Prayer Diary April 2014
Tuesday 1st
It always seems impossible until it is done. (Nelson Mandela).
So often we seem powerless to achieve what we want. God of the impossible, give us patience and determination to keep up our efforts so that change comes in ourselves and in our church and community and Your Kingdom is established.
Wednesday 2nd
Creator God, thank You for all the signs of new life which we see around us and which lift our hearts. Winter has been much less challenging for us than for people who live further south. Comfort and encourage those who have struggled with intense conditions. Be near to them even as we think of them and pray for them.
Thursday 3rd
Please pray for Lyall as he leads the Easter Assembly in our Primary School before the holidays begin. Ask God to prepare the hearts and minds of all who will attend and to help even the youngest to understand. May what is said and sung have a real impact. Some of us still remember teaching from our own school days. Do it again, Lord!
Friday 4th Youth Group, Schools close for the Easter Holiday
Thank You, Lord, for times of rest and refreshment. The school staff will welcome this break – bless them richly. Keep the children safe during these days and, if possible grant good weather so that they can be out of doors.
Saturday 5th
We were grateful for a relatively good turn out for our Annual Stated meeting last month and for helpful discussion about ways to increase the impact we make in our parish. We love our church and long to attract others. Lord of the Church, show us how to do this!
Sunday 6th 5th Sunday in Lent, Passion Sunday
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53.5
Traditionally on this Sunday in the Christian Year, the Church focuses on the suffering of Jesus. Help me, Lord, in no way to belittle this because it is all so familiar. Thank You that You bore it for me.
Monday 7th
It is difficult to wait for the results of tests or for a hospital appointment. Merciful Father, be near to the dear folk who are watching the days pass. Keep us faithful in supporting them.
Tuesday 8th
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. (Nelson Mandela)
Different things make us afraid, but we have the same Lord Who enables us to face our fear and Who stands by our side until the victory is ours. Thank You, Jesus!
Wednesday 9th
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt. 6.33
‘All these things’ - that we are concerned about. So is this the secret path to happiness? Very many have found that it is. Surely it is worth trying!
Thursday 10th
This evening Esme meets with the Friends of Achvarasdal to make plans for the Summer Fete to be held on 21st June. Give thanks for those faithful people who work hard to support the Church’s home at Reay. Pray today for the staff and those mostly elderly people for whom Achvarasdal House is home.
Friday 11th
We have different gifts … Rom.12.6
Gracious Lord, thank You that our gifts are freely given to us from Your hand. Help us to use them wisely. And help us to beware of criticising the gifts that others have: that is between them and You!
Saturday 12th
In our parish and in other rural parishes many of Your people are fully involved in lambing and calving which makes it impossible for them to join us in our service tomorrow. Lord of the Church, You are also our Good Shepherd. Grant them a rich portion of Your blessing.
Sunday 13th Palm Sunday, Services resume in the sanctuary
‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ John 12.13
Many of us look forward to this special Sunday when we welcome Jesus with the Palm Sunday hymns, appropriate only on this day. We look forward too to worshipping together in our beloved church. Join us if you can, or join us in spirit! Blessing is assured!
Monday 14th
Increasing age can bring weakness in its different forms so that people are no longer able to cope with the demands of day to day living. Pray for those whom you know who are being forced to face change just now. God understands when no-one else seems to!
Tuesday 15th
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. (Nelson Mandela) God gives us opportunities to communicate with others. The question is: how do we use these opportunities?
Wednesday 16th
‘Peace is joy resting; joy is peace dancing.’ FB Meyer 1842-1929
The Easter message assures us that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we are at peace with God. Make that peace real to us, dear Lord, even as we thank You for it. Fill our hearts with joy!
Thursday 17th Maundy Communion in Dunnet Church
In past years a small number of us from the Central Grouping of Churches have gathered for a simple Communion Service at Dunnet. Thank You, Lord, for this special opportunity to remember Your Body broken for us and Your Blood shed for us. By Your Spirit prompt others to join us or to share in similar services today.
Friday 18th Good Friday Service in Canisbay Church
Help me to understand it; help me to take it in: What it meant for You, the Holy One, to take away my sin.
My thanks are so inadequate, but I thank You, Jesus.
Saturday 19th
All-seeing God, show me who needs my prayers today. Prompt my mind and my imagination. And then help me to be pro-active. Perhaps I can encourage that person with a phone call, a visit, a letter or an electronic contact. I know I won’t regret making this effort and it is possible that my friend might be hugely blessed.
Sunday 20th Easter Sunday, Baptism, Messy Church
“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” Mark 16.6
Traditionally, the Sacrament of Baptism was often celebrated on Easter Sunday so it is a real cause for joy that Ewan Fraser Cormack is to be baptised in Canisbay Church today. Hopefully this will be followed by Messy Church for the children and their families. Join us if you can: we’ll cater for adults too!
Monday 21st Easter Praise in Olrig Church
This annual celebration held on Easter Monday evening by congregations of all denominations in the west of the county is a special way of bringing the Easter weekend to a close. A blessing is guaranteed to all who come along. Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!
Tuesday 22nd Joint Meeting of Office Bearers of our 4 Parishes
We long to see a real coming together of our congregations and there will be important things to discuss this evening. Pray for Myrtle, our Interim Moderator and for Lyall and Robert Nicol who each carry particular responsibilities. Ask God to give us wisdom and discernment to see His will for us.
Wednesday 23rd
The children and staff are back at school after their Easter holidays. For those in Primary 7 there is the anticipation of moving up to High School after the summer. Remember these older pupils, giving thanks for them and for the influence many of them have on the younger children. Pray that this will be a specially good term for them.
Thursday 24th Ministry & Mission Committee in Wick St Fergus
Two months have passed since this important committee met. Pray that as Ruth and Esme attend on behalf of our church we might make a useful contribution. And please pray too for the House Group meeting tomorrow afternoon in Dunnet. We hope to study a chapter of 2nd Timothy but sometimes we go off track!
Friday 25th House Group; Youth Group
As our Youth Group meets again this evening with Lyall and Isabel after the holiday, continue to give thanks for these young people. Pray that this term might be a particular time of blessing; that every opportunity will be seized. It would be good to have additional adult help… Perhaps you might be an answer to your prayer - even occasionally?
Saturday 26th
There is no passion found in playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. (Nelson Mandela)
As a congregation we are in challenging times within our new linkage and changes lie ahead. How each of us reacts matters greatly. Increase our vision, Living Lord. Work in and through me!
Sunday 27th
We continue to rejoice with Jesus’ disciples in His Resurrection. Ask God to open our eyes and our hearts so that we may understand all the more clearly what we read in the Scriptures and hear in our church service or on radio and TV. So may we believe all the more in His promise of everlasting life!
Monday 28th
Dear Risen Lord, may the joy of Easter remain real with us in the weeks ahead. Thank You for all that You went through for us. Help us never to take this for granted but rather to determine anew to follow You more closely.
Tuesday 29th Canisbay Guild AGM
We have enjoyed an excellent year in our Guild, sharing rich fellowship and having fun. We are grateful for all the preparation behind each meeting. This evening we will make plans for the new session. Numbers grow smaller as the years pass but the spirit of friendship is strong.
Wednesday 30th
Today the month comes to a close and tomorrow evening our Kirk Session and Board meet, reminding us that we never really stop! Please pray for all our office bearers asking God’s Holy Spirit to give use wisdom, discernment and commitment so that all that takes place may be for the growth of the Kingdom of God in our parish.
(The quotations from Nelson Mandela were taken from Crossreach Prayer Letter Spring 2014 and used with thanks)
