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

Good news here! I've got the all clear! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart - and thanks for the lovely last post Dont - I am so grateful to you. I was thinking of you all these last few days....

The consultant was a delight and they let me know fairly quickly that they thought all was well. I had been sooo nervous these last few weeks. I visited the Uni chapel on Wednesday to pray for God's peace and some courage. I think He was having a laugh with me as when I sat down the organist started practising with his tutor so there were unnerving blasts of sound, followed by more instructions. I don't think God was getting much peace!

But for the last two days I was calmer. I am truly grateful - not just to the medical staff but for your prayers. x I was worried they'd find something and I'd have to tell my little boy.

PA prayers now for your Mum and her assessment. Enjoy your long weekend.

I'm afraid I have hit the . Just one glass as I've to collect ds from school.

Many thanks to you all.

I should point out that the school is a five minute walk away - no driving!

That is fantastic news, Passport. I am so so pleased. Thanking God that all is well.

Praying for PA on her weekend away, but also for a good resolution for her mum.

Please pray for DD2 (again) and for wisdom as we look at possibly moving her to a different school (at her request). We just need to be sure that it's for the best for her.

And praying for BES and for Don't and family. Thank you for that prayer, niminy. Here's one for today (courtesy of the Northumbria Community):

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

Hello

Passport that is absolutely wonderful news. You must be so relieved. Thanking God for prayers answered. Enjoy the wine it's much deserved. Here, have a full of wine from me x

PA really hoping that your mum's situation is resolved soon. Just when you seemed to be sorted out too. Great news about your dd too. Long may this continue for her and your family.

Tuo prayers for your dd and the new school. Hoping you get her into a lovely school where she is very happy. Hoping your other dd is doing well too after the accident.

BES, prayers for you all this week. Praying for a lie in for you and a calm weekend ahead with you and your dc. As always I am in awe of you as you keep on keeping on going. join passport in a mug of wine

Oma hoping that you have enjoyed the most relaxing and enjoyable holiday. Praying for a safe journey home and that you are feeling better for the much deserved break. Hoping your jumper arrived safely and you got so much pleasure from making and taking it to its new owner. have some of the wine I am giving out and cake too as you may not have much in the cupboards as you have been away or tip out the wine and have a cup of tea instead.

Anyway before you all think I am mad I am off to take mum shopping. Dads eating and drinking only tiny amounts due to the wonderful marie curie nurses getting him a better prescription for the sickness. They are just amazing and efficient and spot on!!!

It's been a tough week as dad's been unwell and down. We thought he would be refused chemo as he is so weak but surprisingly not, he's scheduled for another round (the first of eight sessions) early next week. There must be a whole new level of poorly then as he can't walk farther than the drive and that takes him ages. Wondering how unwell you would be to be too unwell to have chemo. Hopefully we never find out.

Praying for all of you.

you know when you are standing there minding your own business and someone comes up to you and greets you by name...

apologies for the vacant expression...

it was a bit of a the lights are on but nobody is home moment.

cheers don't

and join me in a hallelujah for getting to the end of the week.

prayers for the chemo to work in the right places.

prayers for appointments all round.

Keeping everyone in prayers, as ever

Bes I only realised it was you when A said you were there. (I'd mentioned I knew you but hadn't clocked it was the same school duh!)...it was lovely to see you, and one of those surreal moments!!

Passport, brilliant news

Hello everyone. Thank you Tuo for including me in the round-up. I know I have not been active on here for a while but I do think of you all.

DH and I have had some more ups and downs and one truly awful day during the Christmas break which upset all of us (DS, DD and DD's fiancé were all with us for Christmas which was otherwise lovely). DS returned to uni and has had a wobble but I'm hoping it's just January blues.

I have some good news - I am starting a new job on Monday which has been a long time coming. I'm going full time after being part time since having DS so that will be difficult at first, but needs must. I have had a sad sort of week, trying to clear my desk while training a temp as best I can. I will miss my lovely colleagues but I am moving within the same organisation so we will still see each other.

Prayers for all - for families, for health, for the challenges we all face.

hoping the new job goes well and you settle quickly and find equally nice or nicer colleagues.

feeling a bit grumpy and overwhelmed.. it would be easily fixed if only I had the oomph to get off my backside and go and get some breakfast.. children need lunch. I just did not fancy anything this morning and am now paying for it. I have done about 45 minutes of washing up and have created a spectacular wet pot mountain on the draining board though.

off to see their dad.

less early to school today. we were on time but without the stress of stickers.

but I am doing the usual monday collapse in a heap. (should not be a surprise.) I have filed two pieces of paperwork, I might push the boat out and do another one. it usually reduces me to tears at the mere thought.

pray that the computer keeps working. it had an encounter with a cup full of juice this morning.

Praying tonight for MamaTeeTee, whose husband's van ended up at the bottom of a cliff in Wales. The funeral is tomorrow. Praying for strength and peace of mind in all her turmoil.
Praying also for Dont and for Zipadisoozi whose back is nowhere near right after the difficulties in the summer.
And prayers for BES' computer.

Lord we cast our burdens for ourselves and for each other on You because You are our Rock and our Salvation.

Thank you, Oma. That was very timely! (Nothing badly wrong; just feeling a bit ... humph! But I feel uplifted now.)

Praying for MamaTeeTee, how awful for her.

Also praying for LifeofBriony. How have your first couple of days in the new job been? Has DS settled back in at Uni?

Also for Don't and Passport and for Soozi and for BES and for MHD and for Edith and for Hardy and for PA and for all who visit this thread.

A prayer of St Catherine of Siena

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.

urgg. too late to bed.

wondering about going to communion at another local church.

pondering my usual church. I am not sure whether it is me being a bit pessimistic, or realistic or what. They are a bit erm name it and claim it.

Will it draw you closer to Jesus? If the answer is : "Yes", then go and be refreshed. Jesus says: "Come to Me all you that are heavy laden and I will give you rest.". You can do with that rest.
If the answer is:"No", then don't go but find something to do that does. If that means clearing a bit of space around you at home, or going for a mooch round the shops, or having a coffee with a magazine I would do that. You are people too and it sounds you could do with a bit of 'time out' rather than 'ought to'.
'Name it and claim it' is a bit rubbish anyway but if it comes from the church that expects you to 'name' that you could do with a bit of help and then does not answer emails, it's total rubbish.

communion (new church) was refreshing. they are certainly a welcoming church. the sermon hit the spot.

I have a feeling that the current church (old church) are missing out on something. not sure i can describe it accurately. They are not crediting the learning that comes through adversity. the strengthening, the refining through the fire.

I can add prayers for don't and don't dad. and oma and tuo...

arse. sick of missing out on information, and groups due to ds's asd. just had to cancel attending something as he is not coping. this is likely to put a us at a disadvantage.

School or church BES? Old church or new?

That's good the communion was refreshing, bes. I too feel distinctly uncomfortable with the name it and claim it mentality. If feels all wrong and un Christlike somehow. We need to be real and honest in our weakness. Paul was...

Tuo I love that prayer. So beautiful.

Things still difficult re job here, waiting on decision by those in power, v stressful. Don't want to leave. Doesn't feel right trying to be positive and peaceful.

Love to all.

doesn't fancy taking up a job round her does he? wil pray.

oh heck. just put the phone down on mum as she is insisting the same thing over and over and over and will not believe that it is something that i would not have said.

well, I rung her back and she seemed a little better. she was upset I put the phone down on her. (naturally) I think she still believes I said something but has at least dropped it now.

(there is absolutely no way I would go up on the saturadya as I lie onthe florr wimpering for the first day of half term. also there is no way I would agree to several nights with her as ermm.. well two is the most I can more or less keep my temper for.

Hello everyone. Been reading through and keeping up.

Hoping you thoroughly enjoyed the break Oma and I am praying for mamateetee. Poor things having to face awful situation. Praying for the whole family.

BES just reading through and although I don't know all the details, your ds cannot loose out on clubs or indeed anything and be disadvantaged due to the asd, surely!! That just screams out unfair. Like I said I am not fully informed but can you not have a word with someone who can help you with this situation either get you better information or try to accommodate your ds and his needs better?

Mad praying for a good outcome in the job department and a less stressful time ahead.

Tuo. Has your dd had any new school progress? Is she recovered? The bruising will fade but the memory will stay with her I imagine. Hoping she is OK.

Dad's getting worse. He's well enough for chemo and is now sat on the sofa either vomiting, anticipating vomiting, preventing vomiting or recovering from vomiting. Sorry for the tmi at teatime. His blood test results and weight all paint the picture of a man who should be looking so much better. The district nurse agreed that it was a very long time since she had seen a patient react so badly to chemo as dad and is brilliant at offering meds to try and strategies to help. She is a damn good nurse, one who is super busy, yet unflappable and assertive in getting things done for dad and so calm and positive and so efficient too. She is a blessing for sure.

Dh isn't quite as pleased with the new job as he was. He's taken a pay cut but was excited by the interview discussion, that there is plenty of room to grow within the company and progress, whereas his last job was better money but fewer prospects. Unfortunately it appears that opportunities are given to the longest serving employees and not the most experienced or qualified and this has come as a huge disappointment to someone who has 30 years experience and is highly qualified and keen to develop his career. He thinks that what they are asking from employees and offering in return in pay, together with shifts and the stress of absolute perfection is miserable. It's target, target, target. He has gone from the frying pan to the fire.

Also we haven't yet got to grips with the shift patterns and our household routines yet which is a pain. I hate lack of routine and chaos. Hoping things settle down soon. I need routine to settle me especially as I am more involved with dad's care and have less time to do housework. Don't sweat the small stuff I keep chanting but nothing seems like small stuff lol.

Anyway before I forget, Oma have you heard anything from Angelica? I often think about her. Praying for safety.

Praying for all. Hoping pa has gotten good news about the nursing home place and her dc are all OK too. Such a lot going on

Anyway I am off to try to conjure up a healthy and appetising meal for my dc that resembles something unhealthy and burger like. Wish me luck lol.