One of the most important things a Christian can do is pray.
It doesn't have to be something that is complicated and difficult and it is something we can do anywhere at any time.
We have a prayer request box in the Gathering Area in the church building and our prayer group usually meets at 8am on Saturday mornings there. Anyone is welcome to come along.
We also have an online Zoom prayer meeting, usually on the last Wednesday evening of each month at 7.30pm.
If you have any prayer requests or would like more information about our prayer groups, simply send an email to prayers@tranentparishchurch.co.uk.
Prayer Bulletin – May 2024
This month let us pray every day for persecuted Christians around the world and pray
for a different country each day.
1st Pray for continued good companionship as the Pool Group meet this morning.
Give thanks to God for the success of our events over Easter. Father God answered so many
of our prayers and thanks to everyone, including those who prayed. We delivered Easter
cards to the houses in the new development between Tranent and Ormiston. Pray for God's
blessing on this new community as it grows. Also give thanks to God for the good times
experienced at many SU and Urban Saints camps over Easter and various holiday clubs in
our region.
Persecuted Church – North Korea
2nd Give thanks to God for the SU groups that run in schools in East Lothian, for the people
who give their time to run the groups and for the seeds of faith that are sown at these groups.
Please pray that God will protect and nurture the seeds of faith that are being sown into the
lives of children and teenagers.
Persecuted Church – Iran
3rd The National Conference for Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons) is held from
today until Sunday in Hinckley. We ask God to bless all involved in this organisation as they
reach out with the Gospel. May doors that are currently open to their work remain open and
closed doors be flung wide open by God.
Persecuted Church – Burkina Faso
4th This morning our weekly prayer meeting is held so pray that all who attend will enjoy this
time of prayer and worship. Give thanks to God that, despite His great power and might, He
hears all our prayers and knows all our needs. May our congregation continue to bring all our
worries, requests and thanks to our Father.
Persecuted Church – Eritrea
5th Pray that God will inspire and support Katherine as she leads our morning service.
May we all think deeply about what God is saying to us at today’s service and may it
help us growth in our faith and determination to be witnesses for Christ. Give thanks
to God that we can freely come to church today to worship God with others without fear
of persecution. We also pray that the Stated Annual Meeting will get through all
required business.
Persecuted Church – Sudan
6th Today is a school holiday – may children, parents and teachers all enjoy a rest. May God
bless all involved in our primary schools and the Ross High School. We pray for the students
at Ross High who are sitting exams. May they have the support they need.
We give thanks for the food, welcome and kindness provided by Fa’side Community Kitchen
as it serves food to those in need in our town and local area and pray for more volunteers to
come forward to assist.
Persecuted Church – Syria
7th Give thanks for the team that makes Open House operate each week, showing love, care
and friendship to all who come in.
Persecuted Church – Nigeria
8th We pray for happiness and supportive conversations as the Pool Group meets this
morning.
A prayer initiative called “Thy Kingdom Come” starts today, which the Church of Scotland is
supporting. We pray that much is accomplished by all prayers.
Persecuted Church – Afghanistan
9th Many in our Church, or those close to them, are suffering health issues at this time. Let us
pray that they will know God’s peace and care, trusting in Him. May those who are ill be
healed by God and if this is not God’s will, may they experience His comfort and love.
Continue to pray for peace in Ukraine and Russia, in Israel and Gaza and the Middle East and
in all countries afflicted by war and violence. Pray for the work of the aid agencies which
support those who are suffering.
Persecuted Church – Vietnam
10th Pray that the service at Tranent Care Home this afternoon may be a blessing to the
residents and staff.
Tonight we host a concert by the group Siskin Green in our church. We give thanks for them
coming and pray for a good attendance and much enjoyment of the musical talents of the
band.
Persecuted Church – Iraq
11th Pray for the Prayer Meeting this morning, a time for thanksgiving and reflection. Pray that
all who attend will enjoy the fellowship, that God will be honoured and that His people will be
equipped to do the things He set out in advance for them to do.
Persecuted Church – Kenya
12th We gather this morning to worship God. Katherine will be preaching so let us all
pray that she will feel God’s strength and guidance and that her message speaks to
each of us.
Persecuted Church – Egypt
13th It can be very challenging for those working on the “front line” of Christian ministry. Ask
God to strengthen them and protect them from spiritual attacks from the Evil One so they do
not grow weary and instead sense the Holy Spirit with them each and every time they serve
our Lord.
Persecuted Church – Maldives
14th Pray for happiness and openness as Open House meetings today and may many attend
who appreciate this opportunity to meet with familiar faces and new faces on a Tuesday
morning.
Persecuted Church – Libya
15th Ask our Lord for fun and friendship at the Pool Group and give thanks for all those who
have come to attend.
Give thanks for the work of CrossReach and for God’s sustaining grace on all who work and
volunteer. Also pray for Morlich House in Edinburgh, which is a care home for older ladies in
the Morningside area. May the staff team be granted continued wisdom and knowledge in all
aspects of their work.
Persecuted Church – Indonesia
16th Please continue to pray for all the J Club, asking for growth in numbers. Pray for energy,
inspiration and gifting for the leaders, that they would be able to communicate His truth with
power, fun and clarity. Continue to pray for more leaders to support the work.
Persecuted Church – Cambodia
17th Please pray that we continue to build positive relationships with the uniformed
organisations that meet in our Church Hall and that God will provide opportunities for us to
show them the love of Jesus. Pray for all the young people you know that they may be filled
with hope and supported by encouragement in life.
Persecuted Church – Russia
18th The Church of Scotland General Assembly starts today and we should pray for all the
meetings, deliberations and resolutions. May God give wisdom to all discussing the important
issues facing our national church. May the Holy Spirit shape and guide the decisions which
are made. Also may we focus on all the good work of the Church and the things that unite us,
especially making more disciples of Christ.
May all at the weekly Prayer Meeting feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as they bring to God
our thanks and requests.
Persecuted Church – Tanzania
19th Today is Pentecost Sunday when we celebrate God sending His Holy Spirit to His
disciples. Read again the story in Acts 2 v 1 to 13.
Katherine will lead our worship this morning. Give thanks for all she does for our
church and community. May this morning’s service fill us all with joy and help us in
our walk with our Lord and Saviour. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to grow faith
in Jesus throughout the Parish of Tranent and Elphinstone.
Persecuted Church – Uganda
20th If we want to see transformation to our communities then churches, individually and
corporately, must regularly speak a blessing over our communities and those with
responsibilities at every level (government, business, education, health, media, the arts, etc.)
including speaking blessings over the other churches around us. We do not have to agree
with everything they do or say to speak a blessing over them. Always remember - prayer
changes things!
Persecuted Church – Cuba
21st Give thanks for everyone who makes it possible for Open House to meet today and most
Tuesdays, and may they feel appreciated and supported.
Pray also for comfort and encouragement for all persecuted Christians and for God's
protection over His church. Pray that the perpetrators of violent attacks and the instigators
behind them will be found and brought to justice. Pray for peace and religious tolerance in
our world, where people are respectful and reject hate.
Persecuted Church – China
22nd May all in the Pool Group enjoy their time together this morning.
Today is a school holiday for pupils. Teachers will be in training sessions and we pray for all
teachers to have the skills, resources and patience to teach and inspire their pupils.
Persecuted Church - India
23rd Our Sunday services would not be the same if it were not for the efforts of the IT team,
organist and praise band so we give thanks to God for all those who volunteer for this service.
Ask God to continue to help those involved in this important work and pray that there will not
be any major problems.
Persecuted Church – Algeria
24th Give thanks to God for the Christian agencies that are reaching out to help homeless
people in our region. May their work give these people hope of a new beginning and new
future and in the long term may this lead them to realising all that Jesus did for them. Such
work needs our prayer and financial support.
Persecuted Church – Saudi Arabia
25th This morning’s Prayer meeting is a time for thanksgiving and reflection. Pray that all who
attend will enjoy the fellowship, that God will be honoured and that His people will be equipped
to do the things He set out in advance for them to do.
We pray that God will reveal to Katherine and others who He has chosen to become our new
youth worker and to lead our activities at building up our young people and reaching out to the
youth in Tranent with God’s love.
Persecuted Church – Sri Lanka
26th Pray that God will inspire and support Katherine as she leads our morning service.
May we all think deeply about what God is saying to us at today’s service and may it
help us growth in our faith and determination to be witnesses for Christ. Give thanks
to God that we can freely come to our church today to worship God with others without
fear of persecution.
Pray that the service at Tranent Care Home this afternoon may be a blessing to the
residents and staff.
Persecuted Church – Yemen
27th Various team meetings will be held today and please pray that God would bless all team
members with wisdom and discernment as they meet to consider how our church operates
and reaches out to the people of Tranent and the surrounding area.
Persecuted Church - Laos
28th Ask for fun and friendship at Open House this morning.
Some of the people who have attended our church over recent years, including youngsters
from Sunday Club, have turned away from the Christian way of life. Ask God to speak to them
so they re-engage with their faith and take steps to put Jesus first in all aspects of their lives.
Persecuted Church - Myanmar
29th The Pool Group meets again today in the Church Hall and we pray that all who attend will
enjoy this time together and really benefit from the fellowship.
Pray that our congregation will be generous in donating food to the East Lothian Foodbank
and that this food will be used by God to help people who need it.
Persecuted Church – Mauritania
30th Give thanks to God for the work throughout the world of Bible Societies as they seek to
reach out with the Word. Lift to God their work in Scotland and pray also for work by Bible
Societies in other countries, that they will be given the resources they need to reach those
who need to know Jesus.
Pray for our local emergency services - police, fire brigade and ambulance service. May God
strengthen those who serve in this way in our town and local area.
Persecuted Church - Somalia
31st Our Presbytery asks us to pray for the leadership and all involved in the life of the
communities of Dalkeith St. Johns Kings Park & Newton and Dalkeith: St. Nicholas Buccleuch.
Also please pray for the conversations about union with Newbattle that they might reach a
satisfactory outcome.
Persecuted Church – Uzbekistan