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Philosophy/religion

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Christian prayer thread for winter

984 replies

Madhairday · 12/11/2017 17:18

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 Flowers 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. Flowers 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. Flowers

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 18/10/2018 00:13

yeah because all people are the same and it is just a sore throat...

[sarcastic]

some people can not think that others have a different experience to them. just look on aibu... people telling others they are ridiculous to go to a and e when it turns out they have sepsis and have been seriously ill etc.

hope you are feeling better soon.

drspouse · 18/10/2018 09:48

Was that your other thread too masie? Thinking of you.

I forgot to say I went alone to one of the churches (church A). It is very very small, physically, though there were a decent number of people there (it was Harvest). I am a tiny bit worried that DS will find it visually too busy/distracting/overwhelming. We agreed that one of us will try Church B. DH likes the idea of Church B as it's closer. The service/sermon at Church A is definitely what we're used to though. I spoke to the Sunday School ladies and they seem welcoming and down to earth.

I think I'm really worried we'll go to one of them and have to leave yet another time as we'll be too uncomfortable/DS won't cope.

Becca19962014 · 18/10/2018 09:56

BES exactly. not seen GP yet.

drspouse I understand that worry. It's difficult as there's no way to ultimately know without that risk.

BlackeyedSusan · 18/10/2018 10:41

the "my son's girlfriends second cousin's great Uncle had that and..." brigade seem to have no understanding that everyone is different, or things have moved on...

they rank highly to the "give him to me and I will sort him..." lot.

It is a day of appointments.

Becca19962014 · 18/10/2018 14:47

Bacteria culture came back fine. Am still unwell but GP says they can do nothing, I've antibiotics for something else though. Am really scared as if it doesn't go I must go to see consultant for them to inspect my mouth and I can't do that, I can't have man near my mouth, my anxiety is horribly bad right now and my throat feels blocked (I can breathe/drink though so it's fine apparently).

I couldn't get them to understand how scary it is Sad maybe they're not listening to me about the other stuff either and I really am on my own.

(I'm x-posting this to other threads so sorry if you see it more than once)

Masie24 · 18/10/2018 20:53

drspouse - yes, it is. Thanks for thinking of us. DS found by DH and back in hospital under a section 3 (up to 6 months). Going to work hard to work with him in making this a positive exerperience and helping him find a real direction and the most appropriate and positive move on accommodation. I've been advised by occ health at work to take a couple of weeks off as I'm completely exhausted. Hard to say yes but I have.

Becca thinking of you. Please don't be scared. Rest up well tonight and try to speak to someone understanding tomorrow.

drspouse · 18/10/2018 21:33

Oh that is good news. A prayer answered.

Dutchoma · 18/10/2018 21:46

Very good news Masie. Try to rest.

Becca19962014 · 18/10/2018 21:56

Good news maisie

There's no one else unfortunately. Am dreading bed was like a battle ground last night. I know that sounds wierd.

BlackeyedGruesome · 18/10/2018 23:06

bed ws very cramped here last night as not so small boy got in with me. current "bed" is 28 inches wide and that leaves not a lot of room at all.

he has fallen asleep downstairs again. so he is on the sofa bed as that is as far as I could shift him without risking banging his head off the architrave on every doorway...

not to mention bannisters, walls etc

Important meeting tomorrow and I am extremely stressed.

HauntedForestier · 18/10/2018 23:13

Prayers for important meeting Bes and for your health Becca

Becca19962014 · 19/10/2018 10:34

Thankyou. Very panicky this morning, the sensation of a partially blocked throat isn't helping.

Madhairday · 20/10/2018 09:21

So sorry you're feeling so rough Becca, and that the doctor wasn't listening. That's just such a horrible experience, I know. And as for people saying it's just tonsillitis... Angry - please don't give them any thought space. You know what you're battling with and them minimizing it doesn't help. Praying for healing and rest, peace and sleep, assurance and hope Flowers

Hello Masie. You're so welcome. I'm sorry to hear of all you've been facing but so glad DS is safe. May you know God's overwhelming love and presence as you process all this stuff in your life. Flowers

BES how are you today? Been praying Flowers

Welcome Donhill :)

Hugs to Oma :)

I'm still poorly too, had got a lot better then took a turn, so back on antibiotics. I have so much to do for the book launch and feeling overwhelmed. Prayers would be very welcome.

OP posts:
Becca19962014 · 20/10/2018 09:32

mhd Thankyou, sorry you're struggling as well.

BlackeyedGruesome · 20/10/2018 19:58

so sorry you are still poorly mhd.

today I have been powered by prayer Wink to swap dd's furniture round to make more room. I am about to return and stack books where books should be. nearly everything has moved and it is still a terrible mess as books are not yet back on the shelf and clothes are not all back in the wardrobe. All the stuff on top has been wiped over and given a good vaccuum for her asthma.

oh and the asthm letter arrived today. I could have done with it yesterday to pass onto school. grr.

Becca19962014 · 20/10/2018 21:10

Well done bes ! I know the feeling about the letter! It's often the way unfortunately!

I got my meds today and a bit of food. Been unwell again, I tried going to bed but panicked and ended up sitting watching Big Bang theory DVD I bought ages ago.

HauntedForestier · 20/10/2018 21:54

I hope you didn't sit in Sheldon's spot Becca.

Becca19962014 · 20/10/2018 22:48

Grin I'd actually not realised I was a season behind on my DVDs so I've another to watch now as well.

drspouse · 21/10/2018 11:02

Morning all, tried the other church today (early service! But calmer and has Sunday school).
Really couldn't cope. It's not really my sort of thing (style not theology), just can't shake the feeling that the "worship leader" was performing for him not actually leading the rest of us. But I'm still really upset about the old church so that didn't help at all. The children's church would probably be fine (the DCs actually know half the children already, there was a student leading, suspect gap year but she looked about 12 so probably wouldn't cope with DS but we still have the option of 1:1).
There's another (not CofE) we might try and I'm sending DH to try church A I think too.

drspouse · 21/10/2018 11:05

Oh and friends already go to church B which makes it even harder to say no. But 10 years of a church I don't like...

Becca19962014 · 21/10/2018 11:35

You need somewhere that's at least going to meet some of all your needs otherwise you'll end up feeling resentful of going, I don't mean delibrately but going to a church where you feel you don't fit or feel uncomfortable is really hard. That's not to say people don't do it (I knew someone who did) but it is really hard.

Becca19962014 · 21/10/2018 11:36

Really struggling today both physically and mentally.
It's the six month anniversary of my godmothers suicide.

Becca19962014 · 21/10/2018 23:24

So I had to phone out of hours GP as I was choking and had high blood pressure. They don't think i have tonsillitis but it's my EDS (Ehlers danlos) deterioating causing my throat structure to collapse and though it's not badly swollen my huge tongue (EDS related) means not enough air is getting into my body.

I am terrified. I'm to look on the bright side that I'm not choking all the time Hmm

Please pray as my mental health issues are also effecting it as well. Am going out of my mind right now.

I've cross posted this elsewhere as well.

drspouse · 22/10/2018 10:38

Oh that's scary.
Will be thinking of you.
I got a children's prayer book out yesterday and (unusually) let both DCs choose a prayer before bedtime, after story. DS understands what a prayer is and then was looking at it again this morning saying "let me find something to calm me down". Sometimes he is a real sweetie.
(DD doesn't really understand but church is a bit beyond her and we haven't really done regular prayers at home).

Dutchoma · 22/10/2018 13:04

I have read some of your other thread Becca and you really are having a lot of difficulties. You are in my prayers.