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

orchids need to be kept in the same orientation too. ie do not keep turning the pots. they have to stay the same way round. according to mother. ex bought me an orchid and it was promptly given to mum as it required a north window and we only have west windows.

lovely edith. I was praying for you both yesterday but forgot to post. sorry.

Hello all, reading and catching up. Thank you for prayers for mothers and daughters, these are appropriate for me, too.

Separate from that, prayers would be appreciated for DD's friend, J, who is in hospital in a coma following some kind of seizure. It has been a few days now and I don't know the prognosis, but right now he is in a bad way. Poor DD is very worried about him.

It's good to see you Briony. Prayers for J, and for all who love him, for his friends, and for those taking care of him.

Prayers for Edith and her DP too, and for you, Don't.

A comforting prayer for tonight:

O eternal and glorious Trinity, deeper than the deepest sea, and the abyss of love for whom we thirst and long; let us for ever desire your light, for ever seek your face and for ever wrap ourselves in the robe of your majesty and Godhead; world without end. Amen.

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

BES luckily two orchids are on a north facing window sill but I shall be careful not to rotate them. The ahem, third one, is on the dining room table which is east facing but shady enough. I watered them like Hardy instructed so hopefully they will be ok. They are quite delicate and the cat hasn't tried to chew them. Oh please don't say that they are poisonous to cats like my lovely peace lily was. Perhaps I didn't think this through lol.

How's your fil bes? Hoping he is doing well.

Briony, prayers for J for a full and speedy recovery.

Dh and the dc are really working with me. The last week has been so much easier when we all pulled together. I am trying to not get too worked up with the small stuff. Dh has been sending texts during the day asking how I feel. He said that he imagines dad's the first thing I think about when wake up and the last thing on my mind when I go to sleep it is. Him just acknowledging it first before I said anything to him made a huge difference.

My inlaws announced that in a month or so they are going on holiday. They last went about six months ago and I get to look after an elderly aunt. Well six months ago it was difficult as she is very routinal and lives alone and is quite eccentric. This time round they asked us to look after her again but asked dh to mainly do it due to dad being poorly etc. Dh said that he will certainly try to help but with shifts etc it might be tricky as she is not flexible in being taken shopping or whatever. Dh asked why his db couldn't do a bit to help and he doesn't have the patience to deal with this relative but we do. So dh asked if sil could contribute but she works shifts and it's difficult to arrange when you work shifts, dh said "oh shifts like I do too?" but apparently it's easier for us to do it with our shifts than them. Sometimes it just seems unfair that certain jobs are passed on to the capable but busy family members when the lazier and unacommodating family members opt out. Yet we are all treated the same when it comes to recognition of help and support offered. We are all good and can be relied on. Except we can't be. I was really surprised that we were even asked again after doing a recent stint under difficult circumstances and now things are more difficult, with dad being in hospital and mum needing more support and my sibling living in another country etc, while two people with more time in their hands do nothing to help, but expect help with diy, lifts to airports and babysitting so they can enjoy their social life . The relative can live quite independently any other time but not when some relatives go on holiday. Hey ho.

Dd1 went for an interview today for a Saturday job and is hoping for good news. She is very good. She constantly applies for jobs and took a Christmas job. She is saving money for the time she will be in uni. She's really keen to work again and was secretly hoping that the Christmas job might be permanent but sadly not.

I am off to walk the dogs and then watch call the midwife. My Sunday night routine lol.

Thinking of you all and praying too x

I've just watched "Call the midwife". What terrible weather!
Don't. sometimes 'no' is a complete answer. Your elderly aunt will have to accept that as will your parents-in-law. There's only so much anyone can do.
I'm so glad that you find it so much easier to work together now and you are able to let the small stuff go. Well done. Good for your dd1 trying to find a job too.
I had the most marvellous day singing yesterday in. John Rutter workshop. I even have a copy of his setting of Amazing Grace, with his signature and a dedication.

Thank you for your prayers for J. I have heard no more from DD and am hoping no news is good news.

Dont I am glad your DH and DCs are starting to pull their weight. I hope your DD is successful with her job application.

I've just watched last week's Call the Midwife - shocking and moving.

read will pray. computer keeps crashing.

had to email school again. it is like running round plugging holes in a dyke. just get one done and another leak appears.

I literally banged my head on the fridge in dispair. this is not a good move and not to be recommended.

this is in addition to the nettle stings on wrists. where gloves do not meet sleeves and sneaky little buggers creep up there to inflict their nasty little jabs in revenge for being pulled up by the roots/ This is a job that ex should have done 5 months ago but has not done. I bought him the secatures to do it and then organised it myself and completed about 80% of the job myself. all for the sake of the children. .

urrg .

milk in carpet.

emails sent to school. (small thing teacher did had big consequences for dd)

Lunchtime breather, phone typing. Prayers for you all.

Bes, I hope the email worked, and your head has recovered

Don't, that sounds like things are on the up, don't let the small respite be taken up with yet another responsibility. Prayers for the strength to say no.

I started the day full of resolutions to catch up with work and focus on the DC this week, and on my mum and on DP, and not waste time navel gazing, getting upset or dwelling on things, but it is hard to concentrate.

Didn't go to church again yesterday, but did say Compline again which was very good for me. AIBU to think I'd like to be one of the nuns in Call the Midwife?

Went to a birthday party in a church hall at a small church but similar in theology to our current church. They have a creche once a month during their (I suspect actually properly organised not just one hymn) All Age Worship, and more Sunday School weeks than ours has. Bit far for us though. Also checked out another church not too far from us which says "we are a child friendly church, we don't mind hearing children".

I think I'm going to have to work on DH to change churches.

I changed churches when they were really not that sympathetic that I left my husband and was more or less ignored for a year. (He did not tell them the full story and they would not communicate with me by email and only wanted a meeting which was not appropriate with ds who had asd and would not be left at that point.)

I am now at a church that tolerates little ones and their noises more or less, but are crap at supporting single parents and integrating them into the church.

please pray need to follow up emails and discuss dd with the senco.

New to the thread. Have been a Christian for about 6 years. I'm going through a bit of a tough time at the moment. I have gone no contact with an old friend (very long story). I know I have done the right thing for both of us but I'm hurting and praying that I have made the right decision.

Also, my teenage DD suffers from anxiety. She has been doing great on the tablets prescribed but yesterday was given another set of tablets for a different medical problem and they seem to flared up the anxiety again.

Your prayers will be welcomed. Thanks

Welcome Malefriend (we'll leave the problem to sort itself). Sorry to hear about your daughter's anxiety; I would suggest she go straight back to the doctor who prescribed them and ask for advice. Not all tablets suit everyone and sometimes even mistakes do get made.
Breaking off a friendship is always difficult, but sometimes necessary for all concerned.

(37 minutes in and today is already uuuurrrrrrg. hoping for improvements) need to follow up the emails today. did not speak to them inperson. was notsure of ability to be coherant and calm.

Welcome Malefriend. Prayers for your situation and also for your dd. Second the advice to go to docs if the anxiety doesn't die down.
Drspouse any joy talking to Dh re church changes?
BES any luck with emails?
Don't so glad you are getting more support and understanding from your family. How are things?
How's your DM Edith?
Praying through.

Prayers for you and your DD Malefriend
And for everyone else.
DM's just the same, thanks for asking QoF. My DTs' birthday today, and we are all poorly; looking forward to a restful day.

follow up email sent. awaiting reply.

Keeping everyone in prayers

God grant me the ability to love - to love God and to love those around me - abundantly, freely, altruistically, with joy and with compassion.

This. Today and everyday. From Tuo's Lent readings thread.

I think DH may be coming round and I've found one locally I may be able to persuade him to try. We have never liked the syrup fest that is a morning service on Mothering Sunday (long struggle to have children, then DH lost his mother), so he'll take DS out somewhere tomorrow morning and I'll go to a calming evening service somewhere random. Then I think I'll try the new church with the one year old a couple of Sunday mornings.

Have had a really busy week so excuse absence from the thread. I do read most days, even if I don't post.

Thanks Edith. Praying for you and for DP, and that everyone is feeling better in your house now. Also for your parents.

drspouse - prayers for you to find peace without schmaltz tomorrow and for a good outcome to the search for a new church. Praying that you find somewhere where you are all happy and accepted.

amber - it's good to see you. Prayers for you, in all that you do.

BES - praying for a good outcome to the email exchange and for you, your DC and your mum.

Oma - how are you? Prayers for you too.

Malefriend - welcome to the thread, prayers for you and for your DD.

Don't - I often think of you. I'm praying for your dad, for you and your family, and for your mum.

Briony - prayers for you, for your DD, and for J.

Also thinking of MHD, PA, Hardy and anyone I've forgotten.

A prayer from tonight's Northumbria Compline:

May God shield us;
may God fill us;
may God keep us;
may God watch us;
may God bring us this night
to the nearness of His love. Amen

Adding a prayer for Namechange2016, who has started a thread on here today. May she find hope for the future and support in the here and now, and may she find comfort in God, even if that comfort comes only from being able to share her pain and frustration with total honesty.

Morning everyone. I have briefly read through the posts to keep me updated.

Dad's home from hospital and declined rapidly and is ready to be readmitted yet again. His healthy adrenal gland was removed at Christmas and he is constantly battling dehydration and low blood pressure and low mood. The moment a drip of fluids goes into him, he perks up massively. So we looked at getting a drip sorted out for home. Unfortunately and unfairly, he lives in the wrong area as our county does not cover this treatment. So it's hospital or hospice. So much for patient choice and everything else you think that you have regarding control and choice. Even the dying can't get their dying wish due to damn policy of where you live.

The hospital can't acknowledge the lack of adrenal gland is causing the symptoms. My doctor sibling tried to explain why he is so poorly so quickly the moment he is off the drip. I honestly think that they are scared that acknowledging this would somehow create an opportunity for us to sue them. We don't want to sue anybody, we want dad to feel better and have a quality of life. The district nurse agreed that the symptoms are not the work of the cancer and he shouldn't be feeling this poorly and it's the lack of adrenal gland. Dad is too poorly to care about the cause and just wants the end. This makes me so so angry with the nhs for not treating and acknowledging the effects of the lack of the adrenal gland and for robbing dad of a quality of end of life. I am extremely angry! The day before the adrenal gland was removed, dad walked two miles around our local park, was eating and drinking slowly and carefully but eating and drinking enough to survive and to live an active life. He drove himself to the hospital and was gardening and cooking. He can't get out of a chair without assistance. He can't eat or drink much as the stent causes pain and his blood pressure is very low he is prone to feeling weak. I feel that he has been massively let down by the nhs.

On a good note, my family have been totally amazing. I actually feel I massively and unfairly judged and criticised them without any real reason. Ok they are not perfect and I certainly am not. They were trying to help me with the situation but they are young (teens) and don't know how, plus this is upsetting for them, they adore grandad. Dh is trying hard and again it's uncharted waters. I wasn't thinking straight and when I feel out of control, I tend to try to control areas of the house and stress about this, perhaps as a distraction too. I really am grateful for my family and so glad I realised that things are ok, that they always were ok, and I am supported by them as this realisation has been a gift from heaven, I owe them an apology and need to get a grip. Oh, dd got the part time job she applied for and is enjoying it. She's very independent and wants to pay for her driving lessons and car and is saving for university in about eighteen months or so, although we will fund her university, it's good to see her planning ahead. Shes doing amazingly well at sixth form too, which cheers up grandad.

Please can you pray, for dad to get the dehydration under control and that he can improve enough to feel like fighting for a better quality of life remaining. That we aren't fighting for things like a drip home. (The daft thing is, the equipment is sat in the living room provided by the nhs, but local policy prevents it being connected, homestly it's just maddening and insane) and that he can remain rehydrated with a good blood pressure and low sickness and be able to eat and drink and build himself up. Not choose an early death as his quality of life is so poor, for the want of simple equipment being fitted. It's like a third world country if it wasn't for the damn policy. The drip, needles and fluids are sat gathering dust beside his armchair all because someone else decided that due to a postcode, dad can't have them fitted. I could scream 😱.

Thank you for listening and just being there, in the ether as bes calls it. I never feel like I have noone to offload to and offloading is very therapeutic. Seriously, thank you

Dear Don't. What an awful situation. I didn't realise the hospital had made such a blunder in removing the adrenal gland. And then the situation with the postcode and not being entitled to the home treatment you need. I don't know what to say apart from the fact that we had the most amazing help from the hospice and that Bob was cared for with the utmost care until he died. If your father is at the point where he has had enough I would try my hardest to get him there. We are also blessed with a 'hospice at home' service, who I'm pretty sure would sort the situation with the drip pretty quickly. The hospital sounds absolutely horrendous and the last place your dear father should be.
I'm so glad you are finding it easier to accept the help of your family, it's hard for them as well. Don't beat yourself up over it, you are doing a most marvellous job under very difficult circumstances and it will be a while before things are going to be any easier.