Friday 22nd Today is World Day for Water (see www.worldwaterday.org for more information).
There is a global initiative (Sustainable Development Goal number 6) of clean water for all by
2030. Vision Ministries is doing their bit. Continue to pray and support their efforts in providing
the means to purify the water in Kibera. Remember Victor and Caroline too who, along with their
neighbourhood, have seen their water supply jeopardised for some time, through damage to a
major pipe during roadworks.
Saturday 23rd Pray for the building project, bringing before God any issues you are aware of that
need answers or breakthroughs. Pray for safety for all those working on the site, and for Gordon
as he does the logistics and coordinates the work.
Sunday 24th John Jamieson, is an Army Chaplain, mentioned in the BUS prayer calendar. Ask God
to work through him as he is in contact with soldiers and their families. Pray too for all who
belong to Central and City Gates, both in Edinburgh, that God would bless and multiply their
efforts for His glory.
Monday 25th Pray that our connection with Christians from other churches in Peebles and the
surrounding area would strengthen, with more opportunities to show our community that we are
united in our faith, all living for the same Lord and Hope of Heaven to come.
Tuesday 26th Victor and Caroline are keen to establish deeper friendships within the community
they live in, to be able to share their faith and show the love of God in action in their lives. Pray
for them to see breakthrough in this, it’s no easy task in a cross-cultural setting. Pray too, that
God would help us to achieve the same in the community we live in too, especially as we move
the church base to the south side of Peebles.
Wednesday 27th With the focus on Europe this week, the BMS seeks prayer for its partnership
with the European Baptist Federation as they support church planting, leadership development,
education and community work as expressions of God’s love. Pray for all BMS personnel working
in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Albania, Kosovo and Ukraine that they would find ways to
bring the truth and pertinence of Christ’s message to individuals living in a continent that is
labelled “post-Christendom”.
Thursday 28th Tomorrow is the end of the school term for the Scottish Borders children and staff.
Pray for the children, teaching and support staff known to us, for the holiday weeks to be a time
of refreshing and recharging of batteries knowing that God is the best ever present energy
source.
Friday 29th What is happening today? This day that has been publicised, broadcast and talked
about for several years now. Pray earnestly for peace. Pray for a good spiritual result to come out
of all the uncertainty as people understand that nations and welfare states cannot give them
eternal security and hope – this only comes from their Creator and Saviour.
Saturday 30th “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one
body. And be thankful” Colossians 3:15 Meditate on this verse and pray as the Holy Spirit guides.
Sunday 31st Pray for Gordon Jones (Lead Chaplain, NHS Orkney) that He would know God’s
guidance and blessing in his work and ministry. Pray for Cleland Baptist Church and Coastline
Community Church, that their focus would be on finding out what God would have them do,
running with those commitments and being blessed as a result.
Prayer Diary
March 2019
Pray every day for our church, for God to bless, minister to and through the:
1. Leadership – pray for Ian and Lindsey and the Deacons: Linda, John, Bill and Lyn
2. Family – pray using the address list as a guide to cover everyone during the
month
3. Worship – pray for those involved in the music ministry
4. Witness – of individuals living and working in this community; as a body
representing Jesus; of our mission partners in Guinea and Kenya
5. Growth – pray:
- for the children in the church family and those who teach them in JAM
- for the Building Project: the practicalities of fund-raising and building, the
activities and outreach now and the opportunities to come in the King’s
Meadow building.
N.B. Saturday prayer time in the caravan at 8.30am. All welcome!
Friday 1st A busy start to the month with the World Day of Prayer service at the Old Parish
Church this afternoon, and our fundraising concert featuring the Dukes of Uke this evening; very
different events but both important Kingdom work. Pray for a good attendance at each, with lives
touched in positive ways as well good progress in the fund-raising for the Kings’ Meadow building
project from the concert. “Come - everything is ready” is the theme for the World Day of Prayer,
from the parable of the Banquet in Luke 14. Pray that as we invite people to come and join us,
especially as our new “home” is established they will feel very welcome to do so.
Saturday 2nd Come along, if you are able, to the Prayer Breakfast this morning. Pray that all
gathered together with be blessed and a blessing too as they talk to God together. In Edinburgh,
the Women Walking with God conference is taking place. The theme is again to do with
banquets: The Banqueting Table “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who
take refuge in Him” Psalm 34:8 Meditate on this verse as you pray today.
Sunday 3rd Ron Flett has been Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland’s Aberdeen City Centre Chaplain
since 2013. Pray for him in his role of providing pastoral care in secular settings. Pray too for the
congregations of Campbeltown Community Church, Canonmills Baptist Church and Carluke
Baptist Church and for all they do in reaching out to their respective communities.
Monday 4th It is our turn to prepare and serve soup and rolls at Lunch ‘n’ Chat today. Pray for
those preparing for the lunch and all attending, that conversations would be a blessing and an
encouragement.
Tuesday 5th There are 7 international BMS workers in Peru, working alongside a number of local
BMS workers. Pray for their work which involves, amongst other activities: church support and
education, healthcare, agriculture, youthwork and providing clean water. There is more
information, including videos, at www.bmsworldmission.org/news/pray-peru-workers-need-
prayers-today
Wednesday 6th Pray for Linda and Christine as they lead Singing Together at Dovecot Court this
afternoon. Ask God to work through their interaction with those attending, as well as through the
hymn that will be sung, directing all further into knowledge and experience of His love.
Remember in prayer all in this area who receive care at home, as well as their carers, whether
paid or unpaid.
Thursday 7th The building work is moving forward. To date, several challenges have been met
and overcome. Pray for Gordon as he manages the project, as well as Ian and the building project
team who are very involved on a day-to-day basis with the developments. Fund-raising remains a
priority to see the building completed and able to be used. Pray for creativity and initiative to find
new ways to release funds and develop supportive partnerships to make our vision a reality.
Friday 8th March 8th is International Women’s Day, celebrated widely throughout the world,
though not so much in the UK. Let’s pray for the women in our lives, asking God for specific
direction in what to pray, and think about following this up with some words of encouragement
and love for them.
Saturday 9th Vicky’s Tea Room will be held tomorrow afternoon. Pray for those organising the
inviting, transport, catering and activities, that they would be blessed in this ministry and guided
by the Holy Spirit in the conversations they have with those attending.
Sunday 10th George Hunter is part time Chaplain at Auchlochan Garden Village in Lesmahagow.
Pray for him in his work there, supporting residents, their families and staff. Pray for all who
belong to Carnoustie and Castlehill Baptist Churches, leaders and congregation, young and old, to
be filled with the Holy Spirit and inspired to live lives radiating God’s saving, life-changing love.
Monday 11th Third Culture Kids are those raised in a culture other than their parents’ or the
culture named on their passport for a significant part of their early years. BMS World Mission
international workers’ children are part of this group and face specific challenges in terms of
transitioning between cultures, educational needs that may mean living apart from parents and
reintegration into their “home” culture, at some point. Pray that at every point of their lives, they
will know and depend on the stability of God’s presence wherever in the world they find
themselves!
Tuesday 12th Caroline and Victor’s January newsletter is on the noticeboard. Find time to have a
read of it on Sunday, or download it here: www.bmsworldmission.org/people/caroline-and-victor
Pray particularly today for Caroline to have wisdom as she writes her MSc in International
Development dissertation and for more open doors for her to use her medical skills in the
community.
Wednesday 13th There is a service of worship at Dovecot Court this afternoon. Pray for those
preparing and leading the service, that they would hear from God what songs and words to
share. Pray that those who come for the regular sing-along, will also be in attendance to hear
more about the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Thursday 14th “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11. These words of
prophecy have blessed many of us individually, though they were delivered to a people group in
exile who had to wait another 70 years to return to their home land. A fortnight tomorrow, is a
significant moment in our country’s history, with so many unknowns and uncertainties about the
way ahead even at this late stage. Pray that God’s will be done, that those in political power
would be responsive to His leading and for all to be reminded that, ultimately, God is in charge
and He has plans for our good.
Friday 15th Celebrate Recovery is well underway now. Pray for all participating to receive and
believe the assurances of the verse quoted yesterday. Pray for encouragement for any who might
be struggling with the content, that they would find inner strength from God (even if they don’t
recognise the source yet.. ) to continue with the programme.
Saturday 16th Tomorrow we will have the opportunity to continue together after the service for a
time of prayer about the building project amongst other matters. Pray for our congregation to be
increasingly knitted together in love and prayer through these times of prayer, as well as other
opportunities to meet apart from on a Sunday morning. Pray for the small groups that meet
regularly for fellowship, prayer and study.
Sunday 17th Cliff Jackson is Regional Chaplain for the Methodist Homes for the Aged (to which
Auchlochan Garden Village is affiliated). Pray for him as he visits the different centres and homes,
meeting many people and looking to provide spiritual support to those in later life as well as their
carers and families. We are asked to pray for Cathcart Baptist Church and Castlemilk Community
Church today. Look out for specific requests on the screen before the service.
Monday 18th Pray for all the children who come to JAM, that the seed of God’s Word will
germinate healthily with strong roots established that provide nourishment and strength to
withstand the stresses and temptations facing young people today. Pray for all involved in mental
health care provision in our community, who risk finding themselves overstretched and facing
burnout due to the pressures on the service.
Tuesday 19th The BMS Prayer Guide focuses on India for prayer this week. Rejoice over the
introduction in the guide that states: God is at work in incredible ways in India. People are coming
to know Jesus through house churches, children living on the streets are being educated, and the
gospel is being embraced in places where Christians are persecuted. While rejoicing, remember
the cost too and bring before God all those who suffer for their faith in India and many other
parts of the world. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for
theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” Matthew 5:10. Ann Bothamley has worked with BMS in Vellore
for over 50 years. Praise God for her and pray a special blessing as she supports hospital patients
with pastoral care.
Wednesday 20th Loneliness and social isolation, particularly in older people, can have a negative
impact on all aspects of health. Today, the Faith in Older People initiative will meet to continue
discussions on ways that churches can work to alleviate this widespread “dis-ease”. Pray for all
meeting, including representatives from our church, and for productive ideas that can soon be
implemented.
Thursday 21st It is the official first day of Spring! Take a look at all the signs of new life that we
particularly enjoy at this time of year: flowering bulbs, blossom in the trees, lambs gambolling in
the fields around us. Praise God for the blessing and beauty of our homeplace. Try to find a time
today or in the next few days to take a prayer walk and see His creation through spiritually open
eyes. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide how you pray.