Prayer Diary December 2012
Saturday 1st
Gracious Lord, as December has come, we realise that busy days lieahead. These days may 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!
Sunday 2nd First Sunday of Advent
Traditionally on this first Sunday of the new Christian Year the Church remembers that Jesus promised to return in glory. Coming Lord, help us to look beyond the trappings of Christmas to understand more of what Christmas truly means, and to be ready both for Your Coming and to greet You when You come again.
Monday 3rd
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov. 17.22
Good news and pleasant words bring health to the whole body. Loving God, enable us to be bringers of blessing to those whom we meet this week!
Tuesday 4th Presbytery meets in Thurso West
It is not always easy for the people in our congregations to see the relevance of what happens in Presbytery and yet we are a Presbyterian Church! Pray that we might pull together so that God’s Kingdom might come and not be hindered.
Wednesday 5th
Thank You for the gift and privilege of prayer, Lord. It is impossible to know how many use this Prayer Diary because copies are available on-line in addition to the twenty or so paper copies taken in church. Nor can we measure what we owe to the prayers of others - to you who reads this just now. God hears and answers your prayers. Please keep going! Richly bless these friends, Lord!
Thursday 6th
A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes. Prov. 14.29 The Living Bible
How much it pays to think before we speak and act! Great harm is done to the work of the Kingdom of God when we fail to do this. Keep me alert today, Lord.
Friday 7th
Continue to pray for Lyall as he carries a huge workload, trying to balance the needs of three congregations. Give him wisdom about when to say ‘no’ and help us to understand!
Saturday 8th
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 9th Second Sunday of Advent
Coming Lord, as we continue to prepare for Christmas, we pray for our brothers and sisters who are in prison because of their faith - some for years on false charges. Comfort and strengthen them and prompt us to remember them and their families. We have it so easy!
Monday 10th
If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt. 6.15
We tend to forget this part of The Lord’s Prayer, don’t we? Forgiveness doesn’t come easily to most of us. Grow forgiveness as a strong and beautiful plant in my life, Lord!
Tuesday 11th
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.
Wednesday 12th
Hopefully our House Group will gather again during this week for our third meeting to enjoy discussion and fellowship. Pray that this group might prove valuable in strengthening friendship across our three congregations and that new members might be sure that they will always be made very welcome.
Thursday 13th
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord. Lev. 19.18
How often relationships break down, sadly within the church fellowship, and that harms our witness and outreach. Jesus taught His followers to love our enemies and He offers us help through His Holy Spirit. Help us to use that help, Lord!
Friday 14th
Continue to pray for the Youth Group as they make plans with Lyall and Isabel for their pre-Christmas celebrations. Give them fun and real fellowship in all that they do and by Your Holy Spirit help each of them to have a strong sense of the real meaning of Immanuel: God is with us..
Saturday 15th
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephes. 4.32
How sad it is when we find people bearing grudges, sometimes for years! Forgiveness does not come easily but when we consider what Jesus did to bring about forgiveness for us, we are on the road to putting things right in our own lives. Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Sunday 16th Third Sunday of Advent
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth. Luke 1. 14
These words were spoken about John the Baptist who tends to be overlooked as Christmas draws nearer. Thank You for John, Lord!
Monday 17th
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Prov. 4.20
It isn’t considered cool to pay attention to older people. Pray for children’s and youth leaders who have gained the respect of the young. Keep them faithful to You!
Tuesday 18th
This is a day of celebration and fun! The Guild meets this afternoon for our pre-Christmas gathering and then our school hold their annual Christmas Treat. Many in our community, young and older, will come together. Pray for happy times!
Wednesday 19th
Gracious Lord, we don’t always get things right and often others are hurt as a result. Help us to be willing to say sorry and to mend relationships. Help us to forgive ourselves too. We are a work in progress!
Thursday 20th School Christmas Service
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 21st
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephes. 6.1
The key to this is the phrase ‘in the Lord’. In this holiday time, pray specially for the families of our church and community - and pray on!
Saturday 22nd
Merciful Father, be specially near to those who are sad, anxious or lonely today - all the harder at this time of year when even the greeting ‘Happy Christmas‘ can sound hollow in another’s ears. Thank You that You know and love each of these dear people intimately. In Your own loving way, help each one to know that he or she is not forgotten.
Sunday 23rd Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today the Church focuses on the Virgin Mary who in humble obedience said ‘Yes’ to God. Holy Spirit of God, as we sing our carols and listen to the Christmas story, search our hearts about our response when God comes looking for our obedience. So may we help Your Kingdom to come.
Monday 24th Christmas Eve
Coming Lord, it is always a joy to share fellowship with our friends in Keiss or Dunnet for the Annual Watch Night Service. Bless those who seldom come at any other time but wouldn‘t miss tonight. Inspire us all through the words of Scripture and of the carols and challenge us again to greet You joyfully. Be near to us, Lord Jesus.
Tuesday 25th Christmas Day
Coming to our service 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.
Wednesday 26th
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
Jesus, Lord and King, we gladly continue to worship You!
Thursday 27th
This afternoon the Friends of Achvarasdal will hold our annual Christmas Party for the residents. As we welcome Santa with his gifts chosen so thoughtfully and enjoy music, memories and party food, we pray for Your rich blessing, Merciful Lord, on each person for whom this House is home. Thank You for the staff - give them extra strength at this busy time and make this party one of the best yet!
Friday 28th
The way that Christmas falls this year may offer more holiday time for some just now and therefore more quality time to spend in families. God of the Family, bless families in a special way during these days.
Saturday 29th
Jesus said, ‘I tell you that there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’ Luke 15.7
Today people largely despise self-righteousness and gloss over sin. It is as well that the judging which matters is in God’s hands! Perhaps the approach of a New Year is a good time for an audit. How do You want to change me, All-Knowing Lord? Make me willing!
Sunday 30th The last Sunday of 2012
This would be an excellent opportunity for the Church family to come together to look back on another year with God and to give Him heartfelt thanks. So often this service is poorly attended. If you have health and strength, please join us! Lord of the Church, prompt us - and comfort those who wish so much that they could be with us!
Monday 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
God of the Years, help us to keep our eyes on You as we step forward with You into 2013.
