Prayer Diary October 2014
Wednesday 1st
The beginning of another month! Whatever I do today, Lord, remind me to be grateful to You. I owe my health and strength, my possessions, my very life to You! How faithful You are!
Thursday 2nd Dunnet - Northern Loops
This afternoon we start knitting again for our shawl ministry, for Blythswood and any other need. We are grateful for donations of wool, patterns and needles and for happy fellowship. You created every part of me, knitting me in my mother’s womb. For such handiwork I praise you. Ps.119.13-14
Friday 3rd
I will listen to what God the Lord will say. (Psalm 85.8)
All Knowing God, make this true of me and help me to obey!
Saturday 4th Messy Church, Dunnet
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children (Proverbs 17.5)
Caring Lord, bless all parents and grandparents. Give them wisdom to guide Your children, to love and to work for the good of others. Grant them patience and understanding to cope with the testing behaviour of today’s young: may parents know Your presence!
Sunday 5th Psalm 19; Matt.21. 33-46
Olrig & Dunnet - Robert; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Loving Lord, bless our friends and family members living far away, now rarely seen. At this time we welcome Rev Ivan Warwick, former Community Minister in Caithness and his wife Jocelyn, travelling to join us for Lyall’s Ordination. Bless too Duncan and Isabel coming north to be with their parents, justly proud of Lyall. May tomorrow’s service be a particularly happy occasion.
Monday 6th Ordination of Lyall as Ordained Local Minister
Eternal God, we pray for Lyall as he is ordained tonight in Dunnet Church. Grant him wisdom and grace to minister to the people of our four congregations. Be with him as he celebrates the sacraments and encourage him in times of difficulty to persevere with humility. Grant to both Lyall and Isabel peace and happiness in this new stage of their service; may our congregations grow under their care.
Tuesday 7th Joint Coffee Morning in Castletown
As God’s people we are always stronger together. Give thanks for this initiative shared with Olrig Free Church and held in the Drill hall. Over the years a considerable amount has been raised for Charity. May God grant a happy time of fellowship and generous giving.
Wednesday 8th
Olrig Guild usually meet on the second Wednesday of the month.Ask God to bless this small but faithful group and give them great joy in participating in this session’s programme.
Thursday 9th Dunnet Guild resume
Give thanks for the impact of the teams on the Challenger Bus which spent two and a half weeks in Caithness last month. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience, both in school and in the informal sessions in evenings. Pray that seeds sown will bear fruit and that regular after school clubs, particularly in Castletown, may benefit.
Friday 10th Schools close for the October 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 11th
Myrtle, our Interim Moderator, will be well through her month’s holiday in New Zealand. Loving Lord, give her the good health and strength she will need. May all her plans work out well and bring her home safely to continue the effective work she is doing for us.
Sunday 12th Psalm 23; Matt. 22. 1 - 14
Olrig & Dunnet - Esme; Keiss & Canisbay - Robert God our Saviour, help us to expect to hear You speaking as we gather to worship You today. Some will be genuinely unable to attend a service today. Lord, You know us and You know our hearts. Help us to draw near to You and to hear You speak.
Monday 13th
For some years a small group have met as a House Group and we have greatly valued fellowship but we have not resumed since the summer. Some will be missing this opportunity; some are just too busy with many other things. God, grant us clear wisdom to discern Your will for us and for others who might join us!
Tuesday 14th
By now the Canisbay Board should have the result of our Autumn Appeal. We trust that all living in our community will have found our Newsletter interesting - and challenging. Statistics gathered from the last census indicate that over 50% of our community claim a connection with our church. Living Lord, enable us to know how to follow this up. Generous God, provide for our urgent needs!
Wednesday 15th
When You lived on earth, Lord Jesus, You healed the sick. We pray for people in our communities who have been diagnosed with cancer or a life-limiting condition. Thank You that You use medical research to bring healing today. Please make treatment effective for our friends and use our prayers for them as well.
Thursday 16th
As part of her pastoral concern as an OLM Esme is preparing a liturgy to use in bringing Home Communion to those in our congregations who desire this. Please pray for Christ-centred preparation and for God’s blessing on those who will receive.
Friday 17th
A word for Lyall and for all those called by God to exercise ministry:
David also said to Solomon his son: ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD GOD, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.
(1 Chronicles 28.20)
Saturday 18th
Heavenly Father, help me to be a friend today to someone who needs to have their burden shared, and bless both of us!
Sunday 19th Psalm 99; Matt. 22. 15 - 22
Olrig & Dunnet - Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay - Esme
Dunnet hold their Harvest Thanksgiving Service today. As we give God thanks for His faithful provision for us, it is good to have the opportunity to bring our contributions for the Thurso Food Bank. Lord of the Harvest, You care for those who struggle to feed their families. Give us caring hearts too.
Monday 20th
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. (Psalm 119.28) When I cry out in honest despair, the Scriptures comfort me. Merciful Father, make this real in my experience.
Tuesday 21st
When there seems to be no space, Lord, help me always to make space for You!
Wednesday 22nd
When we are young, we spend our time wanting to be old. When we become older, we regret all we have lost. Show us the way, Lord, to age with grace. Grant us health and clarity of mind. Give us the power of optimism and interest to stop us becoming set in our ways. Teach us to use our experiences wisely, to listen with compassion and to trust that Your love will always be our support.
Thursday 23rd Ministry and Mission Committee in Wick
Pray for this Committee, now convened by Heather Stewart, as it meets this evening. Ruth and Esme are members of it and try to represent the interests of our congregations as well as to support the initiatives for outreach in our presbytery. Pray for wisdom!
Friday 24th
Lyall and Isabel hope to restart Canisbay Youth Group after the October holidays. This group has flourished, very popular amongst its young members. But wide a wide age range, it is vital to recruit additional leadership. Loving Lord, speak to the hearts and minds of those who could help and prompt them to volunteer!
Saturday 25th
This evening the Keiss community hold Strictly Come Dancing in the Hall to raise money for their Christmas lights. This was a very happy and successful event last year and no doubt some of our congregation will support it. Give thanks for the opportunity for God’s people to show genuine friendship and to witness effectively by our lives.
Sunday 26th Psalm 90. 1 - 6, 13 - 17; Matt. 22. 34 - 46
Olrig & Dunnet - Esme; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Lyall conducts Harvest Thanksgiving today. For prayer ideas, see last Sunday. Ask God to pour out His blessing on each one who gathers, that there may be a very real sense of worship. God is utterly faithful. Glory be to Him!
Monday 27th Schools return
A thought shared by George Douglas:
When you’re tempted to lose patience with another, think how patient God has been with you, with me, with everyone. Lord, may the Spirit’s fruit of patience remain fresh, sweet and unblemished in my life!
Tuesday 28th Canisbay Guild
Following our successful opening gathering in Seaview Hotel with baked potatoes and sorting out our response for the Backpack Project, we resume our monthly meetings in the Church Hall. This promises to be a very special evening, hearing from Christine about the Canisbay Dancers’ trip to Arnheim last month.
Wednesday 29th Keiss Board
The Keiss office bearers meet monthly with Lyall to make plans and to review the outreach of their congregation. Give thanks for the strong fellowship within this group. Pray for clear vision and a continued desire to see God at work in this church and community.
Thursday 30th
Following the school holidays, Lyall will be anticipating his Primary School Assemblies held fortnightly: Keiss on Wednesday morning and Crossroads on Wednesday afternoon and Canisbay on Thursday morning. Give thanks for the continued open door. In other places doors are closing: we can’t - and must not - take this for granted!
Friday 31st
Heavenly Father, we think of those who are one with us in faith but who are far from us today. Thank You for Your promise never to leave us. Continue through Your Holy Spirit to presence Yourself with these dear friends. Bless them and keep them; make Your face shine on them and give them Your peace. We ask in Jesus’ name. (Written by a New Zealander homesick for Caithness, slightly altered.)
