Sunday 21st Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
(Remember that our Easter Service today is at the
Gytes Leisure Centre!) A verse from “Living He loved me”: “One day the grave could conceal Him
no longer, one day the stone rolled away from the door; then He arose, over death He had
conquered; now is ascended my Lord evermore.” Listen to the traditional tune here: https://
youtu.be/kCKj8jn_5TU or a modern version here: https://youtu.be/VXp6xcY5IqU Pray and
celebrate Jesus’ rising from the grave, alive for evermore, knowing that you are amongst millions
throughout the world doing just the same today. Pray too, and look for specific prayer points on
the screen at the service, for Al Nicoll who is an RAF Chaplain, as well as for all at Crookston,
Crown Terrace and Culduthel Baptist Churches.
Monday 22nd Remember Vision Ministries in prayer, including the Water Guard project that we
support (collection next Sunday morning) as well as the other activities VM is involved with, such
as the Children’s Home and Prison Ministry. Pray for Barbara and her work in and around Kibera.
Tuesday 23rd “Consider the lilies of the valley, how they grow…” (Matthew 6:28) Not too many
lilies around at the moment, but plenty of swaying daffodils to remind us of the same fact Jesus
taught - i.e. God cares for every aspect of His creation and we have no need to be anxious
because our heavenly Father knows just what we need. Take time to notice the beautiful spring
flowers and let these be a reminder to bring all needs, personal and those of others we are aware
of to the One who never fails to provide.
Wednesday 24th The BMS Prayer Guide this week focuses on the needs of the most marginalised
here and worldwide. Pray today that all might know that Jesus loves them, no matter what their
situation. Pray for BMS as it seeks to invest at least one third of resources in countries in the
bottom quarter of the human development index, countries such as Chad, Guinea, Afghanistan,
Uganda, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Thursday 25th There are a number of small groups in the church with different purposes. Pray for
each who attends to know the presence of Jesus in the midst of the gathering, and to hear His
voice.
Friday 26th Friday evening is a traditional gathering time for the youth of the area, which, sadly,
has recently been associated with periodic unrest and damage to property. Pray for all who work
with church youth initiatives and organisations such as Peebles Youth Trust, who aim to build
trust with the youngsters and help them find positive self esteem and purpose in life. Pray for the
hard-pressed local police service who often feel the need to be in more than one place at any
given time. Ask God to lead more and more Christians into working with the police.
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Saturday 27 “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Use the
local, national and international news as your prayer guide today.
Sunday 28th Let’s pray for those who lead and attend Culloden-Balloch, Cumbernauld and Cupar
Baptist Churches, that God would bless, provide for and multiply these church families. Pray too
for Andrew Oliver in his role as chaplain to the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2 nd Battalion, in particular
for the pastoral work that he will be involved with amongst serving soldiers and their families.
Monday 29th Bring before God all who we know who are unwell or suffering in other ways, asking
that each person will know His comforting presence and renewed confidence in the knowledge
that God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Tuesday 30th At the end of another month, take time to look back over it. Ask God to highlight for
you events, incidences, conversations etc for you to spend further time praying over today.
Prayer Diary
April 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, and all other aspects of
worship as per the rota
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!
Monday 1st A prayer from the Evangelical Alliance for our political situation: “God of all peace,
bring calm across our nation today. King of all kings, guide our leaders. Give them courage,
wisdom and compassion as they make decisions. Father of all creation, help your church to show
love and reconciliation to a divided community. Amen.” Use this prayer to shape your own
personal prayers about the uncertain and polarised times we live in.
Tuesday 2nd Linda and Christine are visiting Kelso today to see an example of dementia-friendly
building design. Pray for their visit, that they will be able to bring back useful information and
insight to help the Building Group consider in more detail how the new building can be
welcoming to everyone, while meeting the different requirements of the various groups who will
use it.
Wednesday 3rd Pray for all involved in Singing Together, taking place this afternoon, that the
words of the one hymn chosen will touch hearts, bringing the opportunity to talk about all that
Easter hope means.
Thursday 4th Celebrate Recovery continues to meet each Thursday evening. Pray for everyone
attending to find true and lasting recovery through growing trust and confidence in Jesus and His
promises.
Friday 5th In Thailand, BMS workers minister to many working in the sex industry including
helping to rescue trafficked women, bringing relief to those in the terminal stages of AIDS,
supporting people to steer away from drugs, and guiding women into employment as they break
free from the clutches of their “captors”. Pray for safety, health and the joy of fruitful ministries
for these workers, as they see lives changed for the better. May those they work with know
freedom and hope through relationship with Jesus, and become effective witnesses in their
communities.
Saturday 6th Come to the Prayer Breakfast, if you can – it’s a great opportunity for fellowship
sharing food and prayer for the building project. In our prayers, let’s also remember all those
caught up in Cyclone Idai in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, where thousands of lives have
been lost or destroyed through bereavement, injury or illness, and loss of homes and businesses.
Pray for God’s compassionate nature to be strongly evident through all the aid work, local and
international.
Sunday 7th Pray for Jim Meighan, chaplain at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow as he
meets and ministers to children, their families and staff. Pray too for Coatbridge, Collydean and
Cornton Baptist Churches. Remember to look for specific information on the screen this morning,
or by accessing this webpage: www.scottishbaptist.com/praying-together
Monday 8th Yesterday was World Health Day with the emphasis on campaigning for universal
health coverage. Pray for the NHS, which has had this goal from its beginnings, but faces more
and more challenges in delivering it. Pray too for fairer systems of health care provision
throughout the world. The principles of NHS care are that it meets the needs of everyone, is free
at the point of delivery, and is based on clinical need, not the ability to pay. If the word “clinical”
is substituted with “spiritual”, this describes the saving power of Jesus too!
Tuesday 9th This is the second week of the school holidays. Pray for children known to us, and
more generally for all school pupils in Peebles as they prepare to return to school, especially
those of secondary age returning soon to start the exam term. Exams, and the run up to them,
increase pressure on pupils, parents and staff. Pray for patience, peace and perseverance for all!
Wednesday 10th Keep praying for our nation and those making key decisions on its status with
the EU. Whatever the outcome, it is good to remember there is a future where: “All the families
of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the
nations.” (Psalm 22:27-28)
Thursday 11th “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Pray for all the worldwide church
ministries of the BMS. Amongst these, Sergio Vilela works with national evangelists and church
planters in Mozambique. Pray for him and all involved with the church who will have been
affected by the recent cyclone and flooding, that in all the difficulties and tragedies that they may
be encountering now, the love and comfort of God would flow into and through them to the
hurting people they live and work amongst.
Friday 12th Song for Easter 1: “Hosanna, hosanna, You are the God who saves us; worthy of all
our praises. Hosanna, hosanna, come have your way among us. We welcome you here Lord
Jesus.” Listen to the whole song if you can (https://youtu.be/VMBDWG9tseU) and use it as a
prayer knowing that you are addressing the Man who entered Jerusalem on a donkey amidst
crowds of exultant people yet knowing that He was shortly going to painfully give His life for each
of us.
Saturday 13th Remember in prayer Caroline and Victor working with the BMS in Guinea, a very
poor, mainly Muslim country. Caroline is involved in health work and close to completing a
Master’s degree. Victor is a motor mechanic, holding training for this skill as well as English
lessons. Take a look at their most recent newsletter on the church noticeboard tomorrow for
current prayer requests.
Sunday 14th Stuart Murdoch, chaplain at Strathcarron Hospice in Denny writes that he is
privileged to be invited to journey with people at a very difficult stage in their life. Pray for Stuart,
then for all who attend Cowal, Cowdenbeath and Crieff Baptist Churches and for the ministries
they are involved with. Here in Peebles there is a joint Palm Sunday service in the Cross Kirk at 10,
followed by our own service with a guest speaker from Tear Fund. Bring all these activities before
God in prayer. Pray for the ministry of Vicky’s Tearoom, which is being held this afternoon; that
“the fragrance of Jesus" would suffuse the whole afternoon. Pray for the safety and well-being of
those attending, who are often frail and limited in mobility, that their journey to and from the
location would be a safe one, and that they would enjoy meeting with others and being made to
feel important and valued.
Monday 15th The new school term starts today. Pray again for the youngsters and educators in
our congregation, for opportunities to see God at work in their place of study and work. Pray for
the local SU group in the High School, for boldness and wisdom for those that lead and attend it.
Tuesday 16th Afghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world with around 1
in 10 babies born in rural areas dying before their first birthday. In some areas up to 1 in 20
Mums also die due to pregnancy and birth complications. BMS is focussing on these problems
through the Life’s First Cry programme, which supports local facilitators running education
courses in the villages. If you didn’t get to the Harvest Supper take a look at https://youtu.be/
xz_Pk-D_ujU to see a video about this work, or have another look, even if you’ve see it before…
Pray for ongoing success in this as well as the work in mental health BMS personnel are involved
with in Afghanistan.
Wednesday 17th There is a Diaconate meeting tonight. Pray for all attending to be prepared in
heart and spirit to meet, pray, discuss and plan for our church and its future life and witness.
Thursday 18th Pray for all the churches in Peebles preparing for Easter activities this weekend. In
these times of unrest and uncertainty in so many areas of life, pray that the Kingdom of God, in
our midst because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and victory over death, would become even
more evident in our community through the outreach of church leaders and congregation
members.
Friday 19th Song for Easter 2: “Come and weep, come and mourn for your sin that pierced him
there; so much deeper than the wounds of thorn and nail. All our pride, all our greed, all our
fallenness and shame; and the Lord has laid the punishment on him.” Meditate on these words
and, if able, listen to the song here: https://youtu.be/gizXMaQ7Y5o This evening at 7.30pm we
meet to share communion, to “worship at Your feet, where wrath and mercy meet, and a guilty
world is washed by Love’s pure stream”.
Saturday 20th Read and meditate on one or more of the accounts of the end of Jesus’ earthly life
in the Gospels. Spend time throughout today bringing to mind all that happened, contemplating
on where we would be without His amazing sacrificial love, a saving love active for all eternity.
Pray for the Easter shoeshine outreach we are involved with, for people to be attracted to this
activity with good conversations resulting.