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Original poster

Christian prayer thread for winter

984 replies

Madhairday · 12/11/2017 17:18

Hello all! I just posted a long post on the old thread and realised it's full up, so just going to copy this here to sunshine - will try and do a roundup of other prayers too later. Everyone welcome here!

Just want to reiterate what Oma and Cocoa have said so well, sunshine. It's no wonder church feels like a hostile place and you freeze up. I feel so sad for you that that man did this to you. But Christ isn't the church , the church is supposed to be his body, reaching out hands of love and help and compassion, and sometimes they mess that up. Hugely. Sometimes evil crawls in. But that doesn't mean God's abandoned you. I love that Oma referred to the prodigal son, I was looking at Rembrandt's study of that parable the other day and so struck afresh by the father's absolute joy in his son being home, his grace in embracing him whatever he'd done. Sadly you've had a poor excuse for a father so it must be so difficult to frame God in the language of father for you Flowers but God is the father who loves you beyond your imaginings, who reaches out arms of compassion and forgiveness, who gathers you in and just loves you. Loves you so much, so, so much, without end. You can never do anything that will make God abandon you. Jesus said that he is with us always, even to the end of the age.

I know church is threatening, lovely, but there are a lot of people who would love to help, here on the internet and in real life. It's just a case of reaching out, but I know that must seem impossible right now. I've learned that God is a God of restoration, a God who longs to mend the broken places and devastations in people's lives. I've seen people set free from so much and believe with everything I am that God longs to set you free, too.

I'd love you to find some medical support. I'm so sorry your GP is so rubbish. More and more the case, sadly. I pray you can get in to see someone. Would you also consider some counselling? Like cocoa says, that doesn't mean they would take your DC away, just that they would want to support and help you. Flowers you sound a lovely mum and have done so well to get to this point. I'm glad you are reaching out here. Please take care and know God's love pouring over you by the Holy Spirit. Flowers

OP posts:
CocoaXx · 27/11/2017 07:42

Thank you for the new thread MHD
I am still here but still in the midst of legal awfulness, so have not been on MN very much. I don’t know why I did not think to start a new thread after the last one was full, I don’t think I do joined up thinking at the moment.

Ah Oma I totally see why a partial silent retreat is not ideal. I would struggle with the prospect too.

Prayers all around Flowers

Lisette40 · 27/11/2017 12:47

Thanks cocoax. Praying for DD Bes

I heard my aunt died this morning and that another aunt is recovering from cancer surgery. Would you pray for them please? Thanks.

EddSimcox · 27/11/2017 13:15
BlackeyedSusan · 27/11/2017 15:51

what is this thinking you are talking of please?

so...

we are off to a and e later . again. dd fell in school and hurt her legs and smacked the side of her face.

Lisette40 · 28/11/2017 14:02

Is DD okay Bes?

BlackeyedSusan · 28/11/2017 18:25

she has hurt her ankle and has not been walking on it and I have been carrying her up and down two flights of stairs to the car.

tonight she has been sick and is shakey and head achey so ex is coming to take her back to a and e.

BlackeyedSusan · 28/11/2017 18:50

please pray as dd is deteriorating rapidly. she is off to a and e in the next town, which is as quick as the hospital in our city due to location and the ability to park. she has now blurry vision as well.

Lisette40 · 28/11/2017 19:33

Oh Lord Bes praying hard. X

Donhill · 28/11/2017 19:34

De-lurking to say i’m praying too Bes.

CocoaXx · 28/11/2017 20:51

Oh bes I just came on to ask how DD is. I am praying too, poor DD and you all Flowers

Dutchoma · 28/11/2017 22:07

Just seen this and praying.

BlackeyedSusan · 29/11/2017 07:39

thanks for the prayers, she picked up a bit at the hospital. the dr was more helpful than the last one.

concussion. all the symptoms they tell you to call about, (sick, headache, blurred vision, adding new symptoms over the course of an hour. ) worry the heck out of you, then it is "only concussion"

CocoaXx · 29/11/2017 08:06

Concussion can be serious though in itself and cause bad symptoms; and with blurred vision you did the right thing going straight back to A and E to rule anything else out. I am so glad for you it is not worse. I will keep praying. Thanks for updating Flowers

Lisette40 · 29/11/2017 09:27

You did the right thing Bes. I'm glad the second doctor was more helpful. Poor mite.

Original poster
Madhairday · 30/11/2017 14:40

How is dd today, bes? Flowers

Prayers for you all. How are you feeling Oma - I hope your retreat is wonderful. Flowers

OP posts:
Lisette40 · 30/11/2017 14:42

You don't have to talk on here Dutchoma Wink we're silent here too!

Endless snow here. Heading out to do school run. Continuing to pray for all including Bes's DD.

InLoveWithLizML · 01/12/2017 04:33

Prayers for all.

It seems weird it's December but Advent hasn't started yet.

Dutchoma · 01/12/2017 07:33

For so many people Advent starts on the 1st December, without regard to the liturgical meaning.
All the Christmas decorations were up on Tuesday in the church where we have our choir practice.

Lisette40 · 01/12/2017 13:52

I've just had an abusive letter from my parents mentioning 'the will'. I'm not going to respond because (a) it won't help things and (b) I know what they are up to. My Aunt died this week too and my parents told me via email with no subject heading so I wasn't really prepared.

I'd be grateful for some prayers. I accept that they are very troubled and difficult. I just need strength to keep going in life without family support. (I do have a lovely dh and ds)

EddSimcox · 01/12/2017 18:58

I haven't been keeping up Lisette sorry but praying anyway of course. That sounds tough.

I'm feeling sorry for myself so grateful for prayers too. Feel like I just need to keep my head about water until January 2nd but that seems a bit insurmountable rn and it's not as if everythings going to get easier then anyway really. I've got myself into such a shitty situation and I'm so miserable but there's no solution - or rather every avenue is as hard as the next - it's just deciding which trouble to settle for. Waah. No-one died. I know, worse things happen at sea. Sorry for being depressed.

EddSimcox · 01/12/2017 18:59

How is DD Bes?

CocoaXx · 01/12/2017 20:43

I am sorry about your bereavement Lisette and that matters with your parents have not been resolved. I do think it is hard when you don’t have the safety net of unconditional parental love, particularly at this time of year. I will certainly pray for you.

Edd it is good to hear from you, although I am sorry things are not looking up for you. I pray for you too. Sometimes if you don’t know which path to take, you need to metaphorically speaking sit still until things unfold more around you. Be gentle on yourself, you have had a difficult year.

BES I hope DD is improving.

Prayers for everyone else in need Flowers

Lisette40 · 01/12/2017 22:54

'When you don't know what to do, do nothing. Be still' Oprah

Don't usually quote Oprah! But it's good advice as Cocoax points out too. What lovely advice to Edd. I will keep you in my prayers Edd and Cocoax and Bes's DD too.

Thanks for your kind words both of you. I will pray for my parents too, seems like the right thing to do. I pray for you Edd as you take one day at a time. And for your intentions too Cocoax. I love Advent.

I read some of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's writings on Advent (whilst he was a prisoner of the Nazis.) He writes of the act of waiting - waiting while incarcerated and waiting for the newborn Christ. Sometimes it's hard not to see waiting as enduring but we must try wait hopefully, a hard task:

'The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come. For these, it is enough to wait in humble fear until the Holy One himself comes down to us, God in the child in the manger. God comes. The Lord Jesus comes. Christmas comes. Christians rejoice!'
Bonhoeffer

EddSimcox · 01/12/2017 23:30

Oh that’s lovely Lisette and thank you cocoa. I’m not very resilient so I’m finding it hard to sit through but you are right. And anyway now it’s all about making a good Christmas for the DC, so I’ll just have to pull myself together and get on with it.

Praying for you both, and for everyone.

CocoaXx · 02/12/2017 10:01

That is a lovely quote Lisette

I have been thinking about what you are saying Edd and two things come to mind.

The first is that being still metaphorically speaking does not mean doing nothing, you can use the time to build your resources (emotional, physical, spiritual). What do you enjoy doing, just for you? Can you do that, and focus positively on the fact that you are looking after your own well-being? It is not being selfish, but looking after your earthly body and mind, to take the time for yourself, look after your well-being and build up your resilience.

The second thing is real life support. You say you have got into a difficult situation. Who can help you not face it alone? Counselling, support services, GP, friends, church pastoral care? Who would you suggest help someone in your situation? Even just talking to someone outside the situation could help.

I prayed this morning, and was doing the readings from USCBB from yesterday. It was the parable about the fig tree. There is something amazing I think in the thought that Jesus saw trees unfolding their leaves and that summer was coming, just the same as we do today. I am not theological enough to draw greater meaning than that, but we are so lucky to walk this Earth and noticing small things like that in nature brings me closer to God and Jesus.

The natural world is messy though, not neatly aligned in rows of flowers. Maybe it is quite natural, if not always pleasant, that our lives are sometimes messy too.