Follow-up report in Orissa

Remember the Hindu persecution of Christians in Orissa, India, in the summer of 2008? We had three L&B posts, this one having the most details of the persecution.
This post from the diocese of Colombo has to be read to be believed. A pachyderm praise report?

Hat tip: Creedal Christian

Adoration

Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You that we were made in Your image. We strive to put on the new self and be renewed in knowledge after the image of Your Son. Yet, so often, we get it wrong, like putting on a coat inside out.
However, never doubt that we do love You, we do seek You, and we do trust You. Grant that we may love all that You command. Amen.
Genesis 1:26, Romans 8:29, Colossians 3:10

Fr. Nigel Update 12:35 PM

Update on Fr. Nigel 12:35 PM
Monday 12/21/09

Fr. Nigel has been given the green flag by his doctor to go home on Wednesday 12/23. He will have to return to the hospital after the holidays for some minor surgery concerning the bedsore, but then home for good, God willing. He is still experiencing a good deal of pain from the bedsore. He had his trach capped and is receiving a very small amount of oxygen from a small tube that goes under his nose. THANK YOU LORD!!! With his trach capped, he is able to speak in full sentences again, but he still gets a bit winded trying to talk at any length. His lungs need to continue to build up and heal. He has been walking more and more every day, but he is still experiencing some slight dizziness off and on.

Please Pray For:
      Healing of the bedsore and relief from the pain that it is causing
      Strength for all of his muscles, especially for his leg muscles
      Healing and rejuvenation of his lungs
      Healing of the dizziness when he stands
      Strength, stamina and peace for Lynn as she prepares for Fr. Nigel’s homecoming

Please give PRAISE and THANKS to our Lord for the healing that has taken place and for the healing to come. Our God listens to our prayers and as He did for St. Thomas, He relieves us of any doubts that we may have.

The following message has been sent by Fr. Nigel’s family in England to all the wonderful prayer warriors throughout the world:

Dear Beth and All, This is to greet you at the beginning of Christmas Week and then into the Blessed Day. David and I send you all Greetings for a very God-filled and therefore Joyous Season. We particularly thank you Beth and the Bissells and all the faithful “Prayers” who have stood by our son Nigel and dear Lynn through all these long and difficult weeks. What incredible fruit the prayers have brought forth – how our Lord has Blessed them – we are very mindful of His Love and Blessing. Ups and downs there have been – and may continue — BUT GOD IS IN CHARGE and that is our great comfort and strength. THANK YOU ALL. With our most sincere Love. David and Jean Mumford and Family.

From Elizabeth Strickland

Father Nigel Mumford

Psalm 68:35 (Amplified Bible)
O God, awe-inspiring, profoundly impressive, and terrible are You out of Your holy places; the God of Israel Himself gives strength and fullness of might to His people. Blessed be God!

We sing praises to You, God. We rejoice in Your name.
You rescued Nigel from death. Like the people in Bethany who gathered for the funeral of Lazarus and then freed him from his burial wrappings, Nigel’s health care providers saw You call him from the brink of death and now have freed him from paralysis and the ventilator.
Jehovah, the Self-existent One, we extol Your greatness. You ride through the heavens and through the deserts. You rode over the Mohawk Valley to deliver Nigel. You are awe-inspiring.
You are giving strength and fullness of might to Nigel, and we bless You. Amen.

Luke 1:1-7

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, (Luke 1:1)
      Father, we pray for your word to be fulfilled among us.

just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, (Luke 1:2)
      Holy Spirit, please help us to be faithful witnesses who pass on to others all that we have seen Jesus do.

it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, (Luke 1:3)
      Jesus, show each of us how to set forth the things we have seen you do in an orderly way so that others may understand the power of your love.

that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (Luke 1:4)
      Father, we pray that our witness to your mighty acts among us will have the compelling certainty of your Holy Spirit’s witness in our hearers’ hearts.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Luke 1:5-6)
      Jesus, we pray for the priests and deacons and their spouses who minister in this diocese that they will be righteous and walk in all your commandments in a blameless way.

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. (Luke 1:7)
      Father, we pray for those who have no children that you will bless them with children. Thank you for all the children you have given us. Help us daily show forth your father-love to them. Thank you.

Monday: 112, 115; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Titus 1:1-16; Luke 1:1-25
Tuesday: 116, 117; 1 Samuel 2:1b-10; Titus 2:1-10; Luke 1:26-38

      Notes from the Front Line

***** TOMORROW I would like each of us to commit to a half-hour of concentrated prayer and thanksgiving for Fr. Nigel and Lynn. Choose any half-hour of the day or night on Tuesday, December 22nd.

Albany Intercessor

Fruitfulness

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Luke 1:41-42

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

Lord Jesus, may our spirits be so yielded to You, our hearts and minds so filled with You, that we will yield much fruit through You. Amen.

Fr. Nigel Sunday 12-20-09, 3:30 PM

Fr. Nigel gives Thanksgiving for life itself and also says Thanks for your prayers.

Praise God that he is off the “trake” which has been capped. Pray that it can be removed soon and for complete healing of his lungs.
Other requests
      Pray for complete healing of “pressure wound” (bed sore). Pain level high.
      He has alternate cold and sweats with side effects and dizziness. Pray for end of these and stabilization of his body when standing.
      Pray he can be upright longer.
      Pray for increase of strength of body muscles.

Pray Fr. Nigel can go home on Wed. Doctor makes decision Monday.
Pray for Lynn and Fr. Nigel’s family.
Pray for the Lord to continue his work and purposes in Fr. Nigel’s life and ministry.

Albany Intercessor

Christ, our anchor

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same; . . .
Rudyard Kipling, “If”

Christ Jesus,
Our identity is in You. You made us. You redeemed us. You are saving us. We are not defined by our triumphs; nor by our disasters. Our identity is in You. You are the Alpha and the Omega, our sure and certain hope, and our anchor in the storm. Amen.

Inspiration for this prayer came from Bp FitzSimons Allison’s new book Trust in an Age of Arrogance.

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,” (Luke 1:46)
      Holy Spirit, please move in our souls as you did with Mary.

“And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:47)
      Jesus, we rejoice because of the salvation you have worked for us.

“For he has regarded the lowly state of his maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1:48 )
      Father, thank you for regarding Mary and all those of low estate. We bless you for what you have done in their lives.

“For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:49)
      Father, please help us keep your name holy; thank you for all that you have done for us.

“And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.” (Luke 1:50)
      Jesus, help us fear to offend your father and help us daily remember his great mercy of sending you to redeem and save us.

“He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” (Luke 1:51)
      Jesus, please scatter the proud in government and business who have gold-plated health care and pensions but deny basic coverage to others.

“He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.” (Luke 1:52)
      Jesus, please topple from power those who misuse their power, and raise up and provide for the lost and the least.

“He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:53)
      Father, thank you for your justice and mercy.

“He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,” (Luke 1:54)
      Father, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

“As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.” (Luke 1:55)
      Holy Spirit, as you spoke to prior generations and brought them to repentance and new life in Christ Jesus, do that with our generation — for this generation has gone astray.

      A word received: Pray for my word to be written on my people’s hearts.

      A word received 6/4/2009: Pray for this nation.
      Pray for wise and godly men and women who will lead my people in my ways.
      Pray for the courts, that they will do true justice.
      Pray for the Congress and the legislatures, that they will have a spirit of wisdom and discernment.
      Pray for the President and the Governors, that their hearts will be turned into my ways.

      A word received 6/25/2009: Pray for the President.
      Pray for my work in his heart and mind.
      Pray for wise and godly counselors for him.
      Pray for wisdom in the storm.
      Pray that he will look to me rather than opinion polls.
      Pray for my word to lodge in his heart.

Sunday: 8, 84; Genesis3:18-15; Revelation 12:1-10; John 3:16-21
Monday: 112, 115; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Titus 1:1-16; Luke 1:1-25

      Notes from the Front Line

***** I would like each of us to commit to a half-hour of concentrated prayer and thanksgiving for Fr. Nigel and Lynn. Choose any half-hour of the day or night on Tuesday, December 22nd.

Albany Intercessor

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report December 19, 9:25-10:30 AM Torre Bissell and Don Foust

+–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

The below freezing temperatures and gray skies did not stop people from coming to the Prayer Table, but it did limit the time they stayed and talked.

The Prayer Table has become a regular stop for a number of folks in the Neighborhood, and we have added their names to the bottom of the Prayer Table Report.

Bill (regular)– “Pray for my friend Deanne who is in New Jersey during this snow storm.” We also prayed for an end to Bill’s seizures and for companionship. Bill later stopped by and gave us Christmas cards. We thank God for those whose faith is steadfast.

+Darryl– “I’m in a hurry to get to work.” We prayed for protection and provision. We thank God for those who take time in their busy schedule to stop and pray.

+Vanessa– “I want to do God’s will.” Vanessa has recently returned to Schenectady from Florida in order to be with her family; however, her family wants nothing to do with her because of Vanessa’s past drug use. She is living in an apartment with a friend. Vanessa has stopped taking drugs, but her room-mate is a drug-user. She finds temptation all about her. We prayed that God would give Vanessa the strength to resist drugs one day at a time. We also prayed for reconciliation between Vanessa and her family. Vanessa is also looking for a Church to attend and we gave her a listing of services at Christ Church. After prayer Vanessa said, “I feel better already.” During Advent, we pray for reconciliation between man and God and between family members.

++ Cadessa– This young woman came across the street and directly to the Prayer Table. “Today is my mother’s (Wynette) birthday.” Wynette suffers from seizures and constant pain from a herniated disc in her back. We prayed for healing. We thank God for family members who minister to each other.

Jim (regular)– “Merry Christmas to both of you.” Jim revealed for the first time that he is a psychiatric patient with a bi-polar disorder. We prayed for healing in Jim’s life. We thank God that in the midst of terrible personal afflictions, people still turn to God.

Bonita– “I am a child of the Living God.” Bonita was driving by, saw the Prayer Table, stopped her car, and wanted to know if we needed something hot to drink. We said we were fine and asked if she needed prayer. Bonita suffers from tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears. We prayed for healing. We thank God for those who look out for the welfare of strangers.

++Blake– “It’s too cold to pray,” but Blake stopped anyway. “Pray for my mother Phyllis who is in pain.” We thank God for those who put the well-being of their family above themselves.

Howard– Minister from Seventh Day Adventist Church on Swan Street. “I have a ministry program next Thursday (Christmas eve). Please pray for its success.” We thank God for all those who minister to the people of Hamilton Hill.

+Walter– We prayed for a job. In a land of abundance, we pray for those in need.

+Crystal– “I need a prayer” We prayed for a job. We thank God for those who turn Him in times of need.

+Samantha– We prayed for happiness. We thank God for those who seek His favor.

+Michael– “Pray for peace.” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.–Luke 2:14

Prayer Table Regulars

Kayla– Pray for healing in her life after being raped. Pray for her mother Laura, her son Nassir, her brother Josh, and Josh’s son Deanthony.

Jim–Pray for healing in his life from abusive parents and for his personal peace after the death of his 31 year old son Robert.

Bill–Pray for his health and no more epileptic seizures. This middle-aged man has lived alone; please pray for companionship.

Lucinada and Eddiberto–Pray for protection for their family

Paulette and her children Monique and Taishawn–Pray for provision for this family

Clarence–Pray for direction as he seeks to change his life.

Linda–Pray for her family in Guyana

Albany Intercessor

Thanksgiving

Psalm 138:3 The Message
The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.

Psalm 138:3 New Living Translation
As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.

Psalm 138:3 New International Version
When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.

O Heavenly Father,
You are faithful, loving, steadfast, and true! You answered when we cried out for Nigel. You enlarged his breathing; he now breathes without a ventilator. You gave him strength; he now walks. You gave him courage; he perseveres. You have enlarged his life from total paralysis.
We praise You. We give You thanks. We sing of You because You are good.
Holy is the Lord. Amen.

Zechariah 8:11-17

“‘But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 8:11)
      LORD, please help us to be a faithful remnant in the Episcopal Church.

“‘For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew– I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these.’” (Zechariah 8:12)
      Father, our eyes are on you and we look to you to grant us increase in this diocese.

“‘And it shall come to pass that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, let your hands be strong.’” (Zechariah 8:13)
      Jesus, please help us to be a blessing to all we meet, and give us strength to endure. Set us free from baseless fears.

“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Just as I determined to punish you when your fathers provoked me to wrath,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and I would not relent, so again in these days I am determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear. These are the things you shall do: speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;’” (Zechariah 8:14-16)
      Holy Spirit, please help each of us speak truth to his neighbor and give righteous judgments with truth, justice, and peace.

“‘Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; and do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ says the LORD.” (Zechariah 8:17)
      Holy Trinity, one God, help us to love what you love and shun what you hate. Thank you.

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.” (Matthew 25:26-28 ) [From yesterday's lectionary reading.]
      A talent is an amount of money. We asked what an equivalent to putting money in the bank would be in terms of the gifts and abilities that the LORD gives us. We got the following word.
      A word received: It’s caring that I gain benefit from what I have given you. It’s doing the minimum with what I have given, but that is better than doing nothing.

Saturday: 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Zechariah 8:9-17; Revelation 6:1-17; Matthew 25:31-46
Sunday: 8, 84; Genesis3:18-15; Revelation 12:1-10; John 3:16-21

      Notes from the Front Line

***** I would like each of us to commit to a half-hour of concentrated prayer and thanksgiving for Fr. Nigel and Lynn. Choose any half-hour of the day or night on Tuesday, December 22nd.

Albany Intercessor

Fr. Nigel Update 9:53 AM

Update on Fr. Nigel 9:53 AM
Friday 12/18/09

Today there is some wonderful news. Fr. Nigel has been told that the work that he is doing in PT and OT is being done well enough for him to plan to go home on the 23rd! THANK YOU LORD – AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS! He has walked far enough and long enough, he has been climbing stairs, and he has been working out his hands, arms and legs to meet the criteria for release. His drive to get better and get home has been extraordinary and he says that he can feel and is uplifted by your prayers. He has experienced a recurrence of dizziness when he is walking, which had disappeared for a few days. The only element that could be “a fly in the ointment” to his release is the condition of his bedsore – whether it is healed enough.

Please keep up your prayers for:
      Immediate healing of the bedsore – the tissues, the capillaries and whatever else is involved
      Continued healing of his lungs so that the oxygen level can be decreased even further and the trach can be removed
      Healing of whatever is causing him to experience dizziness when he walks
      Strengthening of his leg muscles to help with his walking and all of his muscles
      Patience for Fr. Nigel as he continues to heal
      Strength and peace for Lynn as she continues to walk this path with Fr. Nigel

Praise and Glory be given to our Lord who has answered all of our prayers in so many ways. Thanks be to God!

From Beth Strickland

Zechariah 7:8-10

Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, (Zechariah 7:8 )
      LORD, let your word come to the people of this diocese.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother.’” (Zechariah 7:9)
      Holy Spirit, give us hearts of mercy and compassion to our brothers and sisters throughout this diocese. Teach us the meaning of true justicek.

“‘Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.’” (Zechariah 7:10)
      Jesus, we ask you to provide for the widows of this nation and those who have to depend solely on Social Security. We ask for your mercy and provision for the children caught up in the foster care system. We pray for the aliens (legal and illegal) and the poor among us that we will have hearts of compassion towards them. We ask you to end the civil war in the Episcopal Church which pits brother against brother. Help us remember your command that there shall be one law for both the native born and the foreigner in our midst. Thank you.

      “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

      “You shall have the same law for the stranger and for one from your own country; for I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 24:22)
      Holy Spirit, write these commands on our hearts.

Friday: 51; Zechariah 7:8-8:8; Revelation 5:6-14; Matthew 25:14-30
Saturday: 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Zechariah 8:9-17; Revelation 6:1-17; Matthew 25:31-46

      Notes from the Front Line

***** I would like each of us to commit to a half-hour of concentrated prayer and thanksgiving for Fr. Nigel and Lynn. Choose any half-hour of the day or night on Tuesday, December 22nd.

Albany Intercessor

Father Nigel Mumford

Dear Lord,
I’m reminded of Nehemiah as I pray about Nigel’s bedsore. Jerusalem was exposed to attack without a wall. The tissue on Nigel’s backside is exposed to germs without a covering of skin.
Nehemiah sought the favor of King Artaxerxes to rebuild the wall. The king provided timber and an armed guard. You are Jehovah-jireh, Lord. We seek Your favor. Provide all that is necessary to heal Nigel’s bedsore. Raise up intercessors.
Nehemiah recruited the Jewish residents of Jerusalem to work together in building the wall, different people being responsible for different sections, each group working near their homes. Stir the hearts of the intercessors, Lord, to pray for Nigel as they go about their routines.
Nehemiah overcame the threat of war by praying to You and setting a watch day and night. Stir the hearts of the intercessors day and night.
The builders of the wall worked with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. May our prayers simultaneously protect the bedsore from infection and build a durable and flexible covering of skin.
The inhabitants of Jerusalem gave gifts of gold and silver to the work of God. Raise up donors for the work of Your priests, Lord. Raise up donors for Nigel.
Then people gathered on the street before the water gate. Ezra stood at a pulpit and brought Your word to them. A revival broke out. Lord, we pray for an outpouring of living water when Nigel returns to the pulpit and a revival of healing ministry. Amen.