Prayers
Theme : ‘ looking inside the house ‘
‘How precious to me are your thoughts, God,
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty,
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139 : 17-24 NIV
‘Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[d] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”
Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Genesis 4 : 1-16 NIV
Anger & Reconciliation.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5 : 21-26 NIV
Pray for: –
* Peter, giving thanks for all his caring work, inspiring preaching and selfless service every week, may he have an opportunity to be protected from the challenges and pressures of his usual timetable, may he enjoy his holiday this week sharing with Brigid. Lord, richly bless them both.
* Brigid, grant her a time of peace and rest during her break this week, ask that she will be refreshed and renewed in body and spirit as she enjoys her holiday.
* Hannah and Guy, may they lean on the Lord and His Word for their guidance and wisdom to direct their relationships with those whom they meet with each day.
* David, ask the Lord to bless him as he celebrates his birthday this week, may he be filled with His Holy Spirit, and grant him energy for sharing his faith with his friends and peers at work.
* Rob, Jo and their family, may the Lord give him insight, wisdom and inspiration as he prepares to preach the Word in our local churches.
* Hanna and her family, ask the Lord to strengthen her with His Word in her ministry at Clarkston, pray that the congregation will be led by God towards the 4C union, and give thanks for the work she carries out in her parish.
* Elaine and family, grant her rich blessings as she prepares for her ordination as a Deacon in Edinburgh on 10 March.
* Mhairi, that the Lord will lead her in His care. May the Lord encourage and guide her during her training.
* everyone in our congregations, their families and friends that they remain faithful to the Lord. Pray that we will continue to support those who are lonely, vulnerable and isolated at this time.
* CAIRNLEA 2020 Group. pray to the Lord asking Him to make clear His mission plan for funding and design of the new centre. Pray for a positive outcome to our Stage 2 application now with the Scottish Government, where the decision is due within the next few weeks.
* all those who are dealing with bereavement at this time, ask that they will know the comfort of our Lord during these difficult times for them.
* those who are ill at home or in hospital, those facing surgery or treatment and anyone who is recovering at home or those suffering any difficulty within our congregation’s families.
* remember all medical staff (in all disciplines and levels), carers and essential services throughout our land, pray for their safety, and energy to cope with the stress as they work tirelessly, caring for people.
* pray for all the young folk in School, College and University, may they seek opportunities to meet with the Lord, pray for those who teach them faithfully. Remember all young folk give them energy, encourage and guide them.
* pray that there might be a sharing of Christian hope in these days; and that online or in telephone conversations, we might encourage one another in faith.
* ask that our GB Captain, Officers, and young people will be encouraged to learn of the Lord, ask that they may grow their fellowship and learn more about God’s purpose for their lives. Remember the BB Captain, and the young men who have joined other companies, may they flourish in the new fellowship offered there.
* Catherine, our prayers are for her and family. Remember her annual conference, pray that it is well attended and that it has many good outcomes. She asks that we pray for her that God will lead her with His vision for her life.
* Martin and Stefanie, guard over them and protect them in their work and at home, pray for their team of translators and strengthen them for the production of God’s word in new languages to allow people to read the Bible in their own language.
* pray for those bereaved and injured in the wars and natural disasters in our world, may the aid agencies be kept safe as they work to help those in need. Remember before God, the Father, the wars in DR Congo, Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza and Syria, praying that peace, calm and safety may be restored in all these countries.
* the provision of food and medicines for the millions who are starving and homeless in Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Afghanistan.
Remember before the Father those Christians who are being persecuted across the World for their faith in Christ.
* Dr Callum Henderson of Comfort International, and his work with the children and women needing aid and support in DR Congo. Pray for the continuing difficulties the Comfort International people are facing from the rebels both in DR Congo and Burundi, pray for their safety.
* King Charles and our Royal family, ask the Lord to lead, guide and protect them.
* all the staff workers at Blythswood Care ask us to pray for God’s leading in their work. We are asked to remember their work in Ukraine where the long war is imposing a heavy toll on the local workers, pray their spirits may be lifted and that they are kept safe.
* God to guide our Prime Minister and the First Minister, all MPs and MSPs in both Parliaments, that they may govern the country with honesty and integrity to deliver a more caring and equal society.
* that the Lord can bring about a just resolution to the continuing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Ask for peace and justice for the Ukrainian people. Pray for peace around the World. Ask for guidance to bring world leaders together that they would seek peace and harmony for all people around the world.
* Pray the Lord will continue to guide, protect and encourage our Ministers as they help congregations to work through the reshaping of the Church throughout Scotland.
* remember the whole community of Tumbler Ridge following the school shootings. Pray for all of the bereaved families that God’s comfort and peace can be with them.
* Give grateful thanks for our members who willingly give to the ‘Growing Young – Cairnlea vision’. We are still looking for a person who is called by God to provide a committed person who will be able to carry out all aspects of this demanding role with our young people. We know it is in God’s hands and we pray with patience that someone will be found soon.
* our friends in Calderbank, Chapelhall and Clarkston, bless them as they share God’s love within their church community and lead them in their decision making processes as they seek to find ways of promoting a form of Union between our churches.
* our friends in Calderbank, Chapelhall and Clarkston, bless them as they share God’s love within their church community and lead them in their decision making processes as they seek to find ways of promoting a form of Union between our churches.
‘ For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning.
that we are to love one another, not as Cain, who was the evil one
and murdered his brother. And for what reason did he murder him?
Because his own deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous.’
1 John 3:11-12 NIV