Prayer Diary June 2016
Wednesday 1st
As another new month has begun, much lies ahead of us. God has gone into it before us and if we walk it with Him at His pace and in His strength all will be well. Believe it!
Thursday 2nd
Some of us are giving God grateful thanks for answering our prayers for family members or friends who have gone through surgery recently and are now recovering. We thank Him too for all who work in medicine and for those who make advancements in Medical Science. God is good!
Friday 3rd
Last month we asked for prayer for the CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Meeting in Wick. Rev Bill Ferguson writes: ‘A huge thank you to all of you who came along. It was a very positive meeting and, for me, there was a real sense that God was in this. After the meeting, a young woman came to me and said that, should we be able to open a CAP Debt Management Centre, then she would like to be considered for the position of Centre Manager. Watch this space.’
Saturday 4th
We ask for forgiveness, Lord, for all those times when we hurt those around us because of our thoughtlessness. Give us a deeper understanding and greater sensitivity to the needs of others.
Sunday 5th Psalm 146; Luke 7. 11 - 17 Olrig & Dunnet–Roger Bamfield;Keiss & Cby.–Murray Watts
Let’s thank God for His promises enshrined in the Bble. Pray today for those who translate, distribute and teach the Word of God and for people you know who don’t yet share our ‘better hope’.
Monday 6th
To think about: ‘I was speaking to a gentleman the other day who said his next ambition is to live to be 100. I don’t think that would be mine. It’s up to our Lord and Saviour how long I live.’
Tuesday 7th
We pray for those distressed by mental illness. Often, it is the partner or friend who is more affected as they see the person they once loved, turn into a stranger. Hidden, the illness can go undiagnosed. Support all who are affected , dear Father, and shine the light of Your love on all who suffer.
Wednesday 8th
Please continue to remember in prayer the appointment of a part-time worker who will work with Lyall in our parishes. We know that interest was shown prior to the closing date but with both the General Assembly in May and the approaching summer the wheels in our National Church Offices grind slowly! Give us patience, Lord, and help us to know that it is all in Your hands.
Thursday 9th
Olrig Board and Session Next week marks the celebration of the Queen’s Official Birthday and without doubt there will be special prayers offered for her in churches across our nation and our world. How often have we sung our National Anthem? Without doubt, God has answered the prayers enshrined in these words and our Queen has played her part. God save the Queen!
Friday 10th Crossroads School fun night
Late last month a gathering of lawyers took place in East Java, Indonesia. Open Doors is struggling to find Christian lawyers who have a heart for the persecuted church. Pray that the gathering will have broadened the lawyers’ perspective on religious injustice and that more Christian advocates will stand up for their persecuted brothers and sisters. (Open Doors)
Saturday 11th
On Tuesday Achvarasdal Care Home at Reay celebrates its 65th Birthday. There have been very many changes in the last 15 years and not a few difficult times. But our God remains faithful and the residents continue to enjoy the blessings of a comfortable home in lovely grounds where they are lovingly cared for. Pray for them and for the staff, giving thanks for their dedication.
Sunday 12th Psalm 5. 1 – 8; Luke 7. 36 – 8.3 Olrig & Dt. – Marcus Cornah; Keiss & Cby. – Ian McCree
Our Interim Moderator will celebrate Communion today in Keiss and Canisbay. Pray for rich blessing on all who gather round the Table. Often visitors from far and wide are able to join us, strengthening the Fellowship of the Church of Jesus Christ. We are deeply grateful
Monday 13th
This is the annual Week of Prayer for the work of the Society, Religion and Technology (SRT) Project of our Church. We pray, Lord, that all who have difficult decisions to make in the often controversial issues such as cloning and genetically modified crops apply a Christ-like, ethical understanding . Grant wisdom to all who debate how best to protect our environment and instil insight into all who seek to alter Your world.
Tuesday 14th Presbytery Meeting in North Coast Parish, Reay
Pray for our friend Rev Heather Stewart as she is installed this evening as Moderator and celebrates Communion. Ask God to bless, guide and strengthen her as she embarks on this new role in the service of the Church in Caithness. Give thanks for elder Charles Rigg’s effective year.
Wednesday 15th
Help me to be real with You, God, praying from the heart about what troubles me.
Thursday 16th Guild Summer Rally in Dunnet Church
Today Lyall will be involved in School Assemblies in both Canisbay and Crossroad Schools. Give thanks for all the opportunities offered to him and to our other School Chaplains within our county. Pray that the seed sown will take root and in God’s time yield a rich harvest.
Friday 17th
Give thanks and pray for the MSPs who were elected last month. An interdenominational group called Parliamentary Prayer Scotland meets weekly in Edinburgh to pray for our Parliament and they have been praying for some of the new MSPs. They ask for prayer for all the new MSPs and for those who were not returned as they adapt to life outside the Scottish Parliament.
Saturday 18th Canisbay Show
Many will attend the Canisbay Show this afternoon and it would be a bonus to have good weather for this event which is arguably the highlight of the community year. There are opportunities for God’s people to witness quietly amongst friends, neighbours and visitors. Lord, make us willing!
Sunday 19th Psalm 42, 43; Luke 8. 26 - 39 Dunnet & Olrig – Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay – Isabel Rennie
Heavenly Father, as we gather for worship today, we ask that You would so write Your Word on our hearts that its power may be seen in our lives, to the glory of Christ our Lord.
Monday 20th Crossroads School Assembly
Gracious God, thank You for Your promise that in Your mercy death is merely a gateway to a new and better day; that we know when we part from a loved one, we will know the joy of meeting them again in the Promised Land. Thank You, loving Father, for the gift of Jesus, who died on the cross so that we can be comforted in our sorrow and secure in our knowledge of safe passage to You.
Tuesday 21st
We celebrate the longest day, Lord, with an open air Communion on Dwarick Pier, Dunnet at 7pm and pray that Christians in the county will join us - regardless of denomination ! We pray, too, that all peoples will come and find you in the Kirk there later and will be refreshed with food, peace, music and love.
Wednesday 22nd
Loving Father, we pray for all those who are lonely. Help us to recognise that feeling in someone else, even if they are in the middle of a crowd, and to show Your compassion and love as You would to us.
Thursday 23rd
E U Referendum We are commanded in Scripture to pray for those who govern us. As I type this, there is huge opposition about today’s Referendum with the sides growing ever further apart. Who do we believe? It is urgent that we pray that the right outcome will follow today’s vote and surely it is equally urgent that there will be healing afterwards. May God’s will be done!
Friday 24th Keiss School Assembly
Summer time is here, for some enabling a break from work and a trip away. Gracious Lord, as we give thanks for the joy and happiness such a break can bring, hear our prayers for those who cannot afford a holiday; for whom every day is hard either because of lack of money or the constant daily strain of caring for someone who is ill. Make us grateful for the mercies You show to us and teach us to share all our blessings with others.
Saturday 25th
We give thanks for all who work in trades that offer service to others - whether it be plumber , window cleaner, mechanic or rubbish collector - we would find it hard to live without their skills. Bless them Lord and teach us to say thank you !
Sunday 26th Psalm 16; Luke 9. 51 - 62 Olrig & Dunnet – Lyall; Keiss & Canisbay – Ronnie Mackenzie
Jesus, Lord of Your Church, be present in every gathering of Your people for worship today. Fill Ronnie and Lyall with Your Spirit as they conduct the services today. Prompt Your people to attend and bless richly each one who gathers.
Monday 27th
We give thanks for the soft rains and sun that enable our grass to grow. We take our land so much for granted but we know, Lord Creator, that it is of Your making. Thank You !
Tuesday 28th
Remember P7 pupils leaving at the end of this week. Most of them are eagerly anticipating moving on to High School but some will be apprehensive. Pray for any known to you and hold them in your prayers through the summer. Give thanks too for all the benefits of their Primary School education - particularly good in our linkage!
Wednesday 29th
God is not greater if you reverence him, but you are greater if you serve him. (Augustine) Now, there’s a thought to take into the summer!
Thursday 30th Canisbay end of term service in church at 10 am.
Taking a new step is what we fear most, yet our real fear should be standing still. Step forward into growth and development. (Source unknown) This is another good word for the second half of 2016 which begins tomorrow. Let’s go with God!
The Editor regrets that she has no up to date news of Messy Church and has no time to chase this up. Hopefully next month….. But please pray on. Thank you!
