Prayer Diary Feb 2013
Saturday 1st
Tomorrow is Candlemas - a Christian Feast we tend not to celebrate in the Church of Scotland. It is the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of Christ in the Temple. Jesus, Light of the World, we worship You. Help us to be a light where we are, burning bravely in the face of so much darkness in our community, our country and our world.
Sunday 2nd Candlemas
Those who attended worship on 19th January were amazed to hear Rev Robert Nicol speak of the findings of the last census collated by the Church under Statistics for Mission. Over 40% of our community reckon themselves as belonging to our church! It might be easy to ask: where are they on Sunday? God of the Church, work in their hearts, and in ours, so that a positive outcome follows!
Monday 3rd
The Christian Aid Committee meets in Thurso this evening. This committee has always been a wonderful example of Christian folk from all denominations working together. Like many other committees it is hard to attract new members. Please pray that God will move the hearts of those who could help to come forward, and continue to pray for the needy people of our world who benefit.
Tuesday 4th Presbytery meets in Wick St Fergus
Sometimes we think of Presbytery as being ponderous and negative- and that can be true, but we have benefited recently from its generosity. Risen Lord, we pray for the growth of the whole Church. May every decision made this evening be in Your will. Give Lyall, Ruth and Esme wisdom - and patience - as they play their part.
Wednesday 5th
It is good for me to draw near to God. Ps. 73.28
Lord God, help me consciously to take the time to be close to You and to put aside any worry or fear as I ask You, my Father and my Friend, to take these away and to give me Your peace.
Thursday 6th Canisbay School Assembly
As our Presbytery initiates a move to have chaplaincy re-established in Wick High School, we give thanks for good chaplains in our Primary Schools. Loving Lord, help us not to take this for granted. Continue to use Lyall and fill him with Your Spirit that what he shares with the children may work in their hearts throughout their lives. You can do it!
Friday 7th Youth Group
Ruth and Esme were delighted at a recent meeting of Presbytery’s Ministry and Mission Committee to hear the Moderator speak enthusiastically of the work which Lyall and Isabel are doing with our Youth Group! This is real evidence that prayer and commitment bear fruit. Please pray on - God is listening!
Saturday 8th
I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances Phil.4.11
The Apostle Paul was grateful for all the gifts which he was given, but he was not ultimately dependent on them. His dependence was on God. Oh to be able to say that truthfully as well!
Sunday 9th
Almighty Father, as we gather together for worship today, accept and inhabit our praise. Speak through the one who leads us in worship. Fill the service with Your Spirit, empowering us to live for You in the week ahead.
Monday 10th
I trust in Your unfailing love Psalm 13.5
Some of us are finding life difficult in the face of cold weather and continued long hours of darkness. Remember that our God is constant. Help me, Faithful God, to hold on to You at this time and to prove that You are indeed the One who will never let me down.
Tuesday 11th
We give thanks for an excellent service of linking held last month in Olrig Church. We are now four! We hope to hold a joint meeting of all our office bearers to discuss a number of important issues. Our Interim Moderator, Rev Alastair Gray, has this in hand and it could be taking place around now. Please pray that good relationships will be established. There are great opportunities ahead!
Wednesday 12th
We all know people whose lives have been changed for ever by some form of dementia. Pray today for those who are caring for a spouse or family member. All-knowing God, You understand. Hold them close and give, moment by moment, what they need.
Thursday 13th
All-knowing God, only You can see into the minds of Your dear ones who live with dementia. Hold them close and bring Your peace of mind and body. Break through the barriers of this terrible affliction with Your love which is both gentle and strong.
Friday 14th St Valentine’s Day, Schools Half Term Holiday
In the Church we talk a great deal about LOVE and some of us pride ourselves that we are good at showing love for those around us. It is challenging when we remember that the man whose Saint’s Day is celebrated today gave his life for his faith. How strong is my commitment? God of Love, keep reminding me that real love took Jesus to the Cross.
Saturday 15th
Lord God, during this holiday, enable families to spend quality time together. Where there are problems, grant healing and love. And as Sunday approaches, prompt some who have lost the habit of joining us for worship to resolve to be there. Bless them as they respond!
Sunday 16th
I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15.5
As we come to worship You today, Lord, or worship in our own homes, may Your Holy Spirit live within us so that what we do we do in Your strength and not in our own.
Monday 17th
Loving God, protect all who travel in bad weather and on difficult roads. Particularly look after those whose working hours mean that they drive when roads may be untreated. Give wisdom to those of us who are older as we consider whether we should venture out!
Tuesday 18th House Group, Church and Society Committee
It is a long time since we last met but we hope to make good progress from now on! We hope to focus our discussion on a chapter of a Book of the Bible - yet to be chosen. We are keen to think out of the box as we explore ways of attracting new members. Please pray for us. Being part of this group could be life-changing!
Wednesday 19th
Lord, teach me to silence my own heart that I may sense the depths which are of God. (Source unknown, 16th century) It is truly amazing that God delights to spend time with us! There is no need to be into any form of meditation, although this can be of great help to some. We may merely spend time quietly on our own with God, perhaps with a favourite Psalm or The Lord’s Prayer. If we listen, God will speak!
Thursday 20th Ministry and Mission Committee
Compassionate Lord, we pray today for all the people whom we know who are suffering from cancer. Thank You for increasing success in research although so much of the treatment has unpleasant side effects. Comfort them and hear our prayers for them.
Friday 21st
Loving Father, thank You for each member of our Youth Group. School holidays intervene and then so often bugs and poor weather can interrupt plans but the young folk are always keen to meet with Lyall and Isabel to share in fun and activity. Give them a specially good time if they meet this evening!
Saturday 22nd Thinking Day
Almighty God, today, members of the worldwide Guide and Scout Movement will take time to remember one another. Richly bless each member and all whose dedication enables units to thrive. Many of us give thanks for what we learned in our earlier days as we strove to keep our Promise. Children in our community would benefit so much from this opportunity but where are the leaders?!
Sunday 23rd
Some time ago, Rev Gordon Oliver spoke of the need to ‘have charity in our listening’. God of Love, give us that love as we listen to those who conduct worship and as we listen to one another. The lack of this love damages relationships.
Monday 24th Pupils back to school
Compassionate God, many of Your people suffer persecution today for their faith. Women are widowed and children are left fatherless. How deeply do I care? Stir my heart so that at the very least I pray regularly for these brothers and sisters. We have it so easy - but this may not last!
Tuesday 25th Canisbay Guild
We are grateful for another successful Pot Luck Supper last month where we enjoyed rich fellowship as well as good food. Tonight we shall have food for thought as we discuss this year’s Guild Topic: Let’s talk about … finding the right way. Obviously this is relevant to all of us and Guild Office have supplied us with lots of material to use. A good evening is guaranteed!
Wednesday 26th
The days are longer and the sun is stronger. Thank You, Creator God for signs of Spring and the promise of new life to come. But Winter is not yet over so help us to persevere. Comfort those people who find it particularly hard to cope with adverse weather.
Thursday 27th Kirk Session and Board Meeting
Another meeting! This evening the Board will receive the Accounts and prepare for our Annual Stated Meeting to take place next month. We are a relatively small group charged with great responsibility. Gracious God, give us the wisdom we need to see Your way ahead and to walk in it.
Friday 28th
February may have been a short month, but a great deal has happened in it! Give God thanks for the month that you leave behind. How good it is to be assured that whatever March will bring, God already knows, and He will give us all that we need. We can wipe the slate clean - He has already done that. Let’s go ahead with Him!
Thank you for your prayers. As always, I’m glad to receive feedback: in fact, it reassures me of the value of producing this each month. Please let me know of any specific prayer requests and of answers receive (Tel: 611455 or e-mail esmeduncan@btinternet.com).
Hopefully this Prayer Diary will help others to praise God with you – right through this year!
With gratitude for your fellowship in prayer,
Esme
