February 3, 2025
God of greatness, in the days of winter, we think of our Hindu friends who may be celebrating Vasant Panchami – the arrival of spring. Help us to hold onto hope for warmer and brighter days ahead. Help us to learn and grow from one another, even when we are resistant and stubborn. Guide us to be your people through and through. Bless us this day and all the days of this week. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
February 4, 2025
Comforting God, around the world we recognize World Cancer Day today. Help us to be more mindful with our health to do things to prevent us from getting cancer. For those of us living with cancer, be in their hearts, bodies, and spirits as you strengthen them in their journey. Help us to be good listeners, good advocates, and good friends. And God, if we can find the cure to cancer this year, that’d be great.
In the name of your greatest Love, Jesus. Amen.
 
February 5, 2025
God of wellness, as we work toward strength today in our gym, help us to be strong in you.  May your commandment of loving one another be taken a little more seriously. So, just even for today, God, help us to eliminate judgment from our hearts… for everything. If we judge in our day, help us to tell ourselves to stop it, and to replace it with a loving thought or idea. Loving one another is hard work and all we ask is that you help us to do better. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
February 6, 2025
Thank you, God, for this day. I thank you for fresh air, for the breath of life, for clean water, and for time to set aside for prayer. Today, I ask that you help me lift people up. May I pay more compliments to others today than I have in a lifetime. Where I may struggle, guide my words and actions as I try to make the world a brighter and better place.  And God, thank you for being so awesome that you would forgive me of all my sins and take me as I am.  I love you too. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

February 7, 2025
Gracious God, as I sit and enjoy a cup of tea, glancing out the window at the beauty of our world, I give thanks.  Today I pray for those of us who are living with mental illness. I pray we find our way in this world. I pray we find a resource that helps us understand and accept ourselves, and that we can confide in others for support. May we get the help we need and the acceptance we long for.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
February 8, 2025
Youthful God, sometimes I wonder how our younger citizens are going to get through their lives with all the changes and challenges we see.  I pray they have clarity, wisdom, good guidance, and faith to support them in their journey.  Help us to find ways to support children and families in a variety of ways so our community can help bear the load. God bless our children and families. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
February 9, 2025
Holy God, as we prepare to worship you today, help us to be super welcoming to everyone. May we sing songs with the voices of angels, share prayers that touch our hearts, and hear your word with a discerning ear. We give thanks for the blessings of our church buildings and our church family. May we continue to grow in your love and light. Thank you for the gifts in our lives and may we use them to do your will in our world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

January 27, 2025
Embracing God, as we work on our personal health and wellness, bring us together to learn and to grow.  Help us to be humble in how we understand the world and give us the wisdom to listen. May we reach out to others when we need help and may we take time to help others when they ask us. Help us to see the pain and joy, fear and courage in us all.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

January 28, 2025
God of great delights, Tuesdays are a great day, and we are thankful that Monday has come and gone. Help us to take time to stand or sit by a window in stillness. May we glance out at the world focusing on the positive things that we see. May our neighbours have food and shelter and may we all know the feeling of belonging. God, be with us. In the name of your greatest Love, Jesus. Amen.

January 29, 2025
God of Wednesdays, be with everyone who comes our way. May they encounter us at our best, sharing your light and joy with them.  We pray for all our friends who are ill today.  Be in their bodies for health and healing. Be with those who are living with chronic pain or illness and help them find hope and strength to endure. Grant us your wisdom and strength to persevere through the rest of the week. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

January 30, 2025
Thank you, God, that it is Friday. As the week comes to an end for many of us, grant us a little fun with our friends and families. Help us to pull out the cards or a game or some music so we can let loose and let go of the worries of our everyday. Help us to create a memory with our loved ones.  For those whose work never ends, be with them in spirit, in strength, and in body. We give thanks for the hours they put in and for the difference their work makes in our days.  Bless all of us in our paid and volunteer work. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

January 31, 2025
Gracious God, the first month of the year has come to an end.  What have I accomplished? What difference have I made? What have I tried? Where have I succeeded and where have I failed? God, keep me humble, realizing that we are only on earth for a short time. May we do something that matters in the lives of others for years beyond our own. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

February 1, 2025
Ever-Moving God, thank you for the children and youth in our lives. May we always feel younger in our hearts when they are around. May we share stories of faith and stories of our lives so they get to know and understand us better. Be with families who have very busy schedules, and we pray we see them in church when time permits. Keep them wondering and curious about you and our world. God bless our children and families. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

February 2, 2025
Holy God, as we prepare to worship you today, may we think about the world, our community and ourselves. Help us to be mindful that we all have something going on – personally or in our families or friendships. May we continue to grow in love and kindness so that we can share compassion and empathy in all our days. Keep Jesus at the centre of all that we do and may the Spirit continue to direct and guide us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

January 20, 2025
Giving God, thank you for the gift of meaningful work and strong community. As I think of our church and its’ history, I give thanks for all those who helped to get it to where it is today. I give thanks to those who took the risk to close the other churches to make High Country United Church what it is and how it is. Bless this building, O God, and may we be good stewards of it. Bless this community and may we continue to support each other and be strong together.  Bless our ministries and may we never take our calling for granted. Be with us all today in the changes that are ahead. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 21, 2025
God of great delights, thank you for helping me to discover that today is dubbed “A National Day of” for many things, like Hugging, Banana Bread, and Grandmas. Whoever brought these together on the same day was a genius. Grant us warmth and comfort in all that surrounds us. Help us reach out to a friend if their name crosses our mind or if we are in need. May we also take time to think of our Grandmas. Thank you for love, O God, especially yours. Help us to share your love in the world. In the name of your greatest Love, Jesus. Amen.
 
January 22, 2025
God of Wednesdays, help us to keep track of what day it is and what our plans are. In the busyness of life and retirement, it’s harder to do so. Today is also National Grandpas day and help us to set aside time for our grandpas. Guide our hearts to read the news today with your heart and mind.
 
January 23, 2025
O Holy One, today I ask you to especially be in our hearts. There’s something about our world that is so overwhelming these days that we might not know what to do anymore. Sometimes we might wonder if doing anything at all is really making a difference. We know it does. But sometimes we can be discouraged. Whatever we need encouragement for in our lives today, O God, may you grant it. Ignite a spark within us and fuel our passion, drive, and determination to do things that we never imagined we could do before. Give us invisible capes and make us superheroes for love, justice, equity, and our environment.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 24, 2025
Gracious God, another week comes to a close and we ask for help to get us through the workday so we can enjoy some fun and frivolity with family and friends. Grant us energy to push through, creativity to wonder about next week, and a pep in our step to help us share Friday joy with others.  Keep us safe and healthy, O God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 25, 2025
On the 25th of every month, we remember loved ones who have gone before us. I give thanks to friends and family who have impacted my life in a variety of ways. Thank you for your guidance, your experiences, your wisdom, and your grace. Thank you for living within me to keep me close to you and to share you with the world. Help me to walk well in this world so that my memory will live on in the hearts of others too. God, hug and love up those we miss and may they take my tears of memory as gifts of gold.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 26, 2025
Holy God, as we prepare to worship you today, grant us the time and peace we need to get out of the house without being rushed. But if we are rushed, may we still have peace. We pray that little ones will visit with us, that we’ll sing some familiar songs, and that we’ll pray for our neighbours in need. Hold us as we do your work and will in this world and grant us courage to always grow in our relationship with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Rev. Jan shares some prayers with us and hopes we'll pray along with her this year.

January 13, 2025
God of bitter cold, fresh snow, and winter hibernation, be with us through our day. No matter the weather or what’s on the schedule, help us to find you in a face we see, in a puzzle we do, or in the work we’re gifted with us.  May we take a moment to give you thanks for 5 things we have in our lives right now.  And, God, if that’s hard to do, please give us courage to reach out to a friend and ask them what blessings they see within us.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 14, 2025
God of families and community, on the 14th of each month, we pray for our loved ones that surround us.  We think of those who have supported along the way, those we support, and for the love we share. Guide them in your path of light and may they find you in surprising ways. Be with all the young ones and help us to encourage them in good ways. Be with all our old ones and help us to support them with dignity and respect. May you continue to guide our own steps, our words, and our actions in all our days. In the name of The Light we pray. Amen.
 
January 15, 2025
God of Light, we give thanks for the light in the day and the darkness at night that help us create some semblance of normalcy in our lives. Sometimes it’s the only thing that’s normal – knowing when it’s day and knowing when to sleep.  As we go about our day, may we remember that there are people struggling around us. Some are having a hard time existing in our world, some have a hard time getting out of bed, some are missing loved ones deeply, and some are really sick. May we offer our thanks for all that we have and reach out to someone who pops into our mind today to check in on them. Be with us all O God. We pray within our Light. Amen.
 
January 16, 2025
Comforting and loving God, as we visit shut-ins today, we ask you to be in our minds, hearts, souls, and our words.  Grant your presence upon all of us who care for others. As we visit, may they hear your words, O God, and not our own. May they feel loved, heard, and valued as members of our community.  And God, I hope to hear lots of stories about puppies today. If it is your will, may it be so. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 17, 2025
Another Friday is upon us, O God, and for that we give thanks.  For our young people who plan to gather with friends and have some fun together, keep them safe. For our older folks who like early bedtimes, grant us rest.  And for those of us in the middle, inspire us to do something productive if we’re not up to socializing. Regardless, may we make time to find some Friday fun with your presence around us.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 18, 2025
Ever-Moving God, be in the little ones around us who are full of energy and delight. We pray for their health and spirits.  Keep them safe from harm and may we be vigilant in doing the same.  But also help us to give them some freedom to make mistakes and try something new.  May they surprise us with something they teach us and may we share your stories, your love, and your light with them all our days. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 19, 2025
Resting God, thank you for the day you gifted us to set time aside to rest. May we take time to be with family, to restore our soul, and to replenish our mental capacities. Help us to take a little time to reflect on the week that past. What good did I do?  Where could I do better? Who do I need to forgive? Who do I need to apologize to? Lastly, how can I be fully present to your light in the week ahead and how can I share it? Grant me the courage to take risks and be uncomfortable. But first, let me rest. Help me sit in peace even if it’s just for a few short moments. Thank you, God, for loving me. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Rev. Jan is asking us to pray together.  Here are the prayers for this week:

January 6
As a new week begins, O God, grant us the energy to create a to-do list that will encourage us to do great things. Grant us the energy to see it through (and possibly more). And help us to make the time to set aside moments to connect with you.  May we be intentional today in finding time to take three deep breaths and to give you thanks, every now and then.  God be with us. In our Saviour’s name we pray. Amen.
 
January 7, 2025
Hope-filled God, today we pray for hope in our world. We hope for peace everywhere, we hope that everyone has food to eat and a roof over their head.  We hope that no one is feeling lonely. We pray in hope that our world is connected to more than just themselves. We pray they are connecting with the divine. Help us to share hope in our world, O God. Through your grace, compassion, and generosity, may we share those with everyone we encounter. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 8, 2025
God who is everywhere, I pledge to you that wherever you will go, I will follow. I will trust that you will hold my hand when I’m anxious. I will cling to you when I am afraid. And I will dance within the light you share with us. Hold me accountable to trusting you in all things. Help me to let go of needing  to know everything and free my heart from the burdens that it carries. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 9, 2025
God of all, as we work towards creating a world that is equitable, fair, just, and kind, we pray for all people. We pray for ourselves as we work to get to know our neighbours of different cultural backgrounds. We pray for our loved ones who are discovering who they are and sharing their truths with us. Help us to be patient and kind with them and ourselves. And God, we pray for all of us that we can have civil conversations. Disagreeing is okay but may our thoughts and ideas never cause harm to anyone else. In the name of Love we pray. Amen.
 
January 10, 2025
God of all Fridays in our lives, thank you for the end of the week. Today we pray that we make time to connect with Your Word and that it can inspire us in the weekend ahead.  We ask for you to help keep us safe as we take time for rest and play. And God, encourage us to try something this weekend. May this prayer spark that ‘new thing’ into our mind and give us courage to do so. Be with us all our days. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 11, 2025
God of all, today we pray for the little ones in our lives. Not necessarily just the teeny children but the youth and young adults too.  We miss them in church and sharing what they learn and know of God with us. Help us to draw more children into church communities so we can support their families and their life journeys. It takes a village to raise a child, O God, that we know. May our neighbours know that we are here for them. Bless all the children of our world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
January 12, 2025
God of communities, today we pray for places of worship.  Be with us all as we strive to be great greeters of kindness and welcome. May the doors we share with you, be open-hearted and open-minded in us. Grant courage to our neighbours who are thinking of going to a new church today. May your Spirit guide them with all that they need.  And God, can there be chocolate after church? If not, that’s okay. We’re grateful for just gathering in your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 

Rev. Jan is asking us to pray with her this year.  Here are the prayers for this week.

January 1
God of new beginnings, help us to be centred in your love and care.  Guide us as we walk in this world, knowing that there will be ups and downs.  Keep us focused on the path, never afraid to take risks, and always willing to meet someone new along the way.  As we begin the new year, help us to let go of the things of the past that cloud our hearts and minds, to make room for the opportunities that are ahead and waiting for us.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

January 2
Loving and Holy God, sometimes it's hard to remember what day it is when we're on a break. Help us to be okay with that. Help us to put our feet up, to rest our bodies and our souls, and to enjoy some peace. Prepare us for the journey ahead as we gather again soon.  And God, please help us to be healthy so we can be the community you call us to be.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

January 3
Loving Parent, are you hiding sometimes? Wondering if we'll seek you? Thank you for being joy-filled and loving with us in all our days.  When we stray, be gracious to us and may we never fear you or your love. Fill us instead, with your trust, your truth, and your righteousness, knowing that you have our back in all our days. Please be with those who need you the most, who may be looking for purpose beyond what this world has to offer. And God, tag, you're it. Thanks for letting us find you in all our days.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

January 4
God of anticipation and routine, as we take one last day of rest before we resume our regular schedule, help us to rest our eyes and our bodies just a little more.  If the 30-minute nap tends to be a little longer than expected, help us to find rest at the end of the night so we can be energized for worship.  Holy One, thank you for the gift of faith, church, and the community you gather in Camilla.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

January 5
Loving and ever-present God, we thank you that we could gather safely together for worship today. Churches further north may have been closed due to weather and we pray they are safe.  We thank you for the gift of catching up with our community and hearing how Christmas and New Years was.  We also thank you for the calling to pray for little Abigail and hope she and her family get through this challenge okay.  Be with all our friends and neighbours who long to be back in church. And God, help those who haven't been in church for quite a while, find a friend to bring them in. And when they do, may the energy you bring to our gatherings, infect them with joy.  God be with us. Amen. 

​

Some of us make New Year Resolutions and some of us don't.  I suppose I am one of the few but that's because I need to push myself to be all that God calls me to be.  Healthy and well for myself, my family, and for ministry.  So, yes, I will partake in the getting healthy resolution this year.

Also this year, the Spirit nudged me into creating a prayer a day post.  These will be posted online and will be available at the church once I get them started.  The end result will be a little booklet of short prayers for 365 days. I'll hope you'll join us in our prayers.  We will be including them in our blog posts here too.

Come for the journey. Stay for the people. Keep going for God.

​Rev. Jan