Prayer Diary May 2013
Wednesday 1st
Tomorrow Lyall will be at Canisbay School for the whole school
Assembly. Give thanks for this regular opportunity and pray for a
blessing for pupils and staff - and for Lyall himself!
Thursday 2nd Church Hall open for lunches, Council Election
This is a busy day! Gracious God, we pray for the small team
organising this very significant outreach in our community. May
the joy of fellowship over good food be as deep as it was last year!
And we give thanks for those who have served faithfully as our
elected representatives in the past years. Enable us to use our votes
wisely today and then to uphold in prayer those who are elected
that they might serve faithfully, for the good of the community.
Friday 3rd
For it is written: He will command His angels concerning you to
guard you carefully. Luke 4.10
Thank You, Lord, for Your angelic protection! We praise You!
Saturday 4th
Jesus did so much in only three years of ministry! Help us, Lord,
through Your Holy spirit, to continue Your work today.
Sunday 5th
Lyall will conduct the services at Keiss and Canisbay today while
Esme is at Dunnet. Pray for God’s blessing on all of us, people and
preachers alike!
Monday 6th
Dear Lord, as senior pupils all over Scotland sit exams during these
weeks, we pray specially for those of our own community. Please
reward conscientious work done over the years and grant success to
each one. Help parents too as they cope with the stress of this time!
Tuesday 7th Presbytery meets in Wick St Fergus
Gracious Father, be in the midst as Presbytery meets this
evening. May Your will be done as reports are received and
decisions made. May each person present remember that this is
Your Church and that we gather to serve.
Wednesday 8th
We hope that we may hold our Annual Stated Meeting this
evening. Give thanks for what has been achieved in 2012 and
please pray that we may find more people willing and able to help
us to reach out in our community. We have lots of ideas!
Thursday 9th Church Hall open for lunches; Ascension Day
Today we remember how Jesus left His disciples to return to God’s
right hand, His own work completed.. As He left behind a group of
followers to witness to Him all over the world, enable us, dear
Lord, to be faithful in carrying out His commission.
Friday 10th
The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go
down. Psalm 104.19
Heavenly Father, You are the God of order and precision: every
detail has been planned to perfection! Humbly, we give You
praise..
Saturday 11th
Thank You, Father, for another weekend! Bless families, helping
them where possible to be able to spend quality time together.
Where there is tension, give a spirit of patience and understanding
so that problems can be sorted out before they grow too big!
Sunday 12th Christian Aid Week begins
Merciful God, many services today will focus on the work of
Christian Aid and challenge Your people to do what we can to
support this effective arm of Your Church worldwide. Make this
week meaningful to us so that our prayerful support continues
when the week ends.
Monday 13th
… a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to
uproot. Ecclesiastes 3.2
It is all Divinely appointed. Loving Lord, help us to trust in Your
plan and to live by Your Word.
Tuesday 14th
God of Creation, we thank You for long days, for the increasing
warmth of the sun and for new life all around us. Be specially near
to those in our community who cannot go out to enjoy the fresh air.
Comfort each one and help them to know that they are not
forgotten by us and by You.
Wednesday 15th
My soul is weary with sorrow. Strengthen me according to Your Word. Psalm 119.28
Merciful and All-Knowing Lord, in our weakness we sometimes grow sorrowful. Help us to lean on Your Word and be revived.
Thursday 16th Church Hall open for lunches
Day three of our lunches! We trust that word is getting around.
Welcoming God, bless those who will gather today to enjoy
fellowship over a simple meal. We give You thanks for this
opportunity to reach out into our community and further afield.
Friday 17th
This year, Lyall and Heather Stewart attend the General Assembly as elder-commissioners - a first for both of them. Uphold them in your prayers through the week ahead that they may enjoy the experience to the full, play their part as opportunities arise and have the strength for what is a demanding experience.
Saturday 18th General Assembly opens
Pray for the Moderator, Council Conveners and all commissioners
gathered for this hugely important event in the life of our National Church. The eyes of very many will be on the Assembly this year. May every decision made be in accordance with God’s will for the extension of His Kingdom in our land.
Sunday 19th Pentecost: the Birthday of the Christian Church
Holy Spirit of God, as You came to Your disciples long ago and
Your Church was dramatically born, enable each of us who seek
to follow Jesus and to be ‘Church’ to receive a fresh infilling of
Your Spirit. Make our services today specially meaningful.
Monday 20th
I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength. Phil.4.13
I am nothing without You, Lord. Make this real to me today.
Tuesday 21st
Gracious God, we pray for the children of our school in this summer term with its varied opportunities. Bless and strengthen each of the staff in their planning and preparation. Please also continue to bless Lyall in the open door which he has in assembles and in regular contact with the children. Thank You for good relationships through which You can work effectively
Wednesday 22nd
Pray continually. 1 Thess. 5.17
Listening Lord, few of us can pray all the time, but help us to be so conscious of Your Presence that we talk naturally to You about what is going on. Please guide us, guide me, each hour of the day.
Thursday 23rd Church Hall open for lunches
Dear Lord, when it seems that no-one understands our need, remind us that You understand.. You know us better than we know ourselves. Thank You that You have Your plan and purpose for us - and that You will equip us for what You call us to. Help us too to know when to say ‘no’ to the call which is not from You!
Friday 24th
He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147.3
Loving Lord, there are so many people really suffering today. We call on You to comfort each and every one of them.
Saturday 25th
Holy Spirit of God, in these days following Pentecost, we thank You for Your powerful Presence in Your Church. Shine through us so that others may truly know You. Help us to work in our communities as we are able, being of service for Your sake - helping the ill, the vulnerable, the shunned and the bereaved; not for our own glory, but for Yours.
Sunday 26th Service at Pulteney House this afternoon
Lyall conducts the services at Keiss and Canisbay today, having returned yesterday from the General Assembly! Gracious God, You are no-one’s debtor. Give Lyall all needed strength and help and pour out Your rich blessing on him and on Your people who gather.
Monday 27th
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 118.8
How apt that this verse should be the very centre of the Bible!
Tuesday 28th
A cheerful heart is good medicine. Prov. 17.22a
Thank You, Lord, for our friends and families who bring us joy, health and happiness. Let us spread our blessings to all those we meet, especially to those who are lonely and sad.
Wednesday 29th
Welcoming Lord, thank You for all who visit our church while it is open. As they enjoy and comment on the peace they find, may Your peace rest on them and may we never take this for granted.
Thursday 30th
You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. Matt.6.27
Let us make the very best of each moment of our lives and enjoy each day. It is a precious gift from our Father in heaven.
Friday 31st
Thank You, Gracious God, for bringing us safely to the end of another month - a full month. Thank You for so much answered prayer. Help each of us to trust You for the answers which we wait for, knowing that everything is in Your hands. You are utterly faithful! Thank You!
