Prayer Diary March 2013
Friday 1st World Day of Prayer
We gather this afternoon in our Church Hall for the service prepared by Christian women of France on the theme: I was a stranger and you welcomed me, reflecting on cultural diversity and inclusivity. Dear Lord, richly bless us along with all Your people across the world who take time to share in this precious experience of fellowship and prayer.
Saturday 2nd
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked. Ps.1.1
God promises His happiness and blessing to those who revere Him and do His will. But it is so easy to slip! Help me, Lord. Help each of us who read and use this Prayer Diary! You know our hearts.
Sunday 3rd Third Sunday in Lent
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for our church and for Your Church worldwide. Thank You for freedom to worship You. Comfort and encourage today all who have to meet in secret and who are persecuted for their faith.
Monday 4th House Group
The House Group meets this afternoon at Angela Lewis’ home to discuss the topic: What the Bible says about homosexuality and marriage. This is a topic very much in the news just now. Give thanks for the opportunities to share fellowship and pray for blessing and guidance. Pray that more might join us - perhaps you?
Tuesday 5th Presbytery meets in Thurso
Lord of the Church, grant wisdom as the business is dealt with this evening. May Your Spirit brood over all the proceedings so that decisions made are in accordance with Your will.
Wednesday 6th
Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5.17
All church growth starts with prayer. To get to know God properly we need to be in constant communication with Him. A good aim in Lent!
Thursday 7th
During Lent we remember how privileged we are. Many of us using this Prayer Diary are women… Christian Aid tells us that women own only 1% of the world’s property! Take a few moments to take that in.
Friday 8th
Be still and know that I am God. Ps. 46.10
Loving God, in the rush of everyday life, help me to be calm and at peace with the world. You have everything in Your hands: why am I so stressed?
Saturday 9th
Merciful and Loving Father, we hear of friends and family members who have received a diagnosis of a health problem. Particularly where this is unexpected the initial response can be devastating. Help those affected to believe that nothing is unknown to You and enable them to trust that You have Your plans for them. Hold them close!
Sunday 10th Fourth Sunday in Lent; Mother’s Day
Today Lyall will take the service in the Hospital Chapel at 2.15 pm. It is a quick turn around after two morning services! Pray that patients will attend - or listen on the Hospital radio - and that they will be blessed. This short time of worship can mean so much to those who spend a protracted period in hospital and miss their home church!
Monday 11th
How good and pleasant it is when brothers (brothers and sisters) live together in unity. Ps. 133.1
How easily the opposite is true! Let’s be quick to sort out problems which arise amongst us. When we are at peace with one another we glorify our heavenly Father and we are much happier.
Tuesday 12th
Almighty God, Caithness has such a problem with road traffic accidents, especially involving young or elderly drivers. Give wisdom and safety to all who travel on our roads and elsewhere.
Wednesday 13th
This is the date on which Lyall, Heather and Esme have to submit their first essay for the Module on Sacramental Theology! It would be good to be successful: please pray! Remember Lyall and Heather particularly as they continue to try to manage their time between studies and the calls of Locum ministry - Lyall with us and Heather in the North Coast Parish.
Thursday 14th
Colin Carmichael, staff worker for Scripture Union, is in our school today taking a Religious Observance Assembly and advertising SU Holidays. Pray for good listening! In the past, several of our children have attended these holidays. Pray that the children might be keen and that parents are willing and able to let them sign up.
Friday 15th
The Youth Group will meet this evening with Lyall and Isabel. Thank You, Gracious Lord, for each of these young folk; for their enthusiasm and their ability. Bless their homes too and nurture the seeds which are planted. Thank You that You have Your purpose for all of them.
Saturday 16th
Perhaps some parents are considering allowing their children to attend SU holidays following Colin’s visit to school on Thursday. He was also at Wick High! These holidays are eagerly anticipated by some of the young folk in our community. Pray that those whom God wants to be there will have the opportunity.
Sunday 17th Fifth Sunday in Lent; Passion Sunday
It is our turn to take the service at Pulteney House at 3.00 pm. Pray for Lyall as he is welcomed by the group of elderly folk who are keen to worship. Give thanks for Joey Leith who, along with her brother Willie, spent her last years in the care of the staff in the House and who is much missed. Joey was a faithful member of our church.
Monday 18th
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5.8
Even though we were unworthy, Jesus died for us. That is grace!
Tuesday 19th
Merciful Father, we pray today for people who have little sense of worth. Some are elderly, feeling alone and vulnerable. Prompt those of us who are able to know how to bring assistance - and help us to do this for the sake of Jesus Who loves each of them dearly.
Wednesday 20th
Loving God, Loving God, as we journey towards Easter, we thank You that Your purpose was always to give Your Son to die for us. There are people around me who need to understand this. Help me to share with them - in a word or in my prayer for them now.
Thursday 21st
The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full. Ps.31.23 God looks after those who maintain moral integrity but those who refuse to live humbly relying on Him have their own reward. All-seeing God, thank You for those who set us a good example; keep them close to You.
Friday 22nd
Good Shepherd, while we thank You for the joy of Springtime and the new life we see around us, we realise that those involved in lambing are weary. Give them the strength they need to bring them through and watch over lambs, ewes and shepherds alike.
Saturday 23rd
Crowds of people came to Jesus. Mark 10.1b
Our Church will grow if our neighbours see Christ within us!
Sunday 24th Palm Sunday Service in the Church
The Youth Group are conducting today’s service and hopefully members of their families and their friends will come to support them. Give thanks for what will be a happy and meaningful service and be with us if you can be, or join in spirit.
Monday 25th
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8.1
Accept who you are! God loves you as you are. It’s true!
Tuesday 26th Canisbay Guild
We meet this evening to learn from David Richard Jones
about Caithness Talking Newspapers. We hope to invite
members of other Guilds and others in the community to
be informed and entertained. Please pray for the success
of this gathering and give thanks for the opportunity.
Wednesday 27th
Tomorrow the schools close for their Easter holidays. Pray for the pupils and staff who will gather in our church with members of their families who are able to join us for our Easter Service. Remember Lyall in his preparation and pray that the experience will be meaningful for every single person who attends.
Thursday 28th Maundy Thursday Communion in Dunnet
In past years a small number of us from the Central Grouping of Churches have gathered for a simple Communion Service at Dunnet. Thank You, Lord, for this special opportunity to remember Your Body broken for us and Your Blood shed for us. By Your Spirit prompt others to join us or to share in similar services today.
Friday 29th Good Friday Service in Canisbay Church
Help me to understand it; help me to take it in: What it meant for You, the Holy One, to take away my sin.
My thanks are so inadequate, but I thank You, Jesus.
Saturday 30th
As our school and all schools across the Region close for the Easter holidays, pray for families who are able to spend quality time together. Pray for the children whom you’ll see out playing and meet in the town. And remember specially single parents who find it difficult to arrange child care during the break from school.
Sunday 31st Easter Sunday All Age Service
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Risen Lord, as we gather today to worship You, fill us with wonder and joy. Help us to enter into the experience of those who went to the tomb and found it empty and then met with You in the garden, in the upper room and on the road to Emmaus. Be real to us today and every day!
