Prayer Diary May 2014
Thursday 1st Kirk Session and Board Meeting
Some of us have had a huge number of meetings to attend over recent weeks! We need to be fresh, enthusiastic - and present! Pray for wisdom and God-inspired imagination as we plan and discuss.
There will be some important decisions to be made. These are exciting times!
Friday 2nd Youth Group
Give thanks for the continued success of our Youth Group, meeting regularly with Lyall and Isabel during term time. As numbers of adults attending our services wane and sometimes discourage us, we are grateful for the enthusiasm of our young people. May we not take for granted the huge commitment involved in leadership.
Please pray on - for every Friday‘s meeting.
Saturday 3rd
When Jesus was crucified the world was plunged into darkness. But on Easter morning the light came on - for ever.*
Some weeks ago the lights in the whole of Highland Region went off for about three hours. It was dark!! Spiritual darkness is real and constantly around us, but the light of the Risen Christ shines eternally. We need to spread the Good News!
Sunday 4th The Third Sunday of Easter
Myrtle Gillies, our Interim Moderator, conducts the services at Keiss and Canisbay today while Lyall is at Olrig and Dunnet. Pray for all who attend; for Myrtle and Lyall and for those who are no longer able to come to church but who join us in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. May the Risen Christ be powerfully present!
Monday 5th
Jesus did so much in only three years of ministry! Help us, Lord, through Your Holy spirit, to continue Your work today.
Tuesday 6th Presbytery Meeting in Wick St Fergus
Lord of the Church, be in the midst as Presbytery meets this evening. May Your will be done as reports are received and decisions made. May each person present remember that this is Your Church and that we gather to serve.
Wednesday 7th
Tomorrow marks the first of our Lunches in 2014 and Jean and her team will be busy preparing for this. Friends have been asking us when we are resuming this popular social event. Give thanks, pray for all those involved and, if you can, come along and join us from noon onwards, bringing friends.
Thursday 8th Soup and Sweet Lunches start in Church Hall
This will be a busy day! While the Church Hall is (we trust) full of friends happily enjoying lunch, our Church will be visited by several coach loads of visitors off a Cruise Liner. Give thanks for Christine Shearer’s willingness to welcome these visitors and to act as their ‘tour guide’. This greatly enhances the whole experience.
Friday 9th Youth Group
Dear Lord, as senior pupils all over Scotland sit exams during these weeks, we pray specially for those of our own ommunity. Please reward conscientious work done over the years and grant success to each one. Help parents too as they cope with the stress of this time!
Saturday 10th Christian Aid Week begins tomorrow
Merciful God, many services tomorrow will focus on the work of Christian Aid and challenge Your people to do what we can to support this effective arm of Your Church worldwide. Make this week meaningful to us so that our prayerful support continues when the week ends.
Sunday 11th Baptism of Cara Sinclair (Auckengill)
Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism in Canisbay Church twice within three weeks is a rare joy! Give thanks for Cara and her family and pray for the rich blessing of God’s Holy Spirit to flow through Robert Nicol as he conducts the service and baptises Cara.
Monday 12th
“Jesus built us a bridge with two boards and three nails.”
This was ‘Thought for the Week’ in the church attended by Marjorie Paton, Guild National Convener, on Easter Sunday. It is well worth meditating on - right through this week! Thank You, Jesus.
Tuesday 13th
God of Creation, we thank You for long days, for the increasing warmth of the sun and for new life all around us. Be specially near to those in our community who cannot go out to enjoy the fresh air. Comfort each one and help them to know that they are not forgotten by us and by You.
Wednesday 14th
On alternate Thursdays, Lyall is usually at Canisbay School for whole school Assembly. Further south there has been opposition to these Christian events. May we not be complacent, but rather give thanks for this regular opportunity and pray for a continued blessing for pupils and staff - and for Lyall himself!
Thursday 15th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
Another busy Thursday! We are grateful for the success of last week’s lunches (written in faith on 24th April!) and look for even more to come. Meanwhile, Christine will be fully occupied in welcoming over 100 visitors off a National Trust Cruise Ship. Pray for God’s special blessing on all who spend time in our Church and Hall today.
Friday 16th Youth Group
Dear Lord, when it seems that no-one understands our need, remind us that You understand. You know us better than we know ourselves. Thank You that You have Your plan and purpose for us and that You will equip us for what You call us to. Help us too to know when to say ‘no’ to the call which is not from You!
Saturday 17th General Assembly opens
Pray for the Moderator, Council Conveners and all commissioners gathered for this hugely important event in the life of our National Church. May every decision made be in accordance with God’s will for the extension of His Kingdom in our land. Robert Nicol and Myrtle Gillies are commissioners this year. Pray that God will bless and use them as He blessed and used Lyall and Heather last year.
Sunday 18th The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens are a long way away, but the Heart and Soul Event taking place there this afternoon deserves our prayers. This is a wonderful opportunity in which all aspects of our Church, large and small, can be shown to thousands of Kirk folk and visitors. Pray that the sun will shine, but more, that the Son of God will be seen to be present and that He will be glorified.
Monday 19th
Don’t you know that God has more for you. If you trust him with your future, your best days are yet to come.*
Hallelujah!
Tuesday 20th
Although most of the older people in our community have family members nearby, they live busy lives and mother or father spends most of their waking hours on their own. Merciful Father, prompt those of us who may have some time to use it to visit or phone. You are able to multiply what we give to bless that lonely friend!
Wednesday 21st
Merciful Lord, it seems that every day we hear of another person diagnosed with a serious condition. Thank You that You love them and their dear ones and that You hold each one in Your loving arms. If You prompt me to pray, help me to be faithful.
Thursday 22nd Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
The fact that the European Elections take place today may be met by many in our church and community with indifference. But we are commanded clearly to pray for those in authority over us which involves taking a prayerful interest in politics. So let’s pray - and vote!
Friday 23rd
Thank You, Father, for another weekend! Bless families, helping them where possible to be able to spend quality time together. Where there is tension, give a spirit of patience and understanding so that problems can be sorted out before they grow too big!
Saturday 24th
Creating and nurturing a sense of unity in our Four Church Linkage is a challenge, and joint events play an important part in helping this along. Please pray that many will be planning to attend tomorrow evening’s Songs of Praise and that our time of worship and fellowship will be a blessing to all.
Sunday 25th Songs of Praise in Keiss Church
If you live locally we look forward to welcoming you this evening. Cynthia and local friends will lead our praise as we enjoy singing hymns to Scottish tunes.
Monday 26th
We pray, Lord, for those living with constant concerns for themselves or spouse or family member. Graciously hold these dear ones in Your arms and help them to trust You with all their cares.
Tuesday 27th
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 118.8
Someone has calculated that this verse is the central verse in the Bible. How apt! I need to remember it in my own daily life, and to act on it.
Wednesday 28th
God’s love for us is set in concrete. That’s the foundation you build your life on.*
Around Canisbay, so many new houses are springing up, hopefully on strong foundations. Thank God for the eternal reliability of His love for you and for those precious to you.
Thursday 29th Soup and Sweet Lunches; Ascension Day
Today we remember how Jesus left His disciples to return to God’s right hand, His own work completed.. As He left behind a group of followers to witness to Him all over the world, enable us, dear Lord, to be faithful in carrying out His commission.
Friday 30th Youth Group
Welcoming Lord, thank You for all who visit our church while it is open. As they enjoy and comment on the peace they find, may Your peace rest on them and may we never take this for granted.
Saturday 31st
Another month has come to its end and we look ahead to June with its long evenings and welcoming light when we wake. God has been good to us throughout May. Let’s give Him grateful thanks. As usual, there are some answers to our prayers for which we continue to wait but these are in His hands - His loving hands. Thank You, my Father.
The quotations marked * are taken from a collection used by Liz Buchan and friends at Easter Praise in Olrig Church on April 20th.
