Issued on Wednesday 10th June 2015
 
Prayer requests from Presbyterian Mission in Ireland personnel and Home and Urban Mission congregations. 
 
Moderator – Rt Rev Dr Ian McNie
·       Pray for Ian at the beginning of his moderatorial year.  Pray for wisdom and guidance in all he says and does. 
·       Remember him over the next week as he speaks at Ballyalbany Presbyterian Church this Sunday, 14th June (service commencing at 12.00noon), and as he visits Friendship House in South Belfast on Tuesday, 16th June. 
 
Tracey Nicholl – Deaconess serving in St James’s Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney
·       Pray that the Lord would continue to work by His Spirit in the lives of the members of St. James congregation and that they will be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
·       Pray for the Women's Bible Study which is held twice a year in St. James.  Pray that the women who attend will know how valuable they are to the Lord.
·       Pray also that Tracey remains open to what the Lord wants to do through her and that she will glorify Him as she continues working in St. James.
 
John McCandless – Community Outreach Worker serving in Mountpottinger and Mersey Street Presbyterian Churches
·       Give thanks to God for John’s co-workers and volunteers.  John writes, “Without their support and encouragement my work would be almost impossible.”
·       Give thanks too for the people who help out in the food bank at McQuiston Memorial Presbyterian Church, and for the invaluable support they give through supplying food boxes for those John comes across who are in great need.
·       John writes, “The summer brings hard work, good fun, and new relationships with children, new leaders and visitors.”  Pray that they won’t miss opportunities or shirk the challenges.
·       Pray for the summer work with a team from USA, ‘Teen Mission’.  The team plans to stay at Mountpottinger for four weeks, working in four areas, including City Mission halls, Mountpottinger and Mersey Street congregations and on the street.  Pray for safety and for God’s blessing as they share His love with others in the local community. 
 
Rev George Moffett – Chaplain serving in the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald
·       Pray for the Chaplaincy team in the Ulster Hospital.  In recent years there have been many changes in the Health Service.  Pray that the Chaplains will adapt to the changes well and continue to be a witness to the love and grace of the Lord whom they serve.
·       Give thanks for good relationships with staff and for the opportunities, when needed, to minister to them.
·       A large number of the people who are admitted to hospital have no church connection and very little interest in church.  Very often their first contact with the church is through the chaplaincy.  Pray for wisdom, sensitivity and understanding as the chaplains meet and share God’s love with them. 
·       Pray for the Sunday worship services which are held every Sunday morning in the Ulster Hospital, and that they be a source of encouragement, comfort and hope for those who attend.
 
Cootehill, Drum and Kilmount Presbyterian Churches – Rev Daryl Edwards
·       Pray for the broadcast on Sunday 21st June at 11.45am of a service recorded in Cootehill earlier in the year which will be on RTE Radio 1 Extra, available on 252LW, or on digital radio, or afterwards on http://www.rte.ie/radio1/service/.
·       Pray for the planning of the annual Discovery Club for children aged 4 to 12 years old.  This year it will be organised and run by local people.  Give thanks for the willingness and enthusiasm of those who have volunteered to lead the Club.  Pray for good attendance and for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus with the children.
·       Pray for opportunities to develop relationships within the congregations through the annual summer outings and social events.
·       Pray for the teenagers and young adults in the congregations - especially for the summer events planned which include a weekend away.  Pray for the opportunities these may create for future ministry.
 
Inch Presbyterian Church – Rev Jim Lamont (Stated Supply)
Inch is a small island off the coast of Donegal and in 1831 Presbyterians there formed a congregation.  At present, 14 families claim connection to the congregation.  Inch is the smallest church building and congregation in the Presbytery of Derry and Donegal.  For over five years the congregation has been vacant, although there is now a connection with Burt congregation.
But although small in numbers we remember the words of Jesus, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name there I am in the midst of them.”
·       Pray for the members of the congregation as they seek to bear witness to the Gospel in their island setting and beyond, and that the congregation will be recognised as the family of God on Inch.
·       Pray that the young people in the congregation will continue to remain faithful in worship and grow in their faith.
·       Pray for the spiritual and relational needs of each individual member of the congregation.
·       As the members of the congregation continue in their witness, pray that the final verse of the hymn by John Oxenham will be realised. “In Christ now meet both East and West, In Him meet North and South.  All Christly souls are one in Him, Throughout the whole wide earth!”
 
Westbourne Presbyterian Church – Rev Mervyn Gibson
Mervyn writes, “We have plans for a tourist project, ‘Titanic People’, that will provide opportunities to witness to the local community and overseas visitors.  We are awaiting the final grant to see the project become a reality.  The congregation is currently meeting in East Belfast Network Centre, having vacated the church building to allow work to take place to address dry rot.  It is anticipated we will be out of the church building for 18 months.”
·       Pray for the plans God has for the creating ‘Titanic People’ and that the opportunities for outreach it can provide will become a reality.
·       Give thanks that the congregation is able to meet in East Belfast Network Centre while all the work on the church building is carried out.
·       Ask God to grant the congregation wisdom as they move forward into new areas of mission and service.
·       Pray that Christian individuals and families would join Westbourne for three years, to share the vision God has given the congregation.
·       Pray for those who live around the church, that they may come to know Jesus Christ in a real and personal way.
 
Cavanaleck and Aughentaine Presbyterian Churches – Rev Alan Moore
·       Praise God for the starting of the new Toddlers group in Cavanaleck and Aughentaine congregations.  Pray for relationships to flourish and new ones to be formed.  Pray for safety and strength for all involved and that the message and love of Jesus will be shown and shared to all who come. 
·       Pray for all the summer outreach activities being arranged.  Pray for God’s leading in all they will do.  Ask the Lord to grant wisdom and stamina as they prepare to serve together in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to all ages.
·       Pray for those who have faithfully served in the various ministries through the year.  May this be a time to be refreshed and to reflect on all the Lord has been doing in and through their service and how He can continue to help them in the year to come to grow more in His likeness.

Issued on Wednesday 3rd June 2015
 
Prayer requests from Presbyterian Mission in Ireland personnel and Home and Urban Mission congregations. 
 
General Assembly
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is meeting this week, concluding tomorrow, Thursday 4th June.  The Council for Mission in Ireland’s report will be presented tomorrow morning, (4th) at around 11.30am. 
•     Pray for God’s leading for the Assembly and the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all its deliberations, and that the decisions reached will bring glory to God, enabling our Church to be effective in its life and witness throughout Ireland and in the wider world.
•     Pray for wisdom and grace for the incoming Moderator, Rev Dr Ian McNie, as he chairs proceedings, and for the Clerk, Rev Trevor Gribben, as he provides guidance on procedures and the business before the house.
·       Pray for wisdom and guidance as important decisions are made regarding the work of the Church and Mission in Ireland. 
·       Pray for an increasing passion for God’s mission across our Church; and a willingness to be Christ’s witnesses.
·       Pray for PCI’s home mission congregations, and for PCI Mission in Ireland personnel including deaconesses, Irish Mission Workers, Community Outreach Workers and Chaplains and staff in the Mission Department in Assembly Buildings.
 
Lynda McFaul – Deaconess serving in First Carrickfergus Presbyterian Church
·       Pray for all involved in planning and implementing the summer programmes for the congregation’s youth and children’s activities, holiday Bible club for primary school children and youth week for teenagers.  Pray for relationships within the team to be developed and nurtured.
·       Pray for all those who will come along to the Holiday Bible Club in July and especially for the outreach opportunities to the parents, grandparents, childminders, etc.  Pray too for the outreach team as the share tea / coffee and share the love of Jesus to all who come along to drop off the children.
 
Philip Whelton – Irish Mission Worker serving in Arklow
Philip writes, “We are so thankful for another wonderful year for the Children’s Bible Club, Youth Club and Teens Club, which have all been very well attended throughout the year.  Many people use the church throughout the week and this is proving to be a great place to meet new people and develop friendships and to share God’s love in various ways.”
·       Pray for the congregation which is vacant at present, and that God in His time would send the person of His choosing to serve Him there.
·       Pray for the Church elders and Committee as they have that extra responsibility in pastoral work during the vacancy. 
·       Pray for the final preparations for the Holiday Bible Club from 3rd to 7th August and for the children and leaders who will be taking part. 
 
Rev Paul Erskine – Chaplain serving in Musgrave Park Hospital
Paul writes, “Hospital chaplains have the privilege, for which we give thanks, of being members of staff.  This means we're part of the hospital team and thus able to provide pastoral support to other staff and conduct services of worship.  It means also that we meet patients from different backgrounds: some are faithful church members, some are on the fringe, some have no contact with the church.”
·       Pray that chaplains will use all the opportunities open to them.
·       Pray for the hospital staff as they fulfil their duties despite difficulties and that patients will receive the help they need and know the presence of the Lord.
 
The Living Room (Cliftonville Church Plant) – Rev Dario Leal
·       Give thanks for the witness of the Living Room in the Cliftonville, New Lodge and Antrim Road areas of North Belfast, and for the people who are coming to the Sunday gathering, and the different meetings during the week.
·       Pray for more volunteers to come help in the outreaches, and especially for volunteers to lead the children’s programme on Sundays.
·       Pray for the Cliftonville area, where there is a high level of suicides, depression, addictions and prescribed medication. 
·       Pray that Dario and his colleagues will be equipped to serve the local community and be effective in bringing the Kingdom of God.
·       Pray for a new location to be found for the Sunday gathering, a place where people can be effectively reached and which can become a base for ministry.
 
Howth and Malahide Presbyterian Church – Rev Alastair Dunlop 
·       Give thanks for increased numbers in Howth.  Average attendance has gone from about 25 people last year, to about 40 people this year.  Pray for continued numerical growth. 
·       Pray for the congregation’s Holiday Bible Club (‘Going Bananas’) taking place in August. The congregation is expanding it a little this year and a team from Portadown will be coming to help lead it.
·       Pray that God will enable the congregation to develop its youth ministry.  Last year, the congregation’s youth work benefited from having a PCI VIP worker, but a replacement for the coming year has not yet be secured.
 
Tullamore and Mountmellick Presbyterian Churches – Rev William Hayes
William writes, “The last ten years of ministry in Tullamore and Mountmellick churches have been both difficult and rewarding.  Despite some early challenges we have been able to reach the two towns through work in schools, on local radio and amongst the local Muslim community.  Both congregations have grown in numbers and in closeness to God, but there are still many challenges.  The development of local leadership is very much an issue.”
·       Pray that the congregations will grow in maturity and will begin to take on both the practical and spiritual roles that are needed to enable a church to grow. 
 
International Meeting Point - Belfast
·       Give thanks for the Bible Studies at the International Meeting Point and the opportunities they provide to share the Gospel.  Pray for all who attend, some of whom are reading the Bible for the first time.
·       The Meeting Point is putting together a new Bible Shelf with Bibles in as many languages as possible.  Give thanks for the donations received which is making this possible. 
·       Pray for the very first visitor to the Meeting Point in 2010, who sadly has incurable cancer.  Pray that she will give her life to Christ.