Prayer Diary Nov 2013
Friday 1st All Saints’ Day Youth Group
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Saints who have gone
before us, leaving an example to inspire us. Help us to follow!
Saturday 2nd
Lord, may we rise this morning feeling your warmth embracing us,
conscious of your love forgiving us and knowing your peace within
us. In all we do and in all we say may our lives this day and all days
reflect the beauty of you.
(quoted from CROSSREACH Prayer Letter week beg. 15th Sept.)
Sunday 3rd
Lord of the Church, some of us are careless about gathering in
Your House while on the other hand there are those who would
give anything to be able to join us even on one Sunday. Comfort
these dear folk, Lord, and help us to be imaginative about including
them in our fellowship.
Monday 4th
Jesus said, ‘When you pray, go into your room, close the door and
pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees
what is done in secret, will reward you.’ (Matt.6.6) What a
wonderful gift prayer is! Lord, give us a fresh glimpse of that
wonder!
Tuesday 5th Presbytery meets in Wick
Over the next few months significant changes will be taking place
affecting our congregation and the linked charge. Olrig will join us
in the New Year; a new half time post will be advertised and
possibly other unforeseen matters may be decided on this evening.
Most of us don’t like change! Pray that the will of God may be seen
in this evening’s meeting and that those of us who are most affected
by any decisions made may truly pray: ‘Thy will be done’.
Wednesday 6th
Remember, remember …The fireworks of recent days have mostly been fun, but there is more positive remembering to be done. The great King David called his people to ’Remember the wonders God has done, his miracles and the judgements he pronounced’ . So often we are careless and we take God’s blessing for granted. Loving God, You never forget us: prompt us to Remember and to act accordingly!
Thursday 7th
Today marks the first Thursday for several months when no lunch
will be served in our Church hall. We are very grateful for the
success of this venture - for friendships forged and strengthened
and for so much hard work done faithfully by a small team of people.
Friday 8th Youth Group
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.
(Psalm 37.11)
The meek are those who humbly acknowledge their dependence on the goodness and grace of God and allow themselves no arrogance towards others. Keep us meek, Lord! Save us from exalting ourselves!
Saturday 9th
Weekends offer some families the opportunity to spend quality time together. Those who miss out on this can so easily be resentful. Help us, dear Lord, to pray imaginatively today and through this weekend for the families of our church and community.
Sunday 10th Remembrance Sunday
Traditionally we welcome members of the local Royal British Legion to our service today. Almighty God, may this service be meaningful to each person, young and old, who attends. May there be a positive looking forward as well as remembrance.
Monday 11th
As another school week begins, pray for the staff and pupils of our Nursery and Primary School and of the High School. Some, young and old, face problems which seem insurmountable. God knows and He is able to do the impossible. May eyes turn in faith to Him during this week!
Tuesday 12th Kirk Session and Board Meeting
There are important items on the agenda for this evening’s meetings including the urgent need to find a Treasurer. Give thanks for the years of dedicated service of Keith Muir. Please pray that all decisions made may be for the spiritual health of our congregation and the extension of God’s Kingdom in our community.
Wednesday 13th
Following our Harvest Thanksgiving Services a significant amount of food was donated to the Food Bank which operates from St Anne’s Church in Thurso. Everyone involved is very grateful. Lord of the Harvest, forgive Your people when the effort we make to share Your
bountiful harvest with those in need is grudging or only spasmodic. Open our hearts!
Thursday 14th
Give thanks for the open door which Lyall has to conduct Religious Observance Assemblies at our school. This is such a valuable opportunity to help the children to connect with the Christian Faith at this time of life when they are beginning to make decisions which will frame their lives for the future. If the Holy spirit is in there working then what happens will indeed be life-changing. Please pray!
Friday 15th Youth Group
Prayer is not simply asking God for the pleasant things we desire, but an earnest yearning for the will of God, be it sweet or bitter. A. Cole
Show me Your will for me today, Lord!
Saturday 16th
Who lends money without interest and does not accept a bribe against the innocent; whoever does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15.5)
The National Church is encouraging the formation of Credit Unions. Lord, we pray that these may flourish and be of great help to those in financial need.
Sunday 17th Communion in Keiss and Canisbay
Pray for our Interim Moderator, Rev Alastair Gray, as he comes to conduct our Communion Service in our Church hall today. We shall be a small group: some of our members are unable to join us now because of age or infirmity and some are away. Lord Jesus Christ, Host at the Table, make this Sacrament special to each of us today.
By Your Spirit bless those unable to be present in body.
Monday 18th
Forgive me, Merciful Father, if I ever feel proud because I visit one
or two lonely people from time to time if I’m not too busy and reckon that I’ve done my bit. Melt my heart and show me what You want me to do.
Tuesday 19th House Group
Give thanks for the small group who meet regularly and enthusiastically to enjoy fellowship and to discuss what the Bible says about relevant issues. This afternoon we are to discuss the Church’s initiative concerning Credit Unions It would be good if others were to join us!
Wednesday 20th
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46v.10
Gracious God, when our cries seem unheeded, when no effort bears fruit, when the sun sets, help us to be still. Kate Compston.
Thursday 21st
As darkness comes ever earlier and the cold may intensify, remember those who spend long hours ensuring that our roads and pavements are as safe as possible for us. If we have the chance to encourage them with a grateful smile or a word of thanks, may we be prompted to do that. It costs us nothing but they save lives.
Friday 22nd Youth Group
When you make a loan to your neighbour……. If he is poor, do not go to sleep with his pledge in your possession (Deut.24.10,12)
Food Banks seem to be becoming a necessity, even in Caithness. Those of us blessed with enough need, in turn, to be generous and kind. Merciful Father, help us to respond!
Saturday 23rd
Statistics tell us that one in eight older, lonely people worry about their mental health because they have no-one to talk to. Who needs to talk to me today? Prompt me, Lord.
Sunday 24th
Faith comes through hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. Romans 10 v.17
Pray that in our church and in all churches today the Word of Christ, the Gospel, might be heard and understood as Christ speaks His message through His chosen messengers.
Monday 25th
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on
it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1 v.8
This is good teaching for leaders - vital for a successful ministry - but good too for those of us who seek to be faithful followers of Jesus.
Tuesday 26th Canisbay Guild
Last month we enjoyed an excellent and well-attended meeting of our Guild when Miss Anne Dunnett, our Lord Lieutenant, shared with us what this role involves and some amusing experiences. This evening we look forward to welcoming Mrs Sheila Moir with a huge variety of pictures of local events. Please pray for good weather and rich fellowship.
Wednesday 27th
Jesus said, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. (Luke 12.15)
Lord, teach us truly to understand that less is more. Show me how You want me to respond!
Thursday 28th Ministry & Mission Committee in Wick
Lord Jesus Christ, when You were on earth You had a special concern for those people who were overlooked by others. Help me not to be selective but rather to have Your inclusive love in my heart. If You had been selective, You might have missed me!
Friday 29th Youth Group
Please pray for the Youth group as they meet this evening with Lyall and Isabel. It is not easy for young people to stand strong in today’s culture, particularly in the High Schools of our land. Give thanks for the mutual support which the boys and girls find in group meetings and continue to uphold them faithfully through the school week.
Saturday 30th St Andrew’s Night Supper in Church Hall
Our Patron Saint has always been a great example of the type of person Jesus is looking for in His followers today - friendly, approachable and looking for opportunities to introduce others to their Master. Pray that this evening’s event will be s happy social occasion and also a time when people on the edge of the church see our Faith lived out in a real and attractive manner.
Thank you for joining us in prayer! Esme
