Prayer Updates 15th March 2012

Prayer Updates

15^th March 2012

Thoughts on Prayer – What happens when we Pray?

'God prompts His people to pray and then acts in response to their prayers. Things happen or don't happen because of prayer.  This does not mean God can be manipulated through prayer to do what we want if what we want is contrary to His will.  Instead, God reveals His will to us by His Word and works in us by His Spirit so that we know His will and pray in accord with it.  Then, in responding to our prayers, He accomplishes both His will and ours, and, in the process, involves us.'  Alvin J. Vander Griend, Your Prayers Matter

Thoughts on Prayer – Intercessory Prayer

Pray for A Church Family a Day

Mr & Mrs Allan McFetridge Mr & Mrs Jack Parke, Miss Alison Parke, Mrs Agnes Parke, Mr & Mrs Gary Shannon, Mrs Heather Shiels, Mr William Smith,

Mr & Mrs Ivan Stewart Mr & Mrs Alan Stewart, Mr & Mrs Hamilton Walker, Mr & Mrs David Watterson, Mr & Mrs Eric Wylie, Mr & Mrs Mervyn Wylie, Mr & Mrs Thomas York,

Specific Prayer Points

Give thanks to Almighty God for His never ending love and blessings renewed each morning. Give thanks for the congregational family of our church and our individual families, that they may be kept in fellowship with Him and know His every blessing.

J Team Family and Friends Evening Pray for the children as they take part in the Family and Friends evening on Saturday night.  Pray too for Yvonne Wylie as she speaks to both children and parents.

PW Dinner Give thanks for 70 years of women’s ministry in First Magherafelt.  Pray for the ladies as they celebrate this special event on Fri (23^rd).  Pray that it will be a special evening of fellowship and friendship.

GB Display Pray for the GB leaders and girls in the final preparations for the display that they would know God’s help and strength.  Pray for God’s blessing on the BB Display on Fri (23^rd).

Youth Club.  Give thanks for the steady number of young people who come along each Saturday night.  Pray for the need for more leaders so that youth club is able to continue in September.

Give thanks for the many who have been blessed through involvement in Small Group Bible Studies.  Pray for the leaders as they prepare for next week and also for the need for new Bible Study leaders for a new group in September.

Pray for the Holy Week Mission, that many may be drawn closer to God by the Cross of Christ. Pray that as invitations are distributed that God may use these to work in the hearts of those He wishes to challenge and convict. Pray for Rev Curry and Keith as they prepare God’s message for Holy Week. Pray for Melanie and the choir, orchestra, musical content and sound desk personnel. Pray God’s name may be honoured and glorified through-out the Easter season.

Pray for all parents who bring their children for baptism that they will seek God’s help and strength to keep the vows they have made.  Pray especially for Brian and Lynn Kerr whose sons Dillon and Finlay were baptised last Sunday.  Pray for the impact of the recent film Courageous that many fathers will be encouraged to take on greater responsibility as leaders in their home.

MOTHERING SUNDAY Loving Lord, thank You for the commitment and love of motherhood. Please grant strength and hope to those in particular need, comfort anyone who have lost a child and console those who long to become mothers, but are unable to do so. Amen

Rainey SU Weekend Pray for young people who go on Scripture Union Weekend on Fri (23^rd).  Pray for those who will bring the Bible teaching and for young people to take a stand as a Christian at school and to live for Jesus.

Pray for the families of the 28 people from Belguim (22 children) who were killed in the Swiss Alps this week.  Pray for God’s comfort at this tragic time.

Pray for the success of the Petition for Marriage, that the attempt to redefine it will be defeated and that Biblical Christian principles may be upheld. Give thanks for the 75 signatures of support to date and that a resounding mandate may be sent to the government to protect Christian values now and in the future.

Pray for Daniel Glassey in Thailand and the work of Wycliffe.  Pray also for Wycliffe’s NI Coordinator John Hamilton as he and his wife Ruth are flying from Belfast on St Patrick’s Day to join Wycliffe and Kouya friends and colleagues for the belated celebration on 21st March of the Kouya New Testament and Megavoice players containing Luke and Acts.  This celebration has been delayed because in 2002 the New Testaments for the Kouya people of Ivory Coast arrived in Abijan the day after Wycliffe personnel were evacuated as a decade of political unrest and civil war began. Now the country is calmer and the personnel can return. Pray that the Kouya church will be encouraged and grow through celebrating God’s Word in their heart language.

St Patrick Day Parades Pray for Christian organizations such as Crossfire Trust and Belfast City Mission in the special outreaches that they will do on St Patrick’s Day.  Pray too that all parades will take place peacefully.