Prayer Diary June 2013
Saturday 1st
Generous God, at the beginning of another month, we put ourselves
into Your hands. We have no idea what the month may bring, but
we trust You, knowing that You have our eternal good in Your
heart and mind for us. Increase our faith!
Sunday 2nd 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of our Queen
God save the Queen! Let’s pray very particularly for Queen
Elizabeth today, giving thanks for her faith and for her service to
our nation.
Monday 3rd
We passed! Subject to moderation by the university authorities,
Lyall, Heather and Esme have completed all the necessary steps
towards Ordained Local Ministry and, with Robert, should proceed
to ordination. The timing of this is in the hands of God - and
Caithness Presbytery. Meantime, we are hugely grateful. Thank
you for your prayers and support.
Tuesday 4th
Lyall and Isabel are on holiday this week. Pray for them, giving
thanks for their dedicated service within our linked charge. Ask
God to give Lyall strength and energy, to renew His vision and to
keep his eyes constantly on You. And ask God to work in us, office
bearers and people in Canisbay, Dunnet and Keiss so that the
Kingdom of God is extended within our parishes.
Wednesday 5th
When pride comes then comes disgrace, but with humility comes
wisdom. Prov.11.2
We love to impress others, Lord. Help us rather to remember our
place and to lift You on high.
Thursday 6th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
We have been encouraged by the number of friends who have taken the opportunity to join us for fellowship and good food through the month of May. There is room for others - please join us if you are within travelling distance - and pass the word around.
Friday 7th
There will be no meeting of the Youth Group this evening because Lyall and Isabel are away. Give thanks for each of the young people who gather enthusiastically and who will be looking forward to next Friday! Ask God to continue His blessing in this holiday and make it good right to the end!
Saturday 8th
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Prov.14.30
Thank You, Lord, for creating us as unique beings. Please help us to accept ourselves just as we are.
Sunday 9th Communion Service at 3.00 pm. in the church hall
Rev John Nugent, who has been our Interim Moderator for several months, will conduct the Sacrament of Holy Communion this afternoon. This is to fit in with the services at Keiss and Dunnet.
Pray that all of our active members will be able to come, and that we might be truly fed as we gather round the Table.
Monday 10th
As another working week starts for so many, we thank You, Lord, for all who serve us in any way within our community. Help us to show sincerely our appreciation to encourage them in their work. ‘Thank you’ is such a little phrase, but it can mean so much, and failing to say it can leave people disappointed and frustrated. Prompt us!
Tuesday 11th
There is a short meeting of the Hall Committee this evening chaired
by Ruth Malcolm. Give thanks for all who use our church hall
regularly, finding the premises welcoming and suited for their
needs. This is part of our outreach to the community. Ask God to
bless all who come in and go out.
Wednesday 12th
Tomorrow evening our Guild friends in Keiss Church will host the
Presbyterial Summer Rally. Pray for a really happy event and for
rich fellowship to be shared. Give thanks to God for the
enthusiastic group who are Keiss Guild, meeting in the summer
months.
Thursday 13th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
Canisbay School has an Assembly today. Pray for Lyall as he
conducts this, giving thanks for the open door in our school. Pray
too for the staff in these final busy weeks of term, and for those
older pupils who will leave at the end of the month and start the
next part of their lives at High School.
Friday 14th
Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Prov.23.2
Generous God, we thank You that we have plenty of everything.
Inspire us to share our good fortune with those who have little.
Some of these people live in our county!
Saturday 15th Church & Society Roadshow; Canisbay Show
Most of our active local people will spend the afternoon at the
Show -and we’ll pray for good weather - but in Caithness
Horizons there is a free Roadshow open all morning showcasing
the work of the National Church’s Church and Society Council.
Pray that many, with church connection or none, may come to
look, listen and think.
Sunday 16th
We are not to be like chameleons, lizards which change their colour according to their surroundings, but to stand out visibly against our surroundings. (John Stott, The Radical Disciple)
Lord of the Church, so many who used to keep Your day holy have got out of the habit. We need fellowship and teaching if we are to live effectively for You. Prompt those who need to hear!
Monday 17th Kirk Session and Board Meeting
It is good to welcome Rev Alastair Gray back as our Interim Moderator. Please pray for us as we meet this evening to make decisions and to seek God’s guidance for us in the months ahead. We urgently need to organise some Fund Raising and Social events.
Tuesday 18th
Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. Prov.6.25
Lord, we may feel that this verse is out of place in our Prayer Diary but we so often sin in our thoughts. Help us to focus our lives on wholesome desires.
Wednesday 19th
Merciful Lord, we pray today for those who suffer in body or in mind, some of them for a very long time. Help them to know Your touch. You understand and You watch over them. Enable us to do what we can.
Thursday 20th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
Who will join us today? We give thanks for those who give sacrificially of their time and energy to ensure that the lunches are so successful. We thank God too for new friends who have offered their help and who are finding blessing as a result. Certainly God is no person‘s debtor!
Friday 21st Communion at Dwarwick Pier; Nitekirk in Dunnet
This event, held on the longest day, is becoming a thoroughly good experience supported by friends near and at a distance. Last year rain forced us to celebrate the Sacrament indoors but we hope for better weather this evening. Please remember in prayer all charged with organising Nitekirk and join us if you can.
Saturday 22nd Summer Fete at Achvarasdal House, Reay
‘A day out for all the family’. Gracious God, we ask You to bless this event in which our whole county has the opportunity to support the House which is home for a number of elderly folk and one aspect of the Church’s caring arm. Good weather would be a great blessing. Thank You for those who will work throughout the whole day so that others will enjoy the Fete to the full.
Sunday 23rd
Lyall will conduct the services at Keiss and Canisbay today while Isabel is at Dunnet. Pray that God will bless both of them and make them a blessing.
Monday 24th
Welcoming God, as coach loads of visitors holidaying with Intercruises make a photo stop at our church, we thank You for the interest shown by so many in our precious building and sanctuary. Richly bless those who are church members and quietly challenge those others.
Tuesday 25th Presbytery meets in Wick St Fergus Church
This evening Alan Sinclair will be installed as Moderator of Caithness Presbytery. Give thanks for the years of experience as an elder that he brings to this post. Ruth Malcolm will become Canisbay Church’s representative elder. Give thanks for her willingness to do this and pray that she will find blessing in it.
Wednesday 26th
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Prov.15.1
Loving Lord, there is so much hatred in our world. May Your peace overcome so that violence and enmity cease.
Thursday 27th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
She (the wife of noble character) watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Prov.31.27
Merciful Lord, we thank You for the measure of health and fitness which we have. Help us to use our energies for Your glory rather than to give in to laziness.
Friday 28th Canisbay School Service
As the children gather with the staff and parents in our church at 11.15 am. to give thanks for the school year that has passed, pray for Lyall and for those who will lead and take part with him. Many of us remember these services from our own childhood. May today’s service be equally meaningful to all who are present.
Saturday 29th
The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. Prov.28.25
God of the Nations, bring peace and justice throughout the world. Conquer with Your love the thirst for power.
Sunday 30th
Today the first half of 2013 comes to a close! It would be possible to panic that the year is galloping out of control! God of Time, help me to put myself and all my concerns firmly in Your hands so that I live each day at Your pace. Thank You for what I have achieved. Graciously forgive what has been lacking - in Jesus’ name.
