We enter another month as the foliage on our trees continues to flourish.

I have chosen the word “May” as our topic this week – a word that crops up in the Bible and many of our hymns.

I refer to ”Seascapes” in one of the prayers so I thought it would help to attach 2 images to illustrate what beauty lies around our coast line - at the foot of this page.

Diary Notes for Week commencing 1 May 2024. 

A selection of Bible verses on the word “May”.

James 1:4  “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Philippians 2:14-15 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”

Ephesians 6:2-3 “Honour your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Matthew 5:44 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

John 12:36 “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.”

Hymns on the based on the word  “May”.

CH4 786 “May the God of peace go with us as we travel from this place. May the love of Jesus keep us firm in hope and full of grace.”

MP 463 “May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day. By His love and power controlling all I do and say.”

May the word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour, so that all may see I triumph only through His power.”

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything, that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.”

“May the love of Jesus fill me, as the waters fill the sea; Him exalting, self-abasing, this is victory.”

“May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe; looking only unto Jesus, as I onward go.”

MP 486 “O may this Bounteous God through all our life be near us. With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us. And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills in this world and the next.”

CH3 677 “O love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee. I give Thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow, may richer, fuller be.”

The 6-day Motorcycle Trials take place in Fort William next week with the pre-trials in Kinlochleven on Friday and Saturday this week.

Senior pupils have important exams over the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Prayer Diary

South Lochaber Churches 

Wednesday 1 May

Loving God, we pray today for senior pupils who are faced with important exams over the next few weeks. Give them encouragement and determination to focus on each exam and achieve good results in what will ultimately shape their lives and careers. We thank you for the work of all our teachers in supporting them.

Thursday 2 May

Eternal God, in this country where we are surrounded by the sea, we pray for those who spend their lives on the sea in fishing and transport. We thank You for the beautiful seascapes around our coastline. “May the love of Jesus fill me, as the waters fill the sea; Him exalting, self-abasing, this is victory.”

Friday 3 May

Today, Lord Jesus, we think of all the competitors in the 6-day Motorcycle Trials. We pray for their safety next week. We pray for the churches in Kinlochleven who will open their doors today and tomorrow to provide food and fellowship.

Saturday 4 May

Today, O Lord, we pray for the various Bible Societies who seek to make the Bible known in remote areas of our world. May we treasure Your Word in our own lives. “May the word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour, so that all may see I triumph only through His power.”

Sunday 5 May : Kinlochleven at 10.00, Shinty Pavilion at 10.30 & NL at 11.30.

Dear God, as we gather in church today, may we experience Your joy and peace in our lives. “O may this Bounteous God through all our life be near us. With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us. And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills in this world and the next.”

Monday 6 May

Help us Lord Jesus to look to You for the strength and stamina to keep going in life no matter what happens. “May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe; looking only unto Jesus, as I onward go.”

Tuesday 7 May : Bible Study on Jonah at Kinlochleven at 7.00 pm.

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we complain and argue with others where molehills become mountains. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”