Friday 22nd 8.2 Father God, please help me to SERVE HUMBLY.
Paul is unequivocal: “Do not think of
yourselves more highly than you ought”. (Romans 12:3) Too often, exercising our gifts risks leading to
feelings of pride, however secret: I could have taught that better than him; I’m way more committed than
she is; my talent’s being wasted on this job. Spend a few moments in honest reflection before God:
“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 139:23-24)
Saturday 23rd Pray for all involved in working with children and young people in Peebles, whether in
formal education, in our churches or through other organisations and activities. There needs to be more
opportunities, particularly for teenagers, to find a safe and fun place away from home with their peers,
but under the guidance of older people who can help to steer them through these roller-coaster years.
Pray about what our role as PBC can be now and in the future. Pray for Peebles Churches Together to be
open to activities in this area too. Remember all involved in JAM and thank God for the lovely and loving
relationship they have with the youngsters in our care.
Sunday 24th “Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is in you. The hope of glory in our hearts! Now is the time for us to
march upon the land... the world shall see that Christ is Lord!” Pray that our gathering together today
would be marked by rejoicing, hope and readiness to be those that march for Jesus every day of our lives.
Pray that it won’t be too long before we are focused on marching on the southside of Peebles from our
new home. A good reminder, too, to be out when we can prayer-walking in the area. Pray for the people
and ministries of St Andrews and Stenhouse Baptist Churches, and St Mary’s and St Ninian’s Community
Churches, that they would also be marching upon the land for the sake of the Gospel of Christ!
Monday 25th 8.3 Father God, please help me to VALUE THE GIFTS OF OTHERS. (Romans 12:4-6) Think
about some specific people in our church, and thank God for the way He has equipped them to serve His
people. Pray that you would value the skills and talents of others: that you would remember to show
your appreciation and encourage them to use those gifts well.
Tuesday 26th Pray for the small groups meeting today to study God’s Word in depth in a more intimate
and informal setting – for blessing and new insight into the riches contained in the Bible. Remember too
Christine and Frank as they open up their home on Wednesday afternoons, that in their act of hospitality
(a Holy Spirit gift!) people would feel welcomed not just into their home, but into the Kingdom of God.
“Come in, you blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have made the house
ready..” (Genesis 24:31)
Wednesday 27th 8.4 Father God, please help me to USE MY GIFTS. (Romans 12:6-7) God has given us
gifts so that we can use them! Ask Him to show you whether you are using the gifts He has given you well
(whether that’s your skills or your money v8). Thank our Father for the opportunities you have to serve
your church. Pray that you would serve with the right attitude – never grudgingly, but diligently and
cheerfully.
Thursday 28th Take a look at the headlines in the news and pray as the Spirit leads. Ask God to increase
our faith to pray into seemingly irreconcilable national and global strife, confident that prayer guided by
our mustard seed faith can result in mountains moved in His good and perfect time.
Friday 29th We are asked in the BMS World Mission Prayer Guide to spend time this week praying for
Nepal. Pray for the people who are still rebuilding their lives after the catastrophic 2015 earthquakes.
Pray for the BMS workers and partners who are helping communities move forward by providing mental
health services and education support to local children. Pray for Nepali Christians in the lead up to
Christmas that they will be able to present the Nativity’s incredible message without compromise or fear.
Saturday 30th 8.5 Father God, please help me to LOVE SINCERELY. (Romans 12:9) Pray that you would
serve as an expression of genuine love towards others – whatever it is you are doing. Pray that your love
would “be sincere”: that as you love others by serving them practically, you would be loving them from
the heart too.
Prayer Diary
November 2019
Pray every day for our church, for God to bless, minister to and through the:
1. Leadership – pray for Ian and Lindsey; the Deacons: Linda, Liz, and John; and all the
team leaders.
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 people to come and find their spiritual home in our church
- 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!
Friday 1st Pray for all attending the BUS Assembly in Motherwell today and tomorrow, for excellent
fellowship and encouragement through worship, teaching, prayer, conversation and eating together to
filter back and bless the sending churches. Elaine Duncan (Chief Executive of the Scottish Baptist Society)
and Martin Clarke (Lead Pastor at Hillview Community Church, Aberdeen) are taking the Bible Study
sessions. Pray for them to be responsive to the Holy Spirit as they teach from the Word, that everyone in
attendance would acquire new knowledge and perspective on God’s plans and purposes for His Church.
Saturday 2nd At the time of writing, the United Kingdom is in a state of political turmoil regarding its
relationship with the European Union. Let us keep praying for all our political representatives and
leaders to look to God for wisdom in moving forward, and for healing for all who have been hurt in this
lengthy, increasingly acrimonious process. Pray that in this time of national uncertainty, the Church
would be of one voice, proclaiming what is most important of all: “Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make
your face shine on us, that we may be saved” Psalm 80:3.
Sunday 3rd Pray for the Baptist World Alliance, a 115-year old US based organisation linking the six
worldwide regional Baptist bodies with the mission statement “Networking the Baptist family to impact the
world for Christ”. We pray too for all in the fellowships of Rosyth, Rutherglen and Saltcoats Baptist Churches.
Look out for up-to-date news and prayer requests from these churches on the screen at our service.
Monday 4th Today is the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer. The theme is “Shining for Jesus through
Service”. More can be found here: www.bwawd.org. Pray for women all over the world who are
involved in this day of focussed prayer. As Jesus shines through their witness and service, may lands be
filled with the Father’s glory!
Tuesday 5th Continuing from the book: 5 Things to Pray for your Church, we have reached Chapter 7
entitled, “Pray that my Church would give generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6-15) 7.1 Lord, as we give to your
work, help us to GIVE CHEERFULLY (v7). Let’s pray that our church would be full of cheerful givers, that
we would give generously not just to the church itself, but also directly to one another and to those
outside of the church we are in contact with as needs arise. Pray that the generosity in giving of time,
money and commitment would positively influence The King’s Barn building project also.
Wednesday 6th Singing Together at Dovecot Court takes place today. Here is the explanation from our
church calendar, which we can use to guide our prayers: “Lots of research points to the physical, social
and emotional benefits of singing for older people (including people with dementia). We provide
“Singing Together” sessions on the first Wednesday afternoon of each month at 2pm, drawing on a wide
repertoire of songs, and always including at least one hymn. These are very popular sessions for tenants
and church volunteers alike. We hold them because they’re great fun – and because we believe that
everyone matters to God.” Pray for Christine and Linda as they oversee and coordinate this regular event.
Thursday 7th This week, LEADERSHIP is the focus for prayer in the BMS World Mission Prayer Guide
where it is written: “We want to have a hand in creating leaders who are of Christ”. Pray for all involved
in the theological seminaries and training centres supported by BMS as they seek to fulfil this desire.
Pray for BMS partners and workers involved in modelling and teaching Kingdom-orientated leadership
that they would see spiritual and social transformation for Good in the face of many challenges and
opposition posed by this diverse and complex world.
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Friday 8 We recently received a new church contact list. Find it today when you can and work through
the list, consciously naming each person on it before God, thanking Him for them and praying for any
particular needs you are aware of. Read Romans chapter 14, in The Message if you have access to it,
before you start to pray.
Saturday 9th 7.2 Lord, as we give to your work, help us to ABOUND IN GOOD WORKS. 2 Cor 9 v8 Thank
God for those abounding in good works in our church, and other churches in Peebles. Pray for more
volunteers to step up for ministries that need them; and ask God to encourage the weary servants you
know.
Sunday 10th We pray, this Sunday, for everyone attending the following churches: Sanquhar (St Ninian’s)
Baptist Church, Selkirk Baptist Church and Sheddocksley Baptist Church. Selkirk and Sheddocksley Baptist
Church have active Facebook pages and websites for more information to guide our praying. Vicky’s
Tearoom takes place this afternoon. Pray for all involved in this ministry of companionship, preparing
and serving food, providing entertainment and transport in the name and love of/for Jesus. Pray for
every person attending to know they are loved and valued by Father God.
Monday 11th Victor and Caroline returned home to Guinea to find their house completely dry, despite
the heavy rains. They write in their recent letter about a young man who recently found faith while
attending a conference in the ministry centre where Victor teaches English. He was not able to return
home for some time due to threats from his family and community in response to his conversion. Pray
for him and others like him, to be protected, able to find support and help from each other and to grow
strong in their faith. Victor and Caroline ask for prayer as they transition back to life in Guinea, that their
work relationships would deepen, that they would be an encouragement to all who they interact with,
and that BMS would find new colleagues to join them in Guinea. Take a look at this letter on the
noticeboard next Sunday. Plus, it’s our turn to serve the community at Lunch ‘n’ Chat today - pray for the
opportunity for good conversations with people as they come for their lunch.
Tuesday 12th 7.3 Lord, as we give to your work, help us to GROW IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. (2 Cor 9:10)Pray
that we would have the right perspective on giving seeing it as an exciting opportunity to “enlarge the
harvest of our righteousness”. Keep praying for funding to come in for The King’s Barn – the ideal place
for gathering in that harvest!
Wednesday 13th Tomorrow is World Diabetes Day. Diabetes is at pandemic levels with more and more
youngsters being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes due to unhealthy patterns of eating excess amounts of
processed, high-sugar level foods. Take a moment to think about how each of us looks after our body,
not to feel guilty, but to remind ourselves of how God sees us (remember The Man in the Mirror sermons
of last month) and to positively and prayerfully consider how we can make changes to diminish our
health risks from the food we eat. Pray too for our local health care providers who spend a significant
portion of their time overseeing care of those with diabetes. Ask God to bless them in their work, and
lovingly reveal Himself to them.
Thursday 14th Our diaconate had an “Away day” scheduled for today, but it has had to be postponed
because of other events. Juggling the demands of time is a significant challenge any roles within the
church, and certainly for the deacons. Pray for each individual by name and as our leadership group, that
whenever they rearrange this event it would be a memorable day of close fellowship with each other and
our Heavenly Father. Pray that they would find new energy: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, to
serve in their diaconate roles.
Friday 15th 7.4 Lord, as we give to your work, help us to POINT PEOPLE TO CHRIST. (2 Cor 9:13) Pray for
those in our Church who are responsible for managing the money we give – for Ian, Liz and Lyn in
particular, as well as all in leadership. Pray that the resources we gather in would ultimately enable more
people to hear and respond to the Gospel. Our move to the southside of Peebles is one way in which we
believe God is asking us to use our resources. Keep praying for The King’s Barn to become a reality soon,
but pray also that we would be active and engaged in evangelistic use of our resources here and now.
Saturday 16th BMS World Mission works in a number of countries that make up MENA (Middle East and
North Africa), including Israel-Palestine, Lebanon and Guinea where Caroline and Victor live and serve.
Pray that God’s Kingdom would break through in new and exciting ways in the MENA region. Pray for all
BMS partners as they seek to support work that brings hope and empowerment to the most marginalised
and least evangelised communities. Pray too for God-given peace and stability in Libya, Syria, Israel-
Palestine, Iraq and the wider region, and for leaders who will be willing to step up with peace filled
messages of hope.
Sunday 17th Pray for our worship time together this morning: “May the fragrance of Jesus fill this place…,
May the glory of Jesus fill His church..., May the beauty of Jesus fill my life…”. Pray in the same way for
all gathering at Shettleston, South Leith, Springburn Baptist Churches and Southside Christian Fellowship.
This afternoon we host the Regional Prayer Gathering attended by members of other Borders’ Baptist
Churches, as well as by Martin Hodson, the new BUS General Director. Pray for the last minute
arrangements, for people to travel safely and feel welcomed, and for a time of celebration and
recommitment to serving God as thanks are given for the 150 years of the Baptist Union of Scotland, as
well as 130 years of Peebles Baptist Church!
Monday 18th 7.5 Lord, as we give to your work, help us to THANK GOD. (2 Cor 9:15) We thank God for
His indescribable gift! Nothing we give can compare to the wonderful riches God has given us in Jesus, His
son. Spend time in grateful awe and wonder for this greatest of gifts, praying that the consequences of
our appreciation would flow through us in many and diverse ways to bless others.
Tuesday 19th It’s World Toilet Day today (www.worldtoiletday.info). What an important topic to pray
about! Did you ever consider that a toilet is a life-saver, dignity-protector and opportunity maker? Many
Christian organisations, including Tearfund, are involved in helping to achieve Sustainable Development
Goal 6 providing sanitation for all by 2030. Pray for this important work, reaching out in Christ’s name
and love to those who do not have safe sanitation and are at risk of death or disability from unsafe water
and poor hygiene. Did you know you can twin your toilet and be given the precise GPS coordinates as to
where it is built? There’s an idea for an alternative Christmas present! www.toilettwinning.org
Wednesday 20th The next 5 things to pray for our church relate to praying that I would “use my gifts
well” (Romans 12:1-9). 8.1 Father God, please help me to SERVE SACRIFICIALLY. v1 Spend time
reflecting on and thanking God for His mercy. Then pray that you would offer the whole of your life as an
act of “true and proper worship” in response to all He has done for you – serving at great cost to yourself,
just as God gave so much to you at the great cost of His own son. In the light of this, pray for the
diaconate meeting taking place this evening.
Thursday 21st Continue to pray for the work of Vision Ministries in Kenya. On the Facebook page you can
see the progress of a well being created to provide safe water, a complementary project to the
WaterGuard project in Kibera that we support. Continue to pray that as people are given, in Jesus’ name,
access to clean water, this would be an introduction to them never experiencing spiritual thirst again.
Pray for Barbara as she travels frequently, representing and advocating for Vision Ministries, that she
would be kept safe and well, knowing abundant blessing in all she does for God.