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

they are being really stupid, *passport"; they have travelled half way round the world to see you and they are behaving like petulant children. Poor you and poor DS. Be gentle on yourself, it sounds like you need a rest.

Thank you Cocoa, it means a lot. In some ways they are helpful - my Dad wanted to paint some of the house and I was grateful but he does things his way so if I don't want something done, he won't heed me. I asked him not to involve ds with sawing and he went ahead anyway. Then I'm the problem for saying no. In other words, I can't express a preference or opinion. I'm quite easy going but today we clashed and they both walked out. They walked passed me, shook hands with my husband, gave ds £20 and walked away without acknowledging me. I have no idea if they even have a hotel room. They fly out Wednesday morning. I would have been devastated once upon a time but I just feel sad but relieved. It sounds terrible but I have reached elastic limit.

It's not the first time they've walked out either - but the last time we lived in the same city. Oh dear, oh dear. I'm just very tired. My poor husband is flabbergasted and even the seven year old thinks it is bizarre. I did get cross though but all the same.

That sounds really hard passport. It sounds like they are inflexible and childish. I get similar from my DM but at least she has the excuse of having dementia! It is so hard to keep your cool when that kind of thing happens, sounds like you need a break from them, and a proper rest too. I hope and pray your day improves

I'm not sure they'll be in touch again Edith but I'm feeling strangely serene. Thank you for your kind words.

And the prayers!. Right I'm off for and .

and and as well as prayers Passport. It sounds like end of tether time.

My mother was a little bit like that when she was still alive. They didn't live quite so far away, but the tension was always there.
In your case it seems you were up against the two of them and letting them go with their suitcases was the only thing you could do.

Thank you very much Dutchoma. I can't tell you how much this means to me.

It is so hard with difficult parents, passport, but you needed to intervene for the safety of your child and also, it is your house, you are an adult and can express views. It is their choice to behave badly, nothing you have done.

It sounds like you are worn out with dealing with the tensions. One thing I found helpful was to know I had done my best and that was all I could do. You are with people who love you, and you acted in love

Thank you Cocoa - I hadn't thought of the importance of the saw issue. My life is much happier with my husband than it ever was with my parents and sister. As it happens my sister doesn't speak to me because she feels that I don't capitulate to my parents' wishes enough. They all live near each other, far away. I feel I did my best. I used to be sad they were so far away. Now I only want peace. I'm a lot quieter than them. I just accept they've left now.

sounds like a win to me, passport. (oh dear, did I say that out loud?)

(sorry)

hope you see it as something positive, in the end.

todays tally: dragged off dd
kicked car (mine thankfully not someone else's)
broken door hook (dads)
kicked shins and hitin leg (mine)
thing dad is sporting some bruising as well.

oh dear Bes, I think we all had a day of it.

and I can add he has cut chunks out of dd's sheets.

spent four and a half hours sorting out hte car for mot and after. picking up the stuff I threw into the garage and still have not finished. exhausted. it needs a good hoover at my mothers, who has electricity that does not require three extensiion cables and a two story drop.

need to shop as otherwise there will be a banana meltdown. iam shattered and hungry so need to sort me out first.

need to make packed lunch for library visit. (that will be fun. at least it will not require homework stress)

I have an all day conference tomorrow on autism. oh such fun.

I need to buy two new tyres and get the wheels balanced. but I have passed the MOT.

Congrats to you and your car Bes!

Lord give me calmness I'm so anxious please send your healing Holy Spirit to me and those who need it. Please lord

praying for calm, Orchid, for you and everyone who needs it.

Praying for calm for Orchid and strength for BES. Congratulations for car MOT. Hopefully the conference will give you some clues as to how to deal with endless meltdowns.

Thanks for your prayers- feeling a bit better thanks.
Praying for BES for her continued strength .
Praying for thanks for all those all over who have prayed for me.

I hope you have a peaceful night Orchid.

Oh dear, a long absence.
I have mainly been on holiday/not at church but went again this week to the new church. A wise relative came over for lunch and we told him all about our dilemmas.
Currently in a standoff, really. I took DS this week and he quite liked Sunday School but actually asked to go back into church and played really nicely there with me actually able to pay attention to the prayers. (and he "learned" a new song which was hilarious. Misheard Lyrics R Us).

DH still says he doesn't want to go to the new church and I still feel there's nothing for me or DC2 (and not enough for DS) at the old church.
It just isn't as friendly.

He is on committees still and I can see why he wants to stay till those commitments finish.

Anyway I can carry on mainly going to the new church but it isn't us worshipping as a family.

Trying to do a bit of praying... that being the point of the thread... especially for BES and the conference.

Bes, passport, orchid, drspouse, oma, cocoa tuo mhd and everyone else who needs it (me included), a Northumbria compline prayer for our rest tonight:

May God shield us;
may God fill us;
may God keep us;
may God watch us;
may God bring us this night
to the nearness of His love. Amen

pray that the traffic is not too heavy coming home and that my legs will carry me across the city centre in time to get to the conference.

and also that there is not a fucking great big thunderstorm or a piddly little one when we come out and high tail it back across the city.

Praying for Holy Spirit power so that you can cope with whatever the weather or the traffic throw at you. "I can do all thing through God Who gives me strength'.