Prayer Diary Dec 2015
Tuesday 1st Caithness Presbytery in Thurso West Church;
World Aids Day
These two subjects for prayer are very different
although both very important in their own way! Presbytery will
hold a conference style session looking at its role, function and
administration. Pray for vision and clear thinking.
Aids has slipped from the UK’s agenda but remains a huge issue.
Pray that media focus would be positive and inform prayer.
Wednesday 2nd Canisbay & Crossroads Assemblies
We pray for those on low incomes and finding it hard to heat their
homes or feed their families. Bring them to our mind when we have
extra so that we can share our bounty.
Thursday 3rd
Lord, in the days that have followed the atrocities in Paris on
Friday 13th November, we find ourselves at a loss to understand
the evil that men can do others. We pray for the victims in Paris
and in so many places over the world. Lord, listen to the anguished
cries of your people - and help us to do what we can through
prayer and practical help.
Friday 4th
As resources are increasingly stretched, it has been encouraging to
find on Guild Week Sunday, Angela, Patreen and Sheila taking the
lead in worship in Olrig, supporting Liz and Ruby there, as well as
in Dunnet. Pray for encouragement from our congregations and that
members, who are capable might seek training to be enabled to do
more. (Nine members of Thurso West are currently being trained!)
Saturday 5th Canisbay Messy Church; Dunnet Messy Church
Mairi Anne hopes that about 12 children will come, along with 6
adults for a Christmas Crafts Messy Church (Canisbay). Pray that
nothing will prevent this being a particularly successful event. Pray
too for Ruth and all who will gather at Dunnet. This afternoon,
Crossroads School holds their School Fayre in Mey Hall. Lots on!
Sunday 6th Second Sunday in Advent Psalm 27; Luke 3.1-6
Olrig & Dunnet: Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay: Myrtle
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because
of his birth. Luke 1. 14 These words were spoken about John the
Baptist who tends to be overlooked at this time. Thank You for
John, Lord, and for the humble way in which he pointed to You! Help me to follow his example.
Monday 7th
Myrtle has intimated her decision to relinquish her post as our Interim Moderator at the end of January. She will have served for two years. We are sincerely grateful to her for all that she has done for us in an already busy life – including the conduct of meetings of four Kirk Sessions when she lives in Thurso! God is no person’s debtor: pray for His blessing on Myrtle – and pray for wisdom as a successor is sought.
Tuesday 8th
It was a special joy last month to hear ladies whose Guild has had to close because of lack of members, but who are now attending a town Guild, express delight about the Guild Week Service in Thurso West on Saturday 14th. They found it a real blessing and were so pleased that they had made the effort to attend. God is good!
Wednesday 9th
Messy Church was planned to be held in Keiss at the end of November in place of one event affected by a sickness bug. Kimberley has been encouraged to welcome around 20: 15 children and 5 or 6 adults. Facilities in the Community hall are excellent. Give thanks and please pray on.
Thursday 10th
Keiss School Show takes place in the school today. Events such as this are a good opportunity for members of our churches to be involved in the community, witnessing in a natural way. Let’s do it!
Friday 11th
Tomorrow at 4 pm. there is Dunnet Village Lights and Community Gathering. We give our grateful thanks for everyone who has helped decorate, organise and feed community gatherings in our four parishes this month. Their hard work brings us all closer together - we ask that you bless them, Lord.
Saturday 12th
Canisbay Church has a stall at the local Christmas Fayre today. Help will be needed. Give thanks for our recent Quiz Evening which raised £220. It was encouraging to welcome several friends who are not ‘Kirk folk’ but who thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Give thanks with us.
Sunday 13th Third Sunday in Advent Psalm 45; Luke 3.7-18
Olrig:Robert;Dunnet:Lessons & Carols; Keiss & Canisbay:Lyall
Carol service at 6 pm. at John O Groats: the Countdown to Christmas is well underway! We give thanks for all members of our congregations who will help tell the story of the Nativity - help us to help each other and change the X in Xmas to CHRISTMAS !!
Monday 14th
Lord, give strength and courage, we pray, to those on their own this Christmas - especially if it is the first time they have not been with their loved one. Ease their pain with Your warm and enduring love.
Tuesday 15th
Give thanks that Christine Stone and wonderfully well-behaved Collie Nehemiah (Nim) have travelled safely from Fort William and have had a wonderful time of sharing news of the amazing growth of the Nepali Church in the last 20 years. She hopes to return in the summer and would gladly accept invitations to speak. She is fully occupied in Fort William, continuing to serve. Add her to your prayer list if she’s not already there!
Wednesday 16th Crossroads Assembly & School Services at both Keiss and Canisbay Give thanks for these special opportunities.
Lyall has a busy day but will be hoping to travel to Lybster to support Angela Lewis as she convenes Presbytery’s Church and Society Committee this evening. There will be important matters to discuss.
Thursday 17th Although many Christians have left Syria, there are also many who have stayed on. Some are too poor or too unwell to move; others feel called by God to stay in Syria and serve the people. They take great personal risk in doing so. We thank God for their courage, and pray that they will continue to know God's strength and inspiration.
Friday 18th
We give heartfelt thanks for all those who give of their time and talents to serve us in the name of their faith - religious leaders, office bearers, "housekeepers", cleaners and flower arrangers. Without their continuing effort, we would have no church. Bless them all
Saturday 19th
The excitement is almost too much to bear, Lord , as Your birthday approaches.! We ask for Your blessing on every child across our linked churches and pray that they are given the gift of knowing You Many will have shared in the excitement of Messy Church; many will have sung carols and listened attentively at their school Christmas service; many have been reached through the media… Speak, Lord!
Sunday 20th 4th Sunday in Advent Psalm 80.1-7; Luke 1.39-45
Olrig & Dunnet: Myrtle; Keiss & Canisbay: Lyall
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David. (Luke 2.4)
Merciful Father, we pray for all who are travelling at this time, whether by choice to visit family, or because they have nowhere to stay. You know and see them: keep them warm, fed and safe
Monday 21st Crossroads School Service in Dunnet Church
We ask for your blessing, Lord, on anyone struggling with mental or physical health problems. Help us to understand their needs and always to treat them as we would wish to treat You
Tuesday 22nd School Holidays begin; Canisbay Guild
This afternoon’s Guild programme offers ‘Peace on Earth’.with puzzles, posters and picture quizzes. Lord Jesus Christ, Whose we are and Whom we serve, please bless us all and make this afternoon an oasis in the midst of these busy days. Do join us!
Wednesday 23rd
This time of year appears to have been the choice of some local couples for their wedding and now, 25, 50 or even 60 years on, Anniversaries are being celebrated. Give thanks! And ask God to continue to pour out His blessing on these dear folk.
Thursday 24th Christmas Eve
Family service in Keiss Church at 6.30 pm with Messy Church; Watchnight Services: Olrig-Robert and Rev Howard Stone; Dunnet - elders
Coming Lord, we anticipate this evening’s services with joy! Bless those who seldom come at any other time but wouldn‘t miss tonight. Inspire us all through the words of Scripture and of the carols and challenge us again to greet You joyfully. Be near to us, Lord Jesus.
Friday 25th Christmas Day; Service at Canisbay at 11am. - Lyall
Happy Birthday, Jesus! This is always an excellent opportunity for the Church family to come together in worship. The children bring one of their presents and we all look back on another year with God and give Him heartfelt thanks. Friends come from across all our congregations. If you have health and strength, please join us!
Saturday 26th
Boxing Day can be an anticlimax! Jesus, Emmanuel - be real to me today and every day. Surprise me, Lord!
Sunday 27th Psalm 148; Luke 2.41-52
At the time of printing, arrangements are still being made for the conduct of today’s services. It is possible that two combined services will be held on this Sunday when, traditionally, few have ventured out. Pray for rich blessing to be the experience of preachers and people coming together to give thanks for Emmanuel: God with us.
Monday 28th
In this Christmas season, let us all remember the true meaning of this time – that Jesus was born to reconcile us to God. Remember in our hearts and prayers those who are unwell, isolated and face the challenge of physical and mental illness. (Crossreach, adapted)
Tuesday 29th
Although it is very important that Robert and Lorna sell their house soon it seems likely that they will be with us until the Spring. We are grateful: we need Robert in our linkage, and so does Presbytery! Their new house is coming on well. Pray for God’s timing!
Wednesday 30th Friends of Achvarasdal Christmas Party, Reay
Over the years the residents have found great blessing in this event with games, food, Santa. Remember all our faithful members now in Care Homes. May the peace and joy of Christmas rest on them.
Robert asks for prayer for God's blessing on Emma Campbell and Frank Manson as they get married in Olrig Church tomorrow. May God’s Presence indeed be very real.
Thursday 31st
Finally, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4.8,9 abridged)
God of the Years, help each of us to keep our eyes on You as we step forward with You into 2016.