Prayer Diary December 2013
Sunday 1st First Sunday in Advent, World AIDS Day
Traditionally on this first Sunday of the new Christian Year the
Church remembers that Jesus promised to return in glory. Coming
Lord, help us to look beyond the trappings of Christmas to
understand more of what Christmas truly means, and to be ready
both for Your coming and to greet You when You come again.
Monday 2nd
Gracious Lord, now that we are in December, we realise that busy days lie ahead. Some find these days very stressful with presents to buy, wrap and send, cards to write, lists to compile and to work through… Please give us the health and strength we’ll need, and a large portion of the peace of Christmas in advance!
Tuesday 3rd Presbytery meets in Thurso West
In recent months some of us have questioned decisions made by Presbytery and have felt frustrated in being a Presbyterian Church! More recently, Presbytery has shown great generosity to us. Please pray for today’s meeting, and for Ruth as she represents us, that decisions might be made in the perfect will of God.
Wednesday 4th
Tomorrow evening the team who worked so hard at our Thursday Lunches are having an evening out - at their own expense! Working together has been a good experience, strengthening friendship. Unity is so important in the Body of Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, bind us together in Your love.
Thursday 5th Lyall at Canisbay School Assembly
Thank You, Lord, for the opportunities which Lyall has in our
school. Bless all the staff and keep them strong and in good
health. Keep Your loving arms around the children and use every
good influence to help them grow up to be good and happy citizens.
Friday 6th
See, the Lord rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt before him. Isaiah 19.1 There is so much trouble in the ancient lands of the Bible! Almighty Father, You have Your purposes for Your people but warfare and hostility continue. Bring peace and a lasting resolution soon. And prompt me to continue to pray!
Saturday 7th
Coming Lord, as we continue to prepare for Christmas, we pray for our brothers and sisters who are in prison because of their faith - some for years on false charges. Comfort and strengthen them and prompt us to remember them and their families. We have it so easy!
Sunday 8th Second Sunday in Advent
www.buynothingchristmas is a Canadian Mennonite initiative spreading the word to stop glorifying material things. How appropriate but how different from our lives. What if we were to spend our resources in giving time and love instead of gifts? What if?!
Monday 9th
Thank You for the gift and privilege of prayer, Lord. It is impossible to know how many use this Prayer Diary because copies are available on line in addition to the twenty or so paper copies taken in church. Nor can we measure what we owe to the prayers of others - to you reading this just now. God hears and answers your prayers. Please keep going! Richly bless these friends, Lord!
Tuesday 10th House Group meeting at Auchengill
Last month bad weather forced us to cancel our meeting. We hope to focus our discussion on the Internet and some of its dangers, using material provided by the Church and Society Council. We are grateful for the bond of fellowship which we share, although we are always happy to welcome new members! Please remember and/or join us.
Wednesday 11th
As Christmas is nearly here, Merciful Lord, we remember the men and women of our Armed Forces serving in dangerous places, particularly in Afghanistan. Help each one of them to know the reality of Immanuel: God is with us where they are. Strengthen and use the chaplains. Comfort families at this time of separation. Hear our prayer, we beseech You.
Thursday 12th
Giving God, how generous and loving You are! Help me today,
wherever I am, to appreciate even one of Your blessings and to
thank You for it.
Friday 13th
Loving Father, as Christmas approaches, so many have sore hearts because they have been bereaved in recent months and this is the first Christmas without their loved one. Only You truly understand. May they know the comfort of being held in Your arms.
Saturday 14th
Tomorrow will be a busy day! Our Youth Group are to be taking
part in the Carol Service in the evening at John O‘Groats. For years this has been a popular event, bringing together families and friends of all ages. Join us at 6.00 pm. Or join us in spirit from your home or at an event in your own locality.
Sunday 15th Third Sunday in Advent, Carol Service at JOG
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth. Luke 1. 14 These words were spoken about John the Baptist who tends to be overlooked at this time. Thank You for John, Lord, and for the humble way in which he pointed to You!
Monday 16th
Merciful Father, hearing about the sudden death of a neighbour or friend prompts us to thank You for our health. Help us not to take it for granted, and to use our lives for Your service, even in the little things we do each day. And in Your loving mercy, comfort those who mourn.
Tuesday 17th Canisbay Guild pre-Christmas afternoon
This afternoon’s programme promises Festive Fellowship! We are grateful for the imaginative and generous organising of our gathering! Lord Jesus Christ, whose we are and Whom we serve, please bless us all and make this afternoon an oasis in the midst of these busy days.
Wednesday 18th
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephes. 4.3 If we are honest, Lord, we are not good at this! How this must hurt You. Prince of Peace, make us willing to be changed so that our relationship with others is pleasing to You.
Thursday 19th
Merciful Father, be specially near to those who are sad, anxious or lonely today - all the harder at this time of year when even the greeting ‘Happy Christmas‘ can sound hollow in another’s ears. Thank You that You know and love each of these dear people intimately. In Your own loving way, help each one to know that he or she is not forgotten.
Friday 20th Canisbay School Christmas Assembly
Coming Lord, the children will be excited and the adults tired and grateful! Please make this Assembly meaningful to every single person present. Some of us still have memories from our own childhood: do it again, Lord! The Youth Group have their Christmas Party this evening and will then be ‘off’ until the New Year. Bless them, Lord!
Saturday 21st
Tomorrow, Esme will conduct the services at Keiss and Canisbay while Lyall is at Dunnet for their Messy Church Christmas service. There will be excitement in the air at all three services! Lord Jesus Christ Who came at Christmas, be real to all who gather for worship, from the youngest to the oldest! And richly bless too those who worship in their own homes.
Sunday 22nd Fourth Sunday in Advent
Today the Church focuses on the Virgin Mary who in humble obedience said ‘Yes’ to God. Holy Spirit of God, as we sing our carols and listen to the Christmas story, search our hearts about our response when God comes looking for our obedience. So may we help Your Kingdom to come.
Monday 23rd
During this week many will travel homewards or set out on holiday. The weather may be poor; people are tired; concentration is low. Dear Lord, grant travelling mercies. May Your angels watch over our dear ones and over all who need Your protection at this time.
Tuesday 24th Christmas Eve
Coming Lord, it is always a joy to share fellowship with our friends in Keiss or Dunnet for the Annual Watch Night Services. Bless those who seldom come at any other time but wouldn‘t miss tonight. Inspire us all through the words of Scripture and of the carols and challenge us again to greet You joyfully. Be near to us, Lord Jesus.
Wednesday 25th Christmas Day, service in our Church Hall
Coming to our service as a church family with our presents to show and to share is a very precious part of this Day. Happy Birthday, Jesus! May You be remembered and enjoyed in every home today.
Thursday 26th
Boxing Day can be an anticlimax! Jesus, Immanuel - be real to me today and every day. Surprise me, Lord!
Friday 27th
Christmas and New Year offer many people a precious of holiday and therefore quality time to spend in families. God of the Family, bless families in a special way during these days. Where there are problems, give love and understanding as only You can do.
Saturday 28th
This afternoon the Friends of Achvarasdal will hold the annual Christmas Party for the residents. Merciful Lord, richly bless each person for whom this House is home. Give the staff extra strength at this busy time. Thank You for each of them!
Sunday 29th The last Sunday of 2013
This would be an excellent opportunity for the Church family to come together to look back on another year with God and to give Him heartfelt thanks. So often this service is poorly attended. If you have health and strength, please join us! Lord of the Church, prompt us - and comfort those who wish so much that they could be with us!
Monday 30th
Gracious Lord, thank You for Your presence with me through each day of this past year. Thank You for comfort and sustaining; for challenge and for lessons learned; for Your providing at exactly the right time!
Tuesday 31st
The one thing I do is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. Phil.3.13
God of the Years, help us to keep our eyes on You as we step forward with You into 2014.
