Prayer Diary August 2012
Wednesday 1st
As the Olympics are well underway, let’s remember Eric Liddell,
the famous Scot who kept to his Christian principles by not running
on Sunday. His determination to succeed without compromising his
faith is an inspiration. If we could pursue our own goals, keeping
Christ first, how much more could we achieve for His Kingdom!
Thursday 2nd Church Hall open for coffees, lunch & teas
Caithness is a happy community! Let’s all show joy and love
towards those whom we know and to those who visit in this
summer season.
Friday 3rd
Lyall and Esme travel to Dingwall today for the Interim Review of
their placements for the Ordained Local Ministry. Please pray that
this will be a helpful experience, giving clear guidance for the
next stage of what is proving to be very worthwhile if challenging!
Saturday 4th
Remember Lyall and Ivan in the final preparations for tomorrow’s
service. There was a pleasing turnout at Dunnet for the joint service
three weeks ago. Pray that even more of our congregations will
plan to come to Canisbay tomorrow. May it be a memorable
service.
Sunday 5th Joint Service at Canisbay
Living Lord, richly bless all who attend the service today. Thank
You for the continued support of HRH The Duke of Rothesay. May
Lyall and Ivan know Your enabling as they share the service
together. Thank You for the children who will sing and for their
families and friends who will come to encourage them.
Monday 6th
Everything we have is from God. Giving God, help us to be more
generous in sharing our riches and our time.
Tuesday 7th
No matter how old or how young we are, faith is an adventure.
Faithful God, help me to trust You with every part of my life so
that I enjoy this unique adventure!
Wednesday 8th
All who compete in the Olympics or in other competitions must
obey rules or risk being disqualified. Sadly, some of us slip into the
habit of doing what we like where God and His standards are
concerned. Lord, if obedience is a mark of my faith, help me to
show it by the way I live today.
Thursday 9th Church Hall open for coffees, lunch & teas
We are grateful for the success of this venture which is bringing
friends from all over the county and visitors to share fellowship and
good food. Welcoming God, richly bless all who work so hard to
make this a success and if possible, bring more to share the hard
work with them. God loves a cheerful giver!
Friday 10th
All-knowing God, forgive me when I try to make others think that I
am more spiritual than I am. Search my heart and guard my tongue.
Keep reminding me that I can’t fool You!
Saturday 11th
Anyone can be great because anyone can serve.
(Martin Luther King)
Is there something I am doing only because of what I believe? Is
there something which a friend is doing only because of what he
believes? How can I encourage my friend?
Sunday 12th
Merciful Father, each Sunday during our service we take time to
pray for those people who are in special need. Some of them have
asked us to pray for them and we gladly commit them into Your
loving hands. Thank You for Your answers to our prayers. When
You call on us to wait for Your answer, give us patience and faith.
Monday 13th
It’s not that the Christian Faith has been tried and found difficult,
but rather that it’s been found difficult and left untried.
(GK Chesterton) Living Lord, show me what I can do today to help
some other person to get over a difficulty, or give me the
Perseverance to try again!
Tuesday 14th
By this time in August, some of us may well be tiring of wall-to-
wall Sport on our TV screens. Perhaps it is time to make more of
our own lives by getting out there and ‘doing something’ -
preferably, as Jesus taught us, for the benefit of others.
Wednesday 15th
The children and staff are back at school now. For some it is all new and they may be feeling overwhelmed. Loving Lord, give to each child what she or he needs so that confidence grows and they achieve to the best of their ability.
Thursday 16th Church Hall open for coffees, lunch & teas
The person who does not like self-examination may be pretty certain that things need examining. (CH Spurgeon)
All-Knowing Lord, help me to look into my life, sort things out with You and then rejoice as we go on together.
Friday 17th
Gracious God, thank You for the good time the Youth Group have enjoyed on very many evenings. Thank You for the projects they have undertaken and for fun and time to share together. Bless and strengthen Lyall and Isabel as they make plans with the Group for the term ahead and let it turn out well too!
Saturday 18th
Jesus was King of Kings, yet He was also a lowly human being, a servant and a homeless teacher. Yet such a man is our Lord and Saviour. Let us honour Him and show Christian love to all today who are like Him, the homeless and those whom society shuns.
Sunday 19th Christening at Watten
Remember Alastair and Fiona Gray as their infant son Maxwell is baptised, along with Sasha, son of Alastair’s son Colin. As we attend our own services, we join them in the fellowship of the Spirit and pray for God’s rich blessing on the whole family.
Monday 20th
At this stage in the month there are still many visitors enjoying all that our county offers. Welcoming Lord, grant a special blessing to all who visit our church. Fill them with Your peace and enable them to keep the memory of their visit fresh and meaningful.
Tuesday 21st
There are bookings today for coach loads of visitors from Intercruises at 10.25 and 15.10. Pray for Christine as she welcomes them and acts as their guide to our church. Ask God specially to bless those visitors who are members of their home churches and who will treasure their memories of Canisbay Church .
Wednesday 22nd
Good Shepherd, help me to bring my problems to You and each day to take time consciously both to hand them over to you and to take Your hand.
Thursday 23rd Church Hall open for coffees, lunch & teas
When we consider the Early Church in the Book of Acts, we find
that the lives of the apostles were a challenge to those whom they
met.. It should still be the same today. If only we didn’t water down
our distinctiveness! People might be attracted to consider the
challenge of Jesus Christ. If only…
Friday 24th
God of Love, we pray today for couples who marry in the summer months and particularly for those who have made their vows in our church. May their commitment to each other continue strongly. Prompt them to think about You and to seek to know more of You.
Saturday 25th
You can’t be reconciled to God without being recruited.
Stuart Briscoe, pastor and Bible teacher)
Gracious Lord, prompt me to carry out an audit of the things which I do so that I serve You exactly where You want me to serve. I might end up doing less - and do it better!
Sunday 26th
Loving Lord, as Rev John McPhee conducts our service again today, bless him richly. We remember those of our congregation who are unwell and unable to attend our services. Comfort them and prompt those of us who are able to visit them and to share fellowship.
Monday 27th
God is Love - that’s it! Without love we don’t know God. Isn’t it a fact that sometimes we complicate things too much?
Tuesday 28th
Some people have great difficulty leaving the past behind; others’ lives are still affected by past traumatic events even after many years. Merciful Father, draw close to each one of these dear ones and give them peace.
Wednesday 29th
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139. 23,24
Thursday 30th Ivan’s Induction in Paisley
Lyall and Isabel will travel to Paisley to represent us at Ivan’s Induction. Give thanks for the ways in which Ivan has blessed and encouraged us during his time in Caithness and pray for him as he settles back into parish ministry and makes new friends. May all who gather this evening enjoy rich fellowship.
Friday 31st
God’s answers are wiser than our prayers. (Anon)
Faithful God, You have brought me safely through this past month. Help me to trust You with whatever the month ahead may bring.
