April Already!!!? MN Christian Prayer Request Thread - The Bible Bashers Continue .......

[CaptainDippy]

Good grief - It is April!!? When did that happen!!? God has taken us through some interesting times this month - Times of Thanksgiving and Praise; Times of Sorrow and Pain - but He IS alive and He is with us ....

Here's a summary of March's Prayer Requests for you all......

Worzella - Has been feeling - worried she might be depressed. Having to make decisions about what to do once her maternity leave ends soon. Big [hugs] and prayers to her ....

LongWayToGo - Has been v.v.v.v.tough for her this month. DH has moved out of the family home and she is struggling to cope with the emotional upheaval etc. MIL died too. Her DH has started drinking again. Prayers for protection over her and her DC's. She also has some health worries with an enlarged Gall Bladder....Finances are v.tight.

PandaG - Prayers for confidence to return following car accident. Prayers for her as she trains for new job.

MaryBS - Prayers for lady at her church who has advanced cancer. Not looking good. Mary is v.busy atm - lots of prayers for rest opportunities and for everything to go smoothly ..... Praise God for friends and BIL's adoptions that have gone through this last month, prayers for them as they embark on a new way of family life..... Prayers for Missinoary Priest shot in J'burg. Prayers for BIL in Iraq and for lost friendship, which has hurt Mary deeply. Prayers too for DS who is seeing Ed.Psych atm.

SleepySooz - Prayers for her new Vicar and his family as they settle in. Praise that hypnotherapy seems to be helping her emetophobia.

Podmog - Praise that DS2 is putting on weight! Church has not been good recently, but prayers for poss opportunities for Podmog's personal involvement with the church, which have been arising ..... Prayers for poor DS1 who has been poorly with ear / chest infections ....

harrisey - Going away for a wee while over Easter - prayers for R&R to be had. Praise that their car has ben recovered after robbery. Prayers for poss future involvement with Latin Link. Prayers that the harriseys can reamin healthy and fit .... Praise God for their Baptism / Dedications in March!

Twiga - Praise that God-daughter who was admitted to hospital is home - prayers for complete recovery. Praying for her PG too!

Pepperrabbit - Cont prayers for friend whose husband died in Feb. Funeral went ok.

Dumbledoresgirl - Prayers as she cont to struggle with Emetophobia.

MumToGusandAlbie - Cont prayers for her as she copes with relationship with her and ex-DH, esp for her precious boys. Prayers for friend's mum who is ungoing cancer treatment. Cont prayers for Vicar's son who is also currently recieving treatment for cancer.

CaptainCaveman - DSis is back at work and managing not to drink during the day! Cont prayers for her and her DD. Praise that CC's med reduction has gone so well!

Roseylea - Prayers for her as she seeks her "vocation", poss that she may join hospital chaplaincy - prayers for child care arrangements etc. DD's excema has been much better since healing service - Praise God! Prayers for mum who has recently has an exploratory op to check out health fears. Rosey's body is "complaining" against her dose of Prednisolone (Steriod), prayers for that. Prayers for general household health.....

NotQuiteSoGrownUp - Has been v.stressed and a bit recently. Finding life a bit tough. DS2 has been boundary pushing and DS1 is involved in a tricky situation. Prayers for resolution and rest....

FannieAnnie - 31 weeks PG, going ok - hoping bubba has turned as was footling breech. Work is not going well - lots of prayer needed there. Prayers for the family of Father Paul Bennett who was stabbed to death in front of his wife in S.Wales recently.

JBW - Cont prayers for mum and nan as they cope with the loss of her S.Father and for her too. Praise God she got the new job she wanted!!

Mars - On-going prayers for Dave and Sue - Dave still "not himself" .... any update recently Marsy?? Prayers for 2 babies recently delivered who are struggling....

Pirategirl - Divorce going through - feeling v. and struggling.

KittyLette - Mum poss has cancer, v.frightened. Lots of prayers needed.

Squeakybub - Prayers for DP's S.mum who is critically ill in hospital following road accident.

Chloe55 - Prayers for friend who "sold his soul to the devil". V.difficult situation.

CaptainDippy - Prayers for the Dippy Family as they prepare for the imminent arrival of Dippy3, esp for her and DH who have been rowing a lot recently. DD's are "getting ill" atm, so prayers against that would be cool! Can't think of anything else atm - brain is mush .... Prayers for finances would be cool too! Gosh - I sound v.selfish .... but I do love you all and - Praying for every one of you!!

Now - Get Praying!! ......

and thanks to mary and mtgaa, for their kind words of support.
and following on from worzella and rosyleas post re sahm "ness", i only worked p/t before i had ds , but it's still a bit change. added to that , i have only lived here just over a year , and it's starting to get to me that i haven't made any friends yet. i have prayed for a christian mum friend, as i want ds to have friends too, it's not just for me. so keep telling myself it's not me, but there are some lonely times.

[[hugs]]] hon - Praying that friend comes along REALLY soon - have you been going to local church / toddler groups etc??

It is a lonely old business this SAHM thing, I agree!

yes, i do go to one which is at the church i go to.
and it is really nice, we share lunch, but i do smile, and i'm sure this happens everywhere , but there are cliques, even seeming that they rush to sit together at lunch. i don't mind where i sit. and i know it's silly , but they meet elsewhere , these few,this is tuesdays, and they say "see you thursday", it hurts, and i may not have that much in common with them anyway, and i suppose it feels like a rejection, i'm feeling writing it now for goodness sake.
i'm daft, it's not a rejection.

I do know what you mean sweetie, but you've just GOT TO poke your nose in - invite yourself - Ask if one of them wants to come round for coffee sometime ...... You've just got to put yourself out a little - You will be so glad you did it, I promise!!

the new pastors wife goes sometimes , although her dd is a little older than ds, she is new here too, and she invited me round before easter, it hasn't happened yet as she was busy , but that will be nice.
and i am going to try another one friday am, a older lady i met does the coffee , the first time i went to this one i walked in the main door, one lady,and then another , came out of the main hall, and went into the kitchen ,and didn't speak, so i turned round and went again.
but this other lady says i should go , and she will be there friday, so although she won't be not there as a mum i will at least know someone.

Mufti - I'll pray for someone for you to get to know. I've started to make a point at church gatherings, that I "reach out" to those on their own. Draw them into conversations. Its not right that church should be like this, and people should be more aware of those around them!

I caused some controversy tonight at the Emmaus group!!!! We are doing it based on the Lord?s Prayer, and its divided into 4 sessions. My session was ?Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name?. I talked about the concept of God as ?Abba? or ?Daddy?. It totally blew them out of the water! TBH I didn?t see it coming, but given that everyone there was at least a generation older than me, I shouldn?t have been too surprised. But they thought it was almost offensive to think of God as ?Daddy?, despite what Jesus and Paul said on it! I think it gave them food for thought though. It really got us into our relationship with God, and how ?God as Father? can be perceived in different ways. They took it to mean an authoritarian figure, slightly distant. For me it meant the person I ran to, and flung my arms around when I needed comfort. There were lots of other good things that came up, but this was the one that really made me think!

So - the question for you all tonight, is how EXACTLY do you see your relationship with God "as Father"?

God bless

Mary

mary will try emailing u don't know if you'll get it but i've tried writing it here and it just doesn't come across right.

h is going in for his shoulder surgery on friday so prayers that his recovery will be quick and that he won't be tempted to take pain killers that he just can't take.

Also for dil of someone i work with who was on our ward yesterday having to have to have a mastectomy. I felt priveledged to take her to theatre then to come back to ward and reassure mil that she was fine. She is only 35.

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I really want to get this nailed as I am sure it's not how life should be... I think too much, analyse too much and am far too sensitive... I think I'm going to ask for some extended prayer counselling at church.. we'll see . I don't have a problem talking to people, or inviting them for coffee - it's the developing of the friendship further and the lack of belief that I would be good/interesting enough so that someone would want to be my friend!

Thanks for tonight's question Mary - I think I see God as Daddy i.e. a comforter, a provider and a sorter outer. I guess because that's what my Dad did/does. I suppose he's also the authority figure too.

My question, related to my current state of mind is - how do you know if people want to be friends, how pro-active should you be?

I think that was more than one question!!

worzella know exactly where you are coming from, have the same feelings, thinking that all the other people that I know are out having coffee together etc. In fact today at playgroup two of my friends who I have spent time iwth seperatly had gone to asda today together and had coffee and I thought 'why didn't you ask me to come then' then had all the thoughts of am i not good enough, i'm boring, they dont like me because etc, etc

We are good people who people do like we just need to be the proactive ones and get out there and bug people until they want to spend time with us. i'm sure tehy do and i'm sure there are times when they sit there and think no one wants to be with them and feel lonely too.

We can do this I know we can staying at home is not easy says she who goes to work twice a week but that still leaves me with 5 days a week with not much adult company.

Good morning

another beautiful day that the Lord has made - thank you God. I am rejoicing - and I am glad in it!!

Would really appreciate your prayers today - we have a service wide meeting with all our team leaders to talk about changes within the service (the dreaded C word!), and although this is an ongoing process so not new to them, there is the potential for it to be an uncomfortable morning.

Then this afternoon I really have to knuckle down and get my assigment written - please pray for peace and quiet, and inspiration (is that cheeky?)

Sooz it would be lovely to see you at church, come whenever you feel able and you will be welcomed by everyone with open arms (although you are not forced to hug, lol!). We also have a new student from St.John's starting this week and she has 3 lo's. There is also a pile of toys and books at the back of the church for bored lo's! My ds will be the one running laps of the church.....

Prayers for everyone mentioned on this thread, especially Rosey for your Crohn's and CD for your impending arrival!

I think the key to any relationship is not to seem too keen at first. Sounds daft, but I think subliminally people are put off by it. Its really helped me living near the school, I can invite people round for coffee after school, and they'll come. Gradually, as you build up a relationship, this extends to other things, like going out socially. Sometimes you recognise someone else who is doing the same things, and you can "fast track" things.

I've always found it difficult making friends, but now I've found I've got a circle of friends, and it just sort of "happened". I've only lived in the village just over 2 years, and had to "start again".

But yes, time and time again, I've thought the "not me, I'm not good enough to be your friend, otherwise why didn't you ask me?"

Worzella I could have written your post I think too much, analyse too much, worry too much and am sensitive! I'm trying to learn not to be - not to be offended when I feel left out. That does seem to be working, and because of it, friendships are developing. Also get in first with your invitation!

I think something else that works is, don't put obstacles in the way when you are invited out. Accept everything (within reason), no matter how awkward it is. You're invited to a "shopping" party, like "body shop at home", don't say "I'm not sure I can go, I don't know if I can get babysitter", but something like "yes I'd love to come thank you" and THEN worry about a babysitter! Do your best to go. If you can't then make it, you can make your apologies - many people do, and strangely it seems more acceptable to do this, and you are more likely to be invited again. The "I'm not sure" could sound like you're not interested and are making excuses.

Does this make sense?

Praying for everyone this am.

Mary

Morning all

Glad there were plenty of takers for the Emmaus group Mary, and that you stirred them up! I see Father God as both Daddy, and authority figure. Have no problem with imagining myself sitting on his lap for a hug when I am down etc. I don't think gthis is at all disrespectful, I know He wants me to have an intimate relationship with Him (and I want that too but am working on it...)

I so know that feeling of not being good enough to be someone's friend, fearing that people don't really want to spend time with me - I think it is almost part of what it means to be female, if convos I have had with others are to go by. The ironic thing is Worz, that I sometimes don't feel that I am good enough to be your friend, and you are one of the people I am closest to. Stupid but true.

Better go, school calls! See you all later

i share those feelings of not being "good enough", yet i have old friends from school still, nearly 30 years aince we left! we don't meet up often now,all in different areas, but all get on well.
i have tried another site, which has a section to meet people local to you, currently 3 people i contacted, came back to me , seemed friendly , and keen to meet, i emailed them again, and heard nothing! so i have emailed them all again, but i will just have to forget it if i don't hear. i did notice most of them were late 20's /early 30's , so i will stop putting my age i think , (45). it may put them off , they probably want friends of their own age, thay don't know i'm not an old fogey. i would have thought that way at that age i'm sure.
i would have felt it would be like having 2 mums.
i would worry now, i get on with people of all different ages. i must have matured more than i thought.

that should say "wouldn't worry now" re peoples ages!

Worzella I could have written your post too! I think too much, analyse too much, worry too much and am sensitive! I too am trying to learn not to be - not to be offended when I feel left out.

It has taken me a long long time to start to make friends here too, despite trying hard (yes, probably too hard, Mary. Agree that it's very offputting to folks when they sense you are too keen.) another thing I have learned is that some people do stop making friends as they get older. It may not be that they are rejecting you per se, but that their lives and emotions are full, and they just aren't available as friends any more. I found that quite a shock!

Re God our father - I am constantly bowled over by the way that our father God is so patient, watches us and allows us to make our own mistakes and learn for ourselves, but is also there, ready to hug, forgive and to teach when we ask Him to.

Praying for you all today. God bless.

Interesting discussions.....Feeling a bit too brain dead atm to contribute properly though if that is ok - but you can all be my friends if you like!!!?

I have no problem with the concept of God as my father - esp as my RL one is pretty inadequate to say the least. I see God as my Father, both in the sense that I can run to Him for comfort and strength when I am down and weak; but I can respect His discipline and authority too - as we should with our fathers!

Thank you for the "food for thought" Mary - You are soooo good at getting us all to think "outside our boxes" on this thread - and I, for one, am v.greatful for your wisdom and insightfulness.

Fellow Captain - Praying for the meeting this morning, praying it is productive and not too uncomfortable!!

Praying for H's shoulder surgery nsfn - esp as he recovers without the pain killers .... praying for a swift and as painless as possibly recovery for him. Glad it is getting sorted. Also praying for the DIL of your work collegue as she recovers from the mastectomy - so pleased God put you alongside her during a scary time - Praying it all heals well.

All ok in DipsVille - DD2 (and poss DD1) have the beginnings of pretty foul colds, bless 'em and DD2's Evil Nitties seem to have depleted, which is good - DD1 still scratching like a trouper though ... sigh .... I am ok - just waiting ..... and waiting ...... and waiting ......

Good morning again

Just to say that the hall is available on the 14th July for the meetup, so do pop into the meetup thread to express your preferences!

Whooooo Hooooooo!* Thank you nqgu! How are you today??

Good Afternoon, thought I'd just catch up while twins on potties together having a lavitorial conversation

What a fab debate MaryBS re: Our Father! I imagine him in a Big Daddy way! (a type of endearment I suppose)

CD - colds, poor you, I hope you don't catch it before you have to do your bit, ya know the huffing and puffing and breathing in your nose and panting out bit! of the joys magical!

CC - What time is your service on Sundays, I am getting excited and definitely feel drawn to attend. No we don't mind cuddles, as long I can keep composed! will be lovely to meet you, I havent met a mn yet! Ah bless I have just asked the twins about it and they have found their tiger suits to dress up in to go to church!

Hello,

Just a v. quick one to say that I saw my Vocations Officer this morning and she was soooooooooo encouraging and positive! I am ever so slghtly bowled over tbh.

So I am seeing my vicar in about a month to discuss whether he will support my application for training for the ministry! I'm very excited esp. after such a positive discussion with the VO this morning. I'll come down to earth later...!

And this afternoon I'm off to the hospital for the first training session for the chaplaincy service...I'll post later and let you know it goes!

God bless all.

Sooz - LOL @ "lavatorial conversations" and at "tiger costumes" ..... Bless 'em - DO GO to my Fellow Captain's church honey!

Rosey - Soooooo glad the meeting went well - Lots of Prayers for you 1st training session this PM - Praise god you are well enough to attend, eh!!?

Prayers for DD2 would be hugely appreciated - She's started doing her "psycho child" routine about EVERYTHING again - great timing ... I am sooo scared I am going to hurt her or she is going to hurt herself. Feeling really relieved that girls are in nursery this PM. Off to do housework and relax a little ......

CD - I'd relax if I were you! and yip looking forward to going somewhere more acceptable with children, although I'm sure St.Marys would be devastated if they knew my feelings! sad really after 45 years in 1 church!

Oh well - take the plunge Sooz - I am sure you will so glad you did it!!

Hi Sooz

service starts at 10am. I have never met another mner either, promise I'm not a hairy biker!

Come in, sit where you like and enjoy . lol at the tiger suits! Hope to see you there!

Thanks for prayers, meeting went well this am. We had a patient-public-involvement (PPI) rep in to talk about his experiences. Turns out he was an ex-business big wig, and he gave a presentation on how the NHS should conduct itself as a business. Want to know the AMAZING thing about that? My assignment is about strategic analysis, and all the stuff he talked about I have written in my assigment!! Thank you God, for giving me clear direction and proof that I'm talking about the right stuff in my assignment.
Another one of God's little coincidences