Prayer Diary October 2011
CanisbayChurch Prayer Diary for October 2011
Saturday 1st The fruit of the Spirit is love. Gal.5.22
Constant God, thank You for Your love for us which never
changes. Help us who know You in a personal way to reflect this
love to others so that they will reach out to You and in turn be
richly blessed.
Sunday 2nd Harvest Thanksgiving All Age Family Service
God of the Seasons, thank You for harvest! Richly bless our service
today; bring families together to worship You and to enjoy our
service and to share fellowship in the Hall afterwards.
Monday 3rd
Merciful Father, as strife continues in Afghanistan and in other
parts of our uncertain world, look after the men and women who
serve in our Armed Forces. Give each one whatever they need
today. Thank You that each is known to You and loved by You.
Tuesday 4th
‘I’ll pray for you.’ Forgive us, forgive me, Merciful Lord, for failing
to keep that promise. Perhaps no other person will pray. Prompt
each of us to be faithful in doing our part – and encourage us to take
action right now!
Wednesday 5th The fruit of the Spirit is joy. Gal.5.22
Before we do anything, dear Father, we must give You praise. Here
in Caithness we enjoy so many blessings! You are so good to us
and You surprise us daily with new delights. Thank You!
Thursday 6th
Thank You, Lord, for Lyall and for all that he does not only in our
parish but also in Dunnet and in Keiss – and he is contracted to
work as pastor for only three days each week! Give him strength and
health; keep his inspiration fresh and keep him walking close to
You. Help us to pray regularly for him.
Friday 7th Schools close for the October Holiday
Thank You, Lord, for times of rest and refreshment. The school
staff will welcome this break – bless them richly. Keep the children
safe during these days and, if possible grant good weather so that
they can be out of doors.
Saturday 8th Prayer Breakfast
The fruit of the Spirit is peace Gal.5.22
Holy Spirit of God, we confess that real peace is a rare commodity
in our daily lives. Make Your peace real as we gather to pray and
shower it too on those of us who pray in our own homes. Unite us
and encourage us as we see Your answers.
Sunday 9th
Almighty God, prompt us by Your Spirit to welcome Your special
day with its opportunities for worship. Bless the service in our
church today and in all churches within our county, of every
denomination. May preachers and worshippers know Your Presence
in a real way and may glory rise to You.
Monday 10th
Thank You, Lord, for new technology which is such a blessing for
many of us. Help us to use it not only for our own convenience, but
for Your glory..
Tuesday 11th
Faithful God, we trust You. As we talk with You day by day,
strengthen our trust. Perhaps You will give us opportunities to share
with someone else an experience in which we have proved You.
Give us the words to say and courage to speak!
Wednesday 12th
Merciful Lord, please comfort all who have been bereaved as a
result of accidents on our roads. Prompt all drivers to be considerate
so that road users are safe!
Thursday 13th The fruit of the Spirit is patience Gal.5.22
Thank You, dear Lord, my Good Shepherd, for being with me wherever I go. Sometimes I forget and feel that I am on my own, so I am anxious and uncertain about the future. Perhaps when I see the sheep safe in the fields You will remind me that You know me and will never let me down!
Friday 14th
Thank You, Father, for the young people who meet with Lyall and Isabel as the Youth Group on Friday evenings. Keep their enthusiasm bright and as Your truths are shared in an attractive and non-threatening way, may the faithful prayers of grandparents be answered.
Saturday 15th
The Newsletter and Annual Appeal will go into all the homes of our community over the next few days. This is a precious opportunity for us to strengthen our contact with our neighbours and those whom we don’t yet know. Lord of Your Church, please bless every conversation; prompt each person to take time to read of our activities. Thank You for those who support us financially. Bless them richly!
Sunday 16th The fruit of the Spirit is kindness Gal.5.22
Risen Lord, as we gather in Your house for worship today, we remember those who are unable to join with us because of age or disability. Fill each of them with Your Spirit and enable them to rejoice in fellowship with us.
Monday 17th
Things may be difficult today. Teach me to trust You and to prove that, although I may forget You, You will never forget me. Thank You, Lord!.
Tuesday 18th Guild Meeting
The Guild will probably meet this evening in the church hall. Gracious Lord, thank You for the happy time so many of us enjoyed last month over a meal at The Castle Arms. Bless the meeting tonight - speaker and all who gather. We pray too for Your blessing on those who shared fellowship with us in past years but who are now unable to come.
Wednesday 19th The fruit of the Spirit is goodness Gal.5.22
There isn’t a great deal of goodness in our world: the media reminds us of this every day! Holy Spirit, as You work in the hearts of Your people, bring this fruit to full, attractive maturity! Give me opportunities today, in a quiet, unassuming way, to spread some goodness as I go around. I may not know the results, but You know – and that is what matters!
Thursday 20th
The Ministry and Mission Committee of our Presbytery meets this evening in Wick with the opportunity to bring to next month’s Presbytery matters which affect us as a congregation. Dear Lord, give to Alastair, to Lyall and to Esme clear minds and determined purpose as we speak and as we listen. May Your will be done.
Friday 21st
Thank You, Gracious Father, for the opportunities which Lyall has in our school as he regularly leads Religious Observance with the staff and the children. Thank You for the open door which there has always been into Canisbay School. Please give Lyall inspiration as he prepares. Thank You for the good relationship he enjoys.
Saturday 22nd
Merciful Lord, heal us – not only from the physical ailments which particularly restrict those of us who are growing older – but also from spiritual weakness. Help us to be strong for You!
Sunday 23rd
We pray specially for our children, remembering how Jesus specially loved children. Gracious Lord, it was hard to take the decision to discontinue our Sunday Club meantine, but the poor response was so discouraging for the leaders who worked hard in preparation. Please prosper the monthly All Age Services and give other ideas of ways to reach the children.
Monday 24th The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness Gal.5.23
Merciful Father, we all know folk who are anxious about their health today; waiting for the date for an operation or treatment; or for the results of tests. Keep us faithful as we pray for them and for their families and friends. Thank You that You hold us all in the palms of Your hands.
Tuesday 25th
As the children return to school after the holiday, be especially
close to each of them, Lord. Give the staff new strength and
enthusiasm. Thank You for the opportunities which a new term
brings. Use Lyall too in his Religious Observance sessions.
Wednesday 26th
Loving Father, there are many people in our community who are sad and lonely today. Put Your arms of love around them and make Your comfort real to each of them today. Perhaps you want me to be the answer to my own prayer. If so, help me to be willing.
Thursday 27th The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness Gal.5.23
Almighty Father, we pray for friends and family members facing difficult situations today. Help us to know how to help, and also when to remain silent, talking only to You. Thank You that You always know what is best.
Friday 28th
Pray today for those who hold office within our church: the Kirk
Session with responsibility for worship and all related activities and
the Board members looking after so many practical matters.
Gracious God, we are only human, and sometimes we get things
wrong. Give us, give them, wisdom, inspiration, perseverance and
humour.
Saturday 29th The fruit of the Spirit is self-control Gal.5.23
Gracious Lord, so often we lack discipline in our daily routine. Forgive us and help us to want to use each day – and each moment of the day – for Your glory.
Sunday 30th British summer time ends – clocks go back
Dear Lord, in these weeks of autumn, as we face the prospect of winter, watch over those who are vulnerable in the dark, cold months.
Keep everyone safe and prompt those of us who are fit and well to do what we can for our neighbours who may be in need.
Monday 31st
And so another month draws to a close. Thank You, Jesus, that You have gone ahead of us, and that we can trust that what we attempt in Your Name will bring results for the extension of Your Kingdom.
Thank you for your prayers. We would be grateful to receive feedback which encourages us in the preparation of this Prayer Diary. Please let us know of any specific prayer requests, and of answers received (esmeduncan@btinternet.com). We’ll help others to praise God with you!
With gratitude for your fellowship in prayer, Esme and June.
