Prayer Diary December 2016
Thursday 1st Joint Officebearers Meeting in Keiss
Interim Moderator Ian McCree writes: Thank you for praying for the steering group meeting at Olrig last month. It was a very positive and constructive meeting looking at many of the concerns and issues that surround a possible Union. We hope to have consultation with each of the congregations early in the New Year so please pray on.
Friday 2nd
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too pleased with ourselves.
( Sir Francis Drake, quoted in Encounter with God, Scripture Union)
Holy Spirit, make me aware of any hint of self-satisfaction which all too easily spoils my witness to You. Keep me humble.
Saturday 3rd
Thank You God for the friends we have, who help us on our earthly ways. It is not easy to find the time but folk like them always do. Thank you, Lord, for sending them.
Sunday 4th 2nd Sunday of Advent Ps.72.1-7,18-19;Isaiah 11.1-10 Og & Dt: Lyall; K & Cb: Ben MacGregor Mairi-Anne hopes to hold Messy Church today.
Give God thanks for the enthusiasm of her friends and their children – and the effective publicity done through Facebook! Pray for God’s rich blessing on each person who crosses the threshold into our Hall today – whatever their age!
Monday 5th
When we are buying Christmas presents, we remember the gifts that the wise men and shepherds took to the baby Jesus so long ago. Now, as then, there are those who have and those who don’t have. Encourage us all to share and, tomorrow evening, support Rev. Bill Ferguson as he explains the work of the charity, Christians Against Poverty, (CAP) to Caithness Presbytery
Tuesday 6th Presbytery meets in Thurso West
This evening’s meeting of Presbytery is always very full and it can be affected by weather so that some presbyters are on edge as the minutes pass. Please pray for Moderator Heather Stewart, Clerk Ronnie Johnstone and all who play any part, that the Holy Spirit may brood over all the proceedings, guide the discussion, prompt the listening and remembering – and grant mild weather!
Wednesday 7th Canisbay School Assembly
Lord of the Church, as Presbytery’s various committees meet, we pray for “Church in Society” taking place in Canisbay church hall this evening. We pray that You guide the members as they seek to take the Church’s work into the wider community.
Thursday 8th Olrig Kirk Session and Congregational Board
As the festive season approaches we pray for God’s blessings of love and compassion upon all those who struggle to face this time of year and we ask that they might find joy and peace in the safety of God’s hands. (Crossreach Prayer Diary Oct/Jan.)
Friday 9th Keiss School Assembly
We ask You to forgive us, Merciful Father, for all the hurts and wrongs that we have done to others. Sometimes it was our bad temper or irritability, sometimes it was malice or wanting to seem better than we are . Whatever the reason we give to ourselves, we know it was not what You taught us. We are truly sorry.
Saturday 10th
Tomorrow we hold our Christmas Carol Service at John O’Groats at 6.30pm. The beginnings of this popular event go back very many years and it is an event enthusiastically supported by the local community. Loving Father, give us a happy evening of informal worship and joyful fellowship enjoyed by young and old. Friends from further afield will, of course, be made very welcome too!
Sunday 11th Third Sunday of Advent Ps.146.5-10; Isaiah 35.1-10
Og & Dt: Lessons & Carols; K & Cb: Lyall
Father God, You gave us the greatest gift possible – the life of Your Son Jesus Christ. Accept our gratitude as we reflect how we were greatly blessed as we celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion in our congregations towards the end of last month.
Monday 12th
Christmas can be a joyous celebration for families. For some, however, especially those missing a loved one, it can be a sad and lonely time. We pray especially for them – comfort and strengthen them, shield them from harm and let them know Your enfolding love
Tuesday 13th Canisbay Guild Party
Continuing as a Guild to ‘Go in Joy’ we gather this afternoon for a simple Party. Lord Jesus Christ, Whose we are and Whom we serve, please bless us all and make this afternoon an oasis in the midst of these busy days. Do join us! (Invitation to Jesus and to you!!)
Wednesday 14th
Waiting for test results, coping with disease and illness as well as trying to keep active can be a lonely and stressful journey. Be with all those needing extra care and let their needs be made clear to us, Lord.
Thursday 15th
This is a popular evening for some of our local families! Keiss have their School Concert: Cinderella Rockafella at 6.30 pm and Crossroads their School Concert: Woops a Daisy Angel at 7pm in Mey Hall. (Not an easy choice for Lyall!) Give thanks for these happy events, and uphold the school staff who work extra hard at this time.
Friday 16th
So much travelling is necessary over the winter months! Merciful God, we thank You for Your continued safe-keeping and trust that You will continue to care for us and for all who travel this month
Saturday 17th
Thank You, Lord, for making our county - its cliffs, mountains, fields and seas. The clean air and big skies keep us healthy. Remind us to look after and treasure that which is in the care of us all, we pray.
Sunday 18th Fourth Sunday of Advent Ps.80.1-7,17-19;Isa.7.10-16
Og & Dt: Lyall; K& Cb: Roger Bamfield
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David. (Luke 2.4)
Merciful Father, we pray for all who are travelling at this time, whether by choice to visit family, or because they have nowhere to stay. You know and see them: keep them warm, fed and safe.
Monday 19th
Pray for the people of Aleppo where hundreds have been killed following the collapse of the truce deal at the end of September. Ask the Prince of Peace to intervene in His mercy and raise up peacemakers both inside Syria and in the international community, so that the violence will cease. (Open Doors)
Tuesday 20th Crossroads School Christmas Service in Dunnet Church at 11 am; Canisbay School Treat at 6.30 pm
Merciful Father, we rejoice when we hear of cancer being healed in someone dear to us. But how do we react when the cancer returns whether soon or decades later? Perhaps you know of someone facing this? Pray imaginatively: God can give healing again!
Wednesday 21st Canisbay School Christmas Service at 11 am
As our schools close for the Christmas holidays take time to pray for all the adults who have worked so hard as Head Teachers, teachers and support staff and who are desperately tired at this time. Loving God, You are no person’s debtor! Multiply the blessing of good sleep and renewed energy on each of these dear folk so that Christmas and New Year are a great joy and all that they deserve.
Thursday 22nd
Obviously, Lyall is grateful for prayer support as he conducts School Christmas Services over these busy days. Please also remember Howard Stone at Castletown School and at Thurso High. Esme would value your prayers as she is at Bower School today, conducting their Christmas Assembly and possibly at Watten and Halkirk as well, dates to be arranged. We give God thanks for these opportunities!
Friday 23rd Keiss School Christmas Service and Diamond awards
As our local children rejoice together, it is sobering for us to read the following : The children of believers from Muslim backgrounds face rejection from their communities – even on the playground. Pray that their parents and the local church will lay a firm foundation of the Word of God in their lives so that they will grow to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. (Open Doors)
Saturday 24th Christmas Eve Family Service in Keiss at 6.30pm; Watchnight Services in Olrig led by Rev Howard Stone and in Dunnet led by Lyall
Coming Lord, we anticipate this evening’s services with joy! Bless those who seldom come at any other time but wouldn‘t miss tonight. Inspire us all through the words of Scripture and of the carols and challenge us again to greet You joyfully. Be near to us, Lord Jesus.
Sunday 25th Christmas Day Combined service in Canisbay at 11am. Happy Birthday, Jesus!
This is an excellent opportunity for the Pentland Parish Church Family to come together in worship. Last year every chair was taken (more available this year!) The children bring one of their presents and we all look back on another year with God and give Him heartfelt thanks. If you have health and strength, please join us!
Monday 26th Boxing Day
Boxing Day can be an anticlimax! Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us, be real to me today and every day. Surprise me, Lord!
Tuesday 27th
Heavenly Father - our Father, we turn our thoughts to those who are one with us in faith but who are far from our fellowship today. We thank You for Your promise that You will never leave us and ask that you will continue to presence yourself through Your Holy Spirit with these friends we hold dear in our hearts. In the words of old, bless them and keep them, and make Your face to shine upon them and give them Your peace. We ask in Jesus' name.
Wednesday 28th Friends of Achvarasdal Christmas Party, Reay
Over the years the residents have found great blessing in this event with games, food, Santa. Remember all our faithful members now in Care Homes in Wick and in Thurso. May the peace and joy of Christmas rest on them. And richly bless all who care for them.
Thursday 29th
In this Christmas season, let us all remember the true meaning of this time – that Jesus was born to reconcile us to God. And let us remember in our hearts and prayers those who are unwell, isolated and facing the challenge of physical and mental illness.
Friday 30th
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13) This is a wonderful prayer that Paul wants every Christian to experience. God is the source and giver of that hope, joy and peace as we trust in him and walk in his ways. Pray that many in our Parliament and land would come to know the God of all hope.
(Parliamentary PRAYER Scotland 21/11/16)
Saturday 31st
Let us reflect on the year gone past with thanksgiving for the goodness of God and look forward to the year ahead with anticipation to see God at work within our own lives and within our nation.
(Scottish Bible Society: Read and Pray around the world Dec.’16)
