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.

oh ,Mary, what happened?

As you know, DS has Asperger's. I've been asked to stop DS bringing train stuff to church. Progress, I thought, had been good. We've gone from taking a complete train set, to taking just the train, and then this morning we brought a book to church about trains. Apparently he doesn't pay attention when he has his train stuff, and he should be engaging what is going on. He doesn't take his trains to Sunday club for instance.

Maybe I cry too easily, I dunno. It was handled with total insensitivity by the children's worker (who is the vicar's wife). The vicar was away at another church at the time.

so is she saying he didn't pay attention in sunday club?
does she know/understand his situation?
is she normally more sensitive?
it must be really hard when people are like that.

Mary that is awful! I am stunned that your children's worker - whoever she's married to - is incapable of meeting children where they're at! She should be looking for ways to involve ds and his trains in the work not exclude them because they don't conform. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh on your behalf. I don't think you cry too easily - I would have cried too!

Love to all - must go wrap and iron - note to self wrap presents and iron clothes - not other way round under any circs!

No, she's saying he's starting to take part in Sunday club, its the short period in church, before they go out and after they come back, that is the problem.

Yes she knows his situation. Does she understand it? Obviously not, despite being a nurse by profession. Is she normally more sensitive? I think I'd better keep quiet on that.

I went to the carol service tonight (without DS). At the end, she pats me on the arm, says "hi how are you" before walking off.

I don't know how much more of this I can take...

What kind of 'engaging" is she expecting?

I would expect any child of primary age to do anything other than sit quietly through the first bit of a service and if they do that by colouring/playing with toys/reading quietly/whatever then fab. If they can do that without bringing something to church with them then I think someone has probably threatened them beforehand ie "You must not say a word in church or ....."

In my last church, most of the upper primary age boys (in particuluar and they were all NT) brought game boys or trumps cards etc to look at until Sunday club started.

When thye hit secondary age, then yes I would expect them to engage and probably manage to sit through a whole adult service tbh, but until then, as long as they don't disturb the other worshippers, I can't see a problem. Obviously if there's a children's address or singing etc, then it would be great for them to take part, but only if they can manage to do so. Unless people want to turn children away from worship altogether??

Is this woman really complaining because your ds brought a book to read in church?? I am !


My ds and the other 5/6/7+ yr olds that come can bring action men/helicopters/sketch books - you name it! EVeryone's fine with it.

'..I wouldn't expect..."

I agree with whenachildisbob - so many churches are bereft of young people. So many churches are dying because of this - if you can get'em through the door then lets celebrate and be for them as much as for the rest of us!

So sorry you have this struggle Mary - but with the work you are doing with the church I do believe this is where God wants you to be. I will pray the path can be made easier - but don't feel bad because it's a hard one for you to walk.

NL - you're so right - in our teeny weeny church we're beginning (slowly) to pick up some families who know they will be welcome as a family in church. One mum has started coming because she know that she'll be welcome to breastfeed for example. And I know that when dd goes to Sunday School (she's 2.5) that the helpers are more than happy to take her to use the potty.

If you've ever seen the African Childrens' Choir singing, they sing a fab song which always makes me fill up called "It takes a whole village to raise a chid."

When I saw them perform it I was really stressed about having the dcs in church and whether I was disturbing the status quo (it had been several years since there had been young kids in the service) and one of the ladies from church just leaned over and nudged me and said something like "See? That's how we all feel about ds and dd"

But I know from experience (and village gossip ) that not all churches are as keen and would rather have silent and still children, and ideally no children at all

Thank you all for your support, it means a LOT!

The church is buzzing with children now. There are about 20 in Sunday club (compared to about 3 children in church 3 years ago - 2 of them being mine). It isn't the noise of the children either. The majority of the congregation know about DS and are supportive.

Its got to the stage where I don't care who reads this, but I think its a personal dislike of me (and that's all I'm prepared to say on here).

Mary, am totally by the attitude of the vicar's wife of all people!! I would have been very tempted to ask exactly how much engaging they would like to see from ds. grrrrr on your behalf.

NL is right - God asked you to go to that church and He wants you to be there. There is much you can teach your congregation - perhaps starting with the vicar's wife? I pray that God will show you how to handle this situation, and pray that He inspires others to see the hurt their words cause. (((((hugs))))) to you.

Wonder how CD is getting on at her mum's!?

Tired and grumpy today - but I'm not complaining . Been catching up with friends. Our friends who are due end of Jan were showing us their new 'phil and ted' pushchair - I'm very impressed!

love to you all
x

hmm double grrrr at vicars wife. We had a joint carol service tonight at the church where we have been holding our evening services and all our practices etc. I came in sat infront of two women and a man. dd 4yr old stood on the chair and as i looked round she was nudging woman next to her saying with a disgusted look 'she's stood on the chair' I was so unimpressed but our officer told me to ignore her and that the vicar at the church would give his right hand to have children in his congregation but it wont happen for the very reason stated above. Sad situation really isn't it.

savedbygrace brill name but you always are so much bettter with words than me.

Hope you're all ready for the big day. i just need bread, milk, scourers, rinse aid. Then i'm done.

Before all this "blew up", I wrote a poem about Asperger's, its from the heart, please read it:

A Gift of God

Me again! The 4th has just called to say that her waters are gone. So please pray she's done and dusted for Christmas day!

Must go to bed.

Happy Christmas ladies!

Baby born at 9.30. Thank you all for your prayers. Now to relax and enjoy Christmas with my family!

merry christmas everyone!

Mary, hugs and prayers for you. What a rotten way of treating ds and you. I am praying that God will give you all the grace you need.

Here's something to make ypu laugh - we are just getting ready for "our own christingle service" at home! We were supposed to go t oone at FIL's church but dd isn't all that well, and it's a long service and the rest of the erxtended family have all decided they can't go after all, and it seemed like a Bad Idea all round for me to take the dc on my own...

So enterprising little dd decided that we can stay at home, make our own christingles out of satsumas, have a few bible readings (from the Beginners Bible) and prayers, sing a few carols along to a CD or me on the guitar, and light some candles. I think it's a lovely idea and I'm really heart-warmed that dd wanted to do this!

Have a fabulous christmas and may you all know the presence of amazing grace made flesh and blood today, tomorrow and forever. xxx

Aw Rosie! What a lovely idea.

Joining in Rosie's prayer for a blessed time for all this Christmas.

What a wonderful idea Rosey.
Happy Christmas to everyone.

Went to the Crib Service tonight. Afterwards the vicar's wife made a point of coming over and being friendly with me. She made no reference to Sunday at all.

See, I just don't get it. She doesn't apologise for upsetting me (she never does). Does she not see that she's upset me? Or maybe sees it as my own fault I'm upset, because she's not done anything wrong? Is she doing it to appear nice and its only a pretence? Or does she mean to be nice and is trying to make it up to me? It's happened too many times in the past though.

This is where having Asperger's is a burden, because I cannot read the situation at all .

Still, whatever the reason, the awkwardness is over, and I can just go back to avoiding her again .

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas everyone! May the Peace of the Christ child be with us all!

I've just received this via email, its beautiful:

There is a single moment in birth
between not yet and now
and we are standing in it

a single moment between grey and colour
between no life and new life

a cautious moment
a sacred moment
a holy moment

where a word is foolish
a gesture, senseless
an explanation, wasted

a moment to pause
to leave alone
untouched by narrative

There is a single moment in birth
between not yet and now

where life takes everything into it's own hands and with a struggle
all of heaven offers itself to the world

and in a flash of God's eyes
incarnation becomes real
as heaven's own "Gloria's" break free
and swell the universe

the stars bow
the darkness shatters
the angels proclaim
the light explodes
and God weeps
in joy and pain

a child is born for everyone.

That's beautiful Mary. Thank you for sharing.

Well this is it ladies - Santa's nearly here if you've been tracking him and its the eve of Jesus' birthday. Told christmas story to ds tonight in my own words as he wont listen out of a book for some reason to anything biblical atm. But he was wanting medicine saying he was poorly so I told him a stroy.

Wishing you all a very Happy christmas and a peaceful new year, and a big Thankyou for all your support during 2007 xxx

She's back!!

Have read through the thread and have been pryaing for you all!

T'was fine at my mum's, the girls were pretty badly behaved, but not all the time - just a little bewildered and hyped, I think. All tuckled up in bed now though, which is where I would like to be very soon.....

Oooooh, have heard from lovely Sooz!! She's had a nasty computer virus, bless her; but apart from having a nasty bout of the flu atm (); she and her brood are doing ok and wish you all a very Happy Christmas!!

SpookyMadMummy - I am glad there has been some improvement with your mum - Hope the visit is wonderful, she will love seeing your DS xx

Ruby - I am glad there have some improvements with your G'ma also, God is so good!

Awwwww, bobsmum - loving the gorgeous pic of you and Bumpy - looking so blooming and yummy!

Gld your mummy produced before Christmas Marsy - Enjoy!!!!

Mary - Absolutely rotten and disappointing about what happened in church with DS. The lady has problems!!!!! Couldn't agree more with whatever has been said, very @ this lady's insensitivity. xx

Praying for summersun. xxxx

OOOOOH, it is Christmas Day tomorrow - can't quite believe it! Happy Birthday* Jesus!! Exciting!

Right, should go and get some sleep now that stockings are all wrapped and hung up and Santa has left his "snowy" (icing sugar) footprints all down the hallway! Taken the side off of DD2's cot as well, should be interesting in the AM.

Happy Christmas everyone! Fantastic midnight service (although yours truly did trip up on the altar steps, but managed to avoid dropping the chalice! )

DD said yesterday evening "Why are all the songs on the radio about Santa? Why are none of them about the true meaning of Christmas?". Bless her!

Just wanted to say Happy Christmas!! to everyone!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Off to Ben's parents in a mo, they've got older 2, we've got P who is determined to whinge and scream her way through today - I've had enough already tbh. Sigh.....