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.

Edd dd is recovering well, ds on the other hand...

fell off a bench at school and whacked the back of his head on the concrete so another child with concussion and sick and headachey. he is beginning to talk to me though and complain a little, and when he starts yelling at me I will know he is recovering really well.

I am shattered as he has been having bad dreams in the night and shouting out.

Oh BES that is really tough. I do pray that you will get some sleep tonight.

Advent prayer Henri Nouwen

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparation for Christmas.
We who have so much to do
seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things
look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for
the complete joy of your Kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy
seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people,
walking in darkness yet seeking the light.
To you we say
“Come, Lord Jesus”.
Amen.

I have very clean feet....

well the bottom of them anyway. I have been cleaning the carpet in dd's room, and walking on the clean bit in bare feet. it feels very soapy. poor carpet cleaner is bunged up with sand. I hoovered before hand but the vax is obviously better than a slightly bunged up dyson. (must unbung the dyson)

I have spent the day playing flat tetris with the contents of dd's room (what was left of them) into the living room. just waiting for a litre of so of water to evaporate from the floor. then they can play in there and possibly sleep in there when I have put everything back in.

gp this morning with ds, fine to go back to school after banging head.

dd on the other hand... back to the hospital this evening with blurry vision and weak legs.

Okay Bes starting up prayers again....

Don't you fall over too

Giving thanks for ds BES and prayers renewed for dd.

Prayers bes I hope DD is okay, that does not sound good

Lisette I meant to thank you for that prayer at the weekend, but not been well. Okay now, just tired.

Hope you are okay Cocoa. I have my midweek slump now!

right, she fainted just after I posted... so ambulance called, they sent us to walk in centre, who have sent her to a and e with her dad. poor love is really tired after being in wak in for 3 hours then sent to a and e where waiting times average about four hours.

For goodness sake Bes. The poor love. Ridiculous sending her to a walk in centre surely.

Dd and ex on their way back from hospital now. Lots of tests been done.

That’s awful bes - that wait is shocking, as is being sent to walk-in when there is a history of head injury and fainting. I am so sorry, your poor DD and you all. Prayers that they find the cause and DD feels better soon.

Lisette yes, thank you, I am okay, just very tired but I struggle with the lack of light at this time of year anyway.

I am going to add some prayers for Oma if it is okay to say she is doing her retreat with the silent parts she was not looking forward to

Thank you Cocoa. It’s not going too badly, one breakfast down two to go.

+John’s teaching is excellent, he even acknowledged yesterday that there are people who did not come to a time of not being able to communicate.
There are several knitters in the group, one lady is making a donkey, she has already done 23 sheep and another one, a vicar from Dorset is doing prayer teddies.

That sounds lovely Dutchoma.

Bes how's things?

good morning Oma,

Well, that was an incredible experience. Yesterday I came down to breakfast as late as I dared, got some porridge, and then found that the place I was going to sit had no spoons or anything. I couldn’t deal with it and just burst out in tears and immediately someone put her arms round me, took me off to a little room, got me some coffee when I had stopped crying a bit, couldn’t eat anything. Eventually she got me to a nother small room in the house which I had no idea existed, wrapped me in a blanket and talked to me until I was able to join the session with +bishop John. His teaching is absolutely amazing and would not want to miss any of it. Then, later in the day someone else came up to me and said she would organise a breakfast away from the clatter of the main dining room and so it happened. We were joined by one of the chaplains and we had a really companiable time. Because silence is all very well, but of course it isn’t quiet at all as there is such a clatter of cutlery and people wandering about. So I have felt so very much loved and cared for and have had a tremendous blessing, more than ever before.
How is dd BES?

ok at present.

Oh Oma. How lovely that those people cared for you like that. So pleased the teaching is good too. I am praying for more blessing and joy for you.

Thankyou for sharing the Bonhoeffer and Nouwen passages, Lissette. Love them both. Very poignant for this season. We so often forget to slow down and take in what it's all about in the rush.

Prayers for you and DD, BES.

Praying for peace for you dear Edd.

Prayers for your DD BES

Prayers please for DH he has just applied for a new job. The application is in and we will need to wait a month to find out if he progresses to the next stage. It is his dream job.

Oma delighted there was a silver lining in that cloud.

Thank you MHD how are your lungs?.

Edd,Bes hope all is okay.

Myfatheristheking I'm praying for an interview and then a good interview experience for your dh. I hope it comes to pass for him. And if not then hopefully an even better opportunity down the line. It's hard waiting especially when you want something really good for someone you love.

Waves to Cocoa and lurkers. Snow everywhere here. Hides my mess of a garden . Actual blizzard