Tuesday 1^st  

 I trust in Your unfailing love Psalm 13.5

Trust doesn’t come easily, but our God is constant. Faithful God,

help me to hold on to You as another month begins and to prove

that You are indeed the One who will never let me down.

God of our community, the Newsletter has been in the homes of our

Parish for some time now. We dare to ask for a generous response

to our Annual Appeal. But, more importantly, may the people who

live around us increasingly see relevance in what we do.

God of the Church, we rejoice with our friends in Pulteneytown

Parish Church as they celebrate the Ordination and Induction of

their new minister. May Your Spirit fill the service this evening and

may You richly bless Stuart Farmes and his wife and family in this

new stage in their lives and in the life of the congregation.

Thank You, Lord, for the Youth Group meeting on Friday evenings

in our church hall with Lyall and Isabel. Keep the young people

enthusiastic and help them to be excited about You and Your

purposes for them. Give Lyall and Isabel fresh ideas - and energy!

When You lived on earth, Lord Jesus, You healed the sick. We pray for people in our community who have suddenly been diagnosed with cancer or a similar disease. Thank You that you use medical research to bring healing today. Please make treatment effective for our friends and use our prayers for them as well.

 

Monday 7^th

Merciful Lord, thank You for the services of the NHS in our county. Bless all who are involved in the care of the sick, particularly as cutbacks have their effect. We are too grateful for the continuing personal touch in our small communities.

 

Tuesday 8^th

Lord of the Harvest, we praise You for the harvest of the fruits of the labours of our farmers in spite of many problems. We trust You too  for the unseen harvest of the salvation of those for whom we pray.

Wednesday 9^th

Creator God, thank You for the fun and enjoyment which the Wednesday Group offers each week. Bless each person who comes and be particularly near to those who may otherwise be lonely. Thank You for friendship and for the satisfaction of using our hands to make simple - and intricate - things. 

Thursday 10^th

Jesus said, ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? (Luke 6.32)

Compassionate Lord, You know that there are people whom I struggle to love. Help me! 

Friday 11^th 

God of the Church, as Lyall, Esme and Heather travel to Inverness today for the next stage of the process to transfer to Ordained Local Ministry, may Your perfect will be done. 

Saturday 12^th 

  Compassionate Lord, place Your loving arms around us as we face   the winter ahead. Keep everyone safe and warm, and free from   worry and stress as the days shorten.

  Sunday 13^th   

 We will remember them.

 Remembrance Sunday is always very special as the local branch of    the Royal British Legion parades in our church. God of the Nations,  bring peace in our time, and be especially close to all for whom this  day brings bitter-sweet memories.

Monday 14^th 

 As Your people we are called to be kind to one another. Help us, dear Lord, to remember the lonely during the days ahead. A kindly word, thought or deed can mean so much. Who needs that from me? 

Tuesday 15^th 

Merciful God, keep us safe and considerate as we travel around particularly as road conditions can be uncertain. There have been many tragic accidents in our county: comfort those who have lost loved ones. 

Wednesday 16^th 

‘This is how everyone will recognise that you are my disciples-when they see the love you have for each other.’  John 13.35 TM

Real Christian fellowship is such a blessing! Help me today, dear Lord, to have more of the love of Jesus in my life so that others will be attracted to You.

Thursday 17^th         Lyall at Canisbay School Assembly

We thank You, Father, for the young people in our communities. Bless them as they look forward to their future careers. Give them wisdom and diligence to fulfil the desires of their hearts, and encourage those who struggle with being away from home!

Friday 18^th

‘This is the best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.’  John 15.13 TM  Pray for the members of our Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan. Remember the Chaplains who do such a valuable job in bringing constant comfort and encouragement - making Jesus real when He is needed so much! 

Saturday 19^th

Giving God, our county is well known for generous support of charities. You promise to bless those who give, particularly where this is done in Your name. May You be glorified!

Sunday 20^th  

Eternal God, as this year Your people celebrate the 400^th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible, we give thanks for all involved in its translation. May Your Word continue to teach and comfort us in the future as it has done in the past.  

Monday 21^st   

Lord, You tell us to pray for those in authority and I do that today - and seek to do this more often. How important it is that politicians maintain integrity and make good, wise decisions, which are not merely based on winning popularity. Guard them from temptation each day and in each moment.

Tuesday 22^nd    

Gracious God, Bless the Guild as we meet this evening to enjoy the stunning photographs which Ben MacGregor (Ralph) has taken of our coastline. May You be glorified!

 Wednesday 23^rd 

 If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love.’  John 15.10 TM  

Intimately at home in Your love, lord! That is mind-blowing! Teach me more of what that means, and then, help me to share what I learn with someone who needs to know it too. 

Thursday 24^th 

Gracious God, keep us mindful of the need to uphold our school in our prayers. Thank You for the teachers and all who support them. We pray for Lyall as he regularly conducts Religious Observance with the children. Give him Your words. 

Friday 25^th 

Pray today for the people who were once faithful members of our   church and community but who are now in Care Homes or housebound and receiving care. As we pray, Lord, prompt us to bring Your comfort with a card, a phone call or a visit. 

Saturday 26^th 

Another weekend! Lord God, be present in families who seek to spend quality time together. Where there are problems, grant healing and love. And as we welcome Heather to our pulpit tomorrow, prompt some who have lost the habit of joining us for worship to resolve to be there. Multiply Your blessings as they respond!

Sunday 27^th  

Today marks the end of Guild Week - eight days in which Guilds all over the country have been trying to spread the message of the Guild and of Jesus - Whose we are and Whom we serve. Thank You for our Guild - for the fellowship and fun which we enjoy. 

Monday 28^th

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! (Phil.4.4)

If I feel happy today, Lord, thank You! Now help me to make someone else’s day happy too!

Tuesday 29^th

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. (Ps.116.7 NIV)

As I consider some of the blessings You continually pour out on me, Gracious Lord, help me to know peace in my inmost being. 

Wednesday 30^th

St Andrew’s Day! Thank You, Heavenly father, for our Patron Saint who was known in the Gospels for bringing people to Jesus. Make us more like him. You know that we find it very hard to share our faith with others but please give us greater courage and help us to think imaginatively about ways in which we can do this. 

 

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.