Prayer Diary Nov 2015
Sunday 1st All Saints Day Psalm 146; Mark 12. 28 – 34
Olrig & Dunnet – Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay - Robert
Many may gloss over the significance of today, but in the Apostles’
Creed we declare our belief in the Communion of Saints. Let’s be
aware of the increasing number of people who have suffered and
died witnessing to the Risen Christ. Some may die today. Pray!
Monday 2nd
Mary-Louise Stone is a regional worker with Scripture Union
Scotland. ML grew up in the Free Church Manse in Castletown and
is now involved in reaching the children and young people of
Glasgow with the good news of Jesus. Pray for her today and ask
Esme if you would like to receive more information.
Tuesday 3rd Joint Coffee Morning in Castletown; Presbytery
Two months have passed since Presbytery last met and much has
happened. Pray for all presbyters. Some are keen and hard-working;
some are cynical; some fail to attend – all are human! We need
your prayers as we meet. Specially lift up before God Moderator
Charles Rigg and Presbytery Clerk Ronnie Johnstone, asking that
the business might be dealt with well and decisions be according to
the will of God and for the good of all our people.
Wednesday 4th Assemblies at Canisbay and Crossroads Schools
Lord, I open my life to you now in praise and worship. Give me
clean hands and a pure heart. Then, trusting in Christ, may I come
into your presence.*CS (see end of Diary)
Thursday 5th
The prayer of Douglas, a church leader working with Christian
refugees in Iraq: Without Your grace we cannot survive, Lord God,
even if there is enough food and there are good medicines. Thanks
to Your grace we can see that You are really here, that Your
strength is still present here, and that the Holy Spirit is working in
our lives. We are weak, but belong to you, to You alone. Amen.
(Open Doors)
Friday 6th
Lord of the Church, we give thanks for the skills of treasurers, Session Clerks, minute takers and chair people as they play their part in the affairs of our four parishes. More and more is being carried by fewer people and none of us is growing younger. Keep our eyes ever open to the needs of our communities. We shall not always agree, but help us to respect one another’s views.
Saturday 7th
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.
Sunday 8th Remembrance Sunday Psalm 127; Mark 12. 28 – 44
Olrig & Dunnet – Myrtle; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Today, many will gather at War Memorials and in churches to remember the fallen and to pray for peace. Pray for inspiration for all who seek to conduct services today. Jesus, Prince of Peace, move the leaders in our war-torn world to desire peace and conscientiously to work to bring it about. Be real to Your people who gather today.
Monday 9th
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.
Tuesday 10th Canisbay Kirk Session and 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. What we pray for Canisbay, please pray for each of our linked churches.
Wednesday 11th Armistice Day
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)
Thursday 12th
Daily we continue to see on our TV screens countless men, women and children caught in cold, wet weather, with few possessions, having left their homes months ago. Are we in danger of hardening our hearts to the plight of these refugees? We can be certain that God’s heart is broken and that He weeps. Merciful Father, keep prompting us to find ways to help and to continue helping!
Friday 13th Assembly at Keiss School
Please continue to give thanks for the opportunities which Lyall has
as he regularly conducts Assemblies in Canisbay, Crossroads and
Keiss Schools. Pray that the seed sown may take root in young
hearts and, in God’s time, bear fruit. This work requires faithful
prayer: the doors may not always remain open and there are so many
unhelpful influences seeking to affect these young lives.
Saturday 14th Fund Raising Quiz Evening in Canisbay Hall
This afternoon the Presbyterial Council holds a Guild Week Service
at 2.30 in Thurso West Church. It is hoped that each Guild will play
a part in the service. Pray for a happy and successful afternoon
which inspires Guild members to renewed pride in belonging to
such an effective arm of the Church of Scotland.
Sunday 15th Psalm 16; Mark 13. 1 – 8
Og & Dt – The Guild; K & Cb – Lyall - Communion
Prayer found last month in the Prayer Box in Canisbay Church:
‘For the opening of all human hearts to the Holy Spirit’. Powerful Holy Spirit, we pray today that all who gather to worship today – leaders and people – may indeed be open to You. Melt each heart. May no person leave unchanged. And richly bless the one who wrote this prayer!
Monday 16th
Merciful Lord, richly bless all who are in the autumn of their lives. Prompt us all to appreciate their wisdom and experience and to be ready to give help when it is needed.
Tuesday 17th
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. . (Althea Hayton - adapted)
Wednesday 18th Assemblies at Canisbay and Crossroads;
Dunnet Kirk Session
Thank God for those who are willing to put voluntary time into making our communities better places to live in. Pray that they will be blessed even as they are a blessing. We rely so much on volunteers to enable the work of our churches to continue. Few receive payment, but give sacrificially of time, energy – and money. God is no person’s debtor and it is humbling to find that, as we empty ourselves for Him, we leave more space for Him to top up with His blessing!
Thursday 19th Ministry & Mission Committee in Wick
Today also marks the annual OLM Review when the 4 OLMs meet with representatives of Presbytery to reflect on the past year and to make decisions about the future. Pray for a worthwhile meeting; for God’s wisdom and for clear-sightedness and humility on the part of all.
Friday 20th
‘Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.’ CT Studd, 1860-1931. Take time to see what really matters in life and give your priorities to God. *CS
As another week draws to a close, or as the weekend lies ahead with perhaps more opportunity to reflect, help me, Lord, to think this through!
Saturday 21st
Christine Stone, for many years our missionary partner and more recently with UMN in Nepal, is coming this weekend to speak in Pulteneytown Parish Church. She and her Collie dog Nim (Nehemiah) have retired to Fort William but it seems that Christine’s energy knows no bounds. Look out for details – and pray for her.
Sunday 22nd Psalm 132. 1 – 12; John 18. 33 – 37
Olrig & Dunnet – Robert – Communion; K & Cb – Lyall
It is always a joy to welcome tourists to our services. One couple who accepted the invitation to stay for our Harvest Service expressed gratitude that they had arrived at the right time and agreed that it was a blessed ‘God-incidence’. As you look for ‘God-incidences’ in your life, give thanks. Our times are in His hands. (Psalm 31.15)
Monday 23rd
Give thanks that God is with us as we meet each new dawn and for the reassurance that he will always be with us through his Holy Spirit. (Prayer printed in Crossreach Prayer Diary July/September from Invereck House near Dunoon, a Care Home with similarities to Achvarasdal), As you use this prayer today, please remember the staff and residents of both Care Homes.
Tuesday 24th Canisbay Guild
This evening’s meeting is entitled ‘Music in the Air’ and features talented young musicians from our community. All are welcome to share in what is guaranteed to be a happy evening.
Wednesday 25th Joint Meeting of Four Churches in Keiss at 7pm.
Please pray for a worthwhile meeting at which any concerns can be honestly shared. Pray for God’s Spirit to brood over us; for wisdom in decisions and for a desire to seek the best for all in our congregations and communities. Pray for Myrtle as she convenes the meeting and give thanks for what is gradually being achieved..
Thursday 26th
Heavenly Father, when the thought of you wakes in our hearts, let it awaken, not as a startled bird, but as a child who awakens from sleep with a smile. (Crossreach Prayer Diary July/September)
Friday 27th Assembly at Keiss School
Never forget, the final word lies with God. Ask God to help you keep on trusting when sometimes there seems little to trust about.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON! *CS
Saturday 28th
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
Having promised last month to provide news of answers to your prayers for the children and leaders of Messy Church in Canisbay, Dunnet and Keiss, the Editor apologises that she has failed to gather this. Pray on, however. The opportunities are great, and God is working.
Sunday 29th First Sunday in Advent Ps.25.1-10; Luke 21.25-36
Olrig & Dunnet – Isabel; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
As usual on the last Sunday of the month there is a gathering for worship at 6.30 pm. at Freswick Castle organised by Ben MacGregor and Murray Watts. Esme has offered to lead tonight. Please pray for an inspiring time of simple worship at the beginning of Advent.
Monday 30th 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.
*CS These prayers and comments are taken from Scripture Union’s ‘Encounter With God’ July – Sept. 2015, contributions written by Rev Colin Sinclair.
