EDINBURGH NORTHWEST KIRK
OCTOBER 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
6 Oct Fresh Start on Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday
7 Oct Pray for all helping to organise worship services this month
8 Oct The crisis in the Middle East
9 Oct For Aid agencies trying to function in the midst of the conflict
10 Oct For the Moderator. On World Homelessness Day, the Moderator will travel to Glasgow to visit the Lodging House Mission, and share a reflection at their Evening Harvest Appeal Service
11 Oct CrossReach ministry: Perinatal East Counselling Service offering Counselling and therapy to families expecting a baby or with an infant up to 2 years old in Edinburgh and surrounding areas.
12 Oct Christian Aid’s ministry in South Sudan helping locals with savings and loans to improve their quality of life
13 Oct Pray for Sunday Explorers activities with young people at Pennywell today
14 Oct for Christian Aid’s Gaza Appeal
15 Oct for the ministry of Bethany Christian Trust here in Edinburgh
16 Oct for those recently bereaved
17 Oct for families coping with long term illness
18 Oct for the visiting team encouraging the elderly and housebound
19 Oct for our uniformed organisations, developing skills amongst young people
20 Oct for Simon and the choir as they lead us in worship
21 Oct for the Elders of the Kirk
22 Oct for Julia and her family
23 Oct for the church in Blackhall
24 Oct for the church in Davidsons Mains
25 Oct for the church in Drylaw
26 Oct Scripture Union in our schools
27 Oct Pray for the Moderator’s day today: The Moderator will lead Hamilton and District Battalion Boys' Brigade annual Founder’s Day Service. In the evening, Dr Paterson will preach at Canongate and St Giles' United Evening Service in Edinburgh.
28 Oct for our MSP’s as they serve local communities
29 Oct for visitors to our churches that they might feel welcome
30 Oct ‘Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.’ (Ephesians 3 : 20)
From the Church of Scotland website
Congregations across the Church of Scotland are encouraged to pray for peace in Lebanon as Israel intensifies its military invasion to target Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly, issued the call in light of the "terrible atrocities" faced by ordinary people caught up in the conflict. The Church of Scotland has an official partnership with the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, (NESSL) which is providing safe accommodation, essential life sustaining assistance and psychological support to all those in need. Congregants wishing to support the humanitarian work of NESSL should do so via their congregation, who may be able to boost the amount via gift aid. A letter signed by Dr Paterson has been sent to congregations and presbyteries as the Israeli Defence Force announced that operation "Northern Arrows" is being conducted in villages close to the Israeli border with ground troops supported by the air force.
It has urged residents in more than 20 towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately for their own safety as being near Hezbollah members or equipment would put their lives at risk. Najib Makati, Prime Minister of Lebanon, has said his country is facing "one of the most dangerous phases" in its history and around one million people have been displaced across Lebanon since Israeli air strikes began last month. Rev Joseph Kassab, General Secretary of NESSL, said: "These are dark days and we are afraid that Lebanon will turn into a second Gaza. The destruction is enormous and the needs are larger than the capacity of an already bankrupt government. God have mercy."
The Moderator has written a prayer for ministers and worship leaders to use in their intercessory prayers.
Almighty God, we bring our voices together to pray for peace, unsure of what to say or do. We see conflict, war, bombings, people fleeing to find shelter. As we witness an escalation in conflict, we pray for your peace, A peace which offers justice for the oppressed and downtrodden, a real peace in which every individual may live free from the horrors currently being experienced. Caring God, be with those suffering in Lebanon and across the Middle East. Bring healing to those physically and emotionally wounded … and healing between individuals, groups and nations. Comforting God, be with those who mourn the loss of loved ones and be with them in their grief and trauma, offering your grace and inner peace. Loving God, you loved us so much you came into our world in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We have heard the Good News; enable us to share your love … for love will overcome. Strengthen our resolve to love our neighbour, and work together for peace so that love might be shared, healing becomes a reality, and that we never lose hope. In the Name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
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