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

That's great news, amber - now praying it will not be a problem again.

Edith happy birthday to dd1, becoming a teenager is such a huge thing, bless her. She is just a few months older than my ds then.

BES hope you didn't need the shin pads and that today is calm.

Tuo I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell :( Praying you fully recover soon. Lovely to see you too :-)

Thanks for all your words re the future. One job has not come to anything but we are looking at two more and I am really interested in one of them...quite excited actually, which I didn't think I would be given the circumstances but who knows where God is leading. I'm trying to trust.

library. could be difficult. eek.

Hope it went OK, BES.

MHD - that sounds hopeful about the job. Prayers for that.

Please could I ask you to pray for an elderly couple I am friends with (she is a former colleague) who are both seriously ill atm. She is very scared, and I am far away... Praying for fortitude and for peace of mind for them both.

Today's prayer of the day from the Methodist Church:

Give us light, O God, to follow in your way at all times, wisdom to discern your will in all circumstances, and power to live according to your commandments. Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636)

best visit to the library in a while.

Yeah for a good visit BES.
Prayers for your friends TUO. Hopefully you can bridge the distance gap in love and prayer.

in that no computers got kicked or keyboards assaulted

or headphones broken

or homework deleted.

another couldbe difficult evening. (they all are but we are changing the routine tonight. )

I have had an altercation with a car this morning and now have a sore wrist. seeing police on Sunday and nurse this afternoon.

just off to the nurse. it is less sore than this morning.

a sprain currently under a bag of peas as it has objected to being prodded

ahh, school run, will see the driver on the school run. eek

BES what kind of an altercation? Sorry to hear you have another worry to cope with.

Yikes, BES. Hope you are OK. Sending lots of prayers.

Also prayers for my DD1 who is 15 today and about to embark on GCSEs. Praying too for anyone whose DC are doing exams at present - for the DC and for their parents and siblings (seems like DD2 is bearing the brunt of DD1's stress atm here).

Saw this prayer on Facebook recently and liked it, so am sharing here.

Thank you, Lord, for this new day:
fill us with your love to do your will,
to feed the hungry,
to comfort the broken-hearted,
to pursue justice and peace
and to stand with the weak,
and give us courage to challenge apathy, selfishness and focus on gain that your Kingdom may come
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Hello everyone.

Been busy with my new job. It's pretty much been full time hours which is good both financially and to occupy my mind. It's quite bitting and bobbing but I am enjoying it. It's caring for an elderly person who is quite reliant on social care.

Prayers for all. For job prospects, family and friends, exams, health and all intentions and for peace and calm and for a week of happy birthdays to those who celebrate 🎂.

My sister is struggling badly with grief. Mum is having up and down days too. Dads car (his total pride and joy) was sold and taken away this week. It was really upsetting. I actually video'd the car and had tears. Mum had tears too. She has also put the house on the market as there are too many memories.

A weird pair came to view the house. I know that people expect to look around, in storage cupboards etc, but the bloke went through the kitchen drawers . I mean, a kitchen drawer is just that.....isn't it? Mum wasn't there thankfully as it did seem a tad odd. I expected a viewer to need to open up storage cupboards, under stairs cupboards and such but looking in the kitchen drawers and not the cupboards was odd.

Still struggling with the school thing. Apparently there is nothing more to say and therefore no need to have a meeting to discuss what she ignored. Hey ho.

We have had lovely weather here. Sad dad isn't in the garden, pottering away enjoying it. I tend to avoid and block out any sudden rushes of emotions. I guess that is the wrong tactic and it will need to be addressed, I just procrastinate. I am very good at avoidance techniques unfortunately.

Hoping you are all OK. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers and think of you all regularly. Something happens and it reminds me of one of you lovely people

Dont you are doing marvellously well. Procrastination is good, it is the way your mind spreads the grief around so that it does not overwhelm you. Your sister will cope with it in her own way as will your mother. I can understand that she wants to put the house on the market and yes, looking in kitchendrawers is weird as all the stuff presumably will be taken out when your mum moves. What is she going to do next?
I'm glad the new job is going well and that it keeps your mind occupied.
It's a shame the school will not engage a bit more and help you find the best solution for your dd. How much longer will she be at that school?
Prayers for all and happy birthday to TUO's dd.

I would bang my head on the desk... but then that may make two of us have concussion.

mothers! who'd 'av' 'em

amber glad to hear your news and hope you are feeling better TUO.

You are doing really well don't, it must be so hard especially with the car and the house.

My friend with schleroderma is hanging there, God love her. My colleague is coping well and has decided not to sell the home she and her husband lived in.

Like MHD job opportunities are in the air. My Dh has been approached about a new job but it would require moving house and country. I'm happy to move if it's the right job but . Still we are all well. Sending you all my best wishes. I'm afraid I got sidetracked by other threads recently; apologies.

Sorry meant to type that my friend is 'hanging in there'

Hopefully your friend is comfortable and getting good care. Hoping your friend who recently lost her husband is coping as well as can be expected. They are lucky to have you passport. The new job certainly sounds exciting, although it will be a big decision to make whatever you decide. Prayers for you and your family x

Thank you Oma. Dd has until the end of next year at this school, so not long really. Basically she was performing brilliantly in a much lower set, getting A grades and her achievements were put into the computer and it recommended moving her up three sets, to set one. So, in September they moved her, ignoring our protests and dd's assessment of her struggles. As a result, she is getting grade D's now as the class is too fast paced and she needs this subject to be able to access A levels and uni. School are adamant they did right moving her but we are saying that her performance is the proof. Unfortunately school are adamant that the computer results indicating the move up were the correct move for her. We argued that sometimes people need to be assessed as individuals not a set of grades and number crunching is not always appropriate in setting children. Her old teacher taught slowly and in detail whereas the new teacher presumed that the students are all high achievers, needing less explanation and detail. It's so frustrating and even more so being fobbed off and questions ignored. Grrrr

Mum is looking for a small house. Yet we think a bungalow might be better as she ages, however she doesn't like being on one level and the thought of her bedroom being on the ground floor scares her, from an intruder perspective. Then she is keen on apartments. However, they have huge service charges for gardening and maintenance etc. I just want her happy with wherever she lives really.

Thank you for putting the grief into perspective. I find my method does work for me. Glad you agree with my procrastination techniques . How are you? Are you feeling OK? Did your dd get a new car sorted out in the end?

BES, did you get good results with your new carpet shampooer? Did your ex have any news on his job? Must be a worry. Hoping your ok as I am not sure you can fit in any more things into your schedule as your too busy as it is, yet somehow, you keep on coping. Amazing lady x

Prayers everyone and thinking of you all x

he will hear about last weeks interview next week.

tray needs emptying every 12 hours or so which is quite good, though I forgot to empty it from last night until gone seven. it had overflowed into the lid and I splashed some more about. sprained wris means that things are on hold, and dd's homework has been near the deadline recently.

urg...

tummy bug.

Thanks for the update Dont. Is there any chance to have a word with the 'old' teacher and ask maybe for a little help when your dd is floundering? How is she feeling heself about it? What are her own solutions?
I can very well understand your mother's worries about living in a bungalow and sleeping on the ground floor. I would not be happy doing that either, especially not as I am an 'fresh air fiend' and like windows wide open at night when it is hot. I would like to keep a patch of green around me as well. My current garden is too big for me, but I can't bear the thought of moving, so that is different from your mother.

I am quite well, I have joined a new choir and we had a performance of Mozart's Requiem on Saturday which was a bit terrifying (I only had five practices) but it went well.
Dd's car is sorted in so far that we have the money back for the car I bought in February but she is now driving the old car which I find quite worrying. She is not trying very hard to find another car and objects to the ones I find for one reason or another. I have left her to it for the time being as the only option.
BES, not a tummybug on top of eveything else, hope the childen don't get it and that you and your sprained wrist heal quickly.
Prayers for all on and off the thread.

Hello everyone. Lurking and praying even when I don't post.

I've been a Christian again for a year

Congrats Edith . I can't do your nice flower icon but you get my drift!

Thank you Don't that's very kind of you. I don't see my ill friend as she lives in Melbourne but I hear the doctors have adjusted her feed and she's managing better. My colleague is coping well and I do get to have coffee with her.

If we do move I'll remember the possibility of much drawer opening by prospective buyers! I'll try to behave myself if we do need to buy a new house too

I've decided to clear out the garage which needs doing anyway.

Bes prayers for a limited bug in your house. Dutchoma I wish I had a good voice as I'd love to be in a choir. The Requiem is so beautiful.