Disciples of Jesus – Praising God – Caring for Its Community

Prayer Booklet 67

Sunday, 25th July, 2021

May we all be blessed with the ability to worship God even if we are not yet attending church in person. Hopefully we can listen on Facebook, You tube, web-sites, TV or radio. 

However, I offer you one of my favourite verses from His word, a favourite hymn and the Lord’s Prayer to help you meditate on his majesty and his grace.  Be blessed today…

This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Hymn

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing,

And triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Saviour, reigns, The God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains
He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done;
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, The power and the glory,
For ever and ever. AMEN

Monday 26th July 2021

“God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48:14 Our faith is surely in the unchanging one, the one who called us to be His own people and to serve him. Let us trust Him.

Reflect and Pray– where you have specific knowledge, pray specifically, but pray anyway, committing these churches to God that his sovereign grace and his will be known…

New Cumnock

Minister: I.M. and Locum Rev Ken Yorke; Session Clerk: Morag Ferrans

Old Cumnock:Old/Lugar

Minister: Rev John Paterson; Session Clerk: Ian Ronald (OC); ?Pending (L)

Muirkirk/Old Cumnock Trinity

I.M. Rev Alwyn Landman; Locum: Rev Scott Daily; Session Clerk: Sylvia Gallacher (M) Kay Mitchell (OCT)

May God sustain them and enable them to work in harmony to the glory of His name.    Pray for:

Office bearers and conveners of committees and organisations– that God will enable them to fulfil their tasks effectively;

The congregation members who are able to attend Church; May God bless them with a sense of his presence always with them;

The congregation members unable to attend Church – may we reach out to them as precious members of the Church family;

those who no longer attend church because they have forgotten God or lost their faith – may the Lord restore them by His Holy Spirit at work in their lives;

The communities served by our churches – may they learn of the gospel and grace of God as we love and serve in Jesus’ name.

Tuesday 27th July, 2021

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.” John 14:27

This is a promise from Jesus to us.  Let us trust it wholeheartedly as we pray for the way forward and trust Him to guide us to His will for our churches. His word stands true – may we strengthen our faith.

Reflect and Pray– where you have specific knowledge, pray specifically, but pray anyway, committing these churches to God that his sovereign grace and his will be known…

Monkton & Prestwick North – Locum: I.M. Rev Brian Hendrie; Rev Douglas Moore; Session Clerk: ? Pending

Prestwick: Kingcase

Minister: Rev Ian Wiseman; Session Clerks: Alastair McIntyre & Libby Syme

Prestwick: St Nicholas

I.M. Rev David Gemmell; Locum: Rev Fraser Aitken; Session Clerk: Margaret McIntosh.  May God sustain them and enable them to work in harmony to the glory of His name.   

Pray for:

Office bearers and conveners of committees and organisations– that God will enable them to fulfil their tasks effectively;

The congregation members  who are able to attend Church; May God bless them with a sense of his presence always with them;

The congregation members unable to attend Church – may we reach out to them as precious members of the Church family;

those who no longer attend church because they have forgotten God or lost their faith – may the Lord restore them by His Holy Spirit at work in their lives;

The communities served by our churches – may they learn of the gospel and grace of God as we love and serve in Jesus’ name.

Wednesday 28th July, 2021

“As for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

The Lord’s people know what it is at times to be weary, but then we recall He is faithful – we just need to remain true to our calling.

Reflect and Pray– where you have specific knowledge, pray specifically, but pray anyway, committing these churches to God that his sovereign grace and his will be known…

Troon: Old

Minister: Rev David Prentice:Hyers; Session Clerk: Andrew Fell

Troon: Portland

I.M.  Bill Duncan; Locum: Rev Mary Elizabeth Prentice-Hyers; Session Clerk: John Reid

Troon: St Meddans

I.M. Rev James Hogg; Locum: Rev Andrew McGurk; Session Clerk: Elaine Rodger

May God sustain them and enable them to work in harmony to the glory of His name.    Pray for:

Office bearers and conveners of committees and organisations– that God will enable them to fulfil their tasks effectively;

The congregation members who are able to attend Church; May God bless them with a sense of his presence always with them;

The congregation members unable to attend Church – may we reach out to them as precious members of the Church family;

those who no longer attend church because they have forgotten God or lost their faith – may the Lord restore them by His Holy Spirit at work in their lives;

The communities served by our churches – may they learn of the gospel and grace of God as we love and serve in Jesus’ name.

Thursday 29th July, 2021

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Reflect and pray:

Most of us know these words and recall them to mind often. Sadly, too, we sometimes forget them until we have travelled too far down a road that is not God’s best will for us.  Churches may have been closed for a time and we have been rejoicing at the new and different opportunities that we have found to keep being messengers of the gospel – but behind the scenes much work is still continuing with regards to the Presbytery Plan; decisions are being made about how Ministry should move forward in Ayr Presbytery; wisdom is still required about what is to be done with some of our churches. Prayer is essential.  Commitment to seeking God’s way forward is essential.  Remember when the children of Israel thought they knew better than God they ended up wandering for 40 long years in the desert.  Let us pray for Presbytery Leaders:

  • for Rev Kenneth Elliott, and Rev David Prentice-Hyers that they will be granted wisdom and grace in abundance during this time of constant re-organisation and  decision-making
  • for every committee that meets that they will truly seek God’s way forward and be at peace with decisions
  • Pray that God will bless all serving as Interim Moderators
  • that everyone involved in church work – in their own church and for the ‘bigger picture’ – will find time to rest.

Friday 30th July, 2021

“Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life.’” John 6:35

Pray for Rev Chris Blackshaw: Pioneer Farming Minister

Sometimes we find there is so much that burdens us; so many calls to prayer that we don’t know where to begin and we don’t know how to stop.  This is not a good place to be.  This month we have focussed on each of our churches in Ayr Presbytery, and it is right and proper that we should do this.  However, we all know that this virus has not gone away and still the world is vulnerable, but before we close with some prayers relating to this, let us take time to pause and reflect that our strength and food for the journey comes from the faithfulness of Jesus our Saviour and Friend.  He is all that we need.  Let us Pray:

Gracious and loving God, forgive us that we forget how awesome and majestic you are – nothing is too difficult for you. Our prayers are never too many for you, and our weakness is not a hindrance to your great wisdom and power being displayed amongst us.  Help us to renew our confidence and our faith.  Lord God, we ask you to bless all the work that is truly done in your name.  Help us to be faithful to the things you ask us to do and then to leave the results to you. Thank you for all that you are.

Father God, we long to see an end to the trouble and hurt caused by Covid-19. Grant common sense to all our citizens to help prevent the spread of the virus, but above all we call on you to provide the knowledge and understanding to doctors and researchers to provide cures and vaccines. Grant us patience as we wait for freedom and peace, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Saturday 31st July, 2021

Let us take time to refresh our souls again as we offer this reflection and prayer of praise and hope from Paula Lennox, a member of both the Mission Committee and the Prayer Promoters’ Group: 

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more (Psalm 71:14)

In this time of anxiety and uncertainty, let us remember there is always someone we can rely on. May we start each day thanking him for all he has done for us and holding this gratitude before us as a beacon of hope.

Prayer

Father, we thank you for your promise to always be with us no matter our circumstances and we hold on to that promise now, as we feel anxious and uncertain as each day goes by. May we remember that through you all things were created, that you have supremacy over everything and nothing is impossible for you. You are our hope and we praise you. Amen

Prayer points are all about praising God:

Praise Him for the little things, we previously took for granted
Praise Him for nature that continues to flourish
Praise Him for more time to spend in His Word
Praise Him that whatever happens he is our hope

Now just talk to God about whatever is on your heart…he wants to bless you and give you peace as you trust in him. Amen