Prayer Diary Nov 2012
CANISBAY CHURCH PRAYER DIARY FOR NOV. ‘12
Thursday 1st All Saints Day
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Saints who have gone
before us, leaving an example to inspire us. Help us to follow!
Today marks the first Thursday for over four months when no
lunch will be served in our Church hall. We are very grateful for
the success of this venture - for friendships forged and strengthened
and for so much hard work done faithfully.
Friday 2nd Befriending Week 2nd - 9th November
Befriending Caithness have contacted all faith groups asking us to
highlight the theme of loneliness over the next few days. Forgive
us, Lord, if we routinely ignore any lonely people in our
community. Change us.
Saturday 3rd
Befriending? Many of the people in our community who live on
their own have family members around them who make sure that
they are well supported. Help us, Lord, to see with the eyes of Jesus
those who are in need.
Sunday 4th
Lord of the Church, some of us are careless about gathering in
Your House while on the other hand there are those who would
give anything to be able to join us even on one Sunday. Comfort
these dear folk, Lord, and help us to be imaginative about including
them in our fellowship.
Monday 5th
Forgive me, Merciful Father, if I ever feel proud because I visit one
or two lonely people from time to time if I’m not too busy and
reckon that I’ve done my bit. Melt my heart and show me what
You want me to do.
Tuesday 6th Presbytery Meeting in Wick St Fergus
Lyall and Esme will represent us at this evening’s meeting of Presbytery. Decisions are being made during these months which will affect all congregations. Pray that God’s perfect will may be done.
Wednesday 7th
Lord Jesus Christ, when You were on earth You had a special concern for those people who were overlooked by others. Help us not to be selective but rather to have Your inclusive love in our hearts. If You had been selective, You might have missed me!
Thursday 8th
Statistics tell us that one in eight older, lonely people worry about their mental health because they have no-one to talk to. Who needs to talk to me today? Prompt me, Lord.
Friday 9th Youth Group
As Befriending Week ends it would be good to be sure that the lives of some lonely people in our county and particularly in our community have been changed for ever. Thank You, Jesus, that You continue to be their Friend. Continue to use me too, just however You want to.
Saturday 10th
Weekends offer some families the opportunity to spend quality time together. Those who miss out on this can so easily be resentful. Help us, dear Lord, to pray imaginatively for families today and through this weekend.
Sunday 11th Remembrance Sunday
Traditionally we welcome members of the local Royal British Legion to our service today. Almighty God, may this service be meaningful to each person, young and old, who attends. May there be a positive looking forward as well as remembrance.
Monday 12th
As another school week begins, pray for the staff and pupils of our Nursery and Primary School and of the High School. Some, young and old, face problems which seem insurmountable. God knows and He is able to do the impossible. May eyes turn in faith to Him during this week!
Tuesday 13th
To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.’ John 8 v.31
What we say shows whether we are genuine followers of Jesus - and people are well able to discern this! That may be a scary thought! If it is, help us to take action, Lord, and to let You put things right in my life.
Wednesday 14th
Circumstances beyond our control have delayed the production of our Newsletter and Annual Appeal. Pray that the hearts of our congregation and community will be moved to respond generously to enable the work of our church to continue unhindered.
Thursday 15th Religious Observance Assembly
Thank You, Lord, for the open door which Lyall has into our school. Inspire him as he prepares and continue to speak through him. As trust builds up on the part of staff and pupils, use that in a positive way for the future.
Friday 16th Youth Group
As darkness comes ever earlier and the cold may intensify, remember those who spend long hours ensuring that our roads and pavements are as safe as possible for us. If we have the chance to encourage them with a grateful smile or a word of thanks, may we be prompted to do that. It costs us nothing but they save lives.
Saturday 17th Guild 125 Anniversary Songs of Praise in Wick
Hopefully some of our members will be able to share in the service this afternoon giving praise to God for the Woman’s Guild, now the Guild, wonderfully used to serve the Church, the wider community and more recently the world in the Name of Christ. Hallelujah!
Sunday 18th Communion Guild Week
Pray for our Interim Moderator, Rev John Nugent, as he comes to conduct our Communion Service at both Keiss and Canisbay today. We shall be a small group: some of our members are unable to join us; some have moved home or are away just now. Lord Jesus Christ, Host at the Table, make this Sacrament special to each of us today.
By Your Spirit bless those unable to be present in body.
Monday 19th
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17 v.17
In this part of His High Priestly prayer, Jesus is praying for His Disciples and through the work of His Spirit in us, we are privileged to stand in that fellowship. Jesus prays that we will be sealed and changed by the truth that leads to salvation.
Tuesday 20th
Every week we seem to hear of another person diagnosed with cancer. Merciful Lord, comfort them and their families. Thank You for the wonderful support of the Macmillan and Marie Curie Nurses. Strengthen and help these nurses and each person for whom they care.
Wednesday 21st
Prayer is not simply asking God for the pleasant things we desire, but an earnest yearning for the will of God, be it sweet or bitter. A. Cole
Show me Your will for me today, Lord!
Thursday 22nd
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1 v.8
This is good teaching for leaders - vital for a successful ministry - but good too for those of us who seek to be faithful followers of Jesus.
Friday 23rd Youth Group
Pray for the members of the Youth group as they meet this evening with Lyall and Isabel. It is not easy for young people to stand strong in today’s culture, particularly in the High Schools of our land. Give thanks for the mutual support which the boys and girls find in group meetings and continue to uphold them faithfully through the school week.
Saturday 24th
Jesus answered (the tempter), ‘It is written: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’
Matt. 4 v.4 We know very well that we must constantly rely on God for our spiritual feeding. Prepare our minds and hearts for tomorrow’s service, dear Lord.
Sunday 25th
Faith comes through hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. Romans 10 v.17
Pray that in our church and in all churches today the Word of Christ, the Gospel, might be heard and understood as Christ speaks His message through His chosen messengers.
Monday 26th
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46v.10
Gracious God, when our cries seem unheeded, when no effort bears fruit, when the sun sets, help us to be still. Kate Compston.
Tuesday 27th Canisbay Guild
What a friendly group of women we have in our Guild! Last month we were challenged to hear of the six new Projects and we shall do our bit in supporting them over the next three years. We also shared our ideas for the session’s Programme and are confident that this evening’s meeting will be a success - whatever its subject!
Wednesday 28th
Jesus said, ‘When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.’ (Matt.6.6) What a wonderful gift prayer is! Lord, give us a fresh glimpse of that wonder!
Thursday 29th M&M Committee at St Fergus Church
Remember Lyall as he conducts another Religious Observance Assembly at our school. This is such a valuable opportunity to help the children to connect with the Christian Faith at this time of life when they are beginning to make decisions which will frame their lives for the future. If the Holy spirit is in there working then what happens will indeed be life-changing. Please pray!
Friday 30th
We are now in Advent; the Countdown to Christmas has begun. Lord of the Years, take away the panic and enable us quietly day by day to prepare to celebrate once again the Coming of the Christ Child. When Christmas comes, may we be found ready.
With gratitude for your fellowship in prayer, Esme and June.
