Prayer Diary June 2014
Sunday 1st The Sunday following Ascension Day
June will be a busy month in our church with many varied opportunities for service. We remember how Jesus ascended to His Father’s side, His work on earth accomplished and leaving His followers to carry it forward. That is our responsibility and privilege in 2014. Please pray for Lyall as he conducts our service today and for Esme in the Hospital Chapel.
Monday 2nd
As another new month has begun, another new week lies ahead. God has gone into it before us and if we walk it with Him at His pace and in His strength all will be well. Believe it!
Tuesday 3rd
With God a delay is not a denial. Remember how far you have come, not just how far you have to go. You may not be where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. * This will apply differently for each of us, but we are all in the hands of our One God.
Wednesday 4th
Remember those who have received bad news recently and pray for God’s comfort and upholding. Let’s be prepared for God to use us as at least some part of His answer to our prayer!
Thursday 5th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
This evening offers a second opportunity for lay people interested in receiving training in taking part in the leading of worship. Some people from a few congregations have expressed interest. In the past we had a worship team in Canisbay Church and we believe that it was used in God’s purposes. Ask God to guide us and to show us His will for the future.
Friday 6th
The Apostle James reminds us to tame our tongues and the Psalmist prayed that God would guard his lips. Do that for me, Lord. Keep me from indulging in gossip and help all my words to be pleasing to You - every day!
Saturday 7th Canisbay Show
Prayer is such a valuable privilege - and a necessity if anything worthwhile is to happen within our church. Of course, Jesus is with us as we pray on our own but where husband and wife or two or three friends pray together regularly, He meets with us as He promised, and grants a special blessing.
Sunday 8th Pentecost: The Birthday of the Church
As God’s people gather all over the world to celebrate this Festival, may the Holy Spirit come again with power!
Lyall and Isabel are beginning two weeks well deserved holiday around now. Ask God to bless and refresh them.
Monday 9th
We are God’s representatives on earth. Yet, if we are honest, there are times when we have put people off because of our inconsistency, insensitivity or lack of love. Ask God for another chance and for His grace to be more effective.
Tuesday 10th Presbytery meets in Wick St Fergus
This evening Rev John Nugent will be installed as Moderator of Caithness Presbytery. Give thanks for Alan Sinclair’s very effective year in this role and uphold John Nugent in prayer as the year lies ahead.
Wednesday 11th
Happiness is not about getting what you want; it’s about enjoying what you’ve got. So keep your perspective and be grateful every day.*
When our lives are truly in the hands of God, we are able to do this.
Thursday 12th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
Welcoming God, so many people have enjoyed good food, fellowship and fun at our Thursday Lunches. We are grateful to those who, week by week, work so hard to provide and serve these. You are no person’s debtor: continue to grant Your blessing to them. The summer lies ahead with its challenges and opportunities. Keep us going!
Friday 13th
To the chanting mob the dying Christ said, ’Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ Even in His suffering He still reached out to cover the sins of His accusers. What selfless love! * Thank You, Jesus!
Saturday 14th
Remember Leonie Knight and Ian Ham as they make their marriage vows before God and the congregation in our church today. Ask God to bless each part of the service and make it all special.
Sunday 15th Communion in Keiss and Canisbay
With Lyall and Isabel away on holiday we welcome Robert to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, with Christine and Ruth as serving elders. Pray for God’s blessing on all who will gather and also remember in your prayers the services in Olrig and Dunnet which Esme will conduct.
Monday 16th
As another working week starts for so many, we thank You, Lord, for all who serve us within our community. Help us sincerely to show our appreciation to encourage them in their work. ‘Thank you’ is such a little phrase, but it can mean so much, and failing to say it can leave people disappointed and frustrated. Prompt us!
Tuesday 17th
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Ps. 90.12
Tragically last month one of the Western Isles commissioners to the General Assembly died in a road accident within an hour of leaving Monday afternoon’s gathering. This was a sobering reminder of the need to heed the advice of the Psalmist!
Wednesday 18th Guild Summer Rally in Olrig Church
Traditionally Caithness Presbyterial Council holds its Summer Rally In one of the rural churches and it is Olrig’s turn to be host. A lovely evening would be special blessing but rich fellowship is assured.
Remember Rev David Malcolm of St Peter’s and St Andrew’s who is our speaker.
Thursday 19th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
Probably Lyall will be in our school today leading his regular Religious Observance Assembly. Give God thanks for all these opportunities through the school year and pray that the seeds sown will bear fruit in young lives.
Friday 20th
In today’s culture the temptation to push ourselves forward is very real but as God’s people we are not meant to be like that. Show us how to be humble, Servant Lord. Prompt us to do things for You and not for our own glorification.
Saturday 21st Communion at Dwarwick Pier, Nitekirk at Dunnet
Marking the longest day, our outdoor Communion Service followed by Nitekirk in Dunnet Church have become popular joint events. Give thanks for this special opportunity to share fellowship and for those who give time and energy in the planning and preparation.
Sunday 22nd
Today Lyall conducts the services at Keiss and Canisbay while Isabel is at Dunnet. We trust that they are both refreshed following their holiday. Lord of the Church, fill preachers and people with Your Spirit and grant them rich blessing.
Monday 23rd
Tomorrow evening our Kirk Session and Board meet before the summer break. We have much to give God thanks for: pray that He will indeed have the glory. Changes lie ahead and we need wisdom to discern God’s clear leading.
Tuesday 24th Kirk Session and Board Meeting
Summer holidays are fast approaching! We give God thanks for another good session and for all the hard work done in our school. Loving Father, please grant Your special blessing to those who will leave Primary 7. May every good influence and lesson learned remain with them. Thank You for these young people.
Wednesday 25th
Merciful Lord, so often we fail to follow Your way. Please forgive us for all that we do that is not within Your will. We need Your Spirit to prompt us, pointing out when we are getting it wrong again. Thank You that Jesus died to open the way for each of us to be right with You.
Thursday 26th Church Hall open for soup and sweet lunches
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. Ps.133.1
Unity is such an important quality and we can never take it for granted, particularly in the Church. We need to work at it.
Friday 27th
What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6.8*
If we were to do this consistently, others would see God in us and respond. It is that straightforward!
Saturday 28th Ceilidh in Canisbay Village Hall
Tomorrow afternoon Lyall will conduct a short service in Pulteney House. Give thanks for these occasional opportunities here and in the Hospital Chapel. Some of God’s people greatly value these times of worship, looking back with longing to regular services in their home churches. Remember them in prayer.
Sunday 29th
Jesus, Lord of Your Church, be present in every gathering of Your people for worship today. Fill Lyall and Robert with Your Spirit as they conduct the services in Keiss and Dunnet, and Olrig and Canisbay respectively. Prompt Your people to attend and bless each of us richly.
Monday 30th
Taking a new step is what we fear most, yet our real fear should be standing still. Step forward into growth and development.*
This is a good word for the second half of 2014 which begins tomorrow. Let’s go with God!
The quotations marked * are taken from a collection used by Liz Buchan and friends at Easter Praise in Olrig Church in April 2014.
