Prayer Diary July / Aug 2015

1st July Canisbay End of Term Assembly in Church and
Keiss School holds a Garden Party for Mrs Miller who is retiring.
Today marks an end and beginning for all in these two schools. Pray for God’s rich blessing on Mrs Miller and on all staff who serve so faithfully in our schools.

2nd Aug. Services: Lyall at Keiss & Canisbay (‘Royal Service’);
Myrtle at Olrig & Dunnet
As HRH The Duke of Rothesay comes to worship at Canisbay and enjoys ‘time off’ in Caithness, pray for our Royal Family, giving thanks for all they do for our Society and our Country.

3rd Aug.
The Mey Games will have taken place on 1st August, enjoyed by visitors and a number of local people. Give thanks for the good work done by the Royal British Legion and the help they give to ex-service personnel and their families.

4th Gracious God, we pray, and thank You , for our friends. It is so easy to take their gifts and talents for granted. They have shown love and kindness to me as well as to others. Help me to be a witness to You and return that love, unconditionally. "This, then, is what I command you: love one another." John 15: 17

5th July Services: Lyall at Og & Cb; Robert at K & Dt.
I shall pass through this world but once. Therefore any good that I can do and kind act that I can perform for any fellow-creature let me do it now. Let me not delay, or omit it, for I shall not pass this way again. (attributed to Stephen Greller, American Quaker missionary).

6th Aug. Lunch in Canisbay Church Hall for Icelandic Party
Several local friends have expressed disappointment that our
Thursday Lunches no longer take place. A volunteer organiser is what is needed! Meantime, give thanks for today’s opportunity and pray for God's blessing on all who attend today.

7th   Faithful God, You promised that You would never leave your flock without shepherds. We give thanks for the work of OLMs Robert and Esme, Myrtle our interim moderator and our Locum, Lyall and his wife, Isabel. Grant all those hearing Your call a spirit of wisdom, courage and perseverance. Let them know that they are needed here in Caithness.
Paul writes to the church “We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life”. 1 Thessalonians 5:12

8th ‘Jesus came to disturb the comfortable and to comfort the disturbed.’ Which are you? How will His Presence affect you today?

9th Aug. Services: Esme at Og & Dt; Lyall at K & Cb.
We continue to pray for a full-time minister. Myrtle challenges us to be proactive as many of us worship in other churches during our holidays. Listen for the prompting of the Spirit to speak to a minister who may be seeking the call of God. God may use you!

10th "Righteousness exalts a Nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Prov.14:34 The values of a nation are never neutral. When people in a nation choose in their heart to know God and walk in His will, then the nation will reflect righteousness and be morally strong. But sin destroys a nation and it does so from the inside out. Righteousness is taught from one generation to the next and we have the privilege and responsibility to pray and stand firm on biblical truth for such a time as this. (Parliamentary Prayer Scotland)

11th We pray for all those who have authority over others. It might be a manager at work, a team leader or a chief executive – they need you, Lord, just the same as the rest of us. We give thanks that there are people willing and able to lead – politicians, councillors and our Royal family – strengthen them that they may make wise decisions and never abuse their power.
‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ 1 Tim 2:1-2.

12th July Services: Lyall at Og & Cb; Robert at K & Dt.
We pray for all those who hurt or offend us. When we
feel disgruntled, remind us of those Christians who are being killed because they follow You. Grant Your blessing to all, dear Lord.
"But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and
to those who do evil." Mathew 5:44-45

13th Aug. OLMs meet in Thurso
We OLMs have greatly valued fellowship with Robert and have
valued his experience and wise counsel. The people of Olrig are grateful for his pastoral support and his conduct of regular services. But, with the retiral of Lorna, Robert is going! He and Lorna will move to Perthshire once they sell their house. We shall miss them greatly. Pray for God’s timing for them, and for us in re-adjusting.

14th July Dunnet Board
‘Pray for all charities and those who volunteer’ Giving God, I
confess that I find it hard to answer this call. I am bombarded on the telephone and in the mail with requests from charities to give more or to change my method of giving. How shall I do the Christ-like thing? You gave everything for me. Give me grace, and wisdom. Perhaps I need to remember that it is not so much what I give that is important, but what I have left afterwards…

15th July Keiss Board and Dunnet Session
Lord of the Church, as many of us enjoy holiday time away from the pressures of normal daily life, we think of our Office Bearers who continue to keep things going – Treasurers, Property Conveners, Session Clerks, and Interim Moderators! We give thanks for these faithful people. Bless, refresh and provide for them!

16th Aug. Services: Lyall at Og & Dt; Isabel Rennie at K & Cb.
We give thanks that we have a roof over our heads and enough money to buy essential food. Grant us the grace, Lord, to share what we have with those who have little.

17th Aug. Schools reopen (children return tomorrow)
Pray for children who will be going to school for the first time, for those moving from Primary to Secondary and for those who, having left school, will move into further education or employment. Remember and give thanks for all the staff – teachers and every other adult without whose committed service no school can function effectively.

18th
Loving God, we pray today for each person in our Parishes who is ill, either at home or in hospital. Some of them have been unwell for a long time. Be very close to them in their weakness and, if it is Your will, grant them healing and new strength. Thank You for our Health Service and particularly for our own doctors, nurses and carers. Keep them in good health.

19th July Services: Robert at Og & Dt; Lyall at K & Cb.
Creator God, we give You thanks for the wonderful world which You have created!. Each season brings its own joys and now in summer we look forward to enjoying long and hopefully reasonably warm days. Help us to slow down our pace of life and open our eyes to appreciate the glory and beauty around us.

20th Merciful Father, there are some people who constantly face worries and concerns which they feel are likely to overwhelm them. Some have no-one with whom they can share or they fear that they would not be understood. You understand, dear Lord! Enable them to turn to You, confident that You hear all their prayers, however faltering, and You will answer.

21st 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 our community’. Prompt us to mean our prayer and to act appropriately!

22nd We pray for the peoples of Iraq, Syria and the Middle East, Pakistan and the Ukraine, South Sudan and Africa. We think especially of those forced to flee and leave their homes and those unable to escape. We pray for those nations who have the courage to protest against the crimes of war and to welcome into their own countries those seeking refuge. May we all examine our consciences and ask ourselves “What would Jesus want me to do?”

23rd Aug. Services: Myrtle at Og & Dt; Esme at K & Cb.
It is always a joy and a privilege to welcome visitors to our services and we trust that they will return to their home congregations blessed and eager to share what they have gained in being with us. May all who spend holiday time in our Parishes find a welcome and enjoy their time here.

24th Father God, we come to we come to You in prayer for the people of Nepal and India. We know Nepal and India. We know You feel their pain and cry with them, and we pray they’ll know Your love and comfort close by. We pray
for those who are mourning loved ones and coming to terms with life-changing injuries. . May they know Your strength. We ask that You protect and encourage Aid workers as they work in Your name to help those in most need.  We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen (prayer adapted from Tearfund ‘In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.’ (2 Samuel 22:7)

25th Lord Jesus, I pray for my brothers and sisters suffering
immense persecution in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Thank
You for their example of how to remain faithful and to be a light to others in the darkest times. (Open Doors)

26th July Services: Myrtle at Og & Cb; Lyall at K & Dt.
Aug. Joint Office Bearers Meeting in Olrig*
*With the summer behind us, we are ready to move into the
Autumn and to make decisions about the future of our linkage and how to enable it to happen. Pray that we might be of one mind, seeking only the will of God and setting aside individual desires.

27th We delight in welcoming friends and family but the journey to and from Caithness can be long and arduous. Lord, bless all those who are journeying and keep them safe.
Then Jacob made a vow to the LORD: “If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father's home, then you will be my God." Genesis 28: 20-21

28th  "Keep me from allowing any habit to get such a grip of me that I can't stop it. Keep me from allowing myself to become lazy. Help me to live in purity and self-discipline, and in the memory that You are always with me to see what I do,
and help me to overcome the wrongs and do right, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen."   (William Barclay)

29th We pray for those who are unwell in body , mind or spirit. Some are awaiting test results or nearing the end of their allotted time. We can’t imagine the vastness and power of God’s love for us but we place all sick people in His care knowing that it is only through Him that they may become whole again. So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. "The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect."  James 5:16

30th Aug. Services: Isabel Rennie at Og & Dt; Lyall at K&Cb
Merciful Father, please provide safe places for fellowship and
encouragement for the most isolated believers in Somalia and the Horn of Africa so that they can stay, survive and shine.
(Open Doors)

31st Help us realise that when God says no, it’s because He
doesn’t want us to have second best or to settle for less, but has greater things ahead. (from Crossreach Prayer Diary, Feb.-May)

May God bless you throughout these summer months!