What non-material “gift” are you praying for this Christmas? Why?
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What non-material “gift” are you praying for this Christmas? Why?
sclevenger on December 20, 2010 at 3:32 pm
I’m praying for patience – mainly with my son. I find myself being an impatient mommy too much lately. I want to be a good example to him, but I’ve been getting so frustrated with Mr. Almost-3-and-So-Independent.
tom felten on December 21, 2010 at 8:52 am
sclevenger, I read your post and found myself empathizing with you and also smiling at the same time. Why smiling? Our first son was sooo compliant. But then came son number 2 . . . let’s just say he was a bit more strong willed! 🙂 With that said, I will pray that you’ll be able to prayerfully, carefully mold the will of Mr. Almost-3-and-So-Independent. Just as a loving parent disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:5-11), as you nurture and discipline your son he will grow and mature. One other thought, the years when the kids are young move real fast, so I hope you can enjoy them—even with the challenges a strong-willed child presents!
Elyza on December 21, 2010 at 7:06 am
Peace and harmony at home. Because my family is in a difficult time at the moment and often when everyone comes together and has time the conflict comes out into the open.
tom felten on December 21, 2010 at 8:55 am
I’m sure so many in the odj community identify with your situation Elyza. You are in our prayers! May God give you grace as you face the reality that you can’t change the way people act, but you can choose to refuse to allow their actions to rob you of your joy in Jesus!
Invisible on December 21, 2010 at 9:08 am
I’m hoping for time with extended family. We are usually alone. Yearly, our extended family call and make plans to spend Christmas day at our home, which we greatly look forward to. Then they all cancel, typically on Christmas day. They are either to tired or it’s to cold outside. We’ve offered to come to their homes but they prefer that we host any gatherings because our house is bigger. It may be bigger, but it’s usually empty. Most of them live within twenty minutes of us. Our children are always hurt over it. Being with family is what they most look forward to. Gifts under the tree are just fluff. They have all called again in the past few weeks to see if we’d host the family gathering this Christmas. I don’t need a thing for Chrismas. I have everythng I need, but I’d so like to celebrate the day with people we love.
I’m also hoping that we can have a pleasant day together. My husband seems to find a way to cause hurt on Christmas day. I don’t know why, but it never fails. He will either toss aside a gift that I put a lot of thouht into based on what I hear him talk about, offering it to one of the kids while I’m sitting right there, or by suggesting we go do something fun after the disappointment of his family not showing. I’m always wary because he usually renigs after everyone gets excited about it. He may suggest going to a movie and then sadly stating that he’d love to do it but we can’t afford it. Either that or he doesn’t want to use up the gas, or we can’t afford for everyone to go. I’m usually the one who stays home alone.
I hope or a day where we can end the day with the same joy that our children wake up with. That would be the best Christmas ever.
Merry Christmas to everyone…
AManofGod on December 21, 2010 at 9:32 am
I am praying for peaceful co-existence within my family. Since my divorce I miss my children so terribly and my ex wife is so very filled with anger and hatred…..I pray that she listens to the Word of God and lets The Word permeate her cold heart.
Please pray for my family and for all divided families at the time.
Amen.
AManofGod
zero_g on December 23, 2010 at 9:13 am
AManofGod,
I found myself without my children on Christmas after my divorce 10 years ago. I pray that you will never forget that God is always there for you, even in the most loneliest times. I pray that time will heal your ex’s wounds and she will see that she is also hurting your children by separating them from you. I pray that God will give you patience in her healing and that you will value the time you do get to spend with your kids even more. I pray that your kids will see how much you do love them. Peace be with you AManofGod. Amen.
AManofGod on December 23, 2010 at 10:04 am
Thank you for your prayers Zero G. Holidays are tough for people in our positions but I know I serve a God that will never leave me all alone, although I may experience periods of loneliness. He has taught me the difference.
I pray also for my ex. She is battling so many demons in her life and she thinks I am the cause. I believe if she submits to the Lord she will find the right path in her life as well.
Happy Holidays to everyone….let the real Spirit of the season manifest itself in all of lives!
Peace and love to all.
AManofGod
Invisible on December 21, 2010 at 9:51 am
Also hoping and praying for good results to my sister in laws surgery this week. My brothers wife was diagnosed with cancer a couple of weeks ago. She will be undergoing a double mastectomy (if she agrees to it) and then starting chemo and radiation. Cancer was found in one lymph node as well. On Wed. she is having 12 removed along with the surrounding tissue, for biopsy. Treatment is being held off until they have the results of the biopsy so that they can determine exactly what they are dealing with and the best course of action to fight it.
Praying they have a sense of peace on Christmas day and still find joy despite what they’re facing.
AManofGod on December 21, 2010 at 10:22 am
Invisible,
I will be praying for your sister-in-laws recovery and that with God’s grace she defeats the cancer.
My “simple” problems seem so insignificant when I think of the battle she and your family are facing at this time. I am almost embarassed to come to God with my situation when people are battling for their lives with such things as cancer.
God please help me to understand that we all have crosses to bear.
AManofGod
AManofGod on December 22, 2010 at 10:41 am
Godschild,
I am quite sure your ex spouse is affected by your divorce. If he is a Christian (you mentioned in an earlier post he might be) then I am sure he knows the Godly role of a marriage.
In my marriage when God revealed that I had done all He had asked of me and my spouse wanted out I had to accept that. It was painful but when I gave it to God He showed me that I was OK and that althought the marriage had ended it was not by my choice.
You cannot make a person be with you. If you value your marriage speak to your husband in Christian love. If you are both Christians anything is possible. Maybe he feels that you have placed other things (friends, children etc) in a place reserved only for him….? I know that if a person accepts the will of God that they can get through anything. That has helped me greatly with the end of my marriage.
Every story has three sides….her side, his side and THE TRUTH! Allow the truth to come through and allow God to show the truth to you.
AManofGod
demetrius.tan on December 24, 2010 at 1:22 am
I am praying that I will grow to love His people more and always seek to preserve and build the unity of the Body. It requires much humility and self-denial. May the undying love of God be my motivation to love.
lindagma on December 24, 2010 at 8:19 am
I am praying that my brother, Tom, is truly a child of God. He made a profession of faith as a young boy and was active in his college group. After years of praying for his wife’s depression, she committed suicide. Tom has been angry with God and turned his back on Him ever since. He is in the last stages of lung disease… any day could be the end. I have done my best to show him that God cares without turning him away. My prayer is that I will see him in heaven and that Tom will know His peace in these last days.
daisymarygoldr on December 24, 2010 at 11:23 am
I never cease to thank God for His love in giving us the unspeakable first Christmas gift of Jesus Christ who came to dwell among us.
My heart yearns for the second Christmas gift of Jesus coming back soon to reign—restore His joy and peace to this chaotic, lost world.
And finally when Jesus will hand over the kingdom to the Father in the end, there will be no more darkness, curse, tears, sorrows, sickness, suffering, and pain because God Himself will come and dwell with us forever.
A very merry Christmas to all!
MCTM on December 25, 2010 at 9:31 am
I’m praying to know God better; I’m praying to be a good Christian; I’m praying to be nonjudgemental; I’m praying to be strong; I’m praying for inner joy for all mankind.
Merry Christmas…