Moncreiff Parish Church

Prayer Diary

“But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.”

Galatians 5:22

“Come Spirit, on us breathe,

with life and strength anew;

find in us love, and hope and trust,

and lift us up to you.”

Anna Briggs

September 2019

20^th      Dear Lord, comfort and give strength to all who are grieving.  May they remember with thanksgiving the joyful times, and may they find peace and acceptance for those memories which are painful.

21^st      We pray today, Lord, for children who are so scarred by early experiences that they no longer know how to play.  Come close to them and those who care for them.

22^nd      Bless all who are worshipping in your name today.

23^rd      Loving Lord, we pray for the lonely ones: the child who is never asked to join in with others; the colleague who is never quite one of the team; the neighbour to whom no one speaks; the person who always walks alone.  May they find a friend.

24^th      May all who suffer from the violent actions of a family member find support and the strength to change their situation, and may their abusers find help.

25^th      In chapter 7 at verse 50 Luke tells us that Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”  May we also have faith enough to go in peace.

26^th      We pray for the members of Congregational Boards, Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries as they move ahead with the work of the National Church here in Scotland.

27^th      MINI MEDITATION:

            Our God is a God of Love.  May I remain safely and securely in His care.

28^th      We thank you that we have access to clean water and wholesome food, and we pray for those who don’t.

29^th      Dear Lord, bless and prosper the work of the Scottish Bible Society.  It’s so easy for us to forget how precious your word is to so many in their own language.

30^th      We hold before you all who are living in a state of worry about the whereabouts of a missing friend or relative, who are hurting with a pain that never goes away.  Bring them comfort.

October 2019

“Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

Longing for truth, we turn to you.

Make us your own, your holy people.

Light for the world to see.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

Longing for hope, many despair.

Your word alone has power to save us.

Make us your living voice.”

Bernadette Farrell

1^st        “Praise the Lord! It is good to sing praise to our God; it is pleasant and right to praise him.

            He has decided the number of the stars and calls each one by its name.  Great and mighty is our Lord; his wisdom cannot be measured.”

                                                                                      Psalm 147 vs 1, 4 & 5

2^nd        Father God, we hold before you the members of our Moncreiff Development Group.  We thank you for their successful grant applications so far and ask you to continue to bless their endeavours.

3^rd        Dear Lord, at this time of upheaval and uncertainty in our nation’s life we ask your guidance for our politicians.

4^th        May all who have recently embarked on a new phase of education be given the confidence to benefit fully from the experience.

5^th        Thank you, Father, for the love of family and friends, the beauty of our land and the peace to be found in quiet places.

6^th        We remember today those members of our congregation who are too ill or frail to come to worship.  Be close to them wherever they are.

7^th        “The Day of the Lord – afterwards I will pour out my spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions.”

                                                                                                      Joel 2 v 28

8^th        We pray for all who are suffering from the effects of last month’s hurricane in the Bahamas and neighbouring areas.

9^th        The King James translation tells us we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  We thank you that when we are in full health, we are indeed a wonder of creation, and when we are not we thank you for whatever treatment and healing may be possible for us.

10^th      POSITIVE VISUALISATION:  See in your mind’s eye our church and the shops across the road, see Alison Lea Medical Centre.  Now see the area as a burned-out bombsite and remember those whose homes have been reduced to such a state.

11^th      We thank you today for all who have touched our lives, encouraged and inspired us, helped carry our burdens, made time to listen and simply cared.

12^th      Father God, we know you are patient, loving and forgiving.  Help us to grow in your way.

13^th      “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation; praise God, my soul, for in him are your health and salvation.”

                                                                                                        Hymn 124

14^th      May all who have been hurt or damaged by a family member be healed and restored and may there be healing in the family unit.

15^th      PERSONAL PRAYER:  Here I am again, Lord, come to you in this quiet time.  Not asking for anything, just being here before you.

16^th      Strengthen, Lord, those who have family or friends living in care homes.  May they be cheerful when they visit and find the staff members caring and approachable if problems arise.

17^th      “Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only imaginary ones that are unconquerable.”

                                                                                                          T. N. Vail

18^th      Help us, Lord, to discern your will for us in our home lives and as part of the church family.

19^th      May all children who are too unwell to get out of bed be healed and given strength.

20^th      Heavenly Father, inspire and guide us, your congregation of Moncreiff, during our time of vacancy.

21^st      We pray today for the members of our Nomination Committee.  Guide them in your way and lead them towards the person you have chosen for our new minister.

22^nd      Thank you for the love in our lives – that which we are given by others and that which we give to others.

23^rd      Comfort, dear Lord, all who are mourning.  May the memories of happier times bring them peace in their hearts.

24^th      “Lord, we pray for all who are lonely:

            children who are being bullied and dare not tell anyone;

            shy people who find it hard to make friends;

            those who feel rejected and isolated;

            those whose partner has died or left them;

            and elderly people who miss their families and old friends.

            Lord, be with them all, in your infinite love.”

                                                                                                Angela Ashwin

25^th      Loving Father, come near to us and free our minds from worry and stress so that our spirits may be uplifted by your presence.

26^th      “For all that has been – Thanks!

            To all that shall be – Yes!”                                     Dag Hammarskjöld

27^th      Bless all who dread the darker evenings that lie ahead.

28^th      We thank you, Lord, for the diversity of your creation, for the variety to be found in humankind, for the different animals and plants, and for the stars and planets in our skies.

29^th      “Love is eternal.”                                                  1 Corinthians 13 v 8

30^th      Lord, forgive us when we get carried away by the needs of a congregation in vacancy and try to do what needs doing in our own strength.  Come closer and be our guide.

31^st      We hold before you all whose livelihood is threatened by our unsettled political situation.  Whatever this day brings be close to your people.