EDINBURGH NORTHWEST KIRK
DECEMBER PRAYER DIARY
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
(John 8 :12)
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Prayers for each day
1 Dec First Sunday in Advent
2 Dec for maintaining the peace agreement between Israel and Hezbollah
3 Dec for further peace moves in Israel/Gaza
4 Dec for Julia and family
5 Dec for Emma McMillan who is on a placement with St Ninian’s Corstorphine. Emma is studying at New College.
6 Dec for the work of Fresh Start and Scran Academy
7 Dec Christmas Fair at Cramond
8 Dec Pray for our services at Cramond and Pennywell
9 Dec for Edinburgh Street Pastors
10 Dec for the staff and committees working in 121 George Street
11 Dec for the work of CrossReach: Sunflower Garden. Sunflower Garden supports children and young people aged 5 -18 affected by drug or alcohol use in their families.
12 Dec Visiting Team Christmas Service today in the hall.
13 Dec for the Turi children’s project in Kenya
14 Dec for the Moderator, Rev. Shaw Paterson
15 Dec Pray for our services at Cramond and Pennywell
16 Dec for those recently bereaved
17 Dec for the ongoing ministry of Christian Aid all over the world
18 Dec for Julia and family
19 Dec Pray for the staff and pupils of our local schools
20 Dec Pray for refugees in our city
21 Dec Pray for some who may come back to church at this time
22 Dec Pray for our services at Cramond and Pennywell
23 Dec Pray for the lonely in our parish, especially at this time of year
24 Dec Christmas Eve services
25 Dec Christmas Day service
26 Dec Pray for families remembering loved ones killed by the Boxing Day tsunami 20 years ago today
27 Dec Pray for the homeless in Edinburgh and for agencies trying to help
28 Dec Pray for those in our parish suffering with their mental health
29 Dec Pray for our services at Cramond and Pennywell
30 Dec Be thankful for good outcomes during 2024
31 Dec Pray for encouragement as we look forward to 2025.
REFLECTION
“The ways people come to worship”
Reverend Marianne Clough
November 2024
What brings someone to Christ, to church and what helps them stay?
How would you answer regarding your own journey with Him?
I’m fascinated by what we communicate to people, in our words and actions, and how it’s received.
What motivates people to give God a go?
I asked some newcomers at our church what attracted them and what made them stay. A man who comes along with his wife and little girl, told me that in response to all the turmoil in the world, they needed some joy.
That joy is evident as the congregation worships and together they are discovering the goodness of God is available for their family too.
Another newbie, a woman, saw a Facebook reel about an Ash Wednesday service. This particular service synched with her work schedule and so she found the courage and went. The worship leader said: “Please stand if you are able.” As someone with chronic migraines, this really chimed with her, as her seated worship was declared equally valid. She has since been baptised.
The third newcomer came because of a parade service with cubs and scouts. He was surprised by the easy-going atmosphere and how no one blinked when the children weren’t quiet. After many years of absence from church, he felt God drawing him back in. He has felt loved and accepted and his trust is being restored.
What do we learn from these stories? For me, I learn that as a community we can prayerfully try to get our publicity right, to take time to connect and welcome people and be accepting. However, in every situation, the Holy Spirit has been at the heart of drawing people in and helping them find courage to discover more. Some plant, some water but God himself makes it grow, says 1 Corinthians 3 : 6 - 9.
What a joy to find ourselves in a team with the Lord of the harvest.
Now, call me greedy, but I’m praying for more.
Revd Marianne Clough
Diocese of Leeds
If you have a prayer request or a favourite prayer which you would care to share in a future Prayer Diary, please e-mail office@cramondkirk.org.uk