Prayer Diary Jan 2016
Friday 1st Happy New Year!
Some of us still make resolutions at this time. Loving God, help us
to persevere, particularly in keeping those which will benefit Your
Kingdom. We give You thanks that Your resolution never to leave
nor forsake us always holds. (Deut.31.6) We enter 2016 with our
eyes on You.
Saturday 2nd
Many of us have friends and family in different parts of the world
whom we haven’t been able to see over our Christmas break.
Lord, we ask that You protect and guide them and that we meet
them again soon.
Sunday 3rd Psalm 147.12 – 20; John 1. 10 – 18
Olrig & Dunnet - Ben MacGregor; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
In northern Cameroon a woman gives birth under a tree. The
weather is cold but her baby is naked, wrapped only in a towel. She
does not even know whether the child’s father is alive or dead. The
violence in Nigeria has spread, forcing hundreds of thousands,
including pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children, to
flee from militants. (Open Doors) God understands! Do we care?
Monday 4th
It has been a real blessing to hear through the church website from
friends who visit us regularly over the summer months. They
follow us on this Prayer Diary and assure us of their prayers
particularly for special events. Hopefully as they read this insert
today they will be encouraged to know that we are blessed by their
fellowship just now and look forward to their return in the warmer
months!
Tuesday 5th
We pray for children returning to school after their Christmas
break, as well as their teachers and support staff. Pupils are full of
energy and sometimes find it hard to concentrate - let us all have
the wisdom to be patient !
Wednesday 6th Epiphany
Assemblies at Crossroads & Canisbay
God of all, You revealed Your only-begotten Son to all nations by the guidance of a star. Richly bless the parishioners of Canisbay, Dunnet, Keiss and Olrig, and all who visit here. Fill each of us with the light of Christ, that our concern for others may reflect Your love.
Thursday 7th
Liz has commented on the attractive card made available last month showing Canisbay Church. Left blank inside for Christmas greetings or a letter, it has been good to use them to get in touch with friends, some of whom have connections with Caithness. Hopefully it may be that those who have missed these may still take the opportunity to contact others on a card from one of the churches in our grouping.
Friday 8th Assembly at Keisss
As you pray for Lyall, please pray also for Howard Stone, minister of Olrig Free Church, Castletown, who conducts regular assemblies in Castletown School and who, with his wife Christine and other helpers, runs an After School Club for the village children. There is a harvest field right across our four parishes but workers are few. Jesus said, ‘Pray …’ (Luke 10.2)
Saturday 9th
We ask for Your blessings, Lord, on those people with life shortening illnesses or conditions. Some of them are well known to us. We pray that they, and their families, find peace in You
Sunday 10th Psalm 29; Luke 3. 15 – 17, 21 - 22
Olrig & Dunnet – Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay – Roger Bamfield
Occasionally, one of our congregations has been distressingly small – tiny! We give thanks for those who come faithfully and understand that several friends are unable to join us on a particular Sunday. Please ask God to prompt others to search their hearts. God will certainly bless them if they come.
Monday 11th
We give thanks and praise for the extra few minutes of light that lengthens each day and heralds the stirring of Spring - Your creation is truly amazing, Lord ! Great is Your faithfulness.
Tuesday 12th
Soon we shall find tiny snowdrops just beginning to bloom in sheltered places. Seeing them lifts our spirits: they are so brave! How many people would also bloom if we sheltered them with love.?
Wednesday 13th
It has been good to hear over Christmas from Alastair and Fiona Gray. They give thanks that they are settling in well to their new ministry in which Alastair’s interests are being used; he has secretarial support(!) and ‘lots of volunteers busy with a variety of stewardship’. It seems that everything is close at hand within Keith to meet their needs. They are grateful for all the help given within the congregations of central Caithness at the time of the move. We’ll pray on!
Thursday 14th
Jesus said: Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (Matt.10.40,41)
Round about now the Guild in Dunnet will meet to celebrate its post-Christmas Dinner. Loving God, bless all who grow, produce, cook and serve food. We give thanks for the priceless gift of hospitality.
Friday 15th
Nations are suffering as the weather changes - rain in Britain, drought elsewhere. On the whole, we and those personally known to us live lives free of such problems. But we may be thoughtless and careless. We pray that each one of us will make an individual action in 2016 which will help reduce the amount of pollution on Your earth.
Saturday 16th
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need. Ps.23.1
Thank You, Good Shepherd, that You will definitely provide for
us, no matter what. Perhaps I could share this with someone else…
Sunday 17th Psalm 36. 5 – 10; John 2. 1 - 11
Olrig & Dunnet – Myrtle; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Let us worship the Christ who draws near to each of us.
Let us praise the Christ who loves the worst among us.
Let us bless the Christ who shares with the least among us.
Let us glorify the Christ who intercedes for all among us
in the presence of God the Father. Amen. (Ann Griffiths)
This 18th Century prayer was brought back in October from a Methodist Church service in Derbyshire. Let’s use it today.
Monday 18th
Probably around now many people are beginning to have to count the cost of Christmas with debts piling up and the prospect of higher electricity and gas bills incurred by the need to keep warm in this the coldest month. Some will reluctantly turn to Foodbanks. Give thanks for this lifeline for many in need and pray for those who serve in them. Pray for people in our own county who dread the weeks ahead. God sees and knows. He may prompt us to help in some way….
Tuesday 19th
In the month when we celebrate Scotland's bard, Robert Burns, we pray for all poets, writers and journalists - that they write truthfully, constructively and do not incite hatred. Help us never to write words which we may later regret. Even e-mail needs care!
Wednesday 20th Assemblies at Crossroads, Canisbay & Keiss
Please continue to pray for Lyall as he conducts regular assemblies in our three local schools. Thank God for the open door that there has always been here in the north. Pray today for schools which are closed to Your servants and for children who have no easy opportunity to learn about the things of God.
Thursday 21st Ministry and Mission Committee in Wick
As usual there will be items on this evening’s agenda which will affect our four congregations. Pray for Heather Stewart, Convener, and for Ruth and Esme representing Canisbay, but also all of you.
Friday 22nd
Merciful Father, we pray for Carers, the unsung heroes who look after a spouse or family member at home, day after day and month after month. Help them to know that they are appreciated, watched over by You Who hold them and their loved one in Your arms.
Saturday 23rd
Monday is Burns’ Night. Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the talents You give to people which in turn bring enjoyment to others. Thank You for the poetry of Robert Burns and the pleasure very many find in it. Bless the social gatherings which take place over this weekend. Particularly give an uplift to lonely folk who find a Burns’ Supper a great blessing.
Sunday 24th Psalm 19; Luke 4. 14 - 21
Olrig & Dunnet – Robert; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Almighty God, please bless the services in all four churches today and in the churches of every denomination in our county. May preachers and worshippers know Your Presence in a real way and may glory rise to You.
Monday 25th
Loving Lord, I don’t always find it easy to trust You completely. Sometimes I hold a little back in case You let me down. Forgive me!
Tuesday 26th Canisbay Guild Pot Luck Supper
Lord Jesus Christ, when You walked on this earth You delighted in fellowship with Your people at a meal. As the Guild enjoy this special time together this evening, make Your Presence as real as that of one another. We pray that nothing may prevent the success of what has traditionally been our most successful gathering.
Wednesday 27th
Thank You, dear Lord, for the joy and privilege of Christian
fellowship. Please teach us to show more of the Fruit of the Spirit in
our lives - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - so that others will be
attracted to You in us and want to know You too.
Thursday 28th
Loving and faithful God, You promised that You would not leave Your flock without shepherds. Grant a spirit of wisdom, courage and perseverance to all who hear Your call. Show them we need them in Caithness, and more urgently as the years pass!! Clearly call a Minister to look after Canisbay, Dunnet, Keiss and Olrig. We want our churches to survive and grow as You would wish. Give us the courage to take that responsibility!
Friday 29th
Gracious Lord, we thank You for the certain hope You give to Your children. Help us to look to You and watch and pray and trust in Your overruling in all our circumstances.
(Paul Woodbridge, Scripture Union Encounter With God Oct-Dec)
Saturday 30th
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he wll make your paths straight. Prov.3.5,6
Forgive me, Gracious Lord, when I doggedly try to go my own way! Help me to submit to You. You always know best.
Sunday 31st Psalm 71. 1 – 6; Luke 4. 21 – 30
Olrig & Dunnet – Robert; Keiss & Canisbay - Myrtle
Informal service this evening at 6.30 at Freswick Castle.
And so another month draws to a close. 2016 is well established and some of our plans for this year are taking shape. Thank You, Jesus, that You have gone ahead of us, and that we can trust that what we attempt in Your Name will bring results for Your Kingdom.
