Prayer Diary September 2013
Sunday 1st
The beginning of September marks a new session in the work of
our church. God of the Seasons, fill us with Your Spirit, give us
new enthusiasm, renew our strength, enlarge our vision, and help us to walk forward with one another and with You, with whom
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE..
Monday 2nd
Tomorrow afternoon the House Group will meet at Angela Lewis’
home. Lyall will lead a discussion on the subject of Poverty, using
material produced by the National Church’s Church and Society
Council. Pray for God’s blessing and for positive action to follow
our sharing. Pray that more will be prompted to join us.
Tuesday 3rd House Group; Presbytery meets in Thurso West
Pray for the meeting of Presbytery this evening at which, along with much important business, we hope that decisions will be made
about the deployment of the four Ordained Local Ministers. Ask
God also to grant a particular blessing to those elders who join us
for the first time.
Wednesday 4th
‘Getting ready is an important part of going out. It helps you
prepare for your meetings and not take them for granted. “Be still,
and know that I am God.” Psalm 46.10 *CS (see end of month)
Help me not to rush into this day heedlessly, Lord.
Thursday 5th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
It is likely that Lyall will be resuming regular assemblies in our
school about now. Thank You for the open door that there has
always been in Canisbay. Pray today for schools which are closed
to Your servants and for children who have no easy opportunity to
learn about the things of God.
Friday 6th
The Youth Group will be well underway after the summer break.
As Lyall and Isabel make plans with the members for the
programme for the weeks ahead, pray for God’s blessing and
leading. There is so much potential here….
Saturday 7th Macmillan Coffee Morning in our Church Hall
This morning from 10.00 - 12 noon we shall welcome friends to
enjoy coffee and home baking, sharing fellowship and raising
money for this so worthwhile good cause. We hope that many
friends who have come for lunch on a Thursday will come back.
Generous God, grant a rich blessing today!
Sunday 8th
Glorify Your Name, Lord! There are many who used to gather with
us regularly each Sunday but their seats are empty. Speak to those
who have got out of the habit and prompt them to come back. Show
us if there is something we could do to help to answer this prayer.
Be close to those who would give anything to be able to worship
with us but age or infirmity keeps them away. Make the fellowship
of Your Spirit real to them today.
Monday 9th
Recently our friends in Olrig Church, Castletown celebrated 100
years of ministry. The Presbytery Plan will bring the Olrig
congregation into one linked charge with Canisbay along with
Dunnet and Keiss. Pray for wisdom in the outworking of this huge
change and for God’s will to be done.
Tuesday 10th
Help us, dear Father, to put You first in our lives. So often we don’t
do what You ask, and this takes us away from all that You have
planned for us. Help us to obey Your commandments.
Wednesday 11th
Heavenly Father, we pray for the elderly folk in our community.
Many face real difficulties because of age or disability. Be near to
each one of them today and to those who lovingly care for them.
Prompt me to follow my prayer with a visit or a phone call if this is
possible.
Thursday 12th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
Welcoming God, so many people have enjoyed good food,
fellowship and fun at our Thursday Lunches. We are grateful to
those who, week by week, work so hard to provide and serve these.
You are no person’s debtor: continue to grant Your blessing to
them. There are seven more Thursdays before we stop for the
winter! Keep us going!
Friday 13th
Jesus said that the way we treat the needy and the vulnerable
reveals our attitude to him. (Matt.25.31-46). Pray that today you
will show respect and care to everyone, without exceptions. *CS
Living lord, hear my prayer!
Saturday 14th
Another weekend, Lord! Families are so busy, each keen to do their
own thing. Give the families of our church and community the gift
of quality time together so that they will value one another and be
bound together as a precious unit. And if not today, then next
weekend!
Sunday 15th
‘Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise.’ (Psalm 48.1) Let
your faith in God be shown in your singing today in church with
others. *CS
Jesus, Lord of the Church, where some of us are unable to be
present in body, make the fellowship of Your Spirit real.
Monday 16th
Remember those in foreign lands who are persecuted for their faith.
Here too there are those who are ridiculed for their belief in our
Lord Jesus Christ, particularly the youngsters. Pray for those who
struggle daily for their principles.
Tuesday 17th
Loving God, we pray today for the staff and children of our school.
Give skill, strength and patience to all who teach, and open minds
and hearts to all who learn. Bless each home represented. Thank
You that You know and love each person, young and old.
Wednesday 18th
Lord, show me where I have hurt someone by what I have said and
done. Grant me your forgiveness, and show me how I can best sort
out the matter. *CS
Merciful Father, hear my prayer!
Thursday 19th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
Gracious God, we give You thanks for all the visitors who have
spent part of their holiday in this special part of Your world. Many
have enjoyed the peace of our Sanctuary, some have attended our
services and many have enjoyed lunch with us. Bless each one of
them today, back at home or still on holiday. Thank You for
precious fellowship shared.
Friday 20th
Tomorrow afternoon in Canisbay Village Hall our Lord Lieutenant,
Miss Anne Dunnett will present Esme with the British Empire
Medal awarded in the Queen‘s Birthday Honours. We shall enjoy
afternoon tea and entertainment by some of our local young people.
Give God thanks for this witness to His blessing on those whom He
calls, and, if you can, join us for the afternoon.
Saturday 21st
Take time to look to the stars (or the mountains), and against that background examine whether or not your God is too small.
Remember he is the living God… *CS
Help me, Living Lord, to have a right relationship with You!
Sunday 22nd
Traditionally in the National Church the emphasis is on the Bible - many of us remember how it was solemnly carried into the sanctuary at the beginning of the service. As we come to worship today we anticipate learning from the Word on which we feed. Without this we fail to grow and we become ineffective. Speak to us today, Lord.
Monday 23rd
Lord Jesus, it is amazing that You still call people like us to follow You and to do Your work on earth! Thank You that You don’t wait until we are ‘good enough’, even in our own eyes! Keep us alert to Your prompting and open to receive all that You give us.
Tuesday 24th Canisbay Guild
Pray for the Guild as we have our first meeting of the new session over a simple meal in the Church Hall. Mrs Pat Macpherson is now leading this group. Give thanks for her willingness to take this on and for the new ideas which she will bring. As some of our former members are now unable to join us, show us how to keep in contact with them, and help us to reach new members.
Wednesday 25th
Merciful Father, help me today to make a determined effort to
enhance someone’s life, even if it only means that I offer a smile to a
stranger. Who knows what blessing that might bring them!
Thursday 26th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
How consistently do I offer service for other people and for our Lord? Do I make excuses for not being available? Teach me, Lord, to look beyond my own desires.
Friday 27th
Jesus said, ‘Come to me … and I will give you rest.’ (Matt.11.28)
Lord, help me to slow down lest I miss the riches on the journey, seeing only the destination. *CS
Lord, hear my prayer!
Saturday 28th
The nights are drawing in: how quickly time seems to fly! Merciful Lord, give me strength in weakness and courage to face any problems which may lie ahead. Help me to be a light to any with whom I may be in contact who don’t yet know You as their Friend.
Sunday 29th
‘This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Psalm 118.24) Pray for the one who will preach today. Pray too that the hearts and minds of each person who attends might be open to receive Your word. We long that more people would gather with us to receive Your blessing. Show us how to be used to answer our prayers and help us to act.
Monday 30th
It is amazing that today marks the end of the third quarter of this year!
God of the Seasons, Faithful Father, we give You heartfelt thanks for all Your blessing poured out on us and we trust You for what lies ahead. Keep us close to You in each day that You give us.
*Quotations are from the contributions of Rev Colin Sinclair in
Scripture Union’s ‘Encounter With God’ July - Sept. 2013
