Prayer Diary July - Aug 2014
1st
Be still and know that I am God; Be still and know that I am …;
Be still and know…; Be still…..
Recite these words of Psalm 46 verse 10 today and often during these summer months. And drink in God’s rich blessing.
2nd
Myrtle Gillies, our Interim Moderator, returns from a short holiday on Colonsay on 2nd July. Pray for her, and continue to pray. She carries a huge responsibility for our four congregations apart from her other Presbytery commitments.
Remember Lyall in his preparation for the ‘Royal Service’
3rd Aug. Services: Lyall at K & Cb; Robert at Og & Dt.
HRH The Duke of Rothesay thoroughly appreciates the opportunity to worship with us in Canisbay Church. Pray that all will be blessed.
4th
On 6th and 13th July there is the opportunity to enjoy Canisbay’s Open Gardens Afternoons. If you are within reach, don’t miss this. Look out for posters and check the website for details and rejoice in the beauty of God’s world- and the hard work and talents of His servants!
5th When you’re tempted to lose patience with another, think how patient God has been with you.
George Douglas quoted this in the recent Dunnet Kirk Newsletter. Lord, I am so often impatient or critical. Forgive me and help me to remember Your endless patience towards me.
6th July Services: Lyall at K & Cb; Robert at Og & Dt
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet thy tribute bring.
H.F.Lyte wrote these words in the 19th Century but they remain loved - and relevant. Sing the hymn and make your offering.
7th Aug. Lunches in Canisbay Church Hall
Jesus, thank You for dying on the Cross for us so that we may come close to God. We cannot understand so much overwhelming love that can heal differences between communities and countries.
Help me to take it in!
8th July Keiss Guild
Keiss Guild meet during the summer months when travelling is easy and, for some, there are fewer distractions. Give thanks for the blessing which the Guild offers - rich fellowship, fun and the opportunity to use our gifts in the service of others.
9th
As the children and school staff enjoy these weeks of holiday - so greatly deserved by the adults, we pray for good weather, for safety in activities and for effective refreshment whether the time is spent here in Caithness or away from home.
10th July Lunches in Canisbay Church Hall
Aug. Services: Myrtle at K & Cb; Esme at Og and Dt
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for my friends who pray faithfully For me. Bless them richly and encourage them day by day. If I need it, remind me to share with them how their prayers have been answered!
11th
Gracious Lord, we pray that You will protect all those living on the edge of our society - uncared for, malnourished or misunderstood. Show us ways in which we can reach out and make a difference in their lives. Sometimes we talk glibly about ‘reaching out to those in our community’. Prompt us to mean our prayer and to act appropriately!
12th Aug. Keiss Guild
It has been suggested that a meeting be held during the summer with representatives of our four congregations to discuss with Lyall and Myrtle plans for resourcing the linkage. Ask God to make His will clear to those who gather so that decisions made will be the right ones for the up building of His Kingdom in this part of Caithness.
13th July Services: Robert at K & Cb; Lyall at Og & Dt
Merciful Father, there are so many in our congregations and communities in need of our prayers: those who are unwell, receiving treatment, mourning the loss of a loved one or anticipating such a loss, lonely, anxious…. You know each one and hold them in Your hands. Keep us faithful in prayer and show us how to help.
14th Aug. Lunches in Canisbay Church Hall
We give thanks, Lord, for the work of all those who organise Galas, Highland Games and other community activities. Thank You for their dedication in giving so freely of their time.
You are no-one’s debtor, Lord. Give success in every aspect of each event - and good weather!
15th
Remember those known to us who suffer from dementia - such a distressing condition. Strengthen those who love them and seek to care for them. Assure them that You love them and understand.
16th
Forgive us, Merciful Father, for the times when we have spoken out when we should have remained silent, and also for the times when we have remained silent but should have spoken. May we be lights shining in this dark world and ambassadors for Christ in everything we do.
17thJuly Lunches in Canisbay Church hall
Aug. Services: Esme at K & Cb; Robert at Og; Lyall at Dt
Living Lord, we thank You for the encouragement we receive from the visitors who happily attend our services or share in events which are organised during the holiday season. Thank You for fellowship shared and for their prayers for us when they return to their home churches. Bless richly these brothers and sisters in the huge Christian family.
18th
‘Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!’ These words were spoken to Jesus in His days on earth. They are true for each of us too. Living Lord, strengthen and help us to trust You more and more each day as we bring our deep needs to You.
19th Aug. Joint Meeting of Office Bearers in Olrig
On Saturday 19th July Kevin Mackay and Nicola Coghill are to make their marriage vows in Canisbay Church. Pray for them and for all who will gather for this happy occasion, and for Robert and Lyall as they share as celebrants.
20th July Services: Myrtle at K & Cb; Robert at Og;Lyall at Dt
Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church worldwide, today we remember all who worship in places where there is persecution; where pastors live in fear of arrest; where sharing the Gospel is forbidden. Keep us faithful in praying for these sisters and brothers, and help us never to take the freedom we have for granted.
21st Aug. Lunches in Canisbay Church Hall
Also on this August Thursday the Ministry and Mission Committee meets in Wick. Pray for Heather Stewart as she convenes this committee. Important business which concerns Lyall and our congregations is on the agenda. We need God’s wisdom!
22nd
Wonderful, life giving Saviour - You have created a world finely balanced between different species. Please, open our eyes and make us more aware of how we live and the effect that we have on our planet. Forgive our complacency, our selfishness, our ignorance. Change us, Lord; change me.
23rd July Opening Ceremony of Commonwealth Games
Many of us will enjoy the coverage of the Games on our TV screens, and some may even travel to enjoy the live event! Remember in your prayers ‘More Than Gold’, the Christian Outreach to competitors and visitors. Pray that very many lives will be changed.
24th July Lunches in Canisbay Church Hall
Aug. Services: Lyall at K & Cb; Robert at Og & Dt
Duncan and Campbell Gray, twin sons of Alastair and Fiona Gray, are being baptised in Bower Church (24th Aug.) Pray that God’s Holy Spirit may be present in this service, setting His seal on these little boys and on this family.
25th
This date in August sees schools settled into the new term. As we pray for the teachers who bear such responsibility, we also remember the adults without whom schools could not function. Lord, thank You for cooks, secretaries, classroom assistants and all others who play their vital part. Richly bless all who work in school!
26th
Gracious Lord, we ask Your blessing on all those taking a holiday in our parishes of Canisbay, Dunnet, Keiss and Olrig. We pray that they will travel safely and find You in us when we meet them.
27th July Services: Lyall at K & Cb; Robert at Og & Dt
We are not always aware of how much we hurt each other. We say and do things without thinking. Lord, teach us to think; to forgive others and, perhaps more difficult, to accept Your forgiveness. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matt.6.14
28th Aug. Lunches in Canisbay Church Hall
Give thanks for the work that Robert Nicol has done since he was ordained as OLM last September. He has had particular responsibility in Castletown, but he is becoming known and appreciated within our other congregations. Ask God to continue to bless him and his wife Lorna over these summer months.
29th
Through prayer you can live in continuous contact with God. Be encouraged: you will always have someone on your side.
This is a very powerful thought: that the One who created the Universe is with us! But it isn’t automatic. He expects us to lay our part. So, PRAY!
30th Aug. Marymas Fair, Dunnet
God’s promises are like stars: the darker the night, the brighter they shine. (quoted in the Crossreach Prayer Letter)
31st July Lunches in Canisbay Church Hall
Aug. Services: Esme at K & Cb; Lyall at Og & Dt
And so the summer months come to a close and the work of the autumn lies ahead: some of it has already begun as August ends.
Lord Jesus, Head of the Church, we thank You that You know what lies ahead and that You will equip us in every way. Help us to walk with You, trusting You for it all.
May God bless you throughout these summer months!
