Prayers
Theme : ” 2nd Sunday in Advent – Prepare the way of the LORD – The way of Peace? “
‘I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,’ says the Lord Almighty.But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.
Malachi 3 : 1-4 NIV
‘In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
‘A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God’s salvation.”’
Luke 3 : 1- 6 NIV
Pray for: –
* Peter, may the Lord sustain him during this very hectic season of high workload and stress, grant him peace of heart, mind and soul as he works tirelessly to meet the needs of others. Ask that the Lord will grant him times of rest and the opportunity to share time to be with his family.
* Brigid, may she know the joy of family time in the midst of all of the activities requiring attention during this season.
* Hannah and Guy, may they have peace and joy this Christmas time.
* David, grant him peace in his life and his relationships with his work colleagues.
* Rob, Jo and their family, for the Lord’s blessing on him and his family at this Christmas time. Give him strength and patience to complete the unions within the Wishaw area.
* Hanna, that the Lord gives her peace in her ministry at Clarkston. May she have a restful family time during the busy Christmas programme.
* Elaine and her family, may the Lord continue to sustain her for the work at Corstorphine Old Parish Church.
* Mhairi, who may receive God’s word in abundance for her Readership studies. Keep her safe and resourced in her placement at Hamilton Old where she may bring blessing to the folks there.
* everyone in our congregations, their families and friends that they remain faithful to the Lord. Pray that we will continue to support those who are lonely, vulnerable and isolated at this time.
* CAIRNLEA 2020 Group. Pray that the government funding will be released soon and that we will receive a positive outcome. Keep us focussed on the Lord’s vision for the Cairnlea Centre that the Lord will make clear His mission plan for funding and design for the new centre. Pray for our roof repair grant funding applications.
* all those who are dealing with bereavement at this time, ask that they will know the comfort of our Lord during these difficult times for them.
* those who are ill at home or in hospital, those facing surgery and anyone who is recovering at home or those suffering any difficulty within our congregation’s families.
* remember all medical staff (in all disciplines and levels), carers and essential services throughout our land, pray for their safety, rest and energy to cope with the stress as they work tirelessly caring for people. .
* pray that there might be a sharing of Christian hope in these days; and that online or in telephone conversations, we might encourage one another in faith.
* give our GB & BB Captains, Officers, Helpers and our young people energy and faithfulness to teach the young folk about Jesus, that the youngsters will learn about the coming of Jesus into their lives.
* Ask for peace, harmony for all teachers, staff and youngsters in our schools, colleges and universities. Pray for good learning, peace and calm within our education systems.
* the provision of food and medicines for the millions who are starving and homeless in Yemen. Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Afghanistan.
* Dr Callum Henderson of Comfort International, and his work with the children and women needing aid and support in DR Congo. Pray for Comfort International’s work in South Sudan, Rwanda, and Burundi. Pray for Peter McLean’s continuing ministry with Pastors and children’s groups throughout Uganda.
* King Charles, and the rest of the Royal family ask that they be kept in the care of the Lord.
* Ask that God will guide our Ministers, MPs and MSPs in both Parliaments, that they may govern the country with honesty and integrity to deliver a more caring and equal society.
* Pray the Lord will continue to lead Ministers as they help churches work through the implementation stage of reshaping parishes throughout Scotland. Pray for unity amongst members of the church throughout Scotland.
* our GYC leader, Jacob Ingleson, that he can build solid relationships with the pupils and staff in our local schools. Ask that the Lord will encourage him and bring young people into our church. Give thanks for our members who support the ‘Growing Young – Cairnlea vision’.
* give thanks for our friends in Calderbank, Chapelhall and Clarkston, bless them as they share God’s love within their church community and show His love to those whom they meet daily.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”
ISAIAH 9 : 6-7 NIV
