker. And Oma, as usual, speaks words of wisdom. I understand the desire to control those things that you can control when everything else seems to be spiralling out of your control, but if you can step back from this tendency and allow people to help you you will make your life a lot easier in the short-term while you really need it, and maybe also in the longer-term too.

BES - prayers for you too, for shoes exchanged and wardrobe doors fixed and arms returned to the correct length. (That gave me a !)

Hello and welcome (back) applesandpears. Praying for nobodyspecial and her DH at this very difficult time.

Also adding prayers for MemSaab who has posted on my Lent thread and who's finding life all a bit much atm. Hoping she'll come and find us here, but adding prayers anyway, even if she doesn't.

Also praying for drspouse, PA, MHD, Edith, QoF, passport, amber, niminy, and everyone else who reads this - regular or not, lurker or poster.

So, Hardy, who pops up now and again here.

I just want to say that even though I do not come here very often my thoughts and prayers are with all of you going through difficult times. (Oh and Don't - put the orchid somewhere out of direct sunlight and water it by running water through the pot i.e. don't let it sit in water - I do realise that is not your most immediate problem by the way ).

Many thanks for all of you who prayed for my friend whose husband died recently. I am going to see her for lunch tomorrow. Obviously she is not feeling marvellous but she is putting one foot in from of another and I and other friends will be there for her. Many thanks to those (I think you know who you are ) who gave me advice.

Prayers are with Don't and Teal and Edith etc - I can't refer to everyone but my prayers are wth everyone on this thread. I hope that BES's life will encompass some peace and that Tuo's daughter does well. I hope that Dutchoma's family will have more occasions which bring some joy.
I think that we must think of the good things still happening, although sometimes that is a hard thing to do. I hope I have not offended anyone.

This prayer from Tuo really resonated with me when I first found this thread. I hope it will with others and I post it here in case it will help anyone else as it did me.

Hardy. x

Calm us, O Lord, as You stilled the storm.
Still us, O Lord, keep us from harm.
Let all the tumult within us cease.
Enfold us, Lord, in Your peace. Amen

Hardy. offend anyone? Certainly not. Delighted to see you 'pop up'.

Please pray for our church. I have not been coping with services recently but did go to the church meeting last night. An issue that should have been dealt with properly came up in AOB, which meant that people did not get a chance to share properly and everyone got upset, including our minister, who feels under pressure already.

Sorry, I'll catch up later. Just popping in to say please pray for DP (and maybe for me too). Thanks.

Certainly Edith

Thanks all. I have been feeling more calm about a number of other issues (school admissions, Behaviour by DS) and also a bit more relaxed about church though there is still no prospect whatsoever of us going back.

DH says that I need to speak to the vicar in person. I am too cross and cannot see that the vicar understands anything at all about preschool children so really don't see the point. When I have calmed down a bit I might be able to talk to the new children's worker (who I don't think I've met) but this person still seems to be focussed entirely on school aged children.

oh dear. fil is in hospital. ex is driving up there now.

Praying for NothingSpecial - God love her and protect her. What an awful time for her. Praying for strength for her and her dh. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2570751-Husband-in-icu

Praying for dont and her family too. For her DDad. glad you are getting more help dont. I saw Orchids in Asda today and thought of you.

Praying for Edith's dp and for Edith too.

For BES and her fil.

Hello Hardy thank you for the lovely prayer. I'm going to meet my colleague who lost her dh tomorrow. Will be thinking of your friend.

Praying for Dutchoma , her church and her intentions.

hello drspouse, apples and Tuo and QoF

Sorry - that should read NobodySpecial - but really she is very special indeed.

Hello Hardy. Good to see you. Praying for your friend, for strength for her on this next phase of her journey. Also remembering passport's friend and all who've lost loved ones and miss them still - especially Oma's dear Bob.

Praying for Edith and her DP.

And thinking of you, drspouse, and praying that you find a place to worship where you can feel at home and relaxed.

Amen to Hardy's prayer. That's one of my favourite bits of all the Northumbria Complines.

Thank you all for your prayers. Things are slightly better today.

I have been reading through and praying for you all.

Here is a prayer and a tiny bit of scripture that have been on mind in the last couple of days.

I am seeking.
I am hesitant and uncertain.
Watch over each step of mine
and guide me.
St Augustine, theologian (354-430)

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart...

Thank you Hardy I will follow your advice as I am a complete orchid novice. I really love orchids and I am hoping they will last longer and be more economical than bunches of flowers, as I erm, went to Tesco and saw two more orchids that were very healthy looking and reduced to four pounds each, so I bought them both I only nipped in for bread and milk, via the orchids. I am becoming the mad orchid lady

Just rushing around today but will properly read through and pray for everyone later when it's calmer here x