Prayer Diary July & August 2016

1st

On this date in July the last of the school services takes place with the one in Keiss.

Give thanks for the opportunities which Lyall has in our schools and pray that the seeds which have been sown month by month might take root and bear fruit in young lives in the days and years ahead.

2nd

Six months of the year have gone and I‘m not sure where! As I look back, I have to ask myself, ‘Has my service to You improved, Lord?’ Sadly, I have erred and for that, I am very sorry. Please forgive me.

3rd

July Services: Lyall at K & Cb; Isabel Rennie at Og & Dt

It is always a special joy to welcome visitors to our services over the summer months and they express gratitude for the opportunity to share fellowship with us. Christ of the Church, prompt our own folk to review their faithfulness. You know, and they know who these are!

4th

Father in heaven, teach me to be honest with myself and with You when I have difficulties and questions. I ask this in Your Son's Name, Amen

5th

Wonderful, life giving Saviour - You have created a world finely balanced between different species. Please, open our eyes and make us more aware of how we live and the effect that we have on our planet. Forgive our complacency, our selfishness, our ignorance. Change us, Lord; change me.

6th August

Mey Games; Wedding in Canisbay Church

“I saw a baby bird learning to fly and marvelled at Your creation. How could such a ball of fluff be so brave and trusting that when it left its nest, it would land safely? Help me to trust like that bird.”

7th

August. Services: Lyall at Keiss & Canisbay; Ben MacGregor at Olrig & Dunnet

The ‘Royal service’ takes place in Canisbay Church today when we welcome Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay and his guests.Usually some of our local children take part and their families and visitors swell our numbers so that it is a particularly happy time.

8th

July Nomination Committee Meeting at Canisbay Please pray for the Committee as it meets. The years pass and Lyall is undoubtedly working hard as our Locum but every vacant charge benefits greatly when it has a full-time Minister of Word and Sacrament. What is God’s will for us?

9th

During June we were appalled by the news of sudden and violent death in Orlando and in Yorkshire. Events such as this can leave us in no doubt that we live in the Last Days. Returning Lord, comfort the bereaved; enable all who seek to bring peace and justice in our lands and challenge our spiritual leaders to see clearly what You are saying through these events so that we respond appropriately.

10th

July Services: Martin Howarth with Lyall at K & Cb; Gordon Noble at Og & Dt

As the children and school staff enjoy the weeks of holiday - so greatly deserved by the adults, we pray for good weather, for safety in activities and for effective refreshment whether the time is spent here in Caithness or away from home.

11th

Pray that our four congregations will be willing to adopt the Unitary Constitution as a first step to Union. As all our office bearers enjoy a break from meetings during the summer, pray that we might give time to reflect and faithfully to seek the will of God

12th

Merciful Father, please keep safe all those people who are travelling on our roads over these summer months. Give them calmness, we pray, when the traffic gets busy!

13th

We ask for your blessing, Lord, on all young families moving house. It is a stressful time - no matter how much planning there has been. Children especially find it unsettling - help them and their parents to find strength in you.

14th

August. Services: Gordon Noble at K & Cb; Lyall at Og & Dt

At the time of preparing this Prayer Diary, the outcome of the Referendum is not yet known. What a comfort it is to know that God knows; that our times are in His hands and that He will overrule. Continue to pray for our leaders – as we are commanded in Scripture to do. We pray for peace in the world and reconciliation, understanding and acceptance of others. Let us learn to love each other as You loved us.

15th

Loving God, we pray for all those who are housebound and lonely. Help each of us to find the motivation to visit our neighbours and in doing so to treat them as if they were You.

16th Gracious Lord, we pray that You will protect all those living on the edge of our society - uncared for, malnourished or misunderstood. Show us ways in which we can reach out and make a difference in their lives. Sometimes we talk glibly about ‘reaching out to those in our community’. Prompt us to mean our prayer and to act appropriately!

17th

July Services: Marcus Cornah at K & Cb; Lyall at Og & Dt

Remember those known to us who suffer from dementia - such a distressing condition. Strengthen those who love them and seek to care for them. Assure them that You love them and understand.

18th

Pray for all who support charities through sponsored events and give thanks for those who respond generously when a real need arises. God is no person’s debtor. He sees and He will bless.

19th

This date in August should see schools settled into the new term. As we pray for the teachers who bear such responsibility, we also remember the adults without whom schools could not function. Lord, thank You for cooks, secretaries, classroom assistants and all others who play their vital part. Richly bless all who work in school!

20th

Merciful Father, there are so many in our congregations and communities in need of our prayers: those who are unwell, receiving treatment, mourning the loss of a loved one or anticipating such a loss, lonely, anxious…. You know each one and hold them in Your hands. Keep us faithful in prayer and show us how to help.

21st

Aug. Services: Roger Bamfield at K & Cb; Lyall at Og & Dt

"Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake,

To guide the future surely as the past,

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last,

Be still my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below" 

(Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel b. 1697).

22nd

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for my friends who pray faithfully for me. Bless them richly and encourage them day by day. If I need it, remind me to share with them how their prayers have been answered!

23rd

Forgive us, Merciful Father, for the times when we have spoken out when we should have remained silent, and also for the times when we have remained silent but should have spoken. May we be lights shining in this dark world and ambassadors for Christ in everything we do.

24th

July Services: Lyall at K & Cb; Marcus Cornah at Og & Dt

Pray for the valuable work of Caithness Be-friending and all that is done through Caithness Voluntary Group. So many give of their time and energy so that others will benefit. It is hoped that they will never be taken for granted and that they will be assured that they are appreciated. I ask myself: ‘Do I always remember to say thank you? It costs nothing but means so much!’

25th

August Ministry & Mission Committee in Wick The August meeting of this committee is always a sign that the work of the autumn is underway! There will be important business on the agenda, probably including news of the outcome of the interview for the .5 post in our Pentland Parishes. What a comfort it is to be able to be sure that God has all our business in His hands and that He has gone ahead! Praise Him!

26th

Pray for all carers especially children caring for a disabled parent or parents. We may not know of a young person involved in this way, but we see it on TV and they need our prayers. Pray that they will be able to take a break particularly while their peers are on holiday.

27th

During the month of June and over the summer each of our congregations will appoint members to a steering group whose task it will be to work together from September onwards to reach a Basis of Union which it is hoped will in time be agreed by all our members. Please pray for those who agree to take on this responsibility. Some of them are already very busy people but those whom God calls He also equips.

28th

August Services: Lyall at K & Cb; Marcus Cornah at Og & Dt

Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church worldwide, today we remember all who worship in places where there is persecution; where pastors live in fear of arrest; where sharing the Gospel is forbidden. Keep us faithful in praying for these sisters and brothers, and help us never to take the freedom we have for granted.

29th

We pray for all people who have been given a diagnosis of cancer for themselves or for a family member. Thankfully, You are helping us to find newer and better treatments all the time but nevertheless the shock of disease is frightening

30th

Give thanks for the money received from wind farms which provides a much needed financial boost to our local communities. Sadly, thus far, religious bodies cannot benefit. Pray!

31st

July Services: Lyall at K & Cb; Ronnie Mackenzie at Og & Dt

Living Lord, we thank You for the encouragement we receive from the visitors who happily attend our services or share in events which are organised during the holiday season. Thank You for fellowship shared and for their prayers for us when they return to their home congregations.

May God bless you throughout these summer months!