Prayer Diary March 2015
Sunday 1st Mark 8.31-38 Second Sunday in Lent
Olrig & Dunnet – Esme; Keiss & Canisbay - Robert
February has gone - perhaps it seems to have flown! - and March is here. What a blessing it is to know that God has gone before us. He knows what lies ahead: our times are in His hands. We could have no greater security! Lord I believe; help my unbelief.
Monday 2nd
It is likely that Colin Carmichael, staff worker for Scripture Union Scotland will be in Canisbay School tomorrow taking a Religious Observance Assembly and advertising SU Holidays. Pray for good listening! In the past, several of our children have attended these holidays. Pray that the children might be keen to go and that parents are willing and able to let them sign up.
Tuesday 3rd Joint Coffee Morning in Castletown; Presbytery
Lord of the Church, grant wisdom as the business is dealt with at Presbytery this evening. May Your Spirit brood over all the proceedings so that decisions made are in accordance with Your will.
Wednesday 4th Assemblies at Keiss and at Crossroads
In this season of Lent we may have been able to give up something
for a while, but we have no right to feel sorry for ourselves! Rather, as we remember and give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice for us, prepare our hearts, Lord, to receive the Good News of Easter.
Thursday 5th Assembly at Canisbay
It is good that we remember in our prayers our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer persecution. North Korea is probably the most difficult country in the world to be a Christian, yet Christians are there, despite the terrible hardships and dangers. Pray for them today and find out more at www.opendoorsuk.org
(Robert suggested that we might include the Suffering Church in our Prayer Diary and offered to provide an insert each month. Look out for this and pray. We have it so easy! Ed.)
Friday 6th World Day of Prayer Service in Dunnet Church Hall
Last month we asked you to pray for the group planning this service. The material has been prepared by Christian women of the Bahamas and focuses on what Jesus has done for His people everywhere. Ask God to bless richly all His people across the world who take time to share in this precious experience of fellowship and prayer. May there be real joy in Dunnet this afternoon!
Saturday 7th Messy Church, Dunnet
Give thanks for Ruth Manson and her team who provide two hours of fun-filled activity for a growing number of children and parents on the first Saturday of each month. This is a hugely imaginative way of introducing the Christian Faith to families for whom what we do in Church on Sunday seems irrelevant. The size of the Church Hall may become a challenge – a good problem to have!
Sunday 8th John 2.13-22 Third Sunday in Lent
Olrig & Dunnet – Myrtle; Keiss & Canisbay – Lyall
I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Ps.122.1 If I’m honest, Lord, I don’t always feel like that. Sometimes attending our weekly service is an effort. And then I wonder why I don’t come away feeling blessed! Work in me through Your Holy Spirit so that I anticipate meeting You in each part of the service and in those with whom I shall gather today and in the week ahead.
Monday 9th
‘Teach us your ways, O Lord, and let us walk in your truth. We put behind us our stubborn independence, and turn again to you.’ Celtic Daily Prayer p250 Hear our prayer, Lord!
Tuesday 10th Joint Meeting of CDKO at Canisbay
The dates of our Annual Stated Meetings will have been arranged by now. Pray for those who will prepare and present reports. Living Lord, prompt the members of our congregations to see these meetings as an opportunity to show what our local church means to us.
Wednesday 11th
Lyall has had the joy of conducting two Baptisms recently. Give thanks that parents still want to bring their children for Baptism and ask God to prompt others to consider this.
Thursday 12th
60 years ago (when Dunnet village was being enlarged) parents did their best to Teach Their Children Well (Deut. 11.1-4). Telling our children and grandchildren today the stories in God’s Word is crucial because the Bible’s enduring truth can shape lives and show the consequences of actions (1 Cor. 10.11). Give thanks for every opportunity taken to teach children well.
Friday 13th
Sometimes the passing of an elderly person can reveal tension and disagreement within families. Merciful Lord, as You bring Your comfort to those who grieve, grant too the healing balm of love and acceptance. There may be opportunities for Your Spirit to work through those who pastor: give us Your wisdom, Lord!
Saturday 14th
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day or, more accurately, Mothering Sunday. In earlier days, people would return to worship in their ‘Mother Church’ where they first heard about Jesus and grew up to love and serve Him. Perhaps that sounds sentimental to some today. Have we lost our sense of loyalty? How tragic that so many seem to have done so. Lord, speak to these dear people!
Sunday 15th John 3.14-21 Fourth Sunday in Lent
Olrig-Esme+Cong; Dunnet–Sheila+Guild ;Keiss&Canisbay-Lyall
In the service in Canisbay Church today, several friends will be welcomed into communicant membership. Lord of the Church, we give thanks for these people who have shown interest and support in recent months (some for several years). Bless each of them and the congregation they join in this new stage of the life of our church.
Monday 16th
God has a purpose behind every problem. But He also has a protective shield in front of it. (Source unknown.)
This is worth holding in your mind today! Perhaps copy it out?
Tuesday 17th
Loving Lord, we pray for all around the world who have lost friends, loved ones or colleagues. Some have lost homes and/or livelihoods; some have suffered life altering injuries. Give Your gentle healing and access to medicines, food, water and shelter. May they sense Your presence in their trauma and recovery.
Wednesday 18th Assemblies at Keiss and at Crossroads
It is not easy to be a church leader. People have expectations of us, and we have expectations of our own. The pressures can be immense. Merciful Lord, give them, give us, wisdom and courage to speak with Your timing and grace.
Thursday 19th Assembly at Canisbay
Religious Observance in schools has been challenged by the secularists and we must not be complacent. Give thanks for the opportunities still open to Lyall and to others in our county and pray that the seeds sown in young hearts may bear fruit.
Friday 20th
Good Shepherd, while we thank You for the joy of Spring time and the new life we see around us, we realise that those involved in early lambing are weary. Give them the strength they need to bring them through and watch over lambs, ewes and shepherds alike.
Saturday 21st
Loving God, as we journey towards Easter, we thank You that Your purpose was always to give Your Son to die for us. There are people around me who need to understand this. Help me to share with them - in the words You give me to speak, or in my prayer for them now.
Sunday 22nd John 12.20-33 Fifth Sunday in Lent
Olrig & Canisbay – Robert; Keiss & Dunnet - Lyall
‘ Let your tender word wear a hole in the hardness of our hearts; so as we hear your word frequently our hearts will be opened to fear God.’ Celtic Daily Prayer p768. Loving Lord, Make this true as I worship You today!
Monday 23rd
Change is seldom easy to cope with. Remember people moving away – or leaving home to settle here. Pray for Jean and John who left Auckengill last month for Glasgow. All who attended Lunches miss them greatly, and their absence is hugely felt in Canisbay. God is no person’s debtor: He will assuredly bless them and show a new sphere of service – and provide others to take their place. Might this be you?
Tuesday 24th Canisbay Guild
Locally or further afield, tragedy suddenly strikes in car accidents and usually Ministers and other Christian people are called on to pastor. So often those involved have had little thought of God, thinking only of the things of this world. Merciful Father, comfort bereaved families and friends. You love them; Jesus died for them. Speak through these terrible events of each person’s need of You!
Wednesday 25th
Pray for Myrtle, our Interim Moderator, now in post for more than a year. Responsible for four congregations, she has a great deal to do, and Presbytery makes other demands on her. Ask God to keep her in health and strength, and to grant the wisdom she needs.
Thursday 26th
God to enfold me, God to surround me, God in my speaking, God in my thinking. God in my life, God in my lips, God in my heart. Celtic Daily Prayer, p757. Lord God, so many dear people in our community suffer from cancer, dementia and other life-limiting conditions. Only You are sufficient for them. Answer this prayer for each of them, as for me
Friday 27th
Possibly, Lyall and Isabel will be planning some well-deserved holiday over the weeks ahead. Give thanks for Lyall’s commitment and ability in his service as our Locum. Pray for him daily in his daily walk with God.
Saturday 28th
‘Lord of my heart, give me vision to inspire me, that working or resting I may always think of you.’ Celtic Daily Prayer, p526
If we were only more enthusiastic about what we believe, others may be attracted and want to find out more! Don’t let me put them off, Lord!
Sunday 29th Ps.118.1-2,19-29; Mark 11.1-11 Palm Sunday
Olrig & Dunnet – Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay - Isabel
Some people who have forgotten that British Summer Time begins may be late for church today! Some cold wintry weather may well lie ahead but how encouraging it is to enjoy longer hours of daylight and all the signs of new life and growth. Keep on praying for new life and growth in our churches, asking God to keep us alert to seize every opportunity He gives us.
Monday 30th
Around this time, Robert, Heather and the other Chaplains will be leading Easter Assemblies in Thurso High School. Risen Lord, give them wisdom in their words and love in their hearts as they witness to their faith amongst these precious young people.
Tuesday 31st
And so another month ends. We are in Holy Week. Sadly, few of us prepare for Easter as we prepare for Christmas! Crucified and Risen Lord, make us ready! Go before us! Help us to follow You.
