Christian prayer thread for winter

[Madhairday]

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 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. 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.

Oh Becca don’t worry one bit about ‘making a mess of the thread’, quite understandable under the circumstances.
I’m praying that you will find peace and a way to overcome the agoraphobia that bothers you so much.

Thankyou. About to try getting out this morning..

I forgot to say in my last, I'm praying for you BES.

I did manage to get out this morning and even get on a bus for half an hour! This is a huge thing for me to have done mentally as well as physically.

Now I'm exhausted! I hope you're all ok and having lovely weather, it's very hot here!

Well done, Becca. No wonder you are exhausted. It’s much cooler here today, no sun.

I am stuck at home, was supposed to have some drying equipment installed in the kitchen and bathroom. the firm came, sat outside the house for a bit and went away again as he thought (mistakenly) that drying quipment could not yet be installed. It’s all a bit of misunderstanding and I am now waiting for a call back from the builders who are dealing on behalf of the insurance firm.

well done Becca.

Thankyou it means so much that you understand how hard it was for me to do!

I have difficulties travelling in a car with my husband Becca. It's completely irrational but I'm afraid he'll crash. For no good reason. He's a relatively new but very safe driver. I got in the car with him for a short journey the other day. First time in a year. But I was exhausted afterwards. Don't have a problem with other people driving. I'm perfectly happy in a bus. It's very hard to psyche up to your fears but it's a wonderful feeling afterwards.

I'm might add that I've a saint of a husband!

I also have developed a fear of flying but I'm tackling that - flying to Amsterdam in July.

It's horrible isn't it?

I'm ashamed to say I'm someone who used to be dismissive of anxiety problems especially on public transport as that was the only healthy way I had of relaxing (I would literally spend days travelling around by bus going nowhere but from bus to bus listening to music). Now it's terrifying to me!

Yes, it is Becca. Have you tried compassionate mindfulness Becca? I've found that useful. You can get guided meditation's as apps. I became much more fearful after having kids. Plus my family is difficult and that's cut into my confidence. I also like quoting Julian of Norwich's saying 'All will be well'.

Waves back to Lisette

Yes but not with success.

prayers for an important meeting tomorrow please.

Of course.

Praying for that meeting BES

Praying BES.
Surviving the GCSEs here - one exam at a time. Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday next week are a nightmare - 5 exams in 49 hours but we are getting there.

Ooh Juggling I'll pray, it's such a stressful time for them.

Becca, I will pray for that peace beyond understanding. Sometimes it comes in the most surprising of ways, and not always as a tangible 'feeling.' I'm so sorry things have been hard and that going out is really tough for you. Prayers for strength.

Bes - how goes things today?

Oma - hope you're well. Looking forward to the meet up!

Gosh juggling reminds me of when I was young eons ago. I'll say a prayer for her.

I managed a service today. I cried throughout it but I managed to stay. It was a massive deal for me to manage to do it. Thankyou all for your prayers they mean a lot to me, more than you know.

Well done Becca. That's a real achievement. It will get easier.

Oh, that is excellent Becca. A wise old minister once said to me that tears are as much a language of the Spirit as speaking in tongues. So never be ashamed of your tears as it means a lot to God that you are moved by His Holy Spirit

I'm new to this thread but I thought you may be able to help.

I have very complicated family issues. They've been going on for many years. Nearly cost me my marriage and my sanity. I've been praying for so long for help with it all. It's not getting sorted - if anything it's worse. I'm praying for resolution and peace.

Sorry, I don't want to hijack but I'm quite emotional at the moment and and at a loss and some kindness and prayers would help.

Thanks so much xx

kettle I'll say a prayer for you and your family. X

You are nit hijacking Kettlepotblackagain, everyone is very welcome to come and ask for prayer and kindness.
Now, I am going to say something a bit controversial: sometimes when we are all ‘prayed out’ it helps to stop praying and to try and sit quietly in the presence of God and thank Him for all the blessings that He had given us. Sometimes the solution for certain problems are out of our hands, there is nothing we can do to make it better and God does not seem to be doing very much either. So if you, at that stage, hand your problems over to the God of all wisdom , you might find that His kindness towards you is all you need.