EDINBURGH NORTHWEST KIRK
AUGUST PRAYER DIARY
I lift up my eyes to the mountains
- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
maker of heaven and earth.
(Psalm 121 : 1 - 2)
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Prayers for each week
Week beginning 10 August
● Pray for the family and friends and Church community of Elisabeth Ross from Edinburgh, who was killed recently in Athens
● Pray for the ministry of Edinburgh Street Pastors during the Festival
Week beginning 17 August
● Pray for staff and pupils returning to our local schools for a new academic year
● Pray for Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts events from 16 - 22 August
Week beginning 24 August
● Pray for the ministry of Fresh Start
● Pray for Edinburgh’s CrossReach Rankeillor Initiative providing temporary supported accommodation flats for people experiencing homelessness and who are in recovery from addictions.
Week beginning 31 August
● On 31 August the Moderator will meet with the First Minister of Scotland at his official residence, Bute House. Rev. Kennedy hopes to meet with the leaders of all Scottish political parties during his year in office. Pray for the Moderator’s meeting this day and for his involvement with all political parties.
● Pray for the Return to Church Sunday service on Sunday, 6 September.
Reflection
Archbishop of Canterbury's sermon at St John’s Church, Yaoundé, Cameroon (4 August 2026)
Our world cries out for healing. Millions of people live in fear. Millions are displaced. Hundreds of thousands of children do not have access to school, young people are unable to find training or work; there is inadequate healthcare that impacts maternal and infant mortality. I have heard you speak of all these things, and I know that the people of Cameroon have suffered for far too long. The Anglican Church in Cameroon cries out on behalf of its people, for healing and for peace.
I have seen how the Church is a place of transformation, healing and of peace, because you know your people. You see those who long for peace – and, as a peace-loving people, you strive for the dignity of every person made in the image of God. You serve the church in some of the hardest to reach areas, being present in places where all other support systems have broken down; and you provide schools, hospitals, chaplaincies, churches, where people can reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak; you are the hands and feet of Christ, bringing healing, hope, reconciliation and peace.
I have seen how the Anglican Church in Cameroon is working in partnership with the Catholic Church, other churches, and faith communities to build up peace. You make the courageous choice not to let your differences divide you. You sit together at the table, building partnerships for peace. You nurture your congregations: seeking to be places of healing and reconciliation.
Peace requires genuine and inclusive dialogue – it needs to have everyone around the table. That requires courage, it requires strength, and it requires commitment at every
level of society, but particularly those in authority.
As Shepherd and Pastor, I urge you to follow in this way of Christ, who is the bringer of peace, ‘for he himself is our peace’.
If you have a prayer request or a favourite prayer which you would care to share in a future Prayer Diary, please e-mail office@cramondkirk.org.uk