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

Thank you everyone for your kind words. We have spoken to the lovely vicar on the service and it's going to be a lovely, celebratory occasion, acknowledging and celebrating a life well spent.

It's clearly apparent that he was an extremely hard working man who always strove for betterment. He was very much about education. I remember as a child him putting himself through an open university degree while working full-time in a demanding job which required him to travel to Europe frequently. Alongside this, he always had ample time for us.

It was a lovely time with the vicar spent reminiscing and looking back on a life lived to the full, having achieved so much. Mum took over where dad left off, talking with pride about the various awards he had won for services to the industry he worked in. I know where I get my tidy and organised tendencies from for sure, he certainly was a tidy and methodically organised person. Suddenly I looked to mum and dads back door and there a beautiful red admiral (I think thats what it was) butterfly dancing and fluttering around outside. A truly memorable moment when you feel a sense of something special and peace.

Oma - mums ok. We need to keep a close eye on her as I suspect sooner or later this will change. She has gone to stay with my sister abroad for a week or so until the funeral.

Passport and Oma. Thanks for the advice about reading out. I am determined to give it my best and I am practising. However the vicar suggested another poem called 'all is well' I think that is what it's called and I am torn. All is well speaks about being reunited again and dad slipping to another room whereas he is gone talks about what dad would want. If only the two poems were one big one........Maybe I could rearrange the lines into my own version......would that even be allowed with copyright.....am I looking to deeply into this now

One thing for sure is that spirituality I feel an incredible sense of someone looking after me. It's a caring, calming and protecting feeling, as if saying that I had to go through this situation and although it's been so tough and incredibly sad, I have never been alone, God's always been with us, every step of the way. My faith in the resurrection is a comfort and has been even more strengthened and is helping me immensely, more than I can explain.

Briony - thank you. The vicar has said that he will stand beside me, possibly to do what you described in your relatives service. My niece is singing and I asked to read after her. My rationale is that she will give me some strength to do my bit. Sort of if she can do it, so can I. However if she struggles, then there is more pressure, or perhaps importance placed on me (by me) to do a good job for dad. I hope that I can do as passport said and let adrenaline carry me through. I am trying not to think about the actual words and hopefully try to sort of detach myself during the speaking to manage it. I am praying for it to go well.

Thank you for sharing your own experiences, it really is helpful. x

Don't. I will pray that you can find the right words for the reading, that fit what you want and what your dad would have wanted.
I'll also pray that God gives you the strength to deliver them in a way that you feel happy with (because nobody else would mind if you became upset but it seems that you would be disappointed with yourself). And that you can read without thinking of the meaning if that helps.
It's very different but when I started work I struggled with talking to strangers about their bits and bobs and I used to think of myself as acting. Then I was able to keep a straight face. Perhaps that would help you?

driving to mothers to sign paperwork she has got herself in a tizzy about.

driving back later.

such fun. will be staring at the ceiling at 2am I shall be so full of caffeine.. or making numerous trips down the hall

paperwork signed

front garden weeded and my gone-over bulbs planted out to take their chances

now also shovelled ds's hole from one side of the garden to the other. (carrying the hole was easy, it was making the space in the garden for it that makes your back ache )

fence is coming but there needs to be a lot shifted before it can be installed. (rockery rocks, shrubs, bushes etc. )

doing tea then got to drive home.

just about to drive home. all hell is breaking loose over the tv.

Just popping in to send to Dont. So sorry to read about your dad. Will pray for God's peace to surround you and your family.

At my uncle's funeral last year his daughter did a reading and she did really well, but had been so nervous about it beforehand. She had her husband stood beside her ready to jump in if he needed to, but he didnt have to in the end. She wobbled a bit, but it was fine and not a dry eye in the church.

home. all hell broke loose over the computer as well. but we are home. chn eating supper. eek.

Gah... just wrote and lost a long post.

I was mostly saying...

Don't - have been thinking of you a lot. I think you'd be fine in the end with the reading. My advice (I read at MIL's funeral - admittedly not my own mum, but I was close to MIL) would be to try to know the poem well so you're not nervous about the reading itself (as opposed to the occasion, which would obviously make anyone nervous) and then not to think about the words as you read them. Also find a point to look at on the wall opposite (picture, doorway, anything 'neutral') and when you look up, look at that, so you don't accidentally catch anyone's eye). May God continue to support you and be with you during the funeral and beyond.

BES - praying for a calm(er) night.

PA - lovely to see you. How is your mum?

TweeBee - welcome to the thread. I'm sure your DS will settle soon in nursery. My DD2 also cried when left, though DD1 was always fine about it. They just have different personalities. I do know how horrible it is at the time, though. Praying he'll settle soon.

And also thinking of Briony, QoF, passportmess, MHD, Edith, Oma, amber, Hardy and anyone I've forgotten.

Thank you all for your helpful advice about reading out.

I like the acting advice and the advice not to think about the actual words and to focus on something else in the room. I wasn't planning on looking up lol as it seemed scary but I knew that to deliver it properly I had to, so I will pick out something that I can focus on. I might even nip to the church and try a trial run when it's empty as it's often open and empty.

I am recovering from what I think is laryngitis and although my voice is returning (much to everyones annoyance lol) I am left with a cough so hopefully that will clear up in time for the big day.

Thank you all once again

Thank you twee also. My dd used to physically hang onto my trouser leg and not let go when I left her at nursery. The staff prized her off me sobbing not to leave her and I had to rush off. One day one of the staff told me to wait for ten minutes and discreetly look through the window and I saw dd happily playing and laughing away with her friends and I was all forgotten about. I did promise her to always be the first mummy to be at the door at home time, which was a huge pressure but somehow I managed it, with a lot of near misses.

I truly appreciate how you feel and how upsetting this is for you. Personally I am glad we persevered with the nursery school as the transition to big school was so much smoother for us. However I understand that everyone is different and not one size fits all. You sound like an absolutely fantastic and caring mum and you will make the very best choices for your little one.

Good luck with this.

Prayers for you Dont in this "in between" time as you prepare for your dad's funeral.

Welcome to twee I hope things settle for you and DC in nursery. It's horrible to have to walk away when they are crying for you, but as Dont says, they are normally fine after a very short time, but they certainly know how to tug at your heart strings don't they?

Tuo thanks for asking about mum. I hope you will let me dump a load of stuff here. Please feel free to ignore this, but this is what is going on in my life at the moment:

Mum is as well and settled as she ever will be in the home. The home is lovely and caring and staff are brilliant, so we cant ask for any more for her. She is sleeping more than she used to.

Dad is not coping and wont let mum join in with any of the activities that are put on for the patients, such as dancing and old time music etc. Mum would absolutely love these, but dad is being controlling. He is at the home from 8am to 4pm every day, with an hour home for lunch. He refuses to do anything other than sit with mum. I dont think dad likes the idea of mum being happy with something that he is not in control of, if you understand what I mean. He is really being awkward and causing heartache for me and my eldest sister.

DH is still doing the job that he absolutely hates and he is desperate to get another job, or go off to Cambodia again as soon as our finances allow. His job is so mind numbing for him and he is someone who really like to be stimulated and challenged.

DD1 is doing very well on antidepressants. She has a new job which she loves. She has a new (ish) boyfriend which has done wonders for her self confidence. She is smiling more and so much calmer than she used to be - a real answer to many years of prayers.

DD2 - massive things going on in her life. Cant divulge here at the moment but she needs prayer please. relationship and future related.

DD3 / DSil and Grandson are all doing well. Things seem to have settled in their marriage a bit and they seem happier again. Another answer to prayer, but it is still quite up and down at times, so not totally resolved. DD3 has a small job now so I babysit our grandson for 1 day a week, which I love.

DS is loving work, planning on travelling later this year, but struggling with anxiety quite a bit.

DD4 has a broken foot, and huge attitude!! She is stuck in the house due to her being on crutches and we are really not getting on well at the moment. Ungrateful teenager would be the polite version of how I feel about her right now!!!

Much stress at work due to some major changes and loads more work for me without the funds to pay me for any of the extra hours. I keep reminding myself I will be rewarded in heaven, but sometimes I do feel very put upon!

My cousin's youngest son has been put into prison for doing something daft, but seriously, I do not believe it is as bad as he is being punished for. I feel he is being made an example of really. He is a nice guy and he is too "soft" for prison life. He is not coping and is on suicide watch. I am praying that God will speak directly to him in his depths of despair. His mum, my cousin, is also a mess.

Another friend's son is bailed after being involved in a murder. I am a bit stuck in the middle because I also know the family of the murdered man and have been supporting them through work. All a big mess and so many lives have been ruined by one stupid drunken act!

Studies are continuing and have ramped up quite a bit. I am coming to the end of my large business project that is due in 10 days time. Loads to do still!!!! Last exam really didn't go as well as I would have hoped, but I find out the results in a month's time.

So, there you have it. Lots to keep me awake at night. I do feel that some parts are now getting easier, but I have been feeling totally overwhelmed with life recently.

Sorry for the ramble!!!

That is an awful lot of things going on PA. Prayers that you will keep all your plates spinning.

Evening.
Don't - thank you. I try hard but this parenting malarkey has been tougher than I anticipated! My little one is doing an extra session at nursery tomorrow so all prayers much appreciated. Will have to take his big sis with me so better not get too upset as she's a drama queen!
When is the funeral? I'm praying that all goes well.
Positive - gosh what a lot there is on your mind. I'm praying for you x

Apologies - I believe it's not the done thing on mn but I can't seem to stop putting kisses. Do excuse me!

oh heck PA what a lot going on.

All is quiet here. four hours of out of control behaviour from ds as he got too hungry at his dads and then would not eat. I repaet the same thing again and again to his dad, he needs to eat. lots of stamping door slamming, shouting crying and stropping.

I accept all kisses and hugs Twee

Mumsnet rules about hugs and kisses are suspended on the prayer thread, arent't they girls?

They are Dutchoma!

Glad to hear you dd1 is much better PA. Your life does sound incredibly busy. X

Thinking of you don't.

PA gosh, wow, what a lot you have on your plate; prayers for you and for DD2 particularly, and for your work situation and DH's, and for you all. So good to hear that Dd1 is doing ok.

dont still thinking of you and praying. Whatever you decide, and whatever you do about the reading and during it, even if you do fall apart (not that you will of course) will not affect how anyone thinks of you, or of your dad. Funerals are supposed to be emotional, both joyous celebrations of life and outpourings of grief; I don't think there's any need to cut yourself off from feeling it however it takes you on the day

twee hello. Welcome. I remember those days too. It is hard, but your wee one will be fine, you know that. Prayers for you and your DS as you both get used to the new routine.

And thinking and praying for you all.

I have had another tough week with DP, but in other respects I know I have an easy life, so I'm thanking God for that.

Praying through, for each situation....

grr. not a calm day. already.

she told me too...

accidently fell in the door of the wool shop and spent my pocket money on yarn. It just fell off the shelf, all by itself... unlike the wool that ds knocked off the shelf... asd day

Wait till I see you BES. Oma indeed.

AHh but you definitely said you can not have too much yarn...

Oh, I did that alright and I think you should join the Yarnaholics on FB which is 'a support group for people who are addicted to buying yarn and sometimes even using it'.
Dont how are things with you?