MN Christian prayer thread - come let us adore the world's most precious firstborn

[DutchOmainapeartree]

We pray for ourselves:- that we may make time to be "Marys" as well as "Marthas" in all the busy-ness leading up to Christmas.

We pray for our precious husbands in the words of the prayer I quoted earlier:-

Dear Lord, I pray for Wisdom to understand my man;
Love to forgive him;
And Patience for his moods;? and?
we won't go into the rest of the prayer so close to Christmas. (Full text on the old thread)

Pray for NorthernLurker's dh to find a job soon and for Harrisey's dh to find the strength to do a stressful job. Also for Bobsmum's dh to find a new job before February. We pray for peace and quiet over Christmas in all household, especially where dh is not fully committed to the Christian faith, that they may see the loveliness of Jesus around them.
We pray for those without husbands, for NSFN and Mummy2T&F. Also for Creambunnie.

We pray for our children; from the tiny unborns (Podglet, Bobsmum and CaptainCaveman) to include all our children young and not so young. Pray that we will be able to show them the love of Christ. That we may be able to protect them, help them. We pray for Roseylea's dd, Bobsmums ds, Mary's ds, NQGU's ds, that they may be able to cope with life at school and with the holidays.

We pray for those who have suffered bereavement, for QoQ family on the loss of their much loved grandfather. For Mufti's dh who lost his father recently as did Santas(Shreks)missus' dh.
We pray for Pepperpots in her loss

We pray for those with worries over sick friends and relatives, for Spookymadmummy's Mum and for her stepdad, just out of hospital, for CaptainCaveman's friend and little one in hospital, (Lord if possible, bring her out of hospital before Christmas) also for her teenage friend with eating disorders. We also pray for CC's dsis and her dd. Lord, we pray Your healing over that whole family.
We pray with Muppetgirl for her mil and her mother, who is ill and a long way away.
Lulumama and Rubyslippers' grandma.
We also remember OJ and Steve and their 3dcs in our prayers.

We give thanks with Geekymummy for healing in her marriage for PandaG doing well in her new job and enjoying it.
We pray for TheWiltedRose that she may have a very happy Christmas and that she may come to see the One Who is behind it all.
And we pray for CaptainDippy that she may feel surrounded by the love of Christ who is the Provider in all her needs.
We pray for 'absent friends', for Soozy, Creambunnie and MumtoGusandAlbie
Lord, we bring You our prayers and our worship in this Christmas period.

Thanks DO (not just for mentioning my prayers needs - but for starting new thread....old one was getting a little long )

CC Sorry your thread comes right at the end of the old thread, would you like to copy it to the new thread? I think a lot of people will be very moved by your courage to deal with it all and for sharing things with us. Every blessing

And God Bless DutchOma for pulling our new thread together . Thanks DO, you are a superstar.

i've just posted an epic on the old thread....do go and read it if you have a spare 10 minutes!!

Right then, epic story time so grab a drink and get comfy.....

How God rescued CC

I was bulimic from age 19 to 28. It started after my dsis disclosed to our mum, without telling me she was going to, that we had been sexually abused by our brother for many years. Mum asked me if it was true, I said yes but that I didn't want to talk about it. So that was that. No more was said or done and we carried on pretending nothing had happened. My bulimia started about a month after this.

I was about 10 stone at the time (approx dress size 12/14) and 2 things happened within a week which tipped me into bulimia (although I didn't know it at the time). Firstly the family planning nurse when I went for my pill check said I was fat and should lose weight. Secondly, I has literally just started my nurse training that week and was meeting lots of new people. A few of the 'older' girls (in their 20s and 30s) during one conversation, mentioned that if they ever felt really full after a meal they would go for a 'tactical vomit' to stop themselves feeling so full and ill.

So I tried it. I very quickly was not able to eat a meal without vomiting. The guilt and shame I felt from 'losing control' by eating was awful. I wasn't able to stop. Over the months this progressed to full-out binges where I'd go out and spend £10 on food to eat in one binge, only to vomit it all back again. I'd often feel horrendously dizzy after and my legs would sometimes give way when I tried to walk after a big binge. But I felt really in control of my life (because it blocked out the memories of abuse)

As the years wore on it was just my way of life. No-one knew and if anyone got close to guessing I would just distance myself from them. I even lived with dh for 4 years without him knowing that I was bingeing and vomiting upto 4 or 5 times perday. Things came to a head when I was doing my District Nursing degree. We had a load of assignments to be in for January and I started having panic attacks from the stress of the course plus the strain of my bulimia. Worse, I was in huge debt because of the volume of money I continued to pump into my illness. I earnt approx £20k at the time, and would often spend £30 per day on binge foods.

Around this time, my friend and I started going to church together. I felt so desperate that I was willing to try anything. I didn't know God would heal me, I just wanted someone to take the panic attacks away. A few weeks later, it was the day after pay day and my account was empty. I was at the limit of my overdraft and the bank was refusing to give me any more money. I was shi**ting myself. What could I tell dh? I had thought many times before about telling someone that I needed help, but the illness had too great a hold on me. I truly believed that my life experiences showed me, that if I told anyone they either wouldn't believe me and/or they wouldn't care. So I'd be no better off by telling anyone. Just embarrassed and ashamed.

So I sat down on my settee, in utter despair and prayed. I knew I needed help but the thought of telling anyone was terrifying. I was so scared that everyone would leave me when I told them the truth, that I had been lying for 9 years. I told God that I was totally desperate and I needed Him to help me find a way out.

About 5 hours later, whilst in the pub with dh and friends, God spoke to me clear as a bell. He said, "you have to tell dh, it will all be ok". And that was it. I had no qualms in carrying this through, I absolutely knew it was what I had to do. So that night when we got in, I sat dh down and told him about my bulimia and my debt. He was so relieved - he thought the reason I was always so tired and skint was because I was on drugs!!

And I've never looked back. Since that day I've made myself sick only a handful of times, the last was about 4 years ago. When I think of the footprints poem, I can clearly see that God carried me for those long years, and was so glad to set me free and have me walk along side Him! I truly feel blessed for the Lord having worked so openly in my life - I truly owe my life to Him.

Now, if you're still reading - you deserve a medal!!!! CC x

CC - I've just read it - what a wonderful testimony - it made me happy to read it - though sad you struggled for so long - just thinking about you and your new baby in the new year - God is Great!

CC - you are amazing! Praise God for his mercy and his love! {hugs} and kudos to you for sharing such a powerful story. Plus another {hug} for good measure!

CC - thanks for posting, lovely to hear of someone's experiences and how God spoke to you and brought you safely through. xx

thanks do for the new thread

and cc for sharing your story. you are amazingly strong.

Morning ladies, why is it still so dark at 7.20 am? Been up since 6 with ds - he can stop doing that for starters!

Feeling tired and spotty - i could scare small children with my current look . But it's all for a jolly good cause .

Ds did his nursery Christmas play in our church yesterday - they were so cute. Ds was shouting the songs at the top of his lungs . Unfortunately, due to Ofstead gone mad, they weren't allowed to do a nativity, in case it offended non-Christians . So instead they did Ralph the Reindeer....very cute and made me cry. Hope to get a pic of the 'little elf' from mum, or from the nursery ladies. (Dh thought it started at 3 and not 2.30, so wasn't able to go home and pick up our camera!!)

Well, I feel like a little gamboling lamb - happy and free and cavorting around in joy under the watchful gaze of the Father. I am feeling utterly utterly peaceful and blessed. Hallelujah!

CC - I sat here with tears running down my face. "Thus far has the Lord bought me" - Thank you so so so so much for sharing your testimony sweetheart - It truly touched my heart - God rescued you - and I am so glad that He did - He is completely incredible, isn't He!? Praying that your story touches and convicts anyone who reads this thread. Thank you. xxxx ..... and bless to Ds and his Christmas play -you must post a pic if you get one!

Good morning all.

Thank you DO for being a star!

Thank you CC for sharing with us. That is a wonderful, wonderful story. You are a very brave lady and your dh sounds lovely, too! (I particularly like the way that God spoke to you, whilst in a pub. He is so faithful right at the heart of our lives and whereever we are)

CD did you ring Sooz at all? Have I missed anything. Praying that all is well in the Zippidy household.

Prayers for all.

CC what a powerful story of "amazing grace".

Well my heart is fit to burst - I've just watched dd's christmas play! Unlike yours CC ours was very christian and some of the songs had a very strongly christian message - "We join with the angels and each other to say, We welcome the Lord Jesus here with us today". Wow. What a fantastic thing to see so many children singing that!

Lots of good news - the dcs' school has just had its OFSTED report and it got nearly all 1s! (Outstanding). It is a fantastic achievement! And my brother has just got a job after months of looking! (It was the most interesting job he had applied for, too! Praise the Lord who never does things by halves!) And I've nearly finished christmas shopping! And my sermonette from Sunday was deemed "absolutely brilliant" by the home group and I've been asked to go on a preaching rota!

So I'm happy happy happy today!

Good morning again. DS2, who is a bit poorly today, wants to send you all a smiley

How wonderful to share good new and smileys

Hello Ladies
I have had an utterly exhausting day. Been busy looking after things as Mum is in hospital and stepdad still needs help and care.
I called them this morning and shes now off the transition ward onto a regular ward and they described her as comfortable and settled... so I take that as good news.
Thanks for your prayers, I am saying a few myself and mentioning you ladies every time!
Thank you

Aw thanks guys, it's all down to God really!!

Help though - none of my clothes fit and I'm on a works night out starting in 1 hr and 20 minutes. AND I have the world's spottiest face. Have a spot the size of Russia to the left of my nose

CC your story has made me cry. You are a genuinely fabulous person and you clearly show the power of an awesome and gracious God.

Thankyou.

Welling up here too CC - hearing your testimony makes me pray even more for Worz and my friend's DS who is currently hospitalised for depression and ED.

Rosey that you are so bouncy! glad the sermonette went down well

I had a day's supply TAing at the infabt school today - with 4 more due in Jan, so going from no work to lots!

LOve and prayers to you allxx

Everyone sounds today, which is lovely!! I am , just tired!! Need to get Christmas newsletter finished now .....

CC - your testimony is so touching and POWERFUL. Thank you for sharing, many will be blessed by it. Through Christ ALL things are possible!

Hi all,

Well another week has passed... still full of cold but all my shopping is done, just the wrapping to do!

Thanks to DO (great Christmas name) for the update - hope you are ok

CC - what a moving and inspirational story, you are one strong lady - hope you are enjoying the works party and sorted your sartorial dilemma. We had our meal last night - I wore a beautiful purple stripy jumper dress and my boss told me I looked like the Cheshire Cat in Alice and Wonderland... good job I like him

CD - hope you are ok too

Spooky - praying for your family at this time, hope your mum is soon on the mend.

Lots of prayer and love to you all, off for a hot choc and bed.

hi all, been chatting to hazygirl, thread under chat, sounds really down , had a bereavement , don't know when, let's just pray for GOD to lift her and get her the support she needs

great round up DO.

thank you for continuing to pray for my grandma

i saw her this week and it was nice to spend time with her - it is a very difficult time

CC- thank you for sharing your story x

my love to you all at Christmas time

Morning ladies, hope all is well with everyone today?

Managed to get away with jeans last night, there were only 6 of us out so wasn't like a big schmoozy do or anything - everyone else was in their glamour clothes but hey ho, I care not. 2 of them know I'm pg anyway (very good friends, 1 of whom is ds' Godmother). Very funny to see your work friends drunk though, especially when you're stone cold sober!!

Off to buy some clothes that fit me today!!

Have fun CC! xx

Praying for hazygirl, mufti - Thank you for beinging her and her situation to our attention. xx

Good to "see" you Ruby - continuing to pray fory our grandma - how is she at present time!!? So hard to for you - God protect you and wrap you up in His love and care, esp your G'ma. xx

Gotta buzz, shower calls .......