Prayers

Theme: ‘ Trust the process – The Cost of Trusting.’

‘ When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Esther 4 : 1-17 NIV

‘ Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.’

Luke 9 : 23-24 NIV

‘ When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.’

Psalm 56 : 3 NIV

Pray for: –

* Peter, that he has had the opportunity to relax and will benefit from his break away, ask for wisdom and encouragement as he prepares to return to work dealing with the many challenges he faces on a daily basis. May he have hope and blessing as he leads our congregations forward.

* Brigid, that she has enjoyed her holiday and will return this week completely rested and refreshed.

* Hannah and Guy, grant them grace and strength and may they be encouraged by His Word as they go about their work and seek to serve the Lord daily.

* David, may God fill his heart with hope, and remind him of the Lord’s constant presence in his life.

* Rob, Jo and their family, that the Lord will keep them close to His love, as they seek to serve with all their hearts.

* Hanna and her family, may she be faithful to the preaching of God’s Word, ask that her work within the parish will bear fruit and help to grow the Clarkston membership. May she find peace in the process of bringing our churches together.

* Aaron Johnstone, give thanks for his preaching and ask that many listening would receive blessing from God’s Word today. Give him strength and grace for his week ahead working within the parishes with our members. .

* Elaine and family, may she know God’s guidance, encouraging her and leading as she carries out her work as a Deacon.

* Mhairi, may God enrich her work and bless her as a Reader, give her strength to develop her preaching knowledge.

* 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 to the Lord for clarity of His mission plan to allow us to complete the design of the new annexe. Ask for God’s guidance to have the Draft Agreement completed and signed by both parties to allow the new Annexe building work to commence. Encourage the 2020 team with Your strength Lord, give them resilience, patience and willingness to complete the work.

* 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 or treatment and anyone who is recovering at home or those suffering any difficulty within our congregation’s families.

* remember all medical staff (all disciplines and levels), carers and essential services throughout our land, pray for their safety, and energy to cope with the stress as they work tirelessly, caring for people.

* pray for all those involved with Schools and Colleges as they start back to new terms, grow the young minds and encourage the teachers to provide a safe learning space for our young folk.

* 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 thanks for the work of the Captain and leaders of the GB and give them rest during their summer break. Ask that the young men who moved to other BB companies in our area will flourish in the new fellowship offered there, may they, the Captain, and Officers, enjoy their summer vacation.

* Catherine, pray for her and her family. She asks for God’s guidance and provision towards a new Ministry post in Spain for her.

* Martin and Stefanie, may the Lord guard and protect them in their Biblical translation work, pray for the wellbeing of their team of translators, and strengthen them for the production of God’s word in their own language to allow people to read the Bible. Give thanks for their service over so many years, for their work of biblical translation which enables people to read the bible in their own language. Remember them as they return home for a summer break with their families.

* pray for those bereaved and injured in the wars and natural disasters in our world, may the aid agencies be kept safe as they work to help those in need. Remember before God, the Father, those caught up in the devastating Earthquakes in Venezuela and Japan. Remember those involved in the wars in Iran, Lebanon. DR Congo, Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza and Syria, praying for peace, calm and safety to be restored in these countries.

* the provision of food and medicines for the millions who are starving and homeless in Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Afghanistan.

Remember before the Father those Christians who are being persecuted across the World for their faith in Christ.

* Dr Callum Henderson of Comfort International, and his work with the children and women needing aid and support in DR Congo. Pray for the continuing difficulties the Comfort International people are facing from the rebels both in DR Congo and Burundi, pray for their safety. Remember all those who are working to contain the current Ebola outbreak in DR Congo.

* King Charles and our Royal family, ask the Lord to lead, guide and protect them as they work for and serve our country.

* Blythswood Care ask us to give thanks for every partner, worker and supporter who plays a part in their journey over the past 60 years, Give God the glory for what He has accomplished through their efforts and love/

* Our PM, Andy Burnham, may the Lord place His hand upon him and his Cabinet members. Remember the First Minister of Scotland, and all MPs, MSPs and Councillors, that they may govern the country wisely and with honesty and integrity.

* the Lord to bring about a just resolution to the continuing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Ask for peace and justice for the Ukrainian people. Ask for guidance to bring world leaders together to encourage peace and harmony of all nations in our world.

* Pray the Lord will continue to guide, protect and encourage our Ministers as they work to reshape our National Church.

* that peace may be realised between the US and Iran. May the Lord guide those in power by allowing diplomacy, calm and good sense to prevail.

* Give grateful thanks for our members who support the ‘Growing Young – Cairnlea vision’. Ask that the Lord will encourage young people to apply for the Youth Worker post recently advertised. We patiently await the person called by God to carry out this demanding role with our young people.

* our friends in Calderbank,and Clarkston as they work towards bringing the 3 C’s together. Ask for blessing upon the members of Jackson and Chapelhall. Request blessing upon all 5 congregations as they share God’s love within their church communities.

‘ love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)