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.

double post. intermittent internet access is responsible not that I did not check to see whether it had finally posted after failing to earlier, oh no

Before I leave the Internet for the night, I'd appreciate prayers for rest tonight, have been having a anxiety attack for over an hour and am really struggling. Using a screen isn't helping so I'm going to try reading for a bit.

If anyone has any suggestions for self help books (other than the bible obviously, though helpful passages would be good) I'd appreciate it. Thankyou.

Posted this on another thread regarding fear of flying anxiety - works for me for other life situations but don't expect someone to wheel a drinks cart by you then. The book is 'Flying with confidence' Furness/Smith and Alright

'React, regulate, relax, rehearse is the mantra in this book. You use an elastic band on your wrist for the react part which alerts you to the fact that you're panicking. You regulate your breathing and relax your body which stops your brain going into overdrive. Then while relaxed you rehearse in your mind how well the flight will go, imagining yourself relaxed while waiting to board etc.

I practised this before flying and when I got on the plane, I made up my mind that I was concentrating on breathing and the pilots were concentrating on flying.

I didn't need any meds at all in the end. Only an elastic band.'

Praying Becca. X

You snap the band on your wrist to get yourself to react, I should have said.

Thankyou. I had a horrendous night

I'm so sorry to hear this Becca. Anxiety is horrible. The flying book mentioned that while it feels horrible, it's not dangerous to you. I found that helpful when I was waiting to get on the flight. I think I would have been wonderful at escaping sabre tooth tigers in primitive times. Perhaps that's why my genes survived - I must have had very jumpy ancestors

Part of the problem for me is that it can trigger seizures which are dangerous for me. I never realised it could effect me so badly and always ploughed through now I'm finding in my case (important as its not the case for everyone) it's worsening pre- existing conditions.

Today hasn't been good, I made it to my appointment but it was hard for me, I sat there having waves of anxiety. It's very hard for me to show emotions - I was abused as a child for doing so (mh issues run in my family and are seen as weakness).

The elastic band thing doesn't work for me, but that's due to my condition which makes using them very painful - sudden pain can trigger very low blood pressure and collapse. There may be an alternative though so I'm going to think about that. I've a book on car anxiety I've been trying to work on but I think I'm trying to fix too much if that makes sense and overwhealming myself.

I need to reduce the time I spend online as well as I think being on a screen isn't helping with seizures/migraine. I was given a crisis card today but it ended up causing me a lot of anxiety, I don't know why but just the word does.

I can see that the elastic band technique would complicate things Becca, glad you made your appointment. I'll say a prayer.

I think it works by stimulating a nerve i have problems with, but that might not be the case, I can't remeber. I'm really grateful for your prayer! Thankyou.

Can you give thanks for a neighbour who came to the rescue today. put themselves out quite considerably. and suggestions for a thankyou present.

Actually Becca I think the book said you could use a word to snap yourself to attention either. I do like the band though.

Glad to hear you have a nice neighbour Bes - we all need one. A small pot plant, bottle of vino, tin of chocolate biscuits, the best Minecraft tips?

ms I'll try that. Thankyou.

BES am about to do compline before bed I will remember your neighbour. It's good to remember the kindnesses from others and give thanks for them. I try to look for such things, am lacking in those for today in my life so am grateful to give thanks for yours.

thanks. Another meeting today. important one. got physical symptoms of stress... need to get it under control.

bes I know how that is, be kind to yourself.

I have just had a message left onthe answerphone telling me that hearing tests are available. took me listening to the answerphonemessage 6 times before I could hear what it was about...

Well I have hearing loss and messages on the phone are a nightmare . I also never overhear conversations. But my lipreading skills are excellent. I can even tell accents. I have to be careful not to be nosy.

How did the meeting go, BES? And how are you today, Becca? Hope you had a better night.

Oma, so glad to hear you enjoyed your holiday :-)

I'm doing okay at the moment, though the damp doesn't help. Definitely getting autumnal! I have so much to do to prepare for the book launch - I'm terrified about it all, publishers arranging radio interviews etc prayers for calm, peace and strength would be much appreciated!

My night wasn't good, I had night terrors which woke the house and pissed everyone off. Not good. I saw my GP and my anxiety was a bit better getting my meds as well. Am going to bed now as feeling very overwhealmed (so seizure risk high).

I appreciate all your prayers and support!

Can I make another request for prayer please? Am struggling with increasing anxiety. Again I thought I was getting somewhere and now it's got worse again.

I've put up a thread asking for people's good things from the day because I'm struggling to see any without huge effort. It's bought me some comfort.

I spent hours last night writing out Philippians 4:4-8. I've loads all over the place now on cards! I've written the things to think about as a list so,

Whatever is

True
Honourable
Just
Pure
Pleasing
Commendable

And, if there is any

Excellence
Anything worthy of praise

Think about these things.

I'm struggling to find these things and, I'm craving peace and sleep but when I try I find my mind clouds with a million thoughts.

I'm waiting for some medical tests to see if I've a tumour and my blood results didn't make sense and I'm worried about that.

I realised this morning that Monday is the twelfth anniversary of being confirmed, and how dreadful it was to do, I panicked all day and was forced into it by the vicar and my godmother who pleaded with me to do it, the vicar is long gone (we had a falling out because of a misunderstanding which was entirely my fault not his) and my godmother committed suicide just over four months ago. Every time I see her name I think of her, God too makes me think of her, it feels like the loss will never end. I ordered, months ago, before Easter a bible study from Amazon which arrived two days ago and it's a character study on someone with her name! I'd totally forgotten about it. Looking at it I can only think of her .

Opps. I should have edited that! Sorry.

madhairday I hope you're doing ok with the weather. Though it's raining here it's still feeling warm. I woke up in a lot of pain in my knees (where osteoarthritis is the worst) and perhaps that's why.

I hope everyone else is doing ok, I'm praying as much as I can (very 'freelance' as a friend would say!) and I'd like to be able to pray for specific things for you too.

I do pray generally for you all just to be clear!. You've all been such a support to me and feel like a virtual church community to me. I know that sounds odd.

Sorry for all the posts!

Prayers Becca and thank you for praying for us too. I hope you are feeling a little better today. I'm 'home alone' so concentrating on keeping house going while dh is away and minding Ds. I don't particularly enjoy being on my own and never sleep all that well.

my Uncle died this (saturday/technically yesterday) morning.