Prayer Diary Sep 2015
Tuesday 1st Caithness Presbytery in Thurso West Church
Hopefully our linked churches will be well represented at this
evening’s meeting of Presbytery. Pray for Charles Rigg, this year’s Moderator, for Rev Ronnie Johnstone, our Presbytery Clerk and for all presbyters as we gather at the start of what will be a particularly challenging year. Pray that we shall all have all wisdom and grace.
Wednesday 2nd
On a Sunday in August, because of a necessary change in our
preaching rota for Olrig and Dunnet, Myrtle, along with Angela
Lewis and Sheila Cormack, planned and shared the services, with Liz Geddes choosing and playing the hymns. Both congregations appreciated their time of worship. Give thanks for this. With the shortage of trained worship leaders it seems likely to be part of the way forward.
Thursday 3rd
During the summer months there has been a distressing number of deaths in our parishes and across Caithness. While some were not unexpected, others have come as a devastating shock. Pray forGod’s comfort for bereaved families and uphold all those who bring pastoral help at this time.
Friday 4th
Remember Ruth Manson and her helpers as they prepare for
tomorrow’s Messy Church, the first gathering of the new session. Give thanks for this initiative and pray too for Kimberley in Keiss and Mairi Anne in Canisbay as they also plan to hold Messy Church during this month.
Saturday 5th Messy Church and Marymas Fayre, Dunnet
Also today in the Caird Hall, Dundee, 2000 Guild members will
join in the Guild’s Annual Gathering. Only a very few make it from Caithness but it is possible to join in on-line via the Guild website. A memorable day is guaranteed!
Sunday 6th Psalm 125; Mark 7. 24 – 37
Olrig & Dunnet – Ben MacGregor; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Lord of the Church, we pray that the person of Your choice might hear your call and come to our linkage as a full-time minister. It is a huge task but we know that You will not leave Your flock without a Shepherd.
Monday 7th
Living in rural communities, we give thanks for all the people who bring services to our scattered homes. We remember with gratitude especially the Bank, Post Office, Mobile Library and Food Delivery Vans.
Tuesday 8th
We remember the Craft Groups in Dunnet and in Keiss - and there may well be others, starting up again after the summer break. We give thanks too for the creativity and talent of giving that goes into our efforts towards the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal. Gifting to others is a sign of our love for You, dear Lord.
Wednesday 9th
Merciful Father, we pray for Your blessing on all those who are unwell in mind or in body. Give them courage and strength to cope with each day. Help them to believe and to find proof that You are there to help them.
Thursday 10th
Schools have been back for some time and children and staff will be settled into the daily routine. Many who left school in the summer will be preparing to go away to College or University. For most this is their first time of living away from home. Pray for protection from new and uncertain influences; for good and wise friendships to be forged and for God’s hand to be on each of our precious young folk. Comfort parents, and help them to trust!
Friday 11th
Following Lorna’s retiral, Robert and Lorna Nicol are soon to
move to Perthshire. Robert will be greatly missed within Presbytery and particularly by the Olrig congregation and community. Pray for the selling of their house in Thurso in God’s good time and for God’s blessing and help in this time of change.
Saturday 12th
Remember the people in our communities who are in the autumn of their lives. Prompt us and all who are in contact with these dear folk to appreciate their wisdom and experience and tactfully to give help when it is needed.
Sunday 13th Psalm 19; Mark 8. 27-38
Olrig & Dunnet – Esme; Keiss & Canisbay – Myrtle
Today we remember in our prayers the Christian church in China - the "State approved" church and the very many unofficial house churches. In some regions Christians have freedom to worship; in others there is serious persecution. The impact of Christians in the most populous country in the world could be profound. We pray for them courage, wisdom and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Monday 14th
If anyone of you lacks wisdom, he should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1.5) What a promise – wisdom when we ask for it in the face of life’s worries. Let’s not miss out on this wonderful offer!
Tuesday 15th
How grateful we are for all those who volunteer in so many
different ways, making it possible for the life of our Church to
continue. Some are deeply involved in the day to day business of each of our churches, giving sacrificially of time, effort and money, while many help because of a natural desire to be of help and others retain a loyalty the seeds of which were planted in childhood. God is no person’s debtor. He sees and responds!
Wednesday 16th Dunnet Session
Last month the part-time post for a Parish Worker to help in preaching and in other initiatives in our linkage was advertised nationally. Pray that the right person might hear God’s call and apply to serve. The money is there: where is the person?
Thursday 17th
On the first and third Thursdays, Weight Watchers meet in Canisbay Church Hall at 7pm. This new short social event is both a fund raiser and a fun-raiser. All are welcome. The benefits could be great!
Friday 18th
Almost every day we see and hear news of the migrant crisis engulfing what seems to be an increasing number of countries. There is so much human misery with no obvious solution. Lord God, Your heart must break. Each person involved in this huge crisis is Your child. Open the eyes and the hearts of those who could act to bring change. Show us what part we can play, and certainly keep prompting us to pray with love and with imagination.
Saturday 19th
How many lonely people are there in our communities? Possibly few of us take the time to count. Probably the need is not so great during the summer months but by the end of September our evenings will be long as darkness falls ever earlier. Let’s remember those who are our neighbours or who live not far away. A short visit, perhaps with a sweet, a cake or some flowers, can mean so much. Lord, prompt me!
Sunday 20th Psalm 1; Mark 9. 30 – 37
Olrig & Dunnet – Myrtle; Keiss & Canisbay – Lyall
As many (some?) of us gather for worship today, we pray for those who find it difficult or impossible to get out to church now. May they know that they are still a part of the fellowship. Help us to find ways to show them they are not forgotten.t
Monday 21st
We have known for a long time that our friend Alastair Gray would be leaving Caithness and the time has come! Give thanks for Alastair’s friendship and help in past years. Pray for him as with Fiona and the children he undertakes the huge move to Keith Manse in Moray Presbytery and they all settle in during the weeks ahead.
Tuesday 22nd Canisbay Guild
This evening’s meeting is a fund-raising meal in the Church Hall. Lovely food and pleasant company are guaranteed. All are welcome, but please let Pat (611424) or June (631722) know in good time. Otherwise, join us in spirit!
Wednesday 23rd
Without wishing to labour the point, when we say good bye to Alastair Gray, we shall have only two full-time ministers in Caithness Presbytery (in Wick and in Thurso). This naturally has repercussions for our own linkage. In our four churches we are very grateful for the prayers of friends all over the country who, receiving this Prayer Diary, pray for us. Thank you! Please continue to uphold us!
Thursday 24th
Today and tomorrow are in-service days in our schools. Pray that staff may find them particularly helpful at this stage in the autumn term and that all may benefit as a result. Pray for the children: a long weekend is a bonus, but some parents struggle to find child care. Pray that the children will be kept safe and that all problems will be averted.
Friday 25th Induction of Rev Alastair Gray to Keith North
Lyall and Isabel plan to travel to attend Alastair’s Induction and others may manage to go as well. Pray for the service, for every person present, that God’s Holy Spirit may fill all His servants and anoint them anew for this new stage in ministry in Keith North, Newhill, Boharm and Rothiemay.
Saturday 26th
It is not too early to be thinking about the preparation of boxes for the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal! Some of our Guild members and friends contribute very generously to this and it may be that others might be prompted to offer help this year. We can all pray. If you have seen live footage of children receiving one of these boxes, you cannot fail to have had your heart melted! They are God’s children!
Sunday 27th Psalm 124; Mark 9. 38-50
Olrig & Dunnet – Robert; Keiss & Canisbay – Roger Bamfield
This evening, being the last Sunday of the month there is an informal time of worship at 6.30pm in Freswick Castle. It is followed by light refreshments and fellowship. All are welcome but please note: there is no disabled access.
Monday 28th
Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. (2 Cor. 1.20 The Message)
It is not hard to bring to mind just one promise which God has made. Trust Him for that ‘YES’ and return often to it through today!
Tuesday 29th
The end of another month is in sight. Some new activities will be starting, some are well underway. At this time of harvest, or following harvest, pray for God’s harvest in our churches and communities. Pray too for labourers! Some of us, though willing, are gey weary! Jesus says: The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the Harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Luke 10.2
Wednesday 30th Keiss Board
This evening at 7.30 Caithness Guild Presbyterial Council holds the Autumn Rally in Wick Pulteneytown Church. The speaker is Iain Whyte, National General Secretary. He is well worth hearing
