slavery, religious based violence and abductions are never ever anything other than despicable and evil.
Pray
for victims - there are millions - and for Christians working to bring release and restoration to broken lives in so
many parts of the world. Praise God that “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free; no longer to be subject
to a yoke of slavery”.
Friday 23rd 2.3 Father God help us to Become Mature Pray that our church would be growing more and more
into “the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Eph 4:15) We long and pray that all of us would
grow to be like Jesus “in every respect” – in each area of our lives.
Saturday 24th Pray for wisdom and direction in all that Vision Ministries do in the name of Jesus; for strength,
wisdom, direction and provision for the Pastors in Kibera and Mombasa as they reach out to the local
communities; for the Lunch Club in Kibera to be accessed by more and more children in poverty; for
completion of the church building in Kibera; for provision for repairs to the school and completion of the
church in the Kwale District of Mombasa; and for the water purification programme to reach even more folk in
need. Remember to bring on Sunday your collection of small change for the Water Guard project.
Sunday 25th Kirkwall, Knightswood, Ladywell and Larbert Baptist Churches are mentioned in the BUS prayer
calendar for this week. Ask God to bless, provide for and multiply these church fellowships, as well as our own.
Monday 26th 2.4 Father God help us to Be Steadfast Pray that our church would not be “tossed back and forth
by the waves” (Eph 4:14). What difficult circumstances are threatening to unsettle us? Pray that we would hold
steadfastly to the Truth. Pray that every person in our church family would remain confident in the truths of
God’s word. As well as individual unsettling circumstances, persevere in prayer for the remaining obstacles to
seeing The King’s Barn completed and inhabited. Refer to any updates as you pray, as well as the leaflet
handed out in July.
Tuesday 27th In faith, we trust that there is now, or soon will be, a visible shell of a building being erected on the
King’s Meadow site. Pray for all who pass by on their daily comings and goings, or who live in the houses close
by and witness the on-site developments. Ask the Holy Spirit to be preparing hearts, increasing curiosity and
feeling positive about discovering more. Pray that we find and act on opportunities to reach out to these people.
Pray for all those who live in the rows of bungalows adjacent to the King’s Barn that their lives would be
enriched by their new neighbours, even if we haven’t moved in yet! Pray, and keep persistently praying, for the
necessary funding to be generated to make the building water and wind tight.
Wednesday 28th 2.5 Father God help us to Build Each Other Up (Eph 4:16). Ask God to give us specific
opportunities to do this, and for Him to show us how as we interact with each other, always doing so “in love”.
Thank God that it is “by every supporting ligament” that the church grows, “as each part does its work”. Pray
for those who will come into the body of our church family as we reach out, particularly on the south side of
Peebles, that they would quickly feel welcomed and a valued part of the Church, that is the Body of Christ.
Thursday 29th The BMS Prayer Guide focuses on the UK this week, recognising that our presence in society as
salt and light is needed more today than it has ever been, in our lifetime at any rate. There are BMS World
Mission partners and personnel working throughout Britain, in training others for cross-cultural witness, on
home leave, permanently back from their overseas’ work, or sent from their home countries in the “Global
South” as missionaries to “make disciples” amongst our secularised society. Pray for successful ministries for
all with the hope of spiritual awakening and revival in our nation in the coming days.
Friday 30th The writer to the Ephesians exhorts parents, Fathers are specifically mentioned, to bring up their
children in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). What does that mean in our community? Let’s
pray that more and more parents realise the importance of giving their children a grounding in faith and feel
able to look to the local church for help with this task. Pray that the churches would be creative in finding
times (Sunday morning can be a challenge for many families because of sports activities) and approaches to
providing this introduction to and rooting in Christianity.
Satuday 31st Celebrations today as Emma and Colin’s wedding takes place in Uddingston. Pray for them, that
this would be a wonderfully memorable celebration and cementing of their love for one another before God,
family and friends. Pray for Moira and John to be filled with joy on this special occasion and unencumbered by
any last-minute pre-wedding practical hassles or anxieties. Let’s rejoice with them!
Prayer Diary
August 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, Liz, 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 as The King’s Barn takes shape.
N.B. Saturday prayer time in the caravan at 8.30am. All welcome!
Thursday 1st We can’t get away from the fact that we are in the midst of turbulent times at a national level.
With a new government recently appointed as Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, emotions running high
on political matters and still so much uncertainty about the relationship the United Kingdom will have with the
European Union, even the most apolitical of us could feel a bit unsettled about the situation. Whatever our
views on our political leadership let’s pray that God would give compassion and wisdom as they lead, seeking
justice and peace for our nation, and that they would sense a large dose of inner disquiet where there is the
temptation to stray from Heavenly principles and guidance.
Friday 2nd BMS workers support many educational initiatives amongst marginalised people; in particular: street
children, minority groups and women. BMS World Mission’s big vision is that, through the projects they are
involved in, 50 000 people throughout the world will be enabled to access education and training, and to do so
in a setting where they will have the opportunity to meet Jesus. Pray for all those coordinating and
implementing these ministries. Remember in prayer Caroline and Victor who finish their Home Leave and
return to Guinea, where they are both involved in educational ministry. Pray that they find their house in good
order and dry. Ask God to give them all the resources they require, both practically and spiritually, to pick up
their work for Him in the community where He has placed them.
Saturday 3rd It’s a Prayer Breakfast Saturday with the opportunity to meet together and pray. Do you
remember the old hymn with the chorus: “God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own; tho’ trials
may press us, and burdens distress us, He will never leave us alone.”? There have been a number of
unexpected trials linked to the building project in recent weeks, which could dishearten us. Let’s read these
words, believing that we will never be abandoned by Father God, nor will our efforts, as we step out in faith,
come to nothing. Keep referring to the leaflet “Be part of the Barn-Raising” and the prayer points in it. What
answers to prayer have there been? Give thanks for these! What new challenges? Remember: “Do not be
anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests
to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
Sunday 4th Continuing the theme of praying for those in administrative roles in the BUS, we pray today for Ivy
Young who works as the BUS Ministry Administrator, asking that she would be given fresh vision for the
significance of her role, which would increase her motivation and bring blessing to her and those she works
with and for. Pray for all attending and leading Hopeman, Inverkeithing and Inverness Baptist Churches. Look
out for specific prayer items on the screen at church, or at www.scottishbaptist.com/praying-together.
Monday 5th This month and next we will use as a template for our praying a book that Lindsey brought back
from her holiday: “5 Things to pray for your Church” by Rachel Jones. Under five headings there are 21
different aspects of church life to pray for. Heading 1: Pray that our Church would remember what we are,
based on 1 Peter 2:9-10. Let’s pray today for our church family to remember that we are a “Holy Nation”. Pray
in thankfulness that God showed such grace to us, even while we were sinners. We are new creations in Christ
– a whole new “race” or nation. Ask for the Holy Spirit to help us to act like the holy people God has declared
us to be, in every aspect of life and witness.
Tuesday 6th Barbara, of Vision Ministries has provided specific prayer requests for this month. She writes: “All
the people we are working with are just amazing God-fearing men & women who love the Lord and have
hearts to help their communities – it is a privilege to work alongside them”. She has asked us to pray for Kenya
for: the government to rule wisely with all Godly wisdom, corruption to end, and employment opportunities
for those out of work. BIG prayer topics, seemingly daunting to us – but not to our God. Let’s use our Matthew
17:20 mustard seed faith (see www.gotquestions.org/mustard-seed-faith.html for a good explanation) to pray
believing that mountains will be moved!
th
Wednesday 7 1.2 Pray that our Church would remember that we are a “Royal Priesthood”. As “priests” we
are to represent people before God and represent God before people. Ask Him for faithfulness in prayer for
those inside and outside of our community, particularly thinking of the geographic “harvest field” we believe
God has called us to. Pray for those supporting Singing Together at Dovecot, that their “priestly-ness” would be
evident to all who attend.
th
Thursday 8 BMS World Mission has a focus on safe motherhood in rural Afghanistan, which has featured in
the Prayer Diary before. Take a prayerful look, if possible, at the video again: www.bmsworldmission.org/
news_tag/afghanistan/ In the same areas of the country, efforts are on-going to establish provision of clean
water from wells, rather than rivers. Other BMS activities focus on mental health work amongst young people.
Although there is hope around for a better future, dangers are still ever present, particularly for Christian
nationals and internationals. Pray for safety for them, as well as for courage in continuing to work openly
amongst the Afghan people, sharing the love of God through actions, even where words are not possible.
Friday 9th 1.3 Pray that our Church would remember that we are a “Special Possession”. Pray that this sense
of loving belonging to Father God would give our church a great sense of security and confidence, even when
our individual and/or community life throw challenges our way. One challenge at present is to find enough
funding to finish the walls of The King’s Barn. Pray that this need will soon be met.
Saturday 10th In two days, International Youth Day will be celebrated in many countries around the world. The
theme for 2019 is “Transforming education” looking at the attempts of governments, young people, youth
organisations and other stake holders to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Although in
the UK we often pay little more than lip service to such commemorative days, let’s pray for the youth of our
families, towns and country that there would be more opportunities for their education to include the fact that
God loves them, longs for them to be in relation with him and has a plan for their lives. Pray again for our
church to become one that welcomes young people and provides a safe and stimulating place for them to
explore and grow in faith.
Sunday 11th Jenny Wilson is Personal Administrator to the General Director of the Baptist Union of Scotland.
Pray for her in this vital role, especially in the run up to Martin Hodson taking up the post of GD in November.
Irvine, Islay, Johnstone and Kelso Baptist Churches need our prayers too. Check for specific prayer points on the
screen or via the BUS website. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide how you should pray for each fellowship. Vicky’s
Tearoom takes place this afternoon. Pray for all who enable this to happen, providing a special time for the
regulars who come to enjoy company, conversation and refreshments. Pray that the blessing for them would be
even deeper as they know and are reminded that they are loved by God.
Monday 12th 1.4 Pray that our Church would remember that we are “Called”. Thank God that he has called
each of us “out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Pet 2:9). Pray that our response to that calling would be
that we increasingly “declare the praises” of God by living distinctly and speaking the good news boldly.
Tuesday 13th BMS World Mission works on every continent except Australasia and the Antarctic! Workers
serve with a passion to teach and pass on their skills and knowledge, doing so in a way that shows God’s love
lending opportunities to talk of His great gift of Jesus. There is always need for more workers, particularly in
Afghanistan at present. Pray for more people to be willing to “Go into all the world” either for a short or longer
time. Pray, also, for all those involved in the vital recruitment process that they would know wisdom in
confirming candidates and deciding where they should serve.
Wednesday 14th 1.5 Pray that our Church would remember that we are “Recipients of Mercy”. Thank God
that though “once you had not received mercy… now you have received mercy” (2 Pet 1:10). Pray that our
appreciation of the depths of God’s mercy would grow, crushing any lingering feelings of self-righteousness.
Ask God to help us show mercy to each other – forgiving the small things and the big things, not once or twice
but “seventy times seven” (Mat 17:22).
Thursday 15th Continuing in prayer for Barbara and the work of Vision Ministries, let’s pray for: the sponsored
children to excel in school as they commit to study; no child/person to go to bed hungry (ask God to direct VM
personnel to those in greatest need); and the Prison Ministry – that people’s lives continue to be transformed
by the grace and mercy of God.
Friday 16th After the success of the roving Afternoon Tea fund-raising event, we pray that the workshop this
evening will be equally successful in terms of rewarding fellowship, learning a new environmentally friendly
skill (wrapping gifts in attractive ways using reusable cloth rather than paper) and giving the building funds a
boost. Pray for smooth final organisational logistics and a good turn-out. Pray for God to bless Jeni, the
workshop leader, and her family.
Saturday 17th 2: Pray that my Church would be a body growing in maturity Eph 4:11-16
2.1 Father God help us to “Be Equipped”. v11-12 Thank God for our leadership, recognising that they are
“Christ-appointed “to equip his people for works of service…” v12. Ask God to give our leaders wisdom in
discerning how best to do this for our church family.
Sunday 18th We bring before God, Kilmarnock, King’s Park and Kirkintilloch Baptist Church families. Pray that
their light would shine through individual and church action, drawing people to a place and time where they can
encounter our loving Heavenly Father through learning about Jesus’ life and sacrifice that makes this possible.
Monday 19th Today, school staff return for a couple of days of preparation before pupils return on Wednesday.
Pray for teachers and other members of the education team as they get ready for a new school year, that they
would be prepared and positive about all that is to be achieved in their interactions with their young charges.
Pray for the children too, getting ready to go up a class or start school for the first time. Some possibly feel
rather apprehensive, others eager, others very disinclined. God knows every detail about every child – ask Him
to touch each life with His love and to show us how we can do so too.
Tuesday 20th 2.2 Father God help us to “Be United” not with unity that comes from being similar types of
people, but a deeper kind where we are “united in the one faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph
4:13). Humanly speaking, this is a challenge, but Jesus prayed with his disciples and continues to intercede for
us at His Father’s right hand that “they may be one as we are one… so that they may be brought to complete
unity” (John 17:22-23). Such unity is possible through the gospel. Praise God for this and ask Him to help us to
believe and live it.
Wednesday 21st In Thailand, BMS workers give pastoral care and hope of escape to women who have been
trafficked into Bangkok’s red-light district. There are also ministries amongst those addicted to drugs and
alcohol, those with HIV/AIDs and those from minority groups who are displaced from their homelands. A
residential/respite centre, Hope Home, offers support for youngsters with disabilities. Pray for the international
and national teams reaching out in these and other ways, as well as for a fruitful response from those they
minister to. Here at PBC, our deacons meet with Ian this evening and need our prayers as they work through
what will almost certainly be a long and detailed agenda. May they be blessed in their ministry on our behalf.
Thursday 22nd There is a cluster of United Nations’ international days in August focussing on different aspects
of human suffering. Yesterday was the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of
Terrorism; tomorrow is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition, and
next week, the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances (30th August). Today is the
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. All of these days
focus on “man’s inhumanity to man” and the need to continue to educate and enforce the fact that terrorism,