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.

{{{{{{{{{{Podglet}}}}}}}}} No words, just prayers. xxxxxx

Hi guys, hope you are all ok?

How are you doing this morning Podglet? (((((Podglet))))

God is great - I feel good

Only a week to go until Jesus' birthday - ds wants to know if He's having a party?!

Praying for you Podglet... I'd fish the pan out of the bin and wash it anyway. Praying that the stress between you can be resolved, that you both get some rest this Christmas, and that the peace of Christ, which always seems to abound at this time for people that seek it, will be with you and everyone in your house. x x x

Even better, CC - DD1 wants to know if Baby Jesus is going to be at the Party - erm, difficult concept to explain to a nearly 4 year old!!!!!!!

How are you today, Podglet? xx

I apologise that none of you have recieved your newsletters btw - you WILL!!!! Having a few "technical hitches" with printing at out - hopefully will be resolved today and should be out in the post tonight ........

Hi everyone!

Podglet - just love your dh for now. I find that even if I want to chuck my dh in the composter, if I start doing loving things, even if it's through gritted teeth at first, then I start to remember why I love him so much. OFten I have to swallow my pride an ask if there's something niggling him and be prepared if the answer is something I've done.

Other times I have to acknowledge that although I think/know I'm in the right about something it can still have upset or got at dh especially if he has something else on his mind. If I give him the chance to vent and spill, we can have really constructive conversations about things we can both change.

Hormones won't be helping at the moment either, so put your feet up and cat nap if you can during a lunch break.

Don't be afraid to admit to your dh you're finding things difficult. Ask him to help you with specific things. Men seem to respond better with a direct, specific request rather than "I wish you would help me more" (which is my usual plea to dh!!) Give him some things around the house to do and really thank him for them. It will not come naturally to most men to take the initiative - they often can't see the wood for the trees.

Finally, pray for him. When he goes off on one pray, pray, pray and pray for your response too that it is wise and kind even if all you want to do is put his face against a brick and throw a wall at it. Tell him what has made you upset and angry, but again be specific not general so that you know he is listening to you and not tuning out.

This is a stressful time - you are knackered and vulnerable and your dh is probably feeling a bit helpless and prone to keep out of the way, rather than get his hands dirty. Talking down to you and not treating you as an equal is unacceptable and must stop, but I know you can work this out if you both talk and both listen. Can you have a quiet dinner at home one night with no distractions?

Sorry this is a bit long. I know I don't know you, but I can also tell that you care about what's going on here and you're not just throwing your hands up and walking away from it all.

The Lord is your healer and longs for whole relationships between a hubby and wife. He is a relational God after all - think of the way the trinity works seamlessly and in harmony.

I really do believe things are going to turn around for you both and I believe that your children are the key, but I'm not sure how at this stage. Will pray for you and let you know if God says anything to me. Maybe he will through someone else you know?

I've got some song lyrics which I'd like you to read - but the CD is in the car atm. I'll get it in a mo.

Praying for you muchly

Roll to the Middle - Sara Groves

We just had a World War III here in our kitchen
We both thought the meanest things
And then we both said them
We shot at each other till we lost ammunition

This is how I know our love
This is when I feel it?s power
Here in the absence of it
This is my darkest hour
When both of us are hunkered down
And waiting for the truce

All the complicated wars
They end pretty simple
Here when the lights go down
We roll to the middle

No matter how my pride resists
No matter how this wall feels true
No matter how I can?t be sure
That you?re gonna roll in too
No matter what, no matter what
I?m going to reach for you

Found the lyrics online.

This song speaks to me and dh a lot. Sara Groves is a very honest and open Christian inger songwriter - she sings a lot about family issues and relationships and keeping God as the priority.

The whole principle about not letting the sun go down on an argument is very, very important. If I go to bed knowing that we've blown up about something, even just reaching for dh's hand, or roll to the middle of the bed before I go to sleep can soothe things for both of us until we can talk it out.

Absolutely inspired, BM. Thank you. xxxx

Thank youso much Whenachildisbob, you are so kind. Unfortunately, it's just carried on today with him sending me "snot o grams" at work via email. I have apologised for burning the pan in the first place and for the way I reacted to him "lecturing" me but he doesn't seem interested. He told me not to bother cooking tonight and has stomped off for a bath. There is something on telly tonight he really wants to watch (first in a new series of his fave program) and I know that if he decides not to watch it then it will be my fault. I have tried to be calm and reasonsable but he is just not listening. He is right and that is the end to it. I don't know what I have done now but I just want him to not be cross with me.

Those words are lovely and I shall remember them but it's so difficult at the moment. I haven't got the energy left in me to try and get through to him. trouble is, him sulking like this just irritates me.

Am going to drown my sorrows in a cup of hot chocolate and wrap some Christmas presents. Thank you again everybody for your lovely words, please keep praying, I really need it.

Aw Podglet, men are so mean sometimes - what have you possibly done to deserve sulky childish behaviour?
Can you record his programme for him?
Praying for you and your situation - no-one deserves to be treated with contempt, esp for something 'silly' like burning a pan! Praying you both find a way through this to communicate constructively.

Ds is drowning in his bedroom - keeps shouting "aaargh, it's a big big big big wave" . Thankfully all teddies are safe in the 'boat' with him.

Prayers much appreciated for the next 2 days - I have 2 FULL days of interviewing to do [puke emoticon]! Brain draining stuff. Praying we get the calibre of candidates we need for our vacancies.

What the heck is a 'snot o gram'? Can he possibly think he is being funny?

We had the appointment at Glenfield today. In a way it has been helpful in that the conclusion was that is was a thickening of the membrane round the lungs, which can sometimes, but rarely happen after a bypass operation. Nothing much can be done about it and it is getting a bit better, although it doesn't feel like it. It took such a long time, because we were early and they were running late, dd and Z were just brilliant, he charmed all the hospital staff, he is such a poppet.

Hello!

Podglet - sorry you had such a hard time - it's always the little things that blow up isn't it?
IceQueen - will pray for your situation and the funeral
DO -sounds like you got a fairly clear answer for dh anyway - will pray he recovers very, very soon.

Well I have News! Dh has verbally accepted a job offer! He actually had two to choose between, salary a tiny bit more than before and much less travel than in his last role. Thank you all so much for your prayers - I have felt that I have been 'carried' through this. God's provision for us has been so wonderful - in the words of a hymn we had at our wedding 'Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father'

Morning all could you please pray for a friend who has been in hospital now over 2 wks. She ended up in theatre for 4 hours with bowel adhesions (not a clue why it had happened) She had just about turned the corner and yesterday was back in agony again. They took her for ct scan yesterday and on about taking her back to theatre. Don't know if its a nasty infection or more adhesions. She has 4 dd's between 19 and 10 thier Dad died less than a twelve month ago.

Aunty is looking after them and they are being little madams to say the least.

Oh, nsfn, feel so desperate for your friend - Praying for a miracle of healing for her and for her family, esp her DD's as they wait for news etc .... keep us informed. xx

{{{{{Podglet}}}} Words seem inadequate. You are special. You are amazing. You are loved. xx

CC - Hope the interviewing goes ok, sweetie and that you find great candidates for your vacnacies - Don't work too hard!! xx

about DH's job offer, NL - Answer to prayer!! Fab stuff!!!!!!

Praying that the thickening of membrances does contiue to improve, for your DH, DO - Glad the appt was ok and that Z was so lovely!

I am a bit stressed and very very busy!! xx

In haste but with love to all.

Praying.

God bless.

Hello!

Continuing to pray Podgelet.

NSFN - praying for your friend.

I am doing the reading at the Preschool nativity tonight - I have to take the DC with me as DH will not be back from work. PLease pray that the Christmas story will impact the lives of the parents and children, and that they will take a moment to think about what Christmas really means.

Praying Podglet

I'm a sulker - drives dh mad - he'd rather get it all out in the open I like to stew and fester.

Just keep doing what you're doing - wear him down with grace and love and kindness - think of it like the start of controlled crying - you need to hang on in there to see results

But don't be a martyr about it either - I know you're not - but don;t give him an inch to find blame - not even a chink in the armour. Keep praying for him, for his heart to be softened and his eyes to be opened and for yourself to see him through God's eyes.

You will both come through this.

And I have no idea what a snotty gram is either !!!

I think a snot-o-gram is a critical email, with a certain snotty attitude...

Hugs Podglet, hoping and praying that Christ's peace will descend on your household again!

Such as nobody should ever send to anybody else, especially not dw?

How are you now Podglet? And how is little bean?

Thank you all so much, we seem to have turned the corner today, we have made friends, with us both apologising.

Yes, a snot o gram is a nasty email

DO glad today went well - how is DH now? Little bean is fine thank you, not so little, have my 20 week scan tomorrow which I am excited about!

Thank you CD - your words made me cry - blinking hormones

Hope everyone else is ok, praying for you all.
You are all truly wonderful people.

Hi Ladies.

Not a great deal of improvement in Mum these last few days, although she is no worse.

I went into the Hospital Chapel today and prayed. Tbh I don't often enter a church but I often pray.
It was very emotional, I was the only person in there. I prayed and prayed for a miracle.

Mum was chatty today. Her confusion is intermittent and she goes between wanting to fight to live and wanting to let go
Thats the hardest thing to hear from a parent... those words.. I want to die.

mil is a believer mil is a believer

thank God dh and i had a long chat with her after fil's funeral yesterday and she told us what she believed and that she felt God's love and was comforted at the funeral. she knew fil believed. sadly, her experience of church is not good and has been quite a stumbling block for her but from what she said we are convinced and are truly thankful that she is a Christian.

we are praying that she continues to be comforted as the days go on. i think the time after the funeral is difficult becaue, although you can finally begin to grieve (i think there's a certain amount of limbo between the death and the funeral), you are often much more on your own. we are quite a long way from her too but again we pray that her relationship with Jesus deepens.

Praise God SM - that's great news!! Praying that Jesus comforts her as she begins her grieving process.

Went well today, must've been your prayers ladies!! Praying for equal success tomorrow.

Praying for your scan tomorrow bob, and Praise that you and dh are 'friends' again

Hi everyone!!

Glad it went ok today, CC - hope it goes as well tomorrow sweetie. How are you feeling??

How did the Pre-School Nativity go, Panda? Hope it really impacted and convicted the people attending.

Glad you and DP are friends again now - it is a start - think BobsMum's contingency plan is a very good one; but hard work too - Praying sweetie - Hope the scan goes well tomorrow, how exciting!! xx

I am glad you found some time to pray and plead with God, SMM. Glad your mum isn't any worse. Praying comfort and peace for her - and for you at this time. xx

re: MIL, SM - Praying for her as she grieves, "cast your burdens......."

Please pray for DD2, think she is coming down with something, behaviour is unbearable atm - also she's come out with awful ezcema all over her trunk Have been to Dr's today and have Steriods to try, poor little love. xx