Prayer Diary April 2012
Sunday 1st Palm Sunday
Lord Jesus Christ, as we gather today to share in the joy of Your
triumphal entry into Jerusalem, speak to us too about the sorrow
that lay ahead for You in that first Holy Week.
Monday 2nd
Merciful Father, so often we can’t understand why You allow hard
things to happen. Sometimes our prayers seem to be unheard. Yet
we remember that even Jesus’ prayers were not answered exactly
as He desired. Help us, with Him, to pray: ‘Not my will but
Yours!’
Tuesday 3rd
Gracious God, we pray for Alastair Gray as he undergoes open
lung surgery in Papworth Hospital today. Grant healing and new
strength in the weeks ahead and keep Your arms around Fiona and
all of Alastair’s family.
Wednesday 4th
We pray for Your blessing, Lord, on those who gather as the
Wednesday group in our church hall this afternoon. May the
fellowship - and fun - be truly rewarding.
Thursday 5th Maundy Thursday Communion t Dunnet
This evening Ivan conducts a simple Communion Service at
Dunnet, open to congregations in the Central Grouping of
Churches and to friends. Thank You, Lord, for this special
opportunity to remember Your Body broken for us and Your
Blood shed for us.
Friday 6th Good Friday Service at Canisbay
Help me to understand it; help me to take it in:
What it meant for You, the Holy One, to take away my sin.
Thank You, Jesus.
Saturday 7th Prayer Breakfast
God of the family, we pray for Shona and Gordon who will be
married in our church this afternoon. Richly bless them and all who
marry in this special season. May You be the centre of their lives as
they enter this lifetime relationship.
Sunday 8th Easter Sunday All Age Service and Messy Church
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Risen Lord, as we gather today to worship You, fill us with wonder
and joy. Help us to enter as far as we are able into the experience of
those who went to the tomb and found it empty and then met with
You in the garden, in the upper room and on the road to Emmaus.
Be real to us today and every day!
Monday 9th Easter Praise in Thurso West Church
Traditionally this evening there is an ecumenical gathering, mainly
of ladies, in one of the Thurso churches to sing praise and to reflect
on the meaning of Easter using poetry, drama and song. All are
welcome - a blessing is guaranteed!
Tuesday 10th
God of Creation, we thank You for lengthening days, for the
warmth of the sun and for new life all around us. Be specially near
to those in our community who cannot go out to enjoy the fresh
air. Comfort each one and help them to know that they are not
forgotten by us and by You.
Wednesday 11th
Welcoming Lord, thank You for all who will visit our church while
it is open each day. As they enjoy and comment on the peace they
find, may Your peace rest on them and may we never take this for
granted.
Thursday 12th
Merciful Father, we thank You for our health care - and pray for those who have none at all or who cannot afford health insurance. Thank You for those who initiated our system and ask You to bless richly all who work so hard for our benefit.
Friday 13th
Creator God, we are now well into Springtime, help us to nurture one another and to grow as a church and as a community. Grow the fruit
of Your Holy Spirit in us so that we may attract people to You.
Saturday 14th
Dear Lord, we pray for the members of our Armed Forces serving in
Afghanistan and in other areas of conflict. Hold each one in Your
hands, be near to their families and all to whom they are dear. Bless
too the Chaplains in the valuable work they do in Your Name.
Sunday 15th
Living Lord Jesus, on this Second Sunday of Easter may the joy of
Your Resurrection fill the hearts of preacher and people. Thank You for Your victory over sin and death and for Your Presence in our midst. Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Monday 16th
Merciful Father, we thank You for the freedom we enjoy to worship You. May we never take this for granted! We pray for our fellow Christians who are persecuted and unjustly imprisoned or even in danger of death. Support and encourage those who are oppressed in war torn lands.
Tuesday 17th Guild AGM and light entertainment
In a change of date, the Guild will probably meet this evening. Thank You, Lord, for those who have attended faithfully and for the fellowship which we enjoy. Bless those who are now unable to meet with us. Help them to know they are not forgotten.
Wednesday 18th
Heavenly Father, comfort those who mourn today the loss of a dear one or who anticipate a loss. Help them to know that You understand their every need. May the presence of Jesus, our Risen Lord, be specially real to each one. And if You prompt us to bring Your presence in a visit, a phone call, a card, make us faithful to hear You.
Thursday 19th
Gracious God, we pray for the children of our school as another term is underway. Bless and strengthen Graham Bruce and each of the staff in their planning and preparation. Please also bless Lyall in the opportunities which he has in assembles and in regular contact with the children. Thank You for good relationships through which You can work effectively
Friday 20th
Loving God, richly bless the Youth Group in their weekly meetings. Thank You for each of them and for their enthusiasm. Thank You too for the good relationship which they enjoy with Lyall and Isabel. Bless each family whom they represent.
Saturday 21st
Without faith and belief in You, Lord, we are worthless sinners. Help us to glorify Your Name in all that we do.
Sunday 22nd
Merciful Lord, we pray today for those who used to gather regularly with us for worship but who no longer join us. Bless and comfort those who are kept away by age or weakness. Challenge those who have just got out of the habit. They need You, and we need them!
Monday 23rd
Lord Jesus, You stilled the storm on Galilee. Bring Your calm into
troubled lives today as You know and see the need. Thank You!
Tuesday 24th
Thank You, heavenly Father, for the increasing use of TV and the internet to bring the Christian message to millions of people worldwide who might not otherwise hear about Jesus. Multiply Your blessing to those who listen.
Wednesday 25th
Gracious Father, as Lyall and Isabel take some well deserved time off during these days, richly bless them in what they do. Keep them safe and grant them relaxation and happy experiences in a thoroughly good time. Thank You for all that they give within the life of our congregation.
Thursday 26th
Loving Lord, we pray today for those who are vulnerable: the elderly, those who are ill, and the very young who may not yet know of Your love. Thank You that, whatever our circumstances, You always walk alongside us - and will take our hand if we only offer it to You!
Friday 27th
Dear Lord, sometimes it seems that no-one understands our need! Remind us that You understand.. You know us better than we know ourselves. Thank You that You have Your plan and purpose for us - and that You will equip us for what You call us to. Help us too to know when to say ‘no’ to the call which is not from You!
Saturday 28th
So many people today suffer from worry and depression. Lord Jesus, You have still Your ancient power to heal. Thank You for effective help from medical practitioners and for Your direct healing as You bring comfort and hope in the face of despair.
Sunday 29th
We are still in the Easter Season. Some services today will focus on the Good Shepherd. Living Lord, thank You that You gave Yourself for us, setting us free from sin and death. Bless all Your people who gather to worship You today and fill preachers and people with Your Spirit.
Monday 30th
Thank You, Gracious God, for bringing us safely to the end of another month. Thank You for so much answered prayer. Help each of us to trust You for the answers which we wait for, knowing that everything is in Your hands. You are utterly faithful! Thank You!
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. Please let us know of any specific prayer requests and of answers received
( e-mail 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.
