Prayer Updates 5th January 2012

Prayer Updates

5^th January 2012

Thoughts on Prayer   - What is Prayer?

“Prayer is not so much getting things from God as it is getting God’s viewpoint about things. It is submitting to God, not using God. It is seeking God’s will rather than demanding my own. Prayer is as much listening to God as it is talking to God. It is dialogue, not monologue. Prayer is spending time with God for His own sake — not just asking and running. Prayer’s preoccupation is the glory of God’s name, the coming of God’s kingdom, the doing of God’s will. True prayer is simply to know God!” Richard C. Halverson

 

Pray for A Church Family a Day

Mrs Mollie Eakin, Mr & Mrs Richard Evans, Mr & Mrs Derek Finlay, Mr & Mrs Nigel Gillespie, Mr & Mrs Jack Glassey, Mr. & Mrs Brian Hancock, Mr & Mrs Jack Hogg,

Mrs  Rosemary Kerr, Mr & Mrs William (Billy) Smyth Mr. & Mrs Richard McKeown, Mr. & Mrs Alan McMaw, Mr & Mrs John McRobert, Ms Sharron Murphy, Mr & Mrs Wallace Smyth,

Specific Prayer Points

(To be used alongside Order of Service)

Give thanks for the encouraging response to the 12 Days of Christmas Prayer both corporately and privately.  Pray that as a congregation we will take the work of prayer more seriously and commit to meet together regularly and seek God’s face and His glory among us.

Give thanks to Almighty God for bringing us safely through 2011 and pray for His Grace and Mercy and His never-ending love for us for the year to come.

Pray for Elders as they deliver Communion Invitations for 8^th Jan morning worship that a renewed importance will be given to this special service. Pray that attendance around His Table will be given a priority and there may be a hunger for His Word in our lives.

Pray for J Team as it resumes on Saturday that a good number of children will come along.  Pray that, as we consider who Jesus is, many of the children will come to trust in Him for salvation and commit their lives to follow him.

Pray for those who have been bereaved remembering especially the family of Mr Dawson McConkey who passed away this week.

Pray for those who are ill or receiving treatment and those recovering from surgery, that God’s Spirit may be close and real to them and those who have lost loved ones may find peace in Him. Give thanks to God for medical expertise and His gift of recovery to those who have been ill.

Pray for God’s protection of the family unit, as financial crisis continues. Pray for families affected by stress, the concern of unemployment or relationship issues, that these families may know God’s nearness and Spiritual calmness in their time of stress. We pray that His guidance may be evident and the family unit (especially the children) may be kept intact through their difficulties.

Pray for those who offer Pastoral Care to our congregational family. Pray for good health, energy and wisdom for Rev Curry, Keith, Rev Smith and Elders as they meet with church family members at times of stress and sadness, financial

hardship and disappointment. May they know God’s support as they meet with

those suffering illness at home or in hospital, family bereavement or relationship

issues.

Give thanks for the interest and offers of help in the Summer Outreach week in August.  This year will be run differently in that most of the work will be done by our own congregation with support from a much smaller PCI team.  Pray for Keith as he leads this and for all the preparation and organisation.

Pray that world governments might recognise the injustice of religious persecution in their countries, those who desire but cannot worship the Living God due to intolerance. Pray for God’s healing for the families bereaved through the loss of loved ones due to the murderous activities of others. Pray that God may hasten the day when His Name will be honoured on earth.

Pray for the success of the authorities who are working hard to stop the people and child trafficking that is on the increase in this country.  Pray for such people that they might be freed from their situation and receive help.

DGMH, Livingstonia, Malawi.  Pray for Una Brownlie as she travels back to Malawi this week after her Christmas break.  Pray too for Mr Mwenifumbo who needs treatment but is unable to get it in Malawi.  Give thanks for a grant for 4 oxygen concentrators has been given recently.

PCI, Spain Give thanks that Derek and Jane French have been allocated a little boy to adopt in China.  This is another step in a lengthy adoption process.  Pray that the necessary paperwork will proceed quickly and that they will be able to go soon and get their little boy. 

Pray for all children and young people who are starting back to school and university remembering especially those who are sitting A levels and finals this month.