1. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

  I urge then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -

2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour,

4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

(1 Timothy 2, NIV)

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

(Ephesians 6, NIV)

I write to you all to introduce myself as the relatively newly appointed Dunfermline Presbytery Prayer Coordinator.

My name is Frank Moyes. I am a member of St Margaret's, Dunfermline, have been for some seven years and was ordained an elder at the start of this year. I am Treasurer of St Margaret's (have been for the past four years) which partially explains why it has taken me a while to get around to this message. The beginning of each year is a busy time for Treasurer's. Through various activities I have established some form of contact with most of the Dunfermline churches but look forward to spreading my links throughout the Presbytery.

For those unfamiliar with the function of Presbytery Prayer Coordinator, I would advise that the role was established by the 1984 General Assembly:

Prayer co-ordinators have been in place since The General Assembly of 1984 passed the deliverance:

“Instruct Presbyteries to appoint Prayer Co-ordinators, and to encourage the appointment of Parish Prayer Promoters”, with the remit to “The development of prayer in the life of individual members, congregations and Presbytery”.[Reports to the General Assembly 1984]

The Mission and Discipleship Council booklet, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" defines the role as follows:

What is a Prayer Co-ordinator expected to do ?

To take responsibility for the promotion and development of prayer across the Presbytery.
To encourage the appointments of Parish Prayer Promoters and develop a Prayer Promoters’ Network.
To organise and promote Praying Across Scotland as prayer support for the General Assembly.
To help people understand that prayer is an active and normal part of a Christian’s life, and so encourage the presbytery to pray together.
To be a ‘communications hub’ sharing ideas and resources on prayer, with individuals, groups, and the Mission and Discipleship Council development team.
To organise opportunities for people to gather together to pray, to learn about prayer.
One of the above functions I want to exercise immediately. I earnestly implore that all congregations pray for the General Assembly in its deliberations. As you are no doubt aware, a major and controversial issue is being considered and we should pray that all commissioners will seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit on this and all other issues.

I am, of course trying to establish some contact with each congregation and my second request is that you pass the content of this email to whoever you think appropriate in your congregation.

I do, of course, encourage the appointment of Parish Prayer Promoters and that would probably need to be taken to Session. For those who are unaware, the Mission and Discipleship Council booklet, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" defines this role as follows:

What’s expected of a Prayer Promoter ?

In broad terms, working alongside the Minister and the Kirk Session your task within the Congregation is:

1. To share the responsibility for the promotion and development of prayer within all aspects of parish life (including the children).

2. To develop a network of praying people within the life of the church. To organise and promote “Praying Across Scotland” as prayer support for the General Assembly.

3. To encourage people to see prayer as an active and normal part of individual, family and church life, and to encourage the congregation to pray together whenever it meets.

4. To act as a link person passing on to appropriate people (including the Minister), prayer materials, resources, bulletins and ideas to be followed up.

5. To encourage the organisation of opportunities for people to gather together to pray and to learn about prayer.

6. To assist people in the development of their own individual prayer life.

7. To be an example of a faithfully praying person.

8. Occasionally lead prayers in public worship, if asked.

We do, of course have Prayer Promoters established in some of our parishes (though the title Prayer Promoter is not used in all instances).

We have the beginnings of a network established. We try to meet on a monthly basis and I can advise that we are set to convene next:

Sunday, 10th May, 2009

3:00 - 5:00 pm

Gillespie Memorial Church Hall

(Adjacent to Dunfermline Bus Station)

We will be meeting again in June before breaking for the summer months. One thing we are trying to establish is optimum day/time for our monthly meetings. I will communicate when and where we will be convening the June meeting. Obviously we would be delighted to welcome any newcomers to the network.

Please feel free to contact me (or invite any appropriate member of the congregation to contact) on any point I have raised in this communication. As far as possible I will communicate by email but am adding my telephone number and address to facilitate other means of contact. I am more than willing to visit any congregation to discuss Prayer matters and would be delighted to assist your congregation in any way.

Yours in Christ

Frank Moyes

Dunfermline Presbytery Prayer Coordinator