Prayer Diary Feb 2016
Monday 1st
Have you seen a snowdrop yet? The days are lengthening, although it will be weeks before Spring properly takes hold. But our God is with us. ‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (Jer. 29.11) Hold on to Him. He is faithful!
Tuesday 2nd Presbytery meets in Wick St Fergus
Lord, we pray that the representatives of our 4 churches contribute wisely to the decisions made this evening for our governance.
With only two fulltime ministers in our Presbytery, some people are carrying huge extra loads. We pray for them. Challenge by Your Spirit those whom You know could bear new responsibilities..
Wednesday 3rd Canisbay and Crossroads School Assembly
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are bew every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ (Lamentations 3.22-24)
Let’s keep this in our minds throughout today!
Thursday 4th
Merciful Father, we give thanks for the members of the Emergency Services who selflessly strive to rescue and protect people in danger. Last month we saw them in action in the dreadful floods further south. Help us never to take for granted the work done by them and also by members of the public who put themselves into dangerous positions trying to rescue others.
Friday 5th Keiss School Assembly
Today is UNICEF Day for Change. Some reading this might check out the UNICEF website; others can easily imagine the great needs of children in today’s world. The heart of our God must be breaking as He sees refugee children suffering. Pray that those who have the power to bring change to benefit needy children may act – TODAY!!
Saturday 6th Messy Church in Dunnet
We thank you, Lord, for the children in our parishes and the volunteers who help them to learn about You. Guide all of us to instil Christian values in those we love. Pray too for Mairi Anne and for Kimberley as they seek to arrange Messy Church in Canisbay and in Keiss.
Sunday 7th Psalm 138; Luke 5. 1 - 11
Olrig & Dunnet – Ben MacGregor; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Dunnet Guild have lunch together today. Pray for happy fellowship!
We are thankful for the work of the Church of Scotland Guilds. We appreciate the warm fellowship and practical giving both here in Scotland and abroad .
Monday 8th
North Korea is probably the most difficult country in the world to be a Christian. Several refugees have been asked "Does it even help to pray". They all say "Yes - your prayers make a difference". The secret church is growing, despite everything. Pray for them in the words of Paul's prayer for the persecuted Christians in Thessalonika: that God will make them worthy of their calling (2 Thess. 1:11-12). (Open Doors)
Tuesday 9th Shrove Tuesday
All-knowing God, only You can see into the minds of Your dear
ones who live with dementia. Hold them close and bring Your peace
of mind and body. Break through the barriers of this terrible
affliction with Your love which is both gentle and strong.
Wednesday 10th Ash Wednesday
Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains….. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. Ps. 107.10,13
Across the world, prices are rising, debts increasing and jobs are taken away. Loving Lord, give courage to all those in need, relieve their worries and let them know the gift of Your peace.
Thursday 11th Joint Session and Board Meeting of 4 Churches
This evening we will say thank you and goodbye to Myrtle and welcome Rev Ian McCree as our new Interim Moderator. Ian retired from the fulltime ministry in Sutherland Presbytery and is currently Locum Minister at Pulteneytown Parish Church. Pray for both of these faithful servants in ministry.
Friday 12th This is a time when people can get depressed as winter drags on. We pray for such as these. Loving Lord, open our eyes to realise their predicament and show us where we can help with a friendly word or action.
Saturday 13th
Tomorrow is St Valentine’s Day and the word LOVE will be very obvious around us. In the Church we do not have the monopoly where love is concerned – obviously! – but let’s remember that Valentine gave his life for his faith and real love took Jesus to the Cross.. How strong is my commitment to love God and to love those around me?
Sunday 14th Psalm 1; Luke 6. 17 – 26 First Sunday in Lent
Olrig & Dunnet – Rev Ian McCree; Keiss & Canisbay - Lyall
Following our welcome of Rev Ian McCree as our Interim Moderator he is to preach today and on the 28th so that our congregations have the opportunity to meet him. Robert will conduct the services in Pulteneytown Parish and Thrumster.
Monday 15th
Loving Father, we pray for anyone making a journey - for whatever reason. Grant them the patience to make haste slowly and safely! As the schoolchildren have their break and families may be spending time away, keep Your hand on them and Your arms around them.
Tuesday 16th
Most of us who use this Prayer Diary have more than enough of this world’s goods to enjoy, but the presence of Foodbanks in our county reminds us that many are not so fortunate. This evening’s meeting of CAP (Christians against Poverty) in Wick Baptist Church at 7.30pm. is well worth supporting – by your presence and/or by your prayers. Check the website if you can.
Wednesday 17th Dunnet Session Meeting
Over recent weeks, Church Treasurers have been working hard to prepare their congregational accounts. These are all volunteers and some are quite inexperienced. Lord of the Church, encourage these people and grant the skill and patience to complete the task. Prompt us to add our thanks: these words cost nothing but mean so much!
Thursday 18th Ministry & Mission Meeting
For we are fellow workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Cor. 3.9)
Loving Lord, we ask your blessing on those who work tirelessly in the community on Your behalf – feeding and nourishing, maintaining buildings and fabric and quietly being Your disciples. We are so blessed to live in our close communities.
Friday 19th
Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. - Proverbs 24:27 Many people are building new houses in our parishes, and some have worked stalwartly through these winter months. Loving God, bless all of them. We ask a special blessing on those who are part of our fellowship.
Saturday 20th
Give thanks that another ten of the Christians abducted in Syria by the so-called Islamic State last February have been released. Please pray that those who remain in captivity will know God’s strong presence with them, and pray for their release. (Open Doors)
Sunday 21st Psalm 37. 1 – 11, 39 – 40; Luke 6. 27 - 38
Olrig & Dunnet - Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay - Myrtle
Some churches will host Thinking Day Services for the Guide and Scout Association. (See below) Give thanks for all young people and their leaders nationwide and worldwide who will gather in God’s House today.
On this Second Sunday in Lent, challenge Your people as their eyes and hearts focus on preparing for Easter.
Monday 22nd Thinking Day
Today, members of the worldwide Guide and Scout Movement take time to remember one another. Give thanks for all leaders whose dedication enables units to thrive. Many of us are grateful for what we learned in our early years as we strove to keep our Promise and learned to Be Prepared. Children in our communities would benefit so much from this opportunity but where are the leaders?!
Tuesday 23rd Canisbay Guild
Ben MacGregor (‘Ralph’ in the ‘Courier’) is this evening’s speaker at Canisbay; his subject ‘Out and About’. Guild members and friends have been fascinated on several past occasions by Ben’s photography and descriptions of his adventures, often made in his canoe. Visitors are very welcome – 7.30pm. Do come along.
Wednesday 24th Dunnet Board Meeting
The darkest hour is just before the dawn. Be encouraged – the sun
willl shine again: God won’t fail you.
If this encourages you, be grateful – and share with one or two others.
Thursday 25th Canisbay Board and Session
Please pray for the final preparations being made for the World Day of Prayer Service on Friday 4th March – eight days away! This year the material has been prepared by Christian women of Cuba on the theme: ‘Receive children, receive me’ This is always an afternoon of precious fellowship. Look out for information and plan to join us if you can!
Friday 26th
Our prayers may be awkward.
Our attempts may be feeble.
But since the power of prayer
is in the one who hears it
and not in the one who says it,
our prayers do make a difference.
Max Lucado
Saturday 27th Soup and Sandwiches in Dunnet
We are encouraged to be diligent in keeping our own houses in order and we try to do this. Our Church buildings, however, are increasingly expensive to heat and maintain. Lord of the Church, be with us today , we pray, as we try to raise funds to keep Your Houses open in the north .
Sunday 28th Psalm 92.1-4, 12-15; Luke 6. 39 - 49
Olrig & Dunnet - Robert; Keiss & Canisbay – Rev Ian McCree
It is a sobering thought that the people in our communities may look at us and be put off the Church and the Christian Faith. But Jesus has chosen us to be His friends and as we look to Him, and live close to Him, His attractiveness shines out of us and draws others to Him!
Monday 29th
O God, sometimes I feel confused and just don' t know how to talk to You. When that happens, I'm going think about the meaning of each of the following lines and I know I'll be on course again! God our Maker Who is everywhere, Your name is holy.
May your new world come And your will be done, in this place as in all times and places. Meet our needs everyday and forgive our failure to love, as we forgive others who fail us. Save us from loads too hard to bear And lead us into your light. For everything on earth and the universe beyond is yours, Now, and for all time. Amen ( From St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney)
