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.

Sorry meant to say about physical illnesses I've proof and evidence of them from specialists. It's just prejudice from consultant about the label they've given me.

All very difficult Becca, especially the vicar saying you must increase your attendance when he must know you are struggling.

I dont think he understands my disabilities to be honest. It's really hard to get people to understand mental health issues who've never experienced it.

That may be true, but as your pastor he should at least try and understand you a bit better than just berate you for not coming to church.

Yes that's true, it's not somewhere, despite what happened to my godmother (and the insistence they'd become mental health friendly), mental health and attendance are particularly accepted, which actually makes it harder to go back.

I can’t get my head round what kind of a church this is, where they can see that neither you, nor your godmother were coping and still have standards that they could work out on their two fingers are difficult for people to maintain. They don’t seem to have a clue about menatl health and what a struggle it is. Or they would not treat you li

like they are that should say

Our previous vicar was wonderful with mental health, he really tried to understand. This one just doesn't have a clue at all. The previous was happy to communicate and provide support/attend hospital any day or night if ill for any reason without attendence, actually he would say just come for coffee at the end if you want or leave whenever you want.

It's odd because this one has been a vicar before, so you'd think he'd be better, the one before had never been a vicar previously.

But your previous vicar obviously had more of a gift for pastoral care than the current one.
Just ry and orientate yourself on Jesus and not on the vicar.

He did that's true. I'd, stupidly, made assumptions! I am trying to orientate myself more on Jesus, I felt I needed more support in doing that and, mistakenly, thought he could help.

Just getting to bed.went shopping for ds's food, then petrol then realised I had left the bananas at home. Would have left them but rotten bananas and important paperwork just by the banana hook do not mix.

Becca would finding another church help?

Oh that sounds hard Becca. So sorry he's not helping :(

Hope the holiday is going well BES!

Home from New Wine, I went and injured my shoulder on the last night and now struggling to do anything, what a numpty! But it was the most incredible of weeks. Encountered God massively and lots of laughter, tears and catching up with friends. Just beautiful.

I'm rural there is no other church option other than the very evangelical church which when I went there the vicar gave me a list of things whereby the devil entered my life causing the emotional problems/emotional conflict in church I have. I never went near a church for years after that. I prayed privately and did my services at home but wouldn't speak to a vicar and actively avoided them.

Hi becca in new to this thread, but I hope you don't mind me chipping in. I listen to a brilliant preacher called Charles Stanley. He does little 20 minute podcasts every weekday. I'm not super tech savvy but I downloaded the Player FM app and listen there. His preaching is sounding biblical, convicting but very compassionate. I would highly recommend him if you're struggling to get to church. It is so beneficial having guidance and encouragement.

Oops that should have been "his preaching is SOUNDLY biblical..."

notanotherheffalump it's a public forum, I welcome all suggestions! I can't download things (no wifi/broadband) is there a website I can hear him on? I do listen to services online.

I love your username by the way, I love lumpy! I've got his movie poster and film!

Sorry to hear that about the evangelical church, Becca. That sounds very damaging :( I'm so sad that God's family get it so wrong at times. I can only assure you that there are plenty of churches - evangelical or not - who are loving, welcoming and compassionate. I'm so sad you haven't found one.

Hello heffalump! Haven't heard those ones. I do like me a podcast or two. :)

www.intouch.org there are lots of good resources on there, but it is the "Today on Radio" section that has the 20 no it's podcasts.

*20 minute

It can effect you in odd ways, sometimes you think do I really want tot be a part of this, or is this how people see me.

I remember our old vicar reminding us that gods family whilst chosen by him may not be chosen by us and everyone has something to offer and he knows what he is doing. It can be hard for us to see what those gifts are sometimes.

There was some political issue in the congregation at the time, I can't remember what, but despite being a reference to that he had a point.

X-post thankyou not

Ds is still asleep so hopefully he will be less shouty today. I slept in so hopefully I will be better able to cope with his autism today.

I hope today is as you hope BES

Glad you got a sleep-in Bes. X

I hope you don't mind me joIning in with this thread but I was also at New Wine and also had a God filled time. Unfortunately I think it will be the last time I go so I was so pleased to be there.

Could I ask for prayers for my back op that I had today - not allowed to lift anything heavy for 6 weeks or drive for four and when you are usually active it can be difficult but I am so grateful for having my dh and dd to help me and my one year old dgs to cheer me up.