Prayer Diary April 2013
Monday 1st
Jesus is risen, Alleluia!
Dear Risen Lord, may the joy of Easter remain real with us in the
weeks ahead. Thank You for all that You went through for us. Help
us never to take this for granted but rather to determine anew to
follow You more closely.
Tuesday 2nd
Gracious God, as the school holidays are well underway, bless the
children and keep them safe in all that they do. The weather can be
very changeable and it would be wonderful to have dry sunny days
for our children to be out of doors!
Wednesday 3rd
We have different gifts … Rom.12.6
Gracious Lord, thank You that our gifts are freely given to us from
Your hand. Help us to use them wisely. And help us to beware of
criticising the gifts that others have: that is between them and You!
Thursday 4th
Creator God, thank You for Spring, for all the signs of new life
which we see in the fields and in our gardens and which lift our
hearts. We are amazed that Winter has been much less challenging
for us than for people who live further south. Comfort and
encourage those who have struggled with snow and intense cold.
Be near to them even as we think of them and pray for them.
Friday 5th
‘Peace is joy resting; joy is peace dancing.’ FB Meyer 1842-1929
The Easter message assures us that because of Jesus’ Death and
Resurrection we are at peace with God. Make that peace real to us,
Dear Lord, even as we thank You for it. Fill our hearts with joy!
Saturday 6th
Increasing age can bring weakness in its different forms so that
people are no longer able to cope with the demands of day to day
living. Pray for those whom you know who are being forced to face
change just now. God understands when no-one else seems to!
Sunday 7th
In our parish and in other rural parishes many of Your people are
fully involved in lambing and calving which makes it impossible
for them to join us in our service today. Lord of the Church, You
are also our Good Shepherd. Grant them a rich portion of Your
blessing.
Monday 8th
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of
life set me free from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8.1,2
Thank You, dear Lord, for this freedom. Help me to live in it!
Tuesday 9th
It is difficult to wait for the results of tests or for a hospital
appointment. Merciful Father, be near to the dear folk who are
watching the days pass. Keep us faithful in supporting them.
Wednesday 10th
Strive for peace with everyone and for the holiness without which
no-one will see the Lord. Heb. 12.14
We need to draw people to Christ by our own behaviour! Risen
Lord, prompt me often and by Your Spirit, help me to do and to be
so that I am always in the centre of Your will!
Thursday 11th
This evening Esme meets with the Friends of Achvarasdal to make plans for the Summer Fete to be held on 22nd June. Give thanks for those faithful people who work hard to support the Church’s home at Reay. Pray today for the staff and those mostly elderly people for whom Achvarasdal House is home.
Friday 12th
But seek ye first the kingdom of God. Matt. 6.33 KJV)
Is this the secret path to happiness? Some have found that it is. Surely it is certainly worth trying!
Saturday 13th
The Easter holidays are drawing to a close and some people will be travelling this weekend. Holy Spirit of God, please watch over all who travel; prompt drivers to be courteous and thoughtful and bring all safely to their destinations. Thank You for the opportunity to spend time away and to recharge batteries for the challenge of the weeks ahead.
Sunday 14th
Risen Lord, be real to us as we worship You today. We remember that every Sunday is a time to celebrate Your rising from death. Thank You for Your death for us and for Your victory sin, death and hell. Thank You that because of You we need not fear separation from You! Stir our hearts again today!
Monday 15th
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and not one of them shall fall to the ground without your father (Matt.10.29 KJV)
All creatures are special to our Lord God. Let’s treat all of His creation with concern and care.
Tuesday 16th
The children and staff are back at school after their Easter holidays. For those in Primary 7 there is the anticipation of moving up to High School after the summer. Remember these older pupils, giving thanks for them and for the influence many of them have on the younger children. Pray that this will be a specially good term for them.
Wednesday 17th
All-seeing God, show me who needs my prayers today. Prompt my mind and my imagination. And then help me to be pro-active. Perhaps I can encourage that person with a phone call, a visit, a letter or an electronic contact. I know I won’t regret making this effort and it is possible that my friend might be hugely blessed.
Thursday 18th
This evening Edmond Gatima will be inducted to Torry St Fittick’s Church in Aberdeen. Some of us remember with affection the summer placement which brought Edmond, Elizabeth and the family to Canisbay in 2009. Pray for Edmond this evening and in the weeks ahead as he begins the ministry to which God has called him.
Friday 19th
Probably the Youth Group will meet again this evening with Lyall and Isabel. Continue to give thanks for these young people and pray that this term might be a particularly time of blessing; that every opportunity will be seized. It would be good to have additional adult help… Might you be an answer to your prayer - even occasionally?
Saturday 20th
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. (Gal. 6.9)
Keep us persevering, Gracious Lord, for growth in spirit - and for growth in the numbers of people joining us in worship! Help us believe!
Sunday 21st
We continue to rejoice with Jesus’ disciples in His Resurrection.
Ask God to open our eyes and our hearts so that we may understand
all the more clearly what we read in the Scriptures and hear in our
church service or on radio and TV. So may we believe all the more
in His promise of everlasting life!
Monday 22nd
In the beginning was the Word. John 1.1
How wonderful is our Creator God! There is so much that we cannot understand but we believe and we trust His Word, written and come to live amongst us in Jesus.
Tuesday 23rd Canisbay Guild
This evening we have our AGM and then we shall enjoy some in- house entertainment. We are grateful for the Guild year which is nearly over: we have enjoyed some very good meetings. Pray for good ideas and the ability to carry them out. Numbers grow smaller as the years pass but the spirit of friendship is strong.
Wednesday 24th
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matt. 7.1
I am so critical of others: so often my close friends! Forgive me, Lord. Help me to remember that You are the only true Judge.
Thursday 25th Ministry & Mission Committee in Wick
Nothing is straightforward! As Lyall, Heather, Robert and Esme near the end of the course to become Ordained Local Ministers, many questions concerning our deployment have to be answered within Presbytery. Tonight’s meeting could be crucial. Please pray!
Friday 26th
Jesus said, ‘And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt.16.18 No matter what - our Lord will protect our church. We thank You., Jesus, for Your promise.
Saturday 27th Induction of Rev Gordon Smith to Thurso URC
Ben MacGregor occasionally preaches for us. He and Catherine are members of Thurso United Reformed Church which has been vacant for several years. Pray for this new ministry and for the congregation as they welcome their minister.
Sunday 28th
I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Ps.122.1
If I’m honest, Lord, I don’t always feel like that. Sometimes attending our weekly service is an effort. And then I wonder why I don’t come away feeling blessed! Work in me through Your Holy Spirit so that I anticipate meeting You in each part of the service and in those with whom I shall gather today and in the week ahead.
Monday 29th
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Rom.12.12
We know that it is all too easy to give up, but the Apostle Paul knew what he was writing about. It works and is certainly worth persevering in all three!
Tuesday 30th
Another month is ending - how quickly the year seems to be passing! Merciful Father, help us to use wisely the time which You give us so that we can look back and give thanks for what we did together -
co-workers with You! (1 Cor. 6.1)
