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.

You can post here as much or as little as you like Becca. Even when things are quiet on here, there will always be people praying.

Praying for all those on here.

Thank you. You're all so kind. Am struggling a lot tonight with anxiety and fears for the future.

I've just read the opening post and though it's not for me it says so much to me if that makes sense. I hope it helped the person it was for and they're still around.

Feeling unwell with a cold type illness. I'd appreciate prayers as I'm struggling to rest (the one thing I should be doing!)

How are you this morning, Becca?

I've not been on for ages but feeling a bit despairing about church again.
DS has been coping not too badly in Sunday School though the teacher doesn't get him at all. Teacher however had a strop about him and suddenly insisted we come to the session with him (which usually makes him worse).
We have however been starting to take DD who is only 4 (just started Reception) so we have stayed for the last 2 sessions. DS was fine with me, tried to hit the teacher (don't know why) with DH, DH apologised/made him apologise but said to the teacher "oh it isn't right but it helps us to think that it's not him, it's his condition" "oh I didn't think he HAD a condition" says the teacher "NO says DH he may not have a diagnosis but he has a condition".
Sigh.
Anyway what has been revealing is that honestly the Sunday School sessions are way over their heads. They are 4 and 6 and she uses words like "humble" and "strive". They don't do any singing (the odd game, but DH and I agreed that our memories of Sunday School are the singing!), just a story/talk then a craft.
DH thinks they will get just as much from playing in the play area during the service and us trying to teach them the hymns. DS really likes doing the craft and does (TBF) come back and tell us stuff he's learned. DS has enjoyed doing the Nativity and I'm pretty sure DD will enjoy this year's.

On a good note, both yesterday's sermon and the last one I heard were really, really good - the vicar preached a few weeks ago about us all being comfortable with our bodies as we have them - which I felt was a good lesson for our times.

A family support worker we are in touch with recommended yet another church locally - I don't want to change AGAIN now the children are settled - and I also know I'd be biting my tongue on some of the theology - probably not a good idea but I can't help thinking maybe something has to give?

Still unwell and people keep mentioning possibility of tonsillitis which is terrifying to me - I know someone who died from complications from it.

I think tonsilitis can be quite minor though too - I've had it quite a bit and it's usually been "just" viral. Unpleasant but hopefully your body can fight it.

Yes I've heard that, however, I'm not healthy and have a compromised immunity hence the worry. Might try GP tomorrow. Again as no luck today.

Sorry I don't know what happened to my reply drspouse to your post!
Trying again! Could you try the other church maybe just once as it might be a better fit for you so worth the change? It's possible it won't be so nothing really lost except maybe a week.

Sorry to hear this drspouse and Becca.

Usually church sets me up for the week so to speak so it's a real downer if something goes awry. It's like having a row with family.

there is a sinus/cold virus going which can make you feel miserable - sore throat is part of it, odd temperature. Might not be tonsillitis at all Becca. Do rest and get hot drinks. I was craving vitamin c so hoovered up lots of fruit.

I've got badly swollen tonsil but don't know if that's part of the infection. I've got the cold/cough bit now as well. Doing my best to keep eating/drinking, have diabetes which is being effected by it as well.

What I've done in the past I can't do anymore, things like having lempsip or otc cold stuff. I've got some sugar free strepsils but need to minimise having them. Can't have fruit due to sugar content.

I do hope you are feeling better soon becca

Becca DH has diabetes and he swears by the decongestant tablets (rather than syrup/lemsip) for the same reason - no sugar.
And I try not to destroy my teeth so when I'm bunged up or coughing I go for Ricola (again sugar free).

I can't have decongestants because of my blood pressure, sorry I should have mentioned that. Apparently they all raise blood pressure and mine has been spiking to dangerous levels (it's unstable and bottoms out as well so can't have meds).

stream,

what is glycerol?is htat sugary. dd is having some kids stuff with tha in

steam

I've got tonsillitis. Not at all well. Very afraid.

BES maybe glycerine? That's commonly in cough mixture but most of them are very sugary.

(oh and ouch - feel better soon!)

Darn Becca. This too will pass. Has an antibiotic been prescribed? You do feel rubbish with tonsillitis but you've been on the ball and been to your GP.

I'm having one of those blah days when I despair about the state of my 'family' abroad, my workplace, the world and possibly the state of the entire Universe.

In a rare fit of optimism yesterday I was convinced that poor Becca probably only had a cold. That was the last of my optimism used up I think. I crashed my way through biscuits this morning and am generally farting around without much energy. I seem to have a personal version of Rev's 'ontological angst'. Maybe I'm just getting old and cynical.

And Becca I don't like the decongestant in Lemsip. When it kicks in I feel really giddy - like I've gone whoosh and it freaks me out.