A new Christian prayer thread for summer...

[Tuo]

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:

abbsismyhero - for help with her anxiety and relationship with an abusive ex.

amberlight - for her work supporting people with autism, and for health and happiness for her and her family.

Aphie - for her fiancé's family following the sudden death of his uncle, and for her anxiety.

BlackEyedSusan - for all that she has to juggle as a single mum, for her DC, and for her mum.

Bluetinkerbell - five years on from the loss of her baby DD, Sterre.

Cocoa button - for issues around the safety of her DS2.

Dontbesilly - for strength as she grieves the loss of her dad, for her mum and the rest of her family, for her DD's school issues, and for Dont's own health.

drspouse - for full recovery from a recent chest infection and for happiness and a warm welcome in her new church.

DutchOma - with gratitude for all she does to support people on this thread and elsewhere, and for her to find peace and joy in her life following the loss of her beloved Bob.

EdithSimcox - for her to find joy and fulfilment in her faith and understanding and support from her DP.

ethelb - for her MIL who has blood clots in her leg and suspected sarcoma, and for all who love and care for her.

FaithLoveandHope - for her anxiety and depression to lift and for her to be able to avoid falling into despair and self-harm, and for her relationship with her DSD.

greyscalealmond - for her depression to be alleviated and for family relationships.

HardyLeodicean - especially for her FIL and for a recently-bereaved friend.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece - for her friend's pregnancy.

LarrytheCucumber - for family members involved in fostering and adoption, for the DC involved, and for their birth parents and all involved in their ongoing care.

LifeofBriony - for her relationship with her DH and for her DD's friend, J, who is in a coma after a seizure.

LittleBootsTheBabe - for healing and happiness for an acquaintance of hers.

MadHairDay - for her health, and for her whole family at a time of change and uncertainty.

Malefriendproblem - for her relationship with an old friend which has turned sour, and for her DD who suffers from anxiety.

Newmamatobe - for her new life with her baby DD and free of alcohol.

niminypiminy - who will be ordained very soon.

passportmess - for her friend who has schleroderma.

Paulat2112 - for friends who are experiencing relationship difficulties.

PositiveAttitude - for her whole family, but especially her DD1 who has been depressed, her pregnant DD2, her mum and dad, her DH and his work. Above all, we pray for PA herself, who is always there for others when they need her, for her studies, and for a potential house-move.

QoF - for her relationship with her DH.

SESthebrave - for all who are grieving over the loss of a friend from church, for work-related decision-making, and for the friend who was Best Man at her wedding whose relationship has broken down following his wife's infidelity.

SouthernLassie - for her relationship with a colleague.

sweetandsour - for her auntie who has been diagnosed with cancer, and for her mum and all who love and care for her auntie.

Teallove - for her to feel free to move on following the breakdown of a relationship.

Trazzletoes - for her 6-year-old DS who has previously had cancer and who is now unwell again - praying for a swift (and hopefully reassuring) diagnosis and for Trazzletoes and all who love him at this worrying time.

Tweebee - for her DS to settle at nursery.

And also thinking of friends who haven't visited for a while, who who pop in only occasionally, including ALittleFaith, Anjelica27, Kaykat, JugglingFromHereToThere, ktef, legohurtswhenyoustandonit, Pandora97, shortscotty, weegiemum and others.

And, as always, prayers for anyone I've forgotten (with apologies), for all who lurk but don't post, and for newbies who may not have posted yet.

This prayer was posted by Edith on the old thread, and I really like it and would like it to stand for what this new thread is all about:

All that we are, Lord,
we place into your hands.
All that we do, Lord,
we place into your hands.

Everything we work for,
we place into your hands.
Everything we hope for,
we place into your hands.

The troubles that weary us,
we place into your hands.
Thoughts that disturb us,
we place into your hands.

Each that we pray for,
we place into your hands.
Each that we care for,
we place into your hands. Amen

[passportmess]

Children are totally unpredictable Bes. Ds hates any sort of fruit and veg and cannot be persuaded to eat these items. Nevertheless I was watching him in the garden when he was a pre-schooler and had to stop him from eating a Buddleia. You need eyes at the back of your head at all times.

[SESthebrave]

Just wanted to come here and pray for the future of our country, of Europe and, as in Romans 8:28, for God to work for the good of those who love him. Help those who are despairing and prevent accusations and hatred to break through. We need faith, hope and love.

[Dutchoma]

Do not be afraid, I am with you says the Lord. It's hard though. Thinking of Blutinkerbell and Gingercurl who, like me do not have British nationality and are considering what to do for the best.
It's easier for me: at my age it will probably last my time.

[passportmess]

I think we're going to have to call off any job/house move Dutchoma. I don't have UK citizenship but my husband can apply for a UK passport.

[BlackeyedSusan]

oh.

where does that leave you passport? would you want to stay?

hoping that it all works out for those who now have to make difficult decisions.

[passportmess]

Yes, Bes I am happy to stay ( I do like it here) and like other Irish citizens here we'd probably be given the right to naturalise. I've been here 10 years. But the job was likely to be our only chance to go home. Dh will go for the interview that he's been called for and if he is offered it, we'll ask our solicitor about selling. But with the local housing market in chaos anyway and a looming Independence referendum, we're probably not going to be in a position to move.

BUT - he has a steady job now, we are in good health and our child is happy. We can't complain really. It's uncertainty for everyone now due to current events. If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!

[applesandpears33]

I was on previous threads under another user name. As a Scot I pray for our nation. Many people are scared and worried because it looks as though there'll be another referendum and that brings a lot of uncertainty.

[EdithSimcox]

Praying for all who are fearful of what the future may hold, for healing and reconciliation of our fractured communities, for hope and renewal, and that we learn to listen to one another without judgement, and learn to love those with whom we disagree.

[QofF]

Agree Edith but am finding that very hard at the moment as a Brit living in an EU country with an EU national Dh and ds, i earn in sterling and am worried sick regarding where to from here. I was awake through the whole of Thursday night and kept reminding myself of the fact that I am not alone but It's not easy.

[EdithSimcox]

Praying QoF, that sounds really tough. And prayers for applesandpears, and passport and for all of us whose livelihoods or personal lives may be affected by this too, that we feel God's presence with us and that God will show us the way.

[Dutchoma]

One thing that came into my mind over the past few days is something my mother used to say: 'God can do straight strokes with a crooked stick'.
I do firmly believe that God can bring good out of evil and will do so. All of us need to assert that God is indeed God and that He will work for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We need to do that at all times, of course, but more so under difficult circumstances.

[passportmess]

Yes, Dutchoma and the onus is on us individually to 'be the difference' and to be a force for good. It's just that there are going to be a lot of changes and implications, virtually all of it outside our control. And that's why it's so stressful.

[Dutchoma]

Yes, you are right Passport. It's the helplessness to make a difference that worries me too, especially at my age. But then: 'When I am weak, then I am strong'. 'Our help is in the name of the Lord' and we may have more power than we realise.

[Cocoabutton]

I am just coming to say thank you for the thread Tuo and to add my prayers to those already on the thread for those suffering personal difficulties or supporting family and friends in strife; and for peace and compassion at a national level, as people and governments try to cope with what has been triggered on Thursday.

[FaithLoveandHope]

Sorry I've been really rubbish at communicating these last few days. I think I've gone into total meltdown. I've been having flashbacks, self harming a lot and spending a lot of time crying. This evening when DP was out with DSD I broke down and ended up crying my eyes out for several hours on and off. When he got back I wasn't much better and ended up having a panic attack. I feel like at times I'm not coping at all, I need God to help me get through it and it feels like he's just vanished. I know that's just my feelings and depression talking rather than the truth but it's so difficult to get through.

I hope everyone is okay after the referendum result. As somebody said up thread about being the difference, it's true what my DP said to me before in relation to something completely different but equally true here; "be the change you want to see"

[Dutchoma]

Oh darling, I would love to hug you and tuck you up in bed with a hottie and sit with you till you are at peace. So sorry you are struggling such a lot. What is being done to help you?
God will help you but it will most likely be in the form of human help. Say if there is anything we can do.

[GoldenWorld]

Hi everyone, I was previously Pandora97, had to make a new account as I couldn't log back in. How is everyone?

I've been doing okay, have been settling into London a bit more but had a bust-up with my flat mate (long story) so I've had to find somewhere else to live, which is so hard here as there are so many people looking for rooms and it's been very stressful. I've got somewhere sorted now, definitely not my ideal place but beggars can't be choosers and I'll see how it goes.

I've gone back to counselling which has been helpful. I have very little contact with my ex partner now, sometimes I feel a bit guilty about that but he's so manipulative that it's far better for me to just walk away. His failure to acknowledge his wrong doing was making me more and more angry and sadly I've learnt you can't help everyone, nor is it my responsibility.

Hope you've all been doing okay.

[Dutchoma]

Lovely to have you back as Goldenworld, Pandora. I hope you settle right back in. Have you found somewhere else to live now or are you still looking? I'm glad you separated from the previous boyfriend, you are quite right that you can't help everybody, specially not as they see no need to be 'helped'.

[Toofondofcake]

Hey all,

I've just found this thread and so pleased there is a prayer thread here .

I'll certainly be including you all in my prayers. Could I ask for some prayer for a Christian friend who is getting a bit lost and experimenting with drugs with her new boyfriend? I'd really love to talk to her about it in a way that doesn't push her away but I don't know where to start.

And to FaithandLove here's another handhold, I know God will be with you and help you find comfort.

[Cocoabutton]

Faith, I am sorry that you are still struggling. I have suffered anxiety and depression on and off for a number of years now, and it is difficult. I wanted to put a prayer for anxiety up on the last thread, so I will put it here at the end of this post. I like it. I also like what your DP said, which is be the change you want to see.

I also do a lot of meditation as well as prayer, but I have been doing that for 2 - 3 years and I would say if you have trauma or PTSD it is not good to do without support. Some things have come to me in meditation which have caused dissociation and flashbacks. So, I advise meditation with caution, and preferably with a good teacher, but it helps me with checking the rumination and panic.

I am going to say hello to Goldenworld and to Toofondofcake. I will add my prayers for you. Goldenworld - sometimes walking away is the best and only answer.

My own situation remains difficult. I pray for strength, but also in part for acceptance, that I need to deal with this one way or the other and it is not going to be easy. I am in the process of taking (more) legal advice; and this has been helpful in clarifying at least what questions I now need to be asking of various authorities involved to make the right, I hope, decisions for DS2.


Come, Holy Spirit
Replace the tension within us with a holy relaxation.
Replace the turbulence within us with a sacred calm.
Replace the anxiety within us with a quiet confidence.
Replace the fear within us with a strong faith.
Replace the bitterness within us with the sweetness of grace.
Replace the darkness within us with a gentle light.
Replace the coldness within us with a loving warmth.
Replace the night within us with your light.
Replace the winter within us with your spring.
Straighten our crookedness.
Fill our emptiness.
Dull the edge of our pride.
Sharpen the edge of our humility.
Light the fires of our love.
Quench the flames of our lust.
Let us see ourselves as you see us
That we may see You.

Amen.

[Orchidflower1]

Lovely prayer thanks

[EdithSimcox]

I'm sorry I haven't kept up with all the news on here lately. Cocoa that's a lovely prayer. Praying for you, and for golden and toofondofcake's friend.

FLaH I just wanted to say that you were a constant source of support to me on here last year when I was really struggling, and I really appreciate it. I'm not sure if there's anything much I can say or do that will be as helpful to you now as you were to me then but if there was anything I could do I would. I don't have personal experience of depression, but that feeling of God of just vanishing is very familiar. It has happened often enough for me now to be confident in knowing that he WILL come back, and that he is there all along, even when I can't see him, so my prayer for you is not only for strength and for healing, but also for the knowledge that you are not alone, that God is there with you and loves you even when he seems to have left you.
Do you have support from friends or family or church in RL?

[BlackeyedSusan]

I am drowning in stuff to sort out. one down (car tax) but several more difficult things to get organised. not coping v well with it all.

Going to the library for homework tonight. Hoping ds does not wreck the computers there. He has come close a couple of times.

[Trazzletoes]

Hi I think DutchOma has kindly added me to your list of people in need of prayer.

My son, Joseph, is 6 and has recently relapsed with neuroblastoma after 2.5 years with no evidence of cancer. He starts chemo tomorrow. While his Doctors hope that his treatment regimen will clear all if not the bulk of visible disease and hold it at bay hopefully for a while, the 5 year survival rate from now is less than 5% so we can expect him not to grow up. Occasionally people do survive in to adulthood from here but it's extremely unusual. If I may be so bold, some of the potential side effects are horrendous: life threatening diarrhoea, osteonecrosis, other stuff that's occasionally fatal... We have no choice but to put him through this otherwise he will certainly die. If you are able, please could you pray that the medicine works but that he has minimal side effects. Thank you xxx

[Trazzletoes]

Sorry I also meant to say thank you very much for all your prayers. I'm a lapsed Christian and have no idea what I believe anymore, but I am very grateful for your prayers for us.