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

Dont so sorry your dad is not picking up as you hoped, but very grateful that the Macnurse is a support to you. We had several nurses involved and they were all brilliant. Also sorry to hear that your dh is not doing as well in his new job. Jobs are so very difficult and he had such high hopes. It's understandable that you would like to see some steadiness in all the uncertainty around you. You really are in my prayers.
No, I have heard absolutely nothing from Anjelica and cannot imagine what might have happened to her. As I knew her proper name and roughly the area she lived I have tried to find her but have drawn a complete blank. I too pray for her on a regular basis and hope she will come back to us when she can.

computer playing up. one would think that it had had a nasty accident or something recently.

Didn't it get squashed?

Dont so sorry to hear about your Dad's reaction to the chemo. Hope it will settle.
BES glad the new church was good.

So far so good with the new job. There is lots to learn, and it's difficult not knowing the answers to queries, but my new colleagues are helpful. DS is home for a visit and it's nice - and reassuring - having him here. He goes back tomorrow and I hope he will be ok.

off to town for an appointment... I shall be dragged kicking and screaming into the optitians. and will possibly have to part with a lot of money.

Hello all, have been checking in and praying through although not posting much.dont so sorry to hear how your dad is struggling but thanking God for your nurse.
mad praying for resolution for your situation and a resolution that feels right...
An oldie but a goodie in my verse of the day app today. One that's always worth sharing especially with so many people struggling.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Amen to that and peaceful dreams all.

Amen to that, QoF. It's lovely to see you.

Thanks for thinking of DD, Don't. You are so good at thinking of others, despite all you've got going on in your life. She is recovering well and the bruising is barely noticeable now thanks to the half-ton of make-up she has plastered on it. She took an entrance test for the new school on Friday and we should hear something by the middle of next week. Praying like mad for her to get in, as the change in her has been noticeable since she started thinking about this and it has made me realise how wrong her current school has really been for her all along (although she has got friends there and has had good support in some ways... it's not a disaster or anything).

MHD - praying for the job and for the future, wherever it may take you. Whatever happens, it'll be another chapter of the Great Adventure. Praying for your health too.

Don't - so sorry to hear that your dad is struggling so much. Praying for you and for him and for everyone caring for him.

Also praying tonight for Oma, for BES, for PA and family, for Edith, for niminy, and for amber. And thinking of Anjelica too...

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Praying particularly for amberlight tonight.

computer randomly crashing again. v annoying.

Thank you, fine folk of the prayer thread. More surgery ahead for breast cancer/radiotherapy-caused cancer. Results on which it is ahead of me on Thurs first thing. Still, I got to the five year point beforehand, which is positive for chances of a second success. Or so I read. We shall see. Keeping everyone else in prayers.

So sorry to hear that the pig of a cancer has returned. Prayers.

oh heck. prayers amber.

Praying for you Amber. Praying for good treatments and a brilliant medical team and for positivity and strength in your darkest moments of which I pray that there won't be too many x

off to get the dcs. hoping that it will be an easy afterschool club and follow up afterwards.

Praying Amber

Have been thinking of you today, amber, and I'm sorry to hear the update. I shall keep praying. Please remember that we are here for you in the coming days, weeks ... however long it takes - with prayers and tea: [ brew]

Found this prayer online, and am praying it for amber, for myself, and for all on this thread.

Lord,
You are the wind in my sails
You guide me as I steer and find direction.
You give me the strength to keep on going.
You watch over me as I navigate stormy seas.
You are the harbour where I stop for rest.
You are my encourager when I lose hope.
You are the lighthouse that keeps my path safe.
You are with me always.
Thank you.
Amen

still praying amber.

Dad's back in hospital. The usual dehydration and low blood pressure. The out of hours doctor was requested by the oncology department who follow you up in the home, they were concerned about dad, asked us to call 111 and ask for an assessment and blood tests on dad in the home. The 111 service rang back four times and eventually sent a nurse practitioner who declared that no bloods are ever ttaken on a Saturday. Apparently this isn't true and dad deteriorated further until we ended up driving him an hour and a half away to the big city hospital for the blood test and sure enough, he needed keeping in. You need a qualification in the legal side of the nhs sometimes

When we arrived dad was so weak he needed a wheelchair and couldnt stand up or talk much. We ended up speaking for him when the doctor and nurses were form filling in to assess and admit him. He could not remember his weight or what meds he has or indeed very much at all. Anyway the nurse was so grateful to us for answering the many questions. We decided to leave for and let dad rest. As we were passing the doctors office the door was open and he was discussing dad with the registrar. He then went on to discuss us, saying his family are with him and they are very intense!!!

Anyway my dsis who is also a doctor nipped into the office and explained that, dad's dying, he's weak and can't even talk and the dehydration and possible urinary Infection has left him confused. We are not intense, we are involved in his care supporting mum and dad through this and that perhaps he should evaluate situations less critically and more symphetically before passing on an unnecessary judgement to his superior. He was mortified, especially when my sister revealed that she too was a more senior doctor. He was a spotty little junior doctor, who couldn't even get a cannula in dad, the nurse ended up doing it. What do they expect us to do. He can't drive, neither can mum, my dsis doesn't like here and isn't familiar with the drive to the hospital. Do we dump him in a heap at the hospital entrance and rush to the pub??? Or do we find a wheelchair, get him to the ward, assist asking questions that he can't answer and they ask us to answer???? Really shocked that to care about a dying man is judged by a junior doctor as being intense.......

Anyway. Rant over.

That is a lovely prayer Tuo, very good for focusing my mind and my thoughts, especially after that little episode.

Hoping everyone is OK. Praying for all.

Good for your sister Dont. I do hope your dad will be as comfortable as possible in the hospital.

Dont, how awful of that doctor and good for your sister!

Oh Amber. Be assured you are in my prayers, dear one.

Praying for all here...off to a church leaders wives conference tomorrow which is good timing as feels like world falling a bit apart right now and not sure where to go from here with work and future....but, I need to trust God, to place it in God's hands, God never fails.

Struggling.

hugs mhd.

may you find refreshment, insight, and trust for each step of the way.

Mad, so sorry that you are struggling. Really hoping that you enjoy the conference tomorrow. Praying for you to find the right thing to do and for you to feel guided on the journey and peace and security when you arrive at the right decision.

How are you feeling now? Are you fully recovered from your last bout of illness? Enjoy the conference and it's great that the timing is perfect for this. Let us know how you get on.

Oh MHD - I'm sorry that you are struggling. It sounds very hard, and I can only say that sometimes what feels like the world falling apart is actually the world reconfiguring itself into something different, but not necessarily worse. Praying for you and for you all at this time, and hoping that your conference brings you hope and support.

Also praying for Don't and your dad. That experience sounds so awful and I'm joining BES in cheering on your sister for having the strength to tell that doctor some home truths.

Praying too for amber and for anyone else on this thread with health problems, undergoing stressful tests, or worried about someone else's health.

Praying for BES and all that she has to juggle each day.

And praying for our lovely Oma, for niminypiminy, for PA, for Anjelica, for Kaykat, for Briony, for Hardy, for Passport for Pandora, for Soozi, for Momey, and for all who pass by this thread, whether they post or not.

DD2 got into the school we were hoping she'd get into and moves after half term it's hard to put into words how changed she is... but she looks as if a weight has been lifted from her (and consequently it feels like that to the rest of us too). Of course, I'm prepared for difficulties of adjustment and teething problems of all sorts, but it feels like a real step forward too. I am praying, then, too for DD2's happiness in the short and longer terms, and for my lovely DD1 too, who's been really supportive through all this.

This is today's prayer on the Methodist Church's website:

Lord, may the doors of our homes be wide enough to receive those in need; and narrow enough to shut out all envy and pride. May each threshold be smooth enough to provide no stumbling block to children or to straying feet. Let the entrance be rugged and strong enough to turn back the tempter's power. May those who enter find the gateway to your eternal kingdom. Amen.

Thomas Ken (1637-1711)

That's wonderful news TUO, so pleased for you all.
And thank you for that lovely prayer, I think you may have posted it before but it always comes fresh.
We are starting choir practices again tonight, we're doing Maunder's Olivet to Calvary. Pray that enough people will turn up as it was only notified on Sunday. Our minister/organist/choirleader has been off for a month, because he got quite discouraged by things that were said in the church. I've been a bit out of it so not quite sure what happened exactly. I'm praying that he will not be discouraged again because people are not turning up tonight, having made other plans.