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Original poster

Christian prayer thread

974 replies

Dutchoma · 10/11/2016 07:34

Just starting a new thread without any embellishments so it doesn't run out.
Please add any concerns/witterings/names to it.
Love to you all.

OP posts:
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7
Lissettethehallswithholly · 19/12/2016 14:11

Pm on the way Don't Wink

^
^
^ what everyone else said in spades. You are not responsible for other people's happiness at Christmas. Sure there needs to be food in the house and the odd present but in the end people decide to be happy.

I hope the cheque comes through.

BlackeyedSusan · 19/12/2016 14:19

just think about it oma. many, many posts whinging about the bloody flat...

Lissettethehallswithholly · 19/12/2016 14:21

Tried to upload pictures of my house onto pm - it appears I can't. I'll show you the house of a tidy person at Christmas:

Christian prayer thread
Lissettethehallswithholly · 19/12/2016 14:26

The dining room, ready for festive fare:

(disclaimer - I am scarily organised so don't be intimidated)

Christian prayer thread
drspouse · 19/12/2016 15:00

I've been reading the Sacred Space Advent readings, it's the first time in a while I've done anything like that. And we had a lovely Nativity play with DS being a stable animal and actually standing still which is astonishing.

He is nearly a year older but he behaves SO much better at the church that caters for children than the one that doesn't. Funny that.

DH has not yet said whether he wants to go back to our old church for Christmas - we went to the new church for Easter - I have said we can go to the old church if he likes but I'm not sure if this offer will be open much longer.

If he does not change his mind and come to the new church as a family regularly I think we will be stuck with me taking DS to Sunday school at the new church, on my own, and him either not going to church, or taking the occasional Sunday evening service on his own, and DD not going at all. Not ideal, but he agrees that the old church is not suitable for DD, what with her being 2 and having basically zero provision there, and he doesn't really think that Sunday School at the old church is better or works for DS in any real way.

I'm also going to change my standing order to the new church.

Sigh. Oh well, I suppose I and DS are getting something out of this though DH, DD and we as a family are not.

Orchidflower1 · 19/12/2016 19:40

Prayers for all.

It's strange isn't it how one of the happiest times of year can also make us feel the most stressed.

CocoaX · 19/12/2016 20:45

Prayers for the people of Berlin as they come to terms with what is unfolding there. The Gedächtniskirche is a memorial to the losses and horrors of World War Two. I am utterly saddened by this news tonight and my thoughts are with people there Flowers

EddSimcox · 19/12/2016 22:34

don'tbesilly I have lists (not one organised list, but several), piles of crap, piles of unwrapped half-hidden presents, too much of some kinds of food and too little of others... more lists. The only thing I'm proud of is that I delegated to DP the job of getting the TV fixed - since not having one over xmas didn't seem like a sensible idea! - and the new box arrived and we set it up and it works - 100 x better than the old one. So one win so far. Grin No-one is all sorted I'm sure. I hope and pray your anxiety fades, I'm sure things will fall into place as much as they need to. It doesn't have to be perfect you know, and it's everyone's responsibility to have a good time, not yours to create it.

EddSimcox · 19/12/2016 22:39

drspouse I can't remember why DH isn't happy to go to the new church with you and DS, but it does sound like the best solution. I hope he does, for Christmas at least, perhaps that will persuade him it's a good place to go?

Prayers for you all, and for all of those affected by the horrors across the world today. A prayer from Christian Aid:

The joy of our hearts has ceased;

our dancing has been turned to mourning. – Lamentations 5:15

The fields are empty – the sowers have fled,
the schools are empty – the children are taken
The clinics are empty – there is no medicine.

The camps are full
full of the homeless, the hungry, the desperate
full of the heart-sore, the violated, the traumatised.

Lord,
drive fear and despair from the full places
fill the empty places with hope for the future.

Amen.

BlackeyedSusan · 20/12/2016 00:00

we have been to that Christmas market. (many years ago now.) how terrible.

CocoaX · 20/12/2016 07:00

EddSimcox thank you for that prayer which has made me cry (a good thing, don't worry, a better response that internal anxiety and horror). More than ever now, it is important to reach out with love.

Original poster
Dutchoma · 20/12/2016 07:47

I have seen a message from Trazzletoes dh to say that the news from the hospital that they were waiting for was not good. The tumour on their ds has grown in the past two months and returneded to his bone marrow. There are still options to explore after Christmas but their much respected and loved consultant has said he has not seen anyone recover from this situation.
Lord have mercy

OP posts:
drspouse · 20/12/2016 09:25

Edd he is happy to come occasionally - I think he wants something a bit deeper? More traditional (though it is fairly traditional)? Or it may be just that he spent years at churches he didn't mesh with and doesn't want to be wrenched away from somewhere that is now like home. To me, it isn't home any more.
He comes with us quite happily for special occasions, but that does mean it's the only time DD goes.

Prayers for those in Berlin and for Trazzletoes and her family.

Dontbesilly · 20/12/2016 10:46

Just seen the news and it's frightening what happened. Prayers for all.

Really sorry to hear that Oma. There is never a good time to hear such bad news but Christmas seems all the more difficult. I know that personally with dads operation on Xmas eve. Praying that some of the options available to them in the new year can do something to help. Miracles happen every day and every person is different and responds differently. Prayers.

I feel a lot better writing in here again on my old phone. Dreading if it does go wrong again or we get rid of this phone.

I got a few more presents yesterday and the cheque too which was banked in time for Xmas. Sofas come tonight. Sort of looking forward to it. Dh spent yesterday dismantling the old ones ready for the tip after Xmas. Our patio has old bathroom stuff, polystyrene chunks of packing and now two chairs and a sofa out there. It looks like Steptoes yard. Shock the dogs are not sure what to make of it when they wander around outside. I bought a couple of cheap but lovely throws for the sofa yesterday just to cover it up from the dogs, especially in this weather.

Drspouse I really hope that you can find a good solution to this situation that works for all your family and you can attend together. Flowers

Dontbesilly · 20/12/2016 10:57

Oh and thank you all for your helpful replies about Xmas and the tidy stuff and everyone being happy etc. As always it's much appreciated. Feel a bit embarrassed now with Germany and Trazzletoes news.

Dh does help me, he is a real Christmas lover and always has been. He is very practical and does housework but because my worries about tidiness and happiness are a bit daft I don't really share them. My family were really very organised and tidy and we were brought up in that way his parents are more laid back and relaxed. They don't really do stress and if something does go wrong they find it amusing and ring us up to tell us about it. Whereas it would be a tense time to my family.

BlackeyedSusan · 20/12/2016 12:28

you listen to your kids worries about the little stuff that is important to them right? while also working on paying the mortgage or dealing with a poorly relative and much worse? god is the same. he is an infinite parent who can deal with your worries while dealing with the other stuff as well.

prayers for J

Lissettethehallswithholly · 20/12/2016 14:12

Very sorry to hear the news about Trazzles son Joseph. God love them.

I really feel for those affected by the Berlin attack too.

CocoaX · 20/12/2016 17:14

I will keep praying for Joseph too.

BlackeyedSusan · 20/12/2016 18:38

sorry that sounded rude... I was thinking of the times I was asking for help with little things, but usually it is because there are also other things going on too. (eg children's disabilities or marriage problems. )

CocoaX · 20/12/2016 19:27

I didn't read it as rude bes

But it is precisely when the big stuff is stressful that the little stuff seems insurmountable.

Orchidflower1 · 20/12/2016 20:22

So sad to hear about trazzels son.

Please pray for my friends son he is in an induced coma due to encephalitis. Mri scan today showed brain damage. The family do not have a faith but I want to pray for them anyway. I wondered if you could pray not just for the boy but for strength for his family.

Orchidflower1 · 20/12/2016 20:28

Sorry posted too soon.
bes I found your analogy with the parent thing really helpful - I feel guilty asking for prayers in here for what are sometimes relatively minor things. I think to myself that I hope God doesn't think I'm selfish so your perspective really helped.
don't am not organised at all but dd broke up from school today - ds Tom so I'm hoping if I bribe with hot chocolate she will help me wrap extended family bits!

BlackeyedSusan · 20/12/2016 23:04

encephalitis and school runs, prayers for both. and present wrappiing.

I have a reorganised cupboard. and have got rid of some trash. I was looking for the cable clips. to put the lights back up where ex pulled out the previous cable clip from the wall... (about three years ago possibly) I am gruympy as the cupboard was not a priority but I knew the bloody things were in there somewhere.

hammering in the cable clip. (early evening) made mr downstairs rant and shout. (next time I shall tap out: ..-. ..- -.-. -.- / - - - ..-. ..-.)

we have now got christmas lights on the tree for the first time ever and round the room. for the first time in three years or so.

all day it has taken me to find these clips, and decorate the tree. there was a lot of bed moving. and getting in the storage cupboard behind the bed. grr

CocoaX · 20/12/2016 23:14

Orchid, I am praying for your friend's son. How are you doing yourself?

I am going to ask for some prayers for calm. The bullying feels relentless now. This is minor compared to the horrors in the world i know that but I want it to stop.

Tuo · 21/12/2016 01:25

Really late again, but popping in to pray for Berlin, for Trazzle's dear DS, and for your friend's DS, Orchid, as well as for everyone on this thread.

Praying for all who feel walled in by darkness and despair, worry, illness, or loneliness at this time, that they may see the light of Christ and feel his warmth...

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel! You open and no one closes, You close and no one opens: Come and lead out of prison the captive who sits in darkness and the shadow of death. Amen.