Prayer Diary April 2015
Wednesday 1st Easter Assemblies in Canisbay, Crossreach
and Keiss Schools
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 Maundy Thursday
Over the years, the small group gathering this evening in Dunnet Church at 7pm for a simple Communion Service has seldom exceeded the number who met with Jesus at the Last Supper. Many have missed out on a rich blessing. Please accept this invitation!
Friday 3rd Good Friday Service in Canisbay Church
Help me to understand it; help me to take it in: What it meant for You, the Holy One, to take away my sin. My thanks are so inadequate, but I thank You, Jesus. Help me to keep my thoughts focused on You as this day passes, remembering the events of that first Good Friday.
(Join us at our service at 7pm. in person or in spirit if you are able.)
Saturday 4th Messy Church at Dunnet
The children are now enjoying their Easter holidays. 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.
Sunday 5th Easter Day Psalm 118.1-2,14-24; John 20.1-18
Olrig & Canisbay - Robert; Keiss & Dunnet - Lyall
"You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here." Mark 16.6
Please pray for Robert and for Lyall and for all who will conduct services today, that the reality of the Resurrection may come on them in a new way so that in turn we shall rejoice in this Best Of All Truths, perhaps as never before!
Monday 6th Easter Praise in St Anne’s RC Church, Thurso
This annual celebration held at 7pm. on Easter Monday evening by congregations of all denominations in the west of the county is a special way of bringing the Easter weekend to a close. Last year we met in Olrig Church and many found real blessing in being present. Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!
Tuesday 7th Joint Coffee Morning in Castletown
The small team who led the morning service in Olrig Church last month are grateful for the way God answered our prayers and helped us in our preparation and delivery. We give thanks too for the generous encouragement of the congregation. Will we do it again? Might others join us? Please pray that God’s will is done.
Wednesday 8th
Continuing the theme of praying for our Christian brothers and sisters in much more challenging countries than our own, pray today for the church in Kurdistan which is trying to care for thousands of refugees from Christian communities within the bounds of the so-called ‘Islamic State’ in Iraq. They greatly value the fact that Christians around the world are supporting them in prayer.
Thursday 9th
Our Annual Stated Meetings have taken place, giving members of our congregations the opportunity to hear reports of last year and to give thanks both for the blessing of the Lord of the Church and the faithful service of His people. Where we have sought ways to increase the impact we make in our parishes, we urgently need the help of our Lord to keep us faithful in prayer.
Friday 10th
Children are a heritage from the Lord. (Psalm 127.3)
Loving Lord, we pray for those who teach our young, whether it be in school, church or home. May each one receive from You the strength to persevere cheerfully!
Saturday 11th
Tomorrow the Keiss Community hold an Easter Fair in the Community Hall. Pray for good weather and for a good turnout. Events like this are a great opportunity for people to get together and hopefully those at a distance will travel to support it.
Sunday 12th Psalm 133; John 20. 19 - 31
Olrig – Robert; Dunnet – Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay - Esme
An Easter Meditation from Isaiah 55. 10,11 (NLT)
The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Monday 13th
When Jesus was crucified, the world was plunged into darkness. But on Easter morning the light came on – for ever. Risen Lord Jesus, write this truth on my heart!
Tuesday 14th
It is difficult to wait for the results of tests or for a hospital appointment. Merciful Father, be near to the dear folk who are watching the days pass. Keep us faithful in supporting them.
Wednesday 15th
Already lambing has started. We ask for dry weather until young animals are strong. We know that rain is needed too for the growth of grass and grain, and give You thanks, Creator God, for such a bountiful county. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. (James 5.7)
Thursday 16th
Please pray today for the OLMs – Esme, Heather, Lyall and Robert – as they meet for an occasional time of sharing and support. Continue to bless them, Lord, and guide them as they seek to serve You and the people of Your Church.
Friday 17th
We give thanks for all our emergency services – police, paramedics and fire crews. We pray too for Lifeboat and Air Sea rescue crews and for Mountain Rescue teams who give help often in appalling conditions. Keep them safe, Lord!
Saturday 18th
We pray for those who have the difficult task of restructuring our health services in the county. Gracious Lord, grant those in authority the wisdom to ensure that we have facilities appropriate for our needs.
Sunday 19th Psalm 4; Luke 24. 36b - 48
Olrig & Dunnet - Robert; Keiss & Canisbay - Myrtle
We continue to rejoice with Jesus’ disciples in His Resurrection.
Ask God to open our eyes and our hearts so that we may understand all the more clearly what we read in the Scriptures and hear in our church services or on radio and TV. So may we believe all the more in His promise of everlasting life!
Monday 20th Schools return
Tomorrow evening the Guild hold their Presbyterial Spring Rally in Olrig Church. This is a business meeting attended by representatives of our congregational Guilds and gives the opportunity to hear more of the Guild at the national level. Give thanks for our own Guild branches and for those who work so hard to keep them flourishing!.
Tuesday 21st
This is the Birthday of our Queen. Merciful Father, we thank You for our Queen’s faithful service to our nation. We are grateful that she has witnessed consistently to her faith in You. Grant her peace and contentment on this her 89th Birthday.
Wednesday 22nd
When we met last month as office bearers of our four congregations we began to explore the possibility of forming a union. Decision time is a long way off, but we would value prayer for wisdom as we seek God’s will for us.
Thursday 23rd Ministry and Mission Committee in Wick
It is a considerable time since this important committee met. Pray that as Ruth and Esme attend on behalf of our linked charge we might make a useful contribution. Important matters are on the agenda. Pray for Heather Stewart as she convenes this Committee and then reports next week to the Business Committee of Presbytery.
Friday 24th
We pray for protection for all who travel – for work, pleasure or to visit friends and family. Keep them safe, especially from the thoughtless actions of others.
I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children.
(Ezra 8.21)
Saturday 25th
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15.13)
We pray for those who are sad – either because they are mourning a loved one, or because they have experienced the loss of a life once lived differently.
Sunday 26th Psalm 23; John 10. 11 - 18
Olrig- Robert; Dunnet- Isabel; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Dear Risen Lord, may the joy of Easter remain real with us in the weeks ahead. Thank You for all that You went through for us. Help us never to take this for granted but rather to determine anew to follow You more closely.
Monday 27th
The children and staff are back at school after their Easter holidays. For those in Primary 7 there is the anticipation of moving up to High School after the summer. Remember these older pupils, giving thanks for them and for the influence many of them have on the younger children. Pray that this will be a specially good term for them.
Tuesday 28th Canisbay Guild
We ask Your blessing, Lord, on those working with people who have learning needs. Grant them patience, love and understanding as they help to shape the lives of those in their care.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you. (Romans 15.7)
Wednesday 29th
As we consider different ways of spreading the Word of God, we remind ourselves of the teaching of Paul: I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. (Rom. 15.14) Gracious Lord: give us the courage we need!
Thursday 30th Canisbay Kirk Session and Board Meeting
Today the month comes to a close and Canisbay’s Office Bearers meet, reminding us that we never really stop! Please pray for all who hold office in our four congregations, asking God’s Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, discernment and commitment so that all that takes place may be for the growth of the Kingdom of God in our parishes.
