Prayer We endeavour to bring you a daily prayer topic in the form of a prayer diary from Tear Fund. We also will try to provide you with things to remember in your prayers this week.

What is the Prayer Meeting Like? (Prayer Meeting every Tuesday @ 7pm) We begin with a meditation from Scripture and a time of praise and thanksgiving to God, followed by prayer for our church, people and situations that we know of locally and worldwide.

Prayer This Week 7th March 2010

 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”, Ephesians 6:17-19

There are different prayer events coming up that we need to be prepared for. Prayer is not an optional extra but part of our way of life as Christians. We should prayer regularly for:
o Our families and friends
o Our church family and Minister
o Our town and community
o Our Christian witness
o The churches in Galashiels
o The Church of Scotland
o The worldwide church
And much more! It is good to meet together for prayer and there are opportunities for this – our regular prayer meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays and these special days -
Friday 5th March
World Day of Prayer - this year the service is being held at Old and St Paul's at 7.30pm

Wednesday 10th March
We will be holding a Day of Prayer for the mission and witness of our own denomination, the Church of Scotland. The Church will be open at several points through the day for folks to gather together in prayer. More information will follow.

“Praying Together” - people from the churches in Galashiels meeting together regularly (monthly or fortnightly) to pray for our town, the people, our witness and local issues. If you would like to be part of this, or to know more, please speak to Helen Allan.

March 2010

One potential
SUNDAY 7 MARCH
What are your dreams? And what do you think you and your life would be like if you reached your full potential? When we pray, we encounter a God who has hopes and ambitions for each and every person, and our potential becomes tied up with releasing others. Talk to God about what this means for you.

MONDAY 8 MARCH
People around the world are stifled as poverty robs them of the chance to flourish. The church, the body of Christ on earth, has massive potential to eradicate poverty. 'If local churches used all their resources and influence to tackle global issues, they wouldn't be issues,' says US church leader Rob Bell. Thank God for what the church is doing to combat poverty already, and pray that we will go on to reach our full potential.

One future
TUESDAY 9 MARCH
'Your kingdom come, your will be done...' Matthew 6:10 When you pray, you're not alone. You join in a holy intercession. The Spirit brings us in Christ to our Father.
With him we, as his children, are called to bring about the kingdom of God. Pray for the faith to believe that change can and will come.

WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH
'... on earth as it is in heaven.' Matthew 6:10 When we pray, we're not alone. We are one church and when we come together in prayer, worship and action, we form a powerful movement of people working with God, who is building his kingdom on earth. Pray for your local church, that eyes and hearts will be open to God's vision.

One voice
THURSDAY 11 MARCH
With one voice, we pray one prayer. Our voices are added to those of people all over the world, praying for justice, mercy and an end to poverty. Together, we can change things.
Give thanks to God for loving and equipping his global church, of which you are a part. Pray that we will keep on praying together, with one voice.

FRIDAY 12 MARCH
Dear Lord, hear our prayers. And as we pray, work in our hearts and lives. Show us where we can help be the answer to our own prayers, where we can join you in bringing about transformation. In Jesus' name, amen.

SATURDAY 13 MARCH
'Everything starts from prayer. Without asking God for love, we cannot possess love and still less are we able to give it to others.' Mother Teresa, Roman Catholic nun and founder of Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata. Spend some time meditating on God's love - for you, for others around the world, for the whole of creation. Pray that this love will seep into every area of your life.

Welcome to the weekend - what you can do 'Prayer is where the action is.' John Wesley, 18th-century clergyman and theologian

Think and pray about new and creative ways in which you could act to challenge systems of injustice.
Tearfund might be able to help you do this - do give us a call on 0845 355 8355 (ROI: 01 497 5285) to find out more.
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CLIMATE JUSTICE: 14-20 MARCH
Carbon Fast has helped thousands of Christians in the UK to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. This week, we pray for people striving to tackle climate change, with a focus on Nepal.

SUNDAY 14 MARCH
Who is my neighbour? It's strange that many of us don't know our neighbours next-door, let alone those across the world.
People in Nepal may not be living in the next house along but our lives impact them daily because of climate change.
Thank God for his love that leads us to love our neighbours and pray that we will put our love into action (1 John 3:18).

MONDAY 15 MARCH
Rajia Dabi Mehta lives in Nepal with her family. She lost everything when the Koshi river flooded last year, covering her village in seven feet of sand. Tearfund's partner in Nepal is working through local churches and groups to help Rajia's village adapt. Pray for Rajia, her village and other vulnerable communities in Nepal suffering from more frequent and intense flooding due to climate change.

'An unploughed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.'
Proverbs 13:23

TUESDAY 16 MARCH
Over the past few years, thousands of Christians have reduced their carbon emissions during Lent through Carbon Fast. Give thanks for individuals and churches tackling climate change locally. Pray for those joining Carbon Fast this year, that they will be transformed to become more caring of God's creation.

WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH
An average person in the UK produces 9.8 tonnes of CO² annually, compared with just 0.1 tonnes by people in Nepal.
It's an injustice that Nepal and other developing countries suffer most from climate change, even though they've contributed little to the problem. Pray for leaders of developed countries to act responsibly by providing enough money to help poor countries adapt and develop sustainably.

THURSDAY 18 MARCH
Tearfund is partnering with the Church of England in an environmental initiative called the Climate Justice Fund, which helps churches to compensate for their emissions while, at the same time, shrinking their carbon footprint.
Give thanks for the churches supporting adaptation and sustainable development projects in Africa through the fund.

FRIDAY 19 MARCH
Thank God that he has equipped us to speak up about injustice. World leaders will continue working out how to respond globally to climate change this year. Pray that they will act justly and listen to the voices of poor people affected by climate change and to the global church crying out for climate justice.

SATURDAY 20 MARCH
Father God, thank you for your wonderful creation that we can enjoy. Sorry that we have damaged your world by contributing to climate change. Please help us to care for your creation, and show us how we can help to protect people impacted by climate change. Amen.

Welcome to the weekend - what you can do Ask God to show you how you can use something He has blessed you with - a tallent or a possession etc, in such a way that it will also be a blessing to someone else.
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ALL THOSE IN AUTHORITY: 21-27 March
Paul instructs Timothy to pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and with the forthcoming election, it's crucial we do the same. This week we pray for Christians to speak out on issues of poverty and for our prospective leaders to listen.

SUNDAY 21 MARCH
People living in poverty are an absolute priority for Tearfund. Pray that the next UK government will also put these communities first, and that the election outcome will be a good result for poor people around the world.

MONDAY 22 MARCH
In the run-up to the election, politicians will be clamouring for votes. Pray that global poverty and the impact of climate change on poor people will feature strongly in election campaigns. Pray that God will strengthen our politicians with integrity and vision.

TUESDAY 23 MARCH
Religion and politics may not always mix comfortably, but politicians need to know that faith in Christ motivates us to speak out for poor people. Give thanks that Christians in the UK are finding the time and courage to tell their parliamentary candidate about issues that matter to God.

WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH
The UK government's decisions affect Tearfund's frontline work lifting people out of poverty.
The church must speak out so that those decisions help, rather than hinder. Pray that candidates understand that issues of global poverty and development are important to Christians - and to many other voters.

THURSDAY 25 MARCH
Give thanks that the UK has a representative system of government and that politicians must listen to us. The church in the UK has been outspoken on justice issues, from slavery to international debt and unfair trade. Thank God that our voice is still strong and pray that as Christians we don't take our rights for granted. Pray too for Christians who work in politics.

FRIDAY 26 MARCH
Entering parliament is a daunting experience, especially for a new Member of Parliament, who has much to learn. So pray that new MPs quickly learn how important poverty issues are to their constituents. Ask that the church is at the forefront of putting poverty onto the government's agenda - whichever party is in power.

SATURDAY 27 MARCH
Give thanks for politicians and campaigners who have decided to act justly, even when it's been inconvenient. Pray that God would give his people strength to continue to speak truth and show concern for poor people through political engagement.

Welcome to the weekend - creative prayer idea Are there people in your church whom you could meet with to pray for parliamentary candidate in your constituency? Find a list of major party candidates and pray over each one, asking God to increase their concern for people living in poverty. Then contact them and ask what they plan to do about development issues if elected.
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FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS: 28 MARCH-10 APRIL Over the next two weeks of Easter we will explore and pray through the words that Jesus spoke leading up to the cross and then after his resurrection. Let his words inspire you to pray for God's kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.

PALM SUNDAY 28 MARCH
'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' Luke 23:34

Pray for persecuted Christians in Iraq, Pakistan and other mostly Muslim countries - that they will have the strength to keep meeting. Pray that Christians will be peacemakers in Nigeria, Indonesia and other places where inter-religious violence has led to bloodshed.

MONDAY 29 MARCH
'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'
Luke 23:43

Pray for churches and Tearfund partners who work with poor people, that they will have opportunities to share their faith and transform lives. Praise God for those who, thanks to the work of Tearfund, will one day be with him in paradise.

TUESDAY 30 MARCH
'Woman, here is your son... Here is your mother.' John 19:26-27 Millions of children across the world grow up trapped in poverty, fear or despair, their lives stunted by abuse, war, HIV, climate change, homelessness or the loss of their parents. Ask God to raise up spiritual fathers and mothers to care, support and pray for them.

'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!' Luke 23:46

WEDNESDAY 31 MARCH
'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' Mark 15:34 Thank God for the huge role that churches can play to release people from the shame and rejection that are still experienced by people living with HIV. Pray for Tearfund's work to overcome the stigma of HIV and for the church to step up its work to end discrimination.

THURSDAY 1 APRIL
'I am thirsty.' John 19:28
As we reflect on Jesus' desperation for water on the cross, we remember that more than one billion people still lack access to clean water. Pray that streams of living water will flow to quench their thirst. Ask that governments will put the provision of safe and clean water at the top of their agenda.

GOOD FRIDAY 2 APRIL
'It is finished.' John 19:30
Today we remember and give thanks for Jesus' victory over sin. Praise God that Jesus finished and fulfilled his long, painful and punishing journey to the cross - and for the freedom that this gives us through forgiveness.

SATURDAY 3 APRIL
'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!' Luke 23:46 Thanks to Jesus, we can be reconciled with God, have a personal relationship with him and live life to the full.
Today we offer our praise that, thanks to the cross, we can commit our lives fully to God.


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