Prayer Diary October 2014
Saturday 1st All Saints’ Day Messy Church at Dunnet
Heavenly Father, we pray for our young children who create pictures, models and cards illustrating Your Word. We are grateful that, by taking an adult along, they become young disciples. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matt.9.14 NIV
Sunday 2nd Psalm 107.1-7,33-37; Matthew 23.1-12
Olrig & Dunnet - Robert; Keiss & Canisbay - Myrtle
On this Crossreach and Social Care Sunday we pray for congregations reflecting on what they are doing in their community.We give thanks for Crossreach staff and volunteers across Scotland whose inestimable work helps some of the most vulnerable to have the highest possible quality of life.
Monday 3rd
The Thurso High School chaplains, including Robert and Heather, begin their visits to classes today. Gracious God, we pray that through their words and discussions about some of the big issues in life, the chaplains will begin to gain the trust and respect of the pupils. Thank You for this opportunity.
Tuesday 4th Presbytery meets in Wick St Fergus
Tonight, Presbytery will discuss the Barrier Act overture. Loving Father, be with all Presbyters as they debate and make decisions on behalf of the Church. Guide them in their thoughts and help them to be attentive to, and respectful of, the views of their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Wednesday 5th Annual review of OLM’s
Living Lord, as the review panel comprising Myrtle, Sheila Cormack and Mary Stobo (Sutherland Presbytery) meet with Esme, Heather and Robert, give wisdom as each one involved seeks Your will for the year ahead.
Thursday 6th Canisbay School Assembly Dunnet Guild
Dunnet Northern Loops meets this afternoon, busily ensuring enough to fill Blythswood Gift Boxes, back packs for the Guild and shawls for those who need them. Bless our fingers and keep arthritis away!
When you help someone out, don‘t think about how it looks. Just do it, quietly and unobtrusively. That is how your God, who conceived you in love , working behind the scenes, helps you out. Matt..6.4 TM
Friday 7th
Lyall is grateful for the service on 6th October at which he was ordained OLM; for those who took part and all those who came to share fellowship. Gracious Lord, bless him richly in these initial weeks of adjusting to changes in his ministry among us. Give him divine wisdom in setting priorities - and help us to understand!
Saturday 8th
Tomorrow and on 11th November we shall remember the fallen in the World Wars. Give thanks too for the million British horses involved in war, carrying soldiers into battle and the wounded to safety.
Sunday 9th Remembrance Sunday
Psalm 78.1-7; Matthew 25.1-13
Olrig & Dunnet - Robert; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Pray that families who have lost loved ones during the First and Second World Wars and since will find solidarity and peace as the nation remembers all those who have lost their lives in conflict for our Freedom. (George Douglas, Dunnet)
Monday 10th
Lord of the Church, as we anticipate tomorrow’s Joint Meeting we give thanks for the skills of treasurers, minute takers and chair people as they play their part in the affairs of our four parishes. Open our eyes to the needs of our neighbouring families. We shall not always agree, but help us to respect others’ views.
Tuesday 11th Armistice Day; Meeting of 4 parishes
Lord Jesus, be with us as we meet together in Your name this evening in Keiss. Enable Myrtle as she chairs our gathering. Help us to grow in unity and friendship. Be our Guide as we make decisions, so that in our parishes Your will is done and Your Kingdom grows.
Wednesday 12th Olrig Guild
Lord Jesus, You have called us to be light in the world. Give us the grace to shine with Your love and compassion as we go about our daily tasks today.
Thursday 13th Focus on the Ebola virus epidemic
God of our anguish, we cry to you for all who wrestle with Ebola. Grant, we pray, peace to the afraid, your welcome to the dying and your comfort to those living with loss. And, Merciful Father, bless those many loving hands that bravely offer care and hope.
(Revd Canon Edgar Ruddock)
Friday 14th
There are several people who faithfully attend services and support the work of our churches in different ways but who have never become communicant members. It is Lyall’s intention to contact these people to discuss membership so that, hopefully in the New Year, one or more services will be held in which they will be welcomed into membership. Pray that God’s will may be done.
Saturday 15th Joint Guild Meeting in Wick Pulteneytown
Guild Week starts tomorrow and a special gathering has been arranged to bring Backpacks put together by Guild members for poor African children supported through ‘Mary‘s Meals‘, one of the six Guild Projects. Give thanks for generosity shown in this very tangible form and pray that countless children will be blessed.
Sunday 16th Guild Week Psalm 123; Matthew 25.14-30
Olrig & Dunnet - Robert; Keiss & Canisbay Communion- Lyall
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat, this is my body.’ (Matt.26.26,NIV
Lyall now has God-given authority to celebrate the Sacrament. Living Lord, give him great joy today as he does this for the first time and bless all who receive.
Monday 17th
Loving Lord, may we rise this morning feeling Your warmth embracing us, conscious of Your love forgiving us and knowing Your peace within us. In all we do and in all we say may our lives this day and all days reflect Your beauty.
Tuesday 18th Canisbay Kirk Session & Board
As the Canisbay Office Bearers meet this evening there will be much to reflect on. It is impossible to do everything to meet all the challenges which we face. Lord of the Church, give wisdom in decision-making and a real vision for Your will for us for the months ahead.
Wednesday 19th Crossroads Assembly; Keiss Assembly
Merciful Father, we pray today for families in our parishes who have been recently bereaved. Hold each one in Your hands and use Your people to bring comfort to them particularly in the early days when shock and grief can so easily overcome. You understand.
Thursday 20th Ministry & Mission Committee in Wick; Canisbay Assembly
Pray for the Manse Committee convened by Gavin Pope of Dunnet which meets from time to time to discuss important matters concerning our manse. Ask God to give vision and wisdom to each committee member.
Friday 21st
We are commanded to pray for those in authority over us. Almighty God, we pray for our nation in these days following the Referendum, and ask that You will prompt politicians to honour the promises which were made. Call forth honourable people of whatever political persuasion to offer themselves for election. May Your will be done!
Saturday 22nd
Tomorrow afternoon, Esme conducts the service in our Hospital Chapel. Numbers attending this service can often be very disappointing, yet those who attend - or hopefully listen on the hospital radio - declare it a blessing. Merciful Father, grant that any obstacles preventing patients from attending be removed.
Sunday 23rd Psalm 100; Matthew 25.31-46
Olrig - Robert; Dunnet Communion- Lyall; K & CB - Esme
We praise and thank You, Lord, that Lyall can now celebrate Your Sacrament of Holy Communion. Today will be special for all of us and we remember the charge laid on us by Rev Ivan Warwick at Lyall’s Ordination - that we too must all use our gifts and talents to support him in his ministry. (a Dunnet elder)
Monday 24th
Several people in our churches and communities have serious ongoing health problems. Some have been able to enjoy a special experience. Pray for God’s hand to be on each one, daily giving all they need.
Tuesday 25th Canisbay Guild
Pray for the world’s children and make them have food, water and peace. Kate Martello, AUSTRALIA
(a prayer left in the Canisbay Church Prayer Box)
Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th
The Serenity Prayer - to memorise and say slowly over and over..
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.
Friday 28th
Lord Jesus, who healed the sick and gave them new life, be with doctors, nurses and carers as they act as agents of your healing touch. In desperate times keep them strong yet loving and when their work is done, be with them in their weariness and in their tears. AMEN. (Althea Hayton - adapted)
Saturday 29th
Tomorrow is St Andrew’s Day. Our Patron Saint has always been a great example of the type of person Jesus is looking for in His followers today - friendly, approachable and imaginatively looking for opportunities to introduce others to their Master. Pray that each of us may be more like Andrew, attracting others to Jesus.
Sunday 30th First Sunday in Advent
Psalm 80.1-7,17-19; Mark 13.24-37
Olrig Communion- Robert; Dunnet - Esme; K & Cb - Lyall
Awake, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you. (Ephesians 5.14)
The Church Lectionary offers this Scripture sentence for this first Sunday of the new Christian Year. There is both a command and a promise. Help me, Living Lord, to respond!
