Prayer Diary

December

28^th      As we come to the end of the year, we ask your blessing for the children who have been baptised in Moncreiff and for their parents, God-parents and families.

29^th      We thank you, Lord, for the courage and dedication of our Search and Rescue Teams, our Coastguards and our Mountain Rescue Teams.

30^th      Help us, Lord, in the year ahead to grow friendships, nurture our fellowship and create stronger bonds in our community.

31^st      At the end of this year we ask you, Lord, to go forward with us as we face an unknowable future.  Our lives and our plans are in your hands.

January 2019

“God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.”

Ephesians 2 v 10

Dear Lord, as we begin a new year enable us to live our lives walking on the path of your love.

1^st        “This God is our God for ever and ever; he will lead us for all time to come.”                                                                    Psalm 48 v 14

2^nd        We pray today for all who are starting this year by escaping from war zones, persecution or any condition that makes leaving home and becoming a refugee seem like a better option.

3^rd        Father God, the source of all peace, be with us as we face the weeks and months ahead.

4^th        Thank you, Lord, for the joy of winter walks over the holiday time.  We are blessed by our beautiful countryside and our unspoiled coastline.

5^th        We pray for all who are beginning this year with an unwelcome change to their family dimension.  Give them courage and hope for the days ahead.

6^th        “As with gladness men of old

            did the guiding star behold,

            as with joy they hailed its light

            leading onwards, beaming bright:

            so, most gracious Lord, may we

            evermore be led to thee.”                                                    W C Dix

7^th        We hold before you those who have no settled home and are living on our streets exposed to severe weather and personal danger.  Empower those agencies that are working to alleviate this situation.

8^th        Healing God, we remember those in distant lands who are suffering from outbreaks of disease, especially Ebola, and are far from help and medical aid.

9^th        Thank you for the recent opportunities we have had to come closer to and spend time with family and friends we seldom see.

10^th      “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged.”  May we too learn this lesson.                                                            Luke 18 v 1

11^th      We pray for those who have been diagnosed with long term debilitating health conditions.  May they and their families be given the courage to face the future and whatever life-changes it brings.

12^th      Compassionate God, we ask you to comfort and strengthen all those whose loved one has passed away.  Grant them your peace.

13^th      As we gather together in fellowship for worship, we remember those who cannot be with us today.

14^th      Father God, we thank you for our homes, food and safety from the weather, and also for the joy of friends and family.

15^th      Dear Lord, bless the members of our Moncreiff Development Group and prosper our changed plans for our future in Calderwood.

16^th      We thank you for the work of all who make our streets safe to walk along, and our roads safe to drive on.

17^th      Thank you for our access to physiotherapists, psychologists and complimentary therapists who work alongside medical practitioners to bring us healing.

18^th      Lord of the Changing Seasons, as the daylight hours increase, we thank you that life is stirring under the earth and growth will appear in due time.

19^th      Generous Lord, we think of all who give of their time and talents in a volunteering capacity.  Bless them and their work.

20^th      We hold before you our children in Faithbuilders and their dedicated leaders, the families they belong to and all who love and nurture them.

21^st      We thank you for our families and friends, those who laugh with us and share our joy, and those who weep with us and hold us up when life is hard.

22^nd      “Eternal Father, Fount of wisdom: we ask you to bless the national leaders we have elected: grant that through their discussions and decisions we may solve our problems effectively, enhance the wellbeing of our nation, and achieve a fairer and more united society.“

            adopted from a New Zealand prayer book

23^rd      MINI MEDITATION:  I turn my thoughts to you, Father God.  I rest in your peace, in the tranquillity of your love.  I am still in my Father’s presence.

24^th      We hold before you all who are living with violence, threat of any kind, fear and foreboding.  May your Holy Spirit fill them and give them strength.

25^th      We thank you, Lord, for the skills of authors, film-makers, musicians and games designers whose work gives us enjoyment, entertainment and education.

26^th      Loving Lord, we ask that as members of Moncreiff Congregation, we may grow closer in fellowship with each other.

27^th      We pray for all survivors of traumatic events, who dread falling asleep, knowing they will suffer harrowing nightmares.  May their bodies, minds and memories be healed.

28^th      A PRAYER FOR OURSELVES:  Creator God, you know what I need without me putting it into words.  Hear my prayers and also my silences.  Give me strength for today, hope for tomorrow and hold me in your everlasting love.

29^th      May all who have to face difficult decisions, unforeseen circumstances or new beginnings be enabled to cope with insight and wisdom.

30^th      Father God, we ask you to walk alongside us today and every day, whatever that day may bring.

31^st      We hold before you, Lord, our church family in Moncreiff, our fellow members of the Presbytery of Hamilton, our national Church of Scotland and all who claim you as their Lord throughout the world.