Why am I writing this letter on 6th January and not on Friday 8th? Well, today I am still in my 60’s. Tomorrow is a different story! I don’t feel 70. In fact, I feel as if I’m only 50, but no doubt somebody will burst my bubble and disavow me of that! By the time the Elders distribute this letter I will have settled down, begrudgingly, to a new decade, and I hope this first year of 2021 improves for all of us. But currently we are all in Lockdown. Another lockdown. And we are all quite worried, concerned, bored, scunnered, or whatever other adjective applies.
I think we need a time of prayer. To give the Elders time to distribute this letter I would like our Day of Prayer to take place on Sunday 31st January. It would run from 8am until 8pm with people taking 15 minute slots every hour. Would you please consider participating in this? Chose a 15 minute slot from the attached sheet, and let me know which slot, or slots, you have chosen ann.mccool@ntlworld.com.
I have attached a sheet with suggested topics which have been compiled by our Prayer Group. You may wish to use these during the 15 minute slot, or simply sit in silence during your chosen time. You can, of course, pray for longer if you wish. The idea is that we will pray as a Church for each of the topics listed.
At present we are not allowed to attend Church for private prayer, but our Foodbank will still operate from 12noon to 12.30pm on a Friday.
And finally, I hope you all managed to have some time of enjoyment during the Christmas period. We were sent a Thank You card from Johnstone Business Consortium and Family First, for all the gifts we donated to them. We are a generous congregation, caring, loving and praying. Well done, everyone.
God bless,
Ann
Sunday 31st January,
Quarter hourly prayer slots for Johnstone High Parish Church
8-9am
8 – 8.15 / 8.15 – 8.30 / 8.30 – 8.45 / 8.45 – 9
9-10am
9 – 9.15 / 9.15 – 9.30 / 9.30 – 9.45 / 9.45 – 10
10 -11am
10 – 10.15 / 10.15 – 10.20 / 10.20 – 10.45 / 10.45- 11am
11- 12 noon
11 – 11.15 / 11/15 – 11.30 / 11.30 – 11.45 / 11.45 – 12 noon
12 – 1pm
12- 12.15 / 12.15-12.20 / 12.20 – 12.45 / 12.45 – 1pm
1-2pm
1- 1.15 / 1.15 – 1.30 / 1.30 – 1.45 / 1.45 – 2pm
2-3pm
2-2.15 / 2.15- 2.30 / 2.30 – 2.45 / 2.45 – 3pm
3-4pm
3-3.15 / 3.15 – 3.30/ 3.30- 3.45/ 3.45- 4pm
4-5pm
4-4.15 / 4.15- 4.30 / 4.30- 4.45 / 4.45 -5pm
5-6pm
5-5.15 / 5.15-5.30 / 5.30- 5.45 / 5.45-6pm
6-7pm
6-6.15 / 6.15-6.30 / 6.30- 6.45 / 6.45- 7pm
7-8pm
7-7.15 / 7.15- 7.30 / 7.30- 7.45 / 7.45 – 8pm
- Give thanks and praise to God for his love and faithfulness, for the blessing of the rapid development of a vaccine and for the community spirit and cooperation we have witnessed during this difficult time.
- Pray for the increase of the Lord’s government and peace throughout this country in 2021 (Is 9v6,7); that God will give Christians through his Holy Spirit strength, courage and wisdom to stand up for the truth of the gospel. Pray that laws which can be used to stifle free speech and religious liberty will be exposed and removed. (Scottish Hate Speech Bill for which the Christian Institute and Catholic Church have great concerns)
- Pray for repentance and spiritual revival of the church in Scotland, that the church will grow and go forward according to God’s will and purposes. Also pray for the restoration of worship in the churches and financial security.
- Pray for wisdom for our government in their future relationship and commercial dealings with Europe and the rest of the world.
- Pray for the economy to bounce back quickly with new beneficial industries arising, providing employment for all those who require it.
- Pray for wisdom as the government continue to handle the Covid 19 pandemic and vaccine roll out. That the vaccine will be successful and be distributed efficiently. Also pray that the NHS will cope this winter and be strengthened in the future.
- Pray for those who have been bereaved, that they will be comforted and helped to face the year ahead in peace and confidence.
- Pray for the homeless and refugees living in unhygienic and horrific conditions, that their dignity and security would be restored and for an end to racism in all its forms.
- Pray for a fair distribution of wealth, that those who work hard receive a wage that will properly provide for their families and for greater job security.
- Pray for God’s guidance and protection for every child in the world, for strategies to make up for the education they have missed and the restoration of mental health.
- Pray specifically for your own family, friends and neighbours, and yourself.
- Finally give thanks once more for the privilege and power of prayer and the sacrifice of our Saviour which made possible our relationship with God and victory over the enemy. Pray as Jesus did that God’s will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.