Prayer Diary Sept 2016
Thursday 1st Pentland Parishes Joint Session and Board in Olrig
Pray for the Office Bearers as we meet this evening to continue exploring the way ahead for our four congregations. Rev Ian McCree and Lyall need wisdom as God’s will for us is sought. Some of us still have serious questions: we need grace.
Friday 2nd
We have asked for prayer for the new Presbytery post, working with the four churches to reach out and make connections with the wider community, especially families and young folk. Give thanks that an appointment has been made and will soon be ratified by the appropriate committees of Presbytery. More news next month!
Saturday 3rd
The weather is good: thank You, Lord. The harvest is carried out in one day in the field: thank you, Lord. Life is good to us. We pray for those for whom life is not so good and who don't even have a home to live in. Be with them, Lord. Amen.
Sunday 4th Psalm 139. 1-6, 13-18; Luke 14. 25-33 Og & Dt: Ben MacGregor; K & Cb: Marcus Cornah
Remember Lyall, conducting Communion at Pulteneytown and Thrumster in his capacity as Interim Moderator. This is a new responsibility laid on him by Presbytery. Pray for him and for the folk of this Wick charge as they begin to get to know one another.
Monday 5th
News from Robert and Lorna: “Thank you for thinking of us. We have had an undemanding summer in the church. We have enjoyed being able to go together, and just be in the congregation, and we've been made very welcome. Soon though we expect to become more involved, so we would very much appreciate your prayers as we find our place in ministry here.” We continue to thank God for using Robert, particularly in Olrig, and we pray on
Tuesday 6th Crossroads School Assembly
Today a Review and Redesign of adult health services is taking place in Thurso. Merciful God, we pray that You will grant honesty, wisdom and thoughtfulness to all those meeting today to carry out this task. Its results will have an impact on many of our people.
Wednesday 7th
At the time of preparation of this issue the dates of Canisbay and Keiss School Assemblies had not been arranged, but God know these and is present at each gathering. Living Lord, we are grateful for the continued open door in our Caithness Schools. This is not the case further south. Help us not to be complacent and to take every opportunity to sow and nurture the seed of Your Word in young lives!
Thursday 8th Canisbay Board and Session
A Macmillan Coffee Morning will be held today in Canisbay Church Hall from 10.30 – 12 noon. Give thanks for all the valuable work done by this organisation. Many people in our communities rightly regard the Macmillan nurses as angels who have enabled them or their family members to cope at times of huge need.
Friday 9th
Loving God, in whose family we are each a valued part, we pray for all older people. Our thoughts today are especially with those who have become frail and weak, whose eyesight is poor, who find it hard to hear, who need things done for them, are housebound or living in care. Be with each of them and all who look after them. Remind us of any who need our help and make us ever willing to do all we can to assist.
Saturday 10th
Gracious God, we thank You for the work of CAP (Christians Against Poverty) and pray that a CAP centre will be established here in Caithness in the very near future. Where there are problems, give victory!
Sunday 11th Psalm 14; Luke 15. 1-10
Og & Dt: Marcus Cornah; K & Cb: Lyall
Another Macmillan Coffee Morning will be held today, this time in Keiss Village Hall from 12 – 2pm. Please pray and give your support if you are able to. Some of you will be in church!
Monday 12th
"Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists of its ability to stick to one thing until it gets there." We’ve seen this demonstrated in spades in the Olympic Games. Living Lord, as the impact of Rio 2016 continues, enable me to persevere in Your service.
Tuesday 13th
Loving Lord, today we pray for, and give grateful thanks, for all those people who care for a relative, friend or neighbour. Their example of selflessness is a shining light to us all; give them strength in their service of You.
Wednesday 14th
It has been a great source of joy and gratitude to hear during the summer months from friends for whom we have prayed. Some of them specifically asked for prayer for themselves because they were facing a health crisis. Others asked us to pray for family members or friends with a similar need. They want you to know that God has graciously answered our prayers and they are deeply grateful. Holy Spirit, continue to brood over these dear people and continue Your work of healing in their lives! We give You thanks.
Thursday 15th Olrig Board and Session
All being well, the farmers are successfully harvesting crops as the days of this month pass. One of our members is reminded of two quotations which give food for thought:
"A whole bushel of wheat is made up of single grains." "The earth provides enough for every man's need but not for every man's greed." There is something there for each of us!
Friday 16th
Thinking about my life in your church, I know that what I profess to believe and what I actually do, doesn’t always match up ! Please help me, Lord, to treat everyone as though they were You and forgive me for…………………….(insert one of your own faults) Thank You for Your promise that when we confess our faults You are faithful to hear and forgive us.
Saturday 17th
Pray and give God thanks for the valuable and faithful work done amongst children in Castletown School by Rev Howard Stone. Along with his wife Christine he holds an After School Club in the village. This has been and is being richly blessed. One of their daughters, Mary-Louise, is a member of the Scripture Union Scotland staff in Glasgow. What influence this family has!
Sunday 18th Psalm 79. 1-9; Luke 16. 1-13
Og & Dt: Ben MacGregor; K& Cb: Lyall
Merciful Father, we pray today for our friends who have served faithfully as office bearers in past years and who have either moved away or are limited by weakness and are largely housebound. Some long still to be used in Your service. Comfort each one and speak to them. They need to hear Your voice.
Monday 19th
“Hasten, o God, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me.”
(Psalm 70.1) Copy this on to a piece of paper and keep it beside the kettle or where you will often see it. And God will do it!
Tuesday 20th Crossroads School Assembly
This evening in Strathy Church Dr Morag Macdonald will be set apart as a Reader in a service arranged by Caithness Presbytery. Rev Heather Stewart will preside as Moderator. Please remember this service in your prayers and come along if you are able to. Dr Morag is well known in our communities. She has worked hard to achieve this. Pray for her
Wednesday 21st
Lyall is grateful for your prayers and your support. He has a busy programme of visiting, as well as preparing for worship, school commitments and a large number of meetings in four congregations!
Ministry also involves being ready for the unexpected. Please pray on! And pray too that we shall not make unreasonable demands.
Thursday 22nd
You know, Lord, our every fault and wrongdoing but You still love us as Your children. Thank You for always being there and always listening. Guide us, we pray, so that we may copy Your example and be there for others too.
Friday 23rd
Compassionate God, we pray for all who are homeless and for those who also may have no work, no clothes and no food. We cannot always hear their cries, Lord, but You can. Be with them, Lord to rescue them from their plight and drive us willingly to their aid.
Saturday 24th
This evening at 7.00 pm. Christine Shearer is to be presented with the British Empire Medal by Lord Lieutenant Miss Anne Dunnett in Canisbay Village Hall. We give thanks for this richly deserved honour and pray for Christine and her family as they celebrate with her. If you are able to come, Christine assures you of a warm welcome.
Sunday 25th Psalm 91. 1-6, 14-16; Luke 16. 19-31
Og & Dt; Lyall; K & Cb: Ronnie Mackenzie
On this last Sunday of the month some will gather at Freswick Castle at 6.30 pm for informal worship followed by light refreshments and fellowship. This is a valuable opportunity to meet with others from across the county. As God’s people we need increasingly to be connected! Join us in body or in spirit through prayer
Monday 26th
Merciful God, we pray for addicts: those whose lives are caught up in a tangled web of despair because they are addicts of unhealthy and dangerous habits. May all who seek ways of escape from real life be kept from easy and evil solutions. Give them courage and insight. Help them to seek health and life and salvation, and to feel their weak souls reinforced by Your power in Christ. Help us never to condemn them because we have not walked their way or been consumed with the fierce desire that burns within them. Make us willing, always, to stretch out a helping, healing hand and lead them to You.
Tuesday 27th Canisbay Guild
The first meeting in the programme of Canisbay Guild is a fund-raising meal – always a great success as we share fellowship. For some this could mark the midpoint of a full seven days! We are grateful for health and strength, and for our Christian friends.
Wednesday 28th Guild Presbyterial Council Autumn Rally
We give thanks for the women and men of the Church of Scotland Guild and for the charitable work they carry out in this country and abroad. Living Lord, be present with the Caithness branches as they gather this evening in Thurso West Church. The speaker is Rev Douglas McRoberts, well known to some.
Thursday 29th Dunnet Congregational Board
As preparations are made for tomorrow’s event in Olrig, pray especially for all who have worked, in any way, to make the evening’s celebrations a success. To be with each other and to share our happiness will greatly strengthen us all – we celebrate Your love, Lord!
Friday 30th Social Evening in Olrig Church Hall
The month ends with a fund-raising event which it is hoped will also have the effect of strengthening the bonds of friendship and fellowship between our four congregations and having an impact in the local community. We give thanks to God for all that He is doing and for untold answers to prayer. And we thank you for your prayers!
This prayer diary is produced monthly by and for the four congregations in our Caithness linkage:
Canisbay Church of Scotland SCO 32164
Dunnet Church of Scotland SCO 30261
Keiss Church of Scotland SCO 10874
Olrig Church of Scotland SCO 11353
We trust its regular use will strengthen the bond between our congregations as we share news and support one another.
This diary also goes by e-mail to a growing number of friends throughout Scotland and we are sincerely grateful for their interest and support.
If you have found this Prayer Diary helpful, please let us know.
If there is any topic or any particular prayer you would like included in a future issue please contact the Editor:
e-mail esmeduncan@btinternet.com or phone 01955 611 455
Copy date for the October issue is 24th September
