PRAYER DIARY JANUARY 2012
Sunday 1st Happy New Year! Joint service at Keiss
Eternal God, who has brought us safely to the beginning of another
year, accept our thanks. Help us to put ourselves into Your hands,
trusting that You know what the months ahead will bring for us and
for those who are precious to us.
Monday 2nd
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Ps.23.1
Thank You, Good Shepherd, that You will provide for us, whatever
the year ahead may bring. Help me to believe it, and even today to
find assurance of Your promise, and then to share this with another.
Tuesday 3rd
Gracious Lord, we thank You for the gift of a New Year. Help us to
make it truly new, putting away the things which we regret and
resolving to live each day as a gift from You to use positively.
Wednesday 4th
Rev Ivan Warwick takes over responsibilities as our Interim
Moderator this week. Dear Lord, please give him the wisdom he
will need and bless Lyall and each of our office bearers as we work
together.
Thursday 5th
Have you made any New Year Resolutions? Perhaps you never do
this now because you know you don’t keep them. It would be a
good idea to resolve to spend even five minutes with God at the
beginning of each day, perhaps with this Prayer Diary? Faithful
God, prompt me by Your Spirit.
Friday 6th
Some of us are still on holiday. Gracious God, help us to use time
wisely - and that might be for rest. Strengthen those who are back
at work, especially if they are in a demanding job.
Saturday 7th Prayer Breakfast at 9.00am. at Esme’s
We are a small group, Lord, and sometimes we feel that more
should join us! Help us to remember that You promise to be with
just 2 or 3 who come together in Your name. Be close too to those
who find it more natural to pray in the secret place on their own.
Just prompt us to pray - for that is how great things will happen!
Sunday 8th
Esme will take the services at Keiss and Canisbay today while
Lyall is at Dunnet. Living Lord, bless all who come to worship.
May Your Word find soil ready to receive it and may our praise rise
to You.
Monday 9th
As schools resume this week, remember each of the staff and the
pupils whom you know. May this term not be unduly disturbed by
bad weather but rather be one which runs smoothly..
Tuesday 10th
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. Especially comfort those who have lost friends. Thank You
that each is known to You and loved by You.
Wednesday 11th
Loving Father, we pray for those who have been bereaved in recent
weeks as they strive to come to terms with what has happened.
Protect any from turning against You in their grief and give to those
who seek to bring comfort and help the right words - or the
companionable silence. Minister to those in need, Lord!.
Thursday 12th
Merciful Father, we remember Alastair Gray as he undergoes a
medical assessment in Papworth Hospital. May he soon have a
date for his operation and be speedily restored to full health.
Friday 13th
Probably the Youth Group will come together for the first time in
2012. There will be much to reflect on and plans to be made. Thank
You, Heavenly Father, for each of these young folk. Please
continue to give to Lyall and Isabel all the resources they need for
the term ahead.
Saturday 14th
Show us, Merciful Lord, how to help the vulnerable people in our
neighbourhoods. Some people do a great job, but some of us could
make more of an effort. Prompt us, and strengthen us, we ask - and
help us to do it for Your sake and not to bring glory for ourselves!
Sunday 15th
Today we welcome Heather Stewart to our pulpit, possibly
accompanied by Peter. Dear Lord, bless this couple richly and give
Heather a special portion of Your Spirit as she ministers to us. We
know that we shall be blessed.
Monday 16th
Welcoming God, how we rejoice in all the possibilities offered by
our Church Hall! Bless each one, young and old, believer and
doubter, who will meet with us within these walls this year. Give us
the imagination to take hold of more opportunities - and provide the
people to make it work!
Tuesday 17th
Thank You, dear Lord, for the joy and privilege of Christian fellowship. Please teach us to show more of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - so that others will be attracted to You in us and want to know You too.
Wednesday 18th
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.
Thursday 19th
It is likely that Lyall will be resuming regular assemblies in our school about now. Thank You for the open door that there has always been in Canisbay. Pray today for schools which are closed to Your servants and for children who have no easy opportunity to learn about the things of God.
Friday 20th
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 an answer to my own prayer. If so, help me to be willing.
Saturday 21st
Another weekend, Lord! Families are so busy, each keen to do their own thing. Give the families of our church and community the gift of quality time together so that they will value one another and be bound together as a precious unit. And if not today, then next weekend!
Sunday 22nd Baptism of Josh Cormack
Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me.’ Dear Lord, as Sandy and Mairi-Anne bring Josh for baptism today, fill the whole service with Your Spirit. Use Ivan as he conducts the service and make it special for all who come. Josh is already becoming a regular part of our congregation: set Your hand on him and seal him as Your own.
Monday 23rd
Thank You, Good Shepherd, for Your presence and guidance today - exactly in the way in which I need them. As I then think of others, make Your presence and guidance real to anyone who particularly needs them just now.
Tuesday 24th Guild Pot Luck Supper
Lord Jesus Christ, when You walked on this earth You delighted in fellowship with Your people at a meal. As the Guild enjoy this special time together this evening, make Your Presence as real as that of one another. We pray that nothing may prevent the success of what has traditionally been our most successful gathering.
Wednesday 25th Burns’ Night
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the gifts You give to people which in turn bring enjoyment to others. Today we thank You for the poetry of Robert Burns and the pleasure it gives to so many people. Bless too the social gatherings which will take place over these days. Particularly bless lonely folk who find a Burns’ Supper a great solace.
Thursday 26th
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.
Friday 27th
God of the whole world, 2011 was a year in which very many suffered great loss in so-called natural disasters and in war, terrorism, racial hatred. Your heart must have broken so many times because each person involved is known to You by name and loved by You. Enlarge our vision to care more and to do what we can, even if it is so little.
Saturday 28th
‘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!
Sunday 29th
Almighty God, already it is the last Sunday of this New Year! Again we hope to welcome Heather to our pulpit while Lyall will be at Keiss and Dunnet. Bless the services in all three churches 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 30th
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.
Tuesday 31st
And so another month draws to a close. 2012 is well established and some of our plans for this Year are taking shape. 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.
