Prayer Diary January 2013
Tuesday 1st Happy New Year!
Eternal God, thank You for bringing us safely to the beginning of another year. We can’t know what this year will bring, but Youknow. Help us to put ourselves into Your hands, trusting You, both for ourselves and for those who are precious to us.
Wednesday 2nd
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. Ps.23.1
Thank You, Good Shepherd, that You will definitely provide for us, no matter what. Perhaps I could share this with someone else…
Thursday 3rd
Gracious Lord, thank You for the gift of a New Year. Help us to make it properly new, putting away the things which we regret and resolving to live each day positively, using it as a gift from You.
Friday 4th
Remember our Interim Moderator, Rev John Nugent, in your prayers. Ask God to give him the wisdom he needs and energy in all his commitments. May God bless Lyall and John working together in our three congregations.
Saturday 5th
Have you made any New Year Resolutions? Many of us don’t because we know we won’t keep them! If you don’t already do this, a good resolution for 2013 might be to spend even five minutes with God at the beginning of each day, perhaps with this Prayer Diary. You’ll be amazed at the result!
Sunday 6th The first Sunday of this New Year
Living Lord, bless all who come to worship You today. May Your Word find soil ready to receive it and may our praise rise to You. How we long to see more of those who are able resuming the habit of regular weekly worship with us!
Monday 7th
As schools resume this week, take time to pray for 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 8th
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 9th
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 10th
We are grateful that it has been possible to start a small House Group which is already proving a blessing to those who attend. Give God thanks for this and pray, both that we might grow as we share fellowship round the Word and that others might be sure of a warm welcome.
Friday 11th
Probably the Youth Group will come together for the first time in 2013. There will be much to share! 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 12th
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! Ps.139.16,17
It is awe-inspiring to think that Jesus calls us personally, just as He did His first disciples. Prompt me, Living Lord, to listen for Your voice, however it comes, and to respond.
Sunday 13th
Holding our services in the Church Hall in these winter months is proving a real blessing. We save on heating and are warmer than in the sanctuary. We hope that the experience of fellowship is deeper! Lord of the Church, bless our service on this second Sunday of the New Year and renew our vision of Your will and purpose for us. Comfort those who are unable to attend but who join us in spirit.
Monday 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!
Tuesday 15th
Although we know that the shortest day is far behind us, days still seem short and darkness comes early. Remind us, Lord, that You are Light and that we can find comfort in You. Encourage us too as we see the moon and the stars. What a wonderful world You have made!
Wednesday 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 even more opportunities - and continue to provide the people to make it work!
Thursday 17th
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 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.
Saturday 19th
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 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.
Monday 21st
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.
Tuesday 22nd 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 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.
Thursday 24th Ministry and Mission Committee in Wick
Please pray for this meeting convened by John Nugent. Lyall and Esme will attend and will be involved in the on-going discussion about the Presbytery Plan. Decisions may be made at Presbytery next month. Ask God to give wisdom to all of us.
Friday 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 this gives to so many. Bless too the social gatherings which will take place over this weekend. 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.
Sunday 27th
Almighty God, already it is the last Sunday of this New Year! Lyall hopes to conduct the services at Keiss and Canisbay while Ronnie Mackenzie is at Dunnet. Please bless the services in all three churches today and in the churches of every denomination within our county. May preachers and worshippers know Your Presence in a real way and may glory rise to You.
Monday 28th
When did I last say, ‘I’ll pray for you’? Forgive me, Merciful Lord, if I have failed 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!
Tuesday 29th
God of the whole world, 2012 was a year in which very many people in our world 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 seems so little.
Wednesday 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 about them only with You. Thank You that You always know what is best.
Thursday 31st
And so another month draws to a close. 2013 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.
