Prayer Diary Feb 2013
Friday 1st I trust in Your unfailing love Psalm 13.5
Are you finding life difficult in the face of cold weather and
continued short nights? Remember that our God is constant.
Faithful God, help me to hold on to You as another month begins
and to prove that You are indeed the One who will never let me
down.
Saturday 2nd Candlemas
In the Church of Scotland we tend not to celebrate Candlemas – the
Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of
Christ in the Temple. Jesus, Light of the World, we worship You.
Help us to be a light where we are, burning bravely in the face of so
much darkness in our community, our country and our world.
Sunday 3rd
Almighty Father, as we gather together for worship today, accept
and inhabit our praise. Speak through Lyall as he leads us in
worship. Fill the service with Your Spirit, empowering us to live
for You in the week ahead.
Monday 4th
I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances Phil.4.11
The Apostle Paul was grateful for all the gifts which he was given,
but he was not ultimately dependent on them. His dependence was
on God. Oh to be able to say that truthfully as well!
Tuesday 5th Caithness Presbytery meets in Wick
Risen Lord, we pray for the growth of the Church. Show us how we
can live for You and encourage more people to want to become part
of the Body of Christ here in Canisbay.
Wednesday 6th
Jesus said, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor. 12.9
Crucified Lord, help me to accept Your grace and to prove today that when I am weak, I am indeed strong!
Thursday 7th Open Meeting of Dunnet Guild
This afternoon Superintendent Colin Mackay of the Scrabster Mission will speak on the Guild theme: A Faith to Proclaim with reference to his job. Our friends in Dunnet Guild have invited us, along with other Guilds. We trust that many will accept the invitation and that the weather will be favourable. Blessing is assured!
Friday 8th
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13.34,35
Living Lord, may our church grow as those around us recognise us as Your people.
Saturday 9th
Lord God, during this half term holiday, be present in families who seek to spend quality time together. Where there are problems, grant healing and love. And as Sunday approaches, prompt some who have lost the habit of joining us for worship to resolve to be there. Multiply Your blessings as they respond!
Sunday 10th
Loving Father, we pray today for those who once worshipped regularly in Your house but who are no longer able to attend. Give to each of them a rich portion of Your blessing and help them to know that we do not forget them.
Monday 11th House Group
The House Group hopes to meet this afternoon to discuss the topic:
What the Bible says about prayer. We give thanks for this small,
though keen, group meeting twice each month and always open to
new members! Membership spans our three linked congregations
and strengthens friendship.
Tuesday 12th Shrove Tuesday
Heavenly Father, many of us will enjoy eating pancakes today! Remind us that this day marks the end of the period before Lent begins and prompt us to decide how we might spend the forty days which lie ahead so that we are truly ready to celebrate Easter when it comes.
Wednesday 13th Ash Wednesday
As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9.51
So how will you make these forty days different this year? Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him and He was very definite in the way He lived each of these days. Show us what it meant, Lord!
Thursday 14th
Today is St Valentine’s Day! Remembering that the young priest Valentine lost his life because he refused to deny Jesus as his Lord, we pray today for Christians facing persecution for the Faith. We have it so easy: challenge us today and every day and prompt us in our prayers and actions.
Friday 15th
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. 2 Cor.4.17,18
Eternal God, give us strength to look beyond outward appearances and material things.
Saturday 16th
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Rom.12.9
Holy Spirit of God, help us to recognise evil things - which are so prevalent in our world - and to lean towards things which are wholesome.
Sunday 17th
I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15.5 As we come to worship You today, Lord, or worship in our own homes, may Your Holy Spirit live within us so that what we do we do in Your strength and not in our own.
Monday 18th
Compassionate Lord, we pray for all the people whom we know
who are suffering from cancer. We thank You for increasing
success in research although so much of the treatment has
unpleasant side effects. Comfort them and hear our prayers for
them.
Tuesday 19th
There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Tim.2.5
Merciful Father, we thank You that Jesus stands between ourselves and You on our behalf. Thank You for hearing our prayers.
Wednesday 20th
Living Lord Jesus, so many people in our community crowd into
our sanctuary for a funeral but seldom or never come through the
doors at any other time. Help us to pray for these people with love and understanding. You are able to work in their hearts. If there is some way in which we need to change, show us and help us to do something about it!
Thursday 21st
Almighty God, tomorrow, members of the worldwide Guide and Scout Movement will take time to remember one another. Richly bless each member and all whose dedication enables units to thrive. Many of us give thanks for what we learned in our earlier days as we strove to keep our Promise. Children in our community would benefit so much from this opportunity but where are the leaders?!
Friday 22nd Youth Group
Loving Father, thank You for each member of our Youth Group.
School holidays intervene and then so often bugs and poor weather
can interrupt plans but the young folk are always keen to meet with Lyall and Isabel to share in fun and activity. Give them a specially good time together this evening!
Saturday 23rd
You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 6.11
Merciful God, thank You that our slate is wiped clean and that Christ takes away the worry of our sin.
Sunday 24th
Recently, Rev Gordon Oliver, Moderator of our Presbytery spoke of the need to ‘have charity in our listening’. God of Love, give us that love as we listen to those who conduct worship and as we listen to one another. The lack of this love damages relationships.
Monday 25th
Loving God, we pray for protection for all who travel in bad weather
and on difficult roads. Particularly look after those whose working
hours mean that they drive when roads may be untreated. Give
wisdom to those of us who are older as we consider whether we
should venture out!
Tuesday 26th Canisbay Guild
We are grateful for a really successful Pot Luck Supper last month which most of our members were able to attend. Tonight we shall have food for thought as we discuss this year’s Guild Topic: Let’s talk about being Christian in today’s world. Obviously this is relevant to all of us and Guild Office has supplied us with lots of material to use. A good evening is guaranteed!
Wednesday 27th
The days are longer and the sun is stronger. Thank You, Creator
God for signs of Spring and the promise of new life to come. But
Winter is not yet over so help us to persevere. Comfort those people
who find it particularly hard to cope with adverse weather.
Thursday 28th World Day of Prayer Service in Canisbay
Although the World day of Prayer is on Friday 1st March, Lyall and Esme are attending the Probationers’ Conference in Lanarkshire so we have brought our service forward. As usual we share fellowship with our friends in Dunnet and Keiss……
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
(Tel: 611455 or e-mail esmeduncan@btinternet.com).
We’ll help others to praise God with you - right through to the end of this year!
With gratitude for your fellowship in prayer, Esme and June.
