Prayer Diary Dec 2011
Thursday 1st Lyall at school assembly
Thank You, Lord, for the opportunities which Lyall has in our
school. Bless all the staff and keep them strong and in good
health. Keep Your loving arms around the children and use every
good influence to help them grow up to be good and happy citizens.
Friday 2nd
Merciful Father, thank You for our health. Help us not to take it
for granted, and to use our lives for Your service, even in the little
things we do each day.
Saturday 3rd
Thank You for the gift and privilege of prayer, Lord. As a few of us
gather as regularly as possible to give You thanks for Your
faithfulness and bring before You the needs of our Church and
community, give us believing hearts and deepen our fellowship.
Sunday 4th Second Sunday in Advent All Age Service
Dear Lord Jesus, as we look forward in Advent to Your coming
as a Baby in Bethlehem, keep us mindful that one day You will
return in glory. Help us to be ready!
Monday 5th
Giving God, how generous and loving You are! Help me today,
wherever I am, to appreciate even one of Your blessings and to
thank You for it.
Tuesday 6th Presbytery meets in Thurso West
Bless and equip all who take part in the meeting this evening, Lord.
There may be matters which affect our own parish. Help us to be
open to hear what others say - and give them Your wisdom!
Wednesday 7th
Gracious Lord, these days running up to Christmas can be so
stressful with presents to buy and to send, cards to write, lists to
compile and to work through… Please give us the health and
strength we’ll need, and a large portion of the peace of Christmas in
advance!
Thursday 8th
Living and Loving Lord, You always gave time to those who
were marginalised or forgotten. In this winter time, prompt Your
people to remember the housebound and lonely folk. Prompt me,
Lord, to visit, to phone, to write. It wouldn’t take me long and
might bless some person richly!
Friday 9th
Lord Jesus, Friend of all, we thank You for the friendships which
we enjoy in our church and community. Help us to understand one
another more and where differences arise, save us from being
judgemental. The other person might be right!
Saturday 10th
Heavenly Father, tomorrow evening we celebrate with our
Christmas Praise, this year in Mey. It’s not hard to believe that
You enjoy it too! Bring friends from church and all our
communities and give us a very special evening together.
Sunday 11th Third Sunday in Advent
Glorify Your Name, Lord! Bless us richly as we gather in Your
house today to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Grant
a special blessing on Alastair as he presides and conducts our
service.
Monday 12th
Tomorrow evening marks the final meeting of our Kirk Session and
.Board for this year. Gracious Lord, at this time when our minds are
preoccupied with so many things, please help us to make the right
decisions and give us energy and perseverance to carry out the
responsibilities which fall to each of us.
Tuesday 13th Guild Pre-Christmas Service at 2.30pm
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the friendship which we share
in the Guild. As we focus on the Guild Projects with Mrs Janet
McDonald from Wick, open our eyes to see more fully how the
Guild is being used to bless so many who are in real need. Bless us
all and make this afternoon an oasis in the midst of these busy days.
Wednesday 14th
We thank You, Lord, for Your written Word. As the Church has
celebrated the 400th anniversary of the King James Version this
year, help us to have more understanding of the Bible and to live by
its teachings.
Thursday 15th Light Up A Life Service in Keiss
Loving Lord, some of us will gather this evening in Keiss Church for one of many services initiated by Highland Hospice. Comfort and inspire us as we remember those who have gone before us. Fill Lyall and those who will take part with Your Spirit.
Friday 16th
This evening the Youth Group go to Thurso to enjoy the Pantomime. Give them all a really good time, Heavenly Father. What a varied programme they have had this year! Please bless each of them and their families over the Christmas Season - and Lyall and Isabel too!
Saturday 17th
As Christmas is nearly here, Merciful Lord, we remember the men and women of our Armed Forces serving in dangerous places, particularly in Afghanistan. Help each one of them to know the reality of Immanuel: God is with us where they are. Strengthen and use the chaplains. Comfort families at this time of separation. Hear our prayer, we beseech You.
Sunday 18th Fourth Sunday in Advent
Isabel is responsible for our service today while Lyall is at Dunnet. Jesus Christ, born a Baby in Bethlehem, fill us with joy as we prepare to welcome You; as we listen again to the words of Scripture and sing the carols we love so much.
Monday 19th
During this week before Christmas many will travel homewards or set out on holiday. The weather may be poor; people are tired; concentration is low. Dear Lord, grant travelling mercies. May Your angels watch over our dear ones and over all who need Your protection at this time.
Tuesday 20th
To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of, to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for ever. Ephes.3.20,21
Power working in me? That is mind-blowing, Lord1 Help me in this busy time to meditate on what that means for me today!
Wednesday 21st
God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always
have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every
good cause. 2 Cor. 9.8
Thank You, Generous God. Help me to react positively!
Thursday 22nd School Christmas Service in Canisbay Church
Coming Lord, the children will be excited and the adults tired and grateful! Please make this service meaningful to every single person present. Some of us still remember one of these services from our own childhood: do it again, Lord!
Friday 23rd
Merciful Father, be specially near to those who are sad or anxious today - all the harder at this time of year! Thank You that You know and love them intimately. In Your own loving way, help each one to know that he or she is not forgotten.
Saturday 24th Christmas Eve
Coming Lord, as we join in fellowship with our friends in Keiss or Dunnet for the Annual Watch Night Service, inspire us through the words of Scripture and of the carols and challenge us anew to greet You joyfully.
Sunday 25th Christmas Day
Unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given. Is.9.6
Coming to church as a church family with our presents to show and to share is a very precious part of this Day. Happy Birthday, Jesus!
May You be remembered and enjoyed in every home today.
Monday 26th
Boxing Day can be an anticlimax! Jesus, Immanuel - be real to me today and every day. Surprise me, Lord!
Tuesday 27th
Prophets foretold him, infant of wonder;
angels behold him on his throne:
worthy our Saviour of all their praises;
happy for ever are his own. Mary Macdonald
We gladly worship You!
Wednesday 28th
This afternoon the Friends of Achvarasdal will hold their annual Christmas Party for the residents. As they welcome Santa with his gifts chosen so thoughtfully and enjoy music, memories, party food… bless each of these folk who benefit from the Church’s Social Care Policy, Loving Lord - and be with all who now live in Care.
Thursday 29th
I know whom I have trusted and I am sure that He is able to keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me. 2 Tim. 1.12
Faithful God - You always keep Your promises. Thank You that I can trust You for this special promise as another year ends - and help me to understand more of what it means!
Friday 30th
As this year draws to its close, dear Lord, give us strength in weakness and courage to face problems which may lie ahead. Help us to be a light to any with whom we have contact who don’t yet know You as their Friend.
Saturday 31st
The one thing I do is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. Phil.3.13
As 2011 passes, let’s remember only what has been positive and good, being grateful to God. We have no idea what 2012 will bring, but we can be sure that He has already gone that way. God of the Years, help me to keep my eyes on You as I step forward.
Thank you for your prayers. As always, we’re glad to receive feedback: in fact, it reassures us of the value of producing this each month. Let us know of any specific prayer requests, and of answers received (esmeduncan@btinternet.com). We’ll help others to praise God with you - right through 2012!!
With gratitude for your fellowship in prayer, Esme and June.
