Messages of Hope for prayer and parenting

During the Season of Prayer, all are encouraged to participate in actively praying for the church. How do you pray? Do you struggle to find the right words or seek to hear God in your prayers?

Go to lutheranmedia.org.au or www.messagesofhope.org.au to access the booklets, ‘Prayer – when you don’t know what to say’ and ‘Talking with God’. God is always ready to listen – take time to pray today!

In the month of September, Lutheran Media and Messages of Hope are celebrating dads and the role of parenting. Our podcasts featuring blended families and foster parents share the joys and struggles of parenting when things don’t always go according to plan.

And later in the month, we hear from Emma, Jo and Richard as they share thoughts on one of the most prevalent issues concerning Australians today – loneliness. Our new booklet ‘Loneliness’ seeks to explore how we find hope in times of loneliness.

‘Talking with God’ booklet

There are many forms of prayer ranging from the very formal and memorized to the casual and spontaneous. Regardless of the type you choose, remember that each prayer is your special time to converse with God, your loving Father. This booklet explores why we pray, how we pray, and what happens when we pray.

Click here to download and/or order the ‘Talking with God’ booklet.

‘Prayer – when you don’t know what to say’ booklet

In this booklet the ways God answers prayer, why praying is important, and the words of our prayers are considered. More than just wish lists we put before God, our prayers are an opportunity to share our deepest thoughts and heartfelt concerns with him.

Click here to download and/or order the ‘Prayer – when you don’t know what to say’ booklet.

Careline Connections

At the heart of our Messages of Hope is to reach people with the message of Jesus love. An extension of the love, care and hope we aim to bring to our listeners is offering someone to talk to. In order to have someone available each and every day, we have partnered with Careline Connections. Careline is a not-for-profit community service that offers great support including prayer and a listening ear.

If you need support, counselling, family and relationship support, or an explanation of Christianity, Careline is there to help you. Call 1800 549 544 for support, available every day of the week between 8.30am and 10.30pm (AEST).

Find out more

MESSAGES OF HOPE IN SEPTEMBER

‘What is your dad like?’ video

Watch the short video celebrating dads on Father’s Day on YouTube here.

‘Loneliness’ booklet

We live in a world with more than six billion people! With so many people, it’s amazing that anyone would ever feel alone. But even though we are surrounded by all these people, there are times when our suffering and pain go unnoticed. We often feel isolated, cut off from the concerns and compassions we need. Why do we sometimes feel so alone, like our life doesn’t really matter to anyone else? How do we overcome our loneliness? What hope is there for times when we feel lonely? And can God help?

Click here to download and/or order the ‘Loneliness’ booklet.

Blended families        

‘It’s a funny thing when you join two families and two houses. You don’t mean to be, but you’re actually really quite threatened about trying to maintain territory. And I think we learned that we both had to give a lot more than 50 per cent to make it work.’

Parenting can be pretty challenging at times, but bringing two families together to form a new one raises the stakes. Listen as Mark and Beth share their story of challenges, hopes and strengths as a blended family.

Click here to listen.

Foster parenting         

With 40,000 children in desperate need of care around Australia, foster care organisations around the country seek to provide hope for young and vulnerable children. Listen to Ann, a foster parent, and Margaret, a foster care placement worker with Lutheran Care in South Australia, as they share the unique struggles and joys that come with foster parenting. Click here to listen.

STAY CONNECTED

Listen to Messages of Hope at www.messagesofhope.org.au and www.messagesofhope.org.nz or on iTunes and Spotify. There’s a list of radio stations there too.

Subscribe to our free Messages of Hope weekly email at www.messagesofhope.org.au/subscribe