Dunfermline Presbytery News & Notices

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010 resource ‘You are Witnesses’ will be available from Mid September may be ordered from:

English Pamphlets are £1.00Larger print English Pamphlets are £1.00Prayer cards are £1.00 for 10 A3 Posters (pack of 2) are £1.50There is £1 handling charge for orders under £10  and £2.50 handling charge for orders between £10 and £50Free postage or orders over £50.

The material may be adapted for local use

CTBI hope that local churches will be creative in the ways they mark the Week of Prayer and they would be glad to hear of what has been tried, what works and what doesn’t!  Sometimes a pilgrimage around the churches is organised – on each day of the eight days in a different church, following the daily Bible readings.  This permits each church to worship in its own style and offer hospitality to others.  Some people organise daily prayers in their place of work.  Church schools may put on services and events.

This year’s themeThis year’s material is based on that prepared for the work church by a group from ACTS.  1910 was the Edinburgh Mission Conference and there are a number of events taking place during the year to mark the centenary of this important milestone in the history of the ecumenical movement.  (further details can be found at www.edinburgh2010.org/  

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010 reflects the themes of Christian unity and mission..Dates of EventsMost places observe the ‘Week’ in January (18^th to 25^th) others at Pentecost (which calls on 23 May in 2010).  Locally, you may make your own decision.  To allow for variation, the material only has the year on it and the days are denoted by numbers – one to eight.  The resource material may be used at any time in the year

Dear brothers and sisters in ChristFirst I would ask you in your prayers to give thanks to the Holy Spirit for bringing Rev Jayne Scott to Culross and Torryburn.  Her induction service will be this evening at Culross Abbey. Let us pray for the parish and her ministry starting, as she does, at a difficult time for the Lord’s Church. 

 Thank you for praying together.    

Quotes from different people this month:- 

“I’m too quick to problem solve and too slow to pray” 

“sorry for responding….without first praying”

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything 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.” Philippians 4:6-7  We praise you Lord that this is indeed the case. 

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If you have a prayer request you would like to share whether it is personal, world wide, through one of the church groups, a concern at school or in your employment…. and you would like others to pray too, in this open way, just leave a Comment below.

 There are many ways people are praying together….. 

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Prayer requests:-  

We thank you and praise you Lord for your armour and pray each piece in place, standing firm obedient to you. + Ephesians Chapter 6 v 10 to 18 

Thank you Lord for “guiding our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus”  delighting in what you have done and what you plan on doing.  Guide each step, each thought and each word.

Thank you Lord for all those serving in so many different capacities…… 

Be with those discovering you Lord, expressing themselves in such fun and new ways… 

Position those who do not yet know you where you would have them, so that you can be honoured when their delight in knowing you is revealed.

Thank you Lord for the love and delight expressed in prayers and comments said in kindness. eg “be assured of my prayers”.

We praise you Lord for your ways so loving and gracious, correcting and enlightening, inspiring, creating, encouraging and delighting.  Your new song being sung…. 

Prayers of dependence are such a joy Lord and we have such a lot of prayers of dependence for you Lord, so many which give us such delight because they are things nobody else can do but you, please help and thank you for helping.

We are sorry Lord when we do not do what you would have us do, correct and guide us as we journey.

In Jesus name we ask all this and what sits on each of our hearts, Amen.

The Church of England has published the following selection of prayers for use in churches in light of the developing situation regarding ’swine flu’.These have been prepared in line with the Church’s practice of regularly publishing prayers on topics of contemporary concern. They are also available at: www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/prayers/

GENERAL PRAYERS Heavenly Father,
giver of life and health:
comfort and restore those who are sick,
that they may be strengthened in their weakness
and have confidence in your unfailing love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Creator and Father of all,
we pray for those who are ill.
Bless them, and those who serve their needs,
that they may put their whole trust in you
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE PEOPLE OF MEXICO Sovereign God,
the defence of those who trust in you
and the strength of those who suffer:
look with mercy on the people of Mexico:
   bring healing to those infected with the virus,
   give wisdom and insight to doctors, nurses and health professionals,
   and bring calm and peace to all within the nation,
through our mighty Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS

The almighty Lord,
who is a strong tower for all who put their trust in him,
whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth obey,
be now and evermore your defence.
May you believe and trust that the only name under heaven
given for health and salvation
is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.May our Lord Jesus Christ,
who healed the sick and brought comfort to those in need,
by his risen presence be with all who have contracted this virus,
take from them all that harms and hinders them,
and fill them with his healing and his peace.
Amen.

The general prayers and prayers for those who have contracted the virus are adapted from Common Worship, published by the Archbishops’ Council

Praying across scotland A new prayer resource to help us pray through the time of the General Assembly of our church is now available to download (above) or via www.dunfermlinepresbytery.org.uk  Please download the file and share it with others.