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hereinantwerp
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hi, I posted recently about dealing with a very hard-hearted 13 year old boy---I appreciated all the wisdom & encouragement I received.
Dh and I want to do a "prayer campaign" for the heart of our son, starting June 1. I have heard the term "novena", also Willa suggested 54 days of prayer--are these forms of the same thing? (we are not Catholic). I am not sure what is significant about the "9" number and wondered if someone could explain to me. We want to start June 1st and maybe--9 weeks?? Not sure if there is a "best" way to do this.
I am also praying to homeschool both of my children again. It would take some miracles  . Especially for this oldest one. I can see that it has been the right thing for our family to have an interlude, a break for me to process the things I learned in counseling, experience a bit of peace, try to get used to looking at life from new points of view and respond in new ways. It has been positive for my oldest son to be involved in activities (which he can continue if we homeschool, but there is a "social breaking in" that has happened), and not to be up in his room isolated and angry. But he is so unchallenged by school, getting straight As with no homework or challenge, getting the same "why bother with anything" attitude toward school and life that I had  . It has been helpful for my younger one to get a lot of help with reading and speech therapy, and also to make friends. But I fear for the younger one that his creative, non-academic spirit will be snuffed out in the long run, and I fear for the oldest about the negative, passive attitudes toward life, and also for the temptations that come in older years--I just fear that his character is not such that he has a strong reason to say "no" to drugs or the temptation of willing and scantily clothed girls, as far as I can see he has not formed a strong "self" and convictions and a relationship with God--he has questions about faith which he needs to explore, not just join in with the "glamour" of the world--I'm trying to keep fear at bay and walk in peace . . .
I also recently decided it is not time for me let go of "the homeschool dream", which really IS my dream, (not just a "duty that didn't fit" that I was taking on), and is about much more than homeschooling, but a way of life, with passion and purpose and joy and not just jumping through hoops or conforming to the world, and connection and close relationships as a family---all I know to do now is just to pray, pray, pray, "pour out my heart like water to the Lord", submit my desires to him, and our family's needs, and let God direct!! It was hard for me to put the kids in school, but necessary. I'm praying I'll be strong enough to bring them back home (and I also need to know, IS that the right thing, for them???). But with the older one it WILL take a miracle because I cannot have him home with his very, very negative attitude and presence stirring everything up all the time.
bleh, I always write more than I mean to!! maybe I'm wanting reassurance that turn-arounds and healing CAN happen------though by now I have learned that I cannot MAKE them happen!!
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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MaryM
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| Posted: May 27 2008 at 1:24pm | IP Logged
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hereinantwerp wrote:
| I have heard the term "novena", also Willa suggested 54 days of prayer--are these forms of the same thing? (we are not Catholic). I am not sure what is significant about the "9" number and wondered if someone could explain to me. |
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Novena is derived from the Latin "novem", meaning nine. It has biblical roots and reflects the nine days of preparation and prayer the apostles and Mary underwent from the Acsension to when they received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost(Acts 1, 13f).
I will prayer with you, Angela, for all your intentions.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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Cay Gibson
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Praying for you and yours, Angela.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
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ALmom
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Praying Angela. For me, the novena is so hard because it is so much about persevering so I really think that is part of it too and whether it is 9 days or 54 or whatever that seems to be part of the discipline. When I pray novenas, there are lots of prayers cause I end up falling asleep or something and having to start over and.over and over..... You get the picture. Anyways, I'm starting a novena - may take me much, much longer than 9 days.
Janet
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mariB
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Praying, Angela!
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marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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hylabrook1
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Praying for your whole famiy, Angela.
Peace,
Nancy
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cathhomeschool
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Praying, Angela!
We are in the middle of a situation (I posted for prayers recently) that will require a miracle. God is good and He hears and answers. I felt called to fast in conjunction with my prayer intention, and saw a definite help (no miracle yet) to my request on day 8 of our fast. I am sure that the Lord is moving your heart in the direction that He wants for you all, and I will begin the Novenas with you for your son. Jesus, I trust in You!
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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bfarmmom
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Angela, I am praying for your son and your whole family. God can change things. Prayers work!
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Peace,
Kirsten
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Willa
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I will join you in your prayers for your son, no matter whether you go for 9 days or 19 or 54  .
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Willa
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stefoodie
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Praying, Angela.
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stef
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Mackfam
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I'm praying for all of your intentions, Angela.
Jesus, I trust in You!
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Jen Mackintosh
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aussieannie
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Praying for you Angela.
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Angie Mc
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Willa wrote:
| I will join you in your prayers for your son, no matter whether you go for 9 days or 19 or 54 . |
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Me too, Angela! Praying 
Love,
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Angie Mc
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Chari
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What Willa said! 
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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missionfamily
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Angela--We will pray for your son with you and for all young people and parents who struggle in this way. You are doing the very best thing you can for him right now. Nurture your hope for him every way you can to bolster you through this time. We are with you.
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Colleen
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hereinantwerp
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| Posted: June 03 2008 at 10:34am | IP Logged
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Wow, thank you for all the prayers!
Dh and I decided to fast (no meat/fish) and pray for our son for 40 days. We have a commitment to not fall asleep until we do this.
9 days--I just read Acts 1 this morning in my one year bible, I could not find that it said the amount of days from Ascension to Pentecost. For some reason I always imagined it being longer, like six weeks or something. Is this a church tradition? Not being skeptical or negative about traditions, but I just wondered!
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Angela Nelson
Mother to Simon (13), Calvin (9), and Lyddie Rose (3)
my blog: live and learn
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MaryM
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hereinantwerp wrote:
| 9 days--I just read Acts 1 this morning in my one year bible, I could not find that it said the amount of days from Ascension to Pentecost. For some reason I always imagined it being longer, like six weeks or something. Is this a church tradition? |
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Good question.
We know that Jesus ascended into heaven on the 40th day after his resurrection.
To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
And that the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, Mary, and disciples at the time of the feast of Pentecost.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. (Acts 2:1)
Pentecost means fiftieth day and was a Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day of Passover making it 50 days after the resurrection as well. So Pentecost was the 10th day after the Ascension and that is when we celebrate the feast of Pentecost in the Church. The period between the Ascension and Pentecost would be the 9 days. I hope that helps.
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Mary M. in Denver
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cathhomeschool
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| Posted: June 05 2008 at 9:31pm | IP Logged
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Still joining you in prayer, Angela!
And I've been meaning to ask what you mean by this:
hereinantwerp wrote:
| We have a commitment to not fall asleep until we do this. |
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Do you mean not let your guard down and slip off the fast? (just curious)
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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4Real Forums : We Pray to the Lord
Topic: prayer campaign for a hard hearted kid
