East Carolina Diocesan Convention

How lovely is thy dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yea, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at thy altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise! Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God; look upon the face of thine anointed! For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in thee!

Psalm 84

The Convention of the Diocese of East Carolina convenes today and will continue through the weekend.

Heavenly Father,

Look down, please, on your delegates to the East Carolina Diocesan Convention.  May the convention be your dwelling place, Lord of Hosts.  May the souls of the delegates long and even faint for your courts; may their hearts and their very flesh sing for joy to you.  May they ever sing your praise.  May their strength be in you.  As they travel, may they find refreshment.  May they go from strength to strength. 

Please hear our prayers, Father.  Look upon their faces.  May they seek to humbly serve you.  Be to them their sun and shield.  Bestow on them your favor and blessings.  May they walk uprightly.  May they trust in you alone.

We pray this prayer only through our faith in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  Thank you, Father, for the faith that you have given us.  Amen. 

John 5:30 , Hebrews 10:5-7, and Genesis 17:1-3

I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me. (John 5:30)
      Father, please bring us to that same place where Jesus was: where we will judge only by what we hear from your Holy Spirit, and where we will seek your will and not our own.

Therefore, when he came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you have prepared for me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come–in the volume of the book it is written of me–to do your will, O God.’” (Hebrews 10:5-7 [Psalm 40:6-8])
      Jesus, we pray that it will be written of us that we have come to do your will. All our offerings and sacrifices are of no value unless we have offered ourselves to you and have been covered and washed clean by the sacrifice of your blood. Help us turn to you throughout this diocese to do your will.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless. (Genesis 17:1)
      Holy Spirit, bring us forth to walk humbly and blamelessly before you at the Diocesan Convention.

And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” (Genesis 17:2)
      Father please help us to be a holy people who keep your covenant. Let your Holy Spirit move through the preparations for the Diocesan Convention and bring his life to the worship, the healing ministry, the workshops, the meditations, the youth’s and children’s ministries, the speakers, the Camp of the Woods staff, and all that makes up the Diocesan Convention.

Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, (Genesis 17:3)
      LORD, please bring us to this place of awe and worship that you brought Abraham, and we will hear you talking with us. Thank you.

Thursday: [59, 60] or 118; Genesis 16:15-17:14; Hebrews 10:1-10; John 5:30-47
Friday: 51; Genesis 17:15-27; Hebrews 10:11-25; John 6:1-15

Albany Intercessor

Kenya

Remember thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast made me hope.  This is my comfort in my affliction that thy promise gives me life.   Godless men utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from thy law.   When I think of thy ordinances from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.   Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake thy law.  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.   I remember thy name in the night, O LORD, and keep thy law. This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept thy precepts.

Psalm 119: 49-56

A top State Department official has said that the violence in Kenya is ethnic cleansing.  Lord, have mercy. 

Father in Heaven,

Look down, we pray, on your faithful servants in Kenya who are beset by mindless violence and cruel killing.  Bring comfort to those who mourn.  Bring healing to those who are injured.  Bring peace to all. 

Help us, Father, for we are unable to help ourselves.  We know we have sinned but we now beg, please do not forsake us.  May all learn to accept the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ as satisfaction for blood revenge.

And may we yet always pray, Thy will be done.  Amen.  

Words received for Sunday School lesson 20, February 17th

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
      A word received: I want you to have my power so that you can be my witness. You need the help of my Holy Spirit — the helper — to be an effective witness of what I have done. I have not left you orphans; I have given you a Spirit of adoption by whom you can cry out, “Abba, Father.” (From Romans 8:15)

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16)
      A word received: Seek my Holy Spirit; invite him in. I want every one of your to know that you are a child of my father.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:17)
      A word received: Don’t be afraid. I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (From 2 Timothy 1:7) These are all blessings from my Holy Spirit. With my Holy Spirit in you with his power you need not be afraid. There is no height nor depth nor anything that can separate you from my love. I will always love you: come to me, let me fill you up.

Prayer: Lord, please show me what you are asking of me.

Check out what the LORD has been saying to us in the Christ Church Schenectady Sunday School on http://ChristChurchSundaySchool.blogspot.com/.

Albany Intercessor

John 5:19-23

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever he does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19)
      Holy Spirit, you made us children of God by adoption; please help us move towards that son-ship relationship that Jesus has with his father.

“For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does; and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” (John 5:20)
      Jesus, send us out preaching everywhere, and bless your work through us and confirm your word with accompanying signs. (From Mark 16:20)

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom he will.” (John 5:21)
      Jesus, in your mercy give your new life to the leaders, teachers, and people of the Episcopal Church.

“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,” (John 5:22)
      LORD, you take no pleasure in the death of anyone (From Ezekiel 18:32); prepare our hearts for the day when the wheat will be separated from the chaff.

“that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (John 5:23)
      Holy Spirit, please help us by our words, our deeds, and our thoughts to bring honor to you, to the Father, and to the Son. Thank you.

Wednesday: 49, [53]; Genesis 16:1-14; Hebrews 9:15-28; John 5:19-29
Thursday: [59, 60] or 118; Genesis 16:15-17:14; Hebrews 10:1-10; John 5:30-47

Albany Intercessor

Covenant Design Group

Do you want to be healed?

John 5:6

The Anglican Covenant Design Group continues to meet in England.

Father in Heaven,

We offer this answer the question of our Lord:  Yes!  Yes we want to be healed!  Yes!  Yes, heal us Lord Jesus Christ!  Yes!  Let our yes be yes! 

Father, our church is broken.  We cry to you in our despair and pain and loss.  We cannot heal ourselves.  Only you can help us.  We have no power to mend the tear in our communion.  Our words and our efforts are as so much straw.  Have mercy on your servants, Lord.  We want to be healed.  Send your Holy Spirit to the Covenant Design Group and do a mighty work through them.  Use them to design an Anglican Communion that will exist only for your honor, praise, and glory.  Use them to heal that which no human hands can heal.  Bless their work, Lord,  Guide them, and protect them from the influences of the ruler of this world.

Father, we offer this prayer in the sure faith and knowledge that it is your plan from the beginning of time that is manifesting itself today.  May we learn to desire only that which you have planned.  May we give you thanks and praise always for your great glory.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior, and our only Physician.  Amen.      

Hebrews 9:13-14, Genesis 15:5-6, and Psalm 48:1

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14)
      Father, our heart’s desire is to serve you. Please cleanse our consciences from all dead works so that we may serve you through the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you.

Then he brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the LORD, and he accounted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:5-6)
      Father, please help us believe your word to us so that we are established in your righteousness.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain. (Psalm 48:1)
      Father, thank you for the joy of being able to praise you; thank you for bringing us to that holy city — the New Jerusalem. Thank you.

Tuesday: 47, 48; Genesis 15:1-11,17-21; Hebrews 9:1-14; John 5:1-18
Wednesday: 49, [53]; Genesis 16:1-14; Hebrews 9:15-28; John 5:19-29

Albany Intercessor

Catching Up

Hebrews 7:24-25, Psalm 42:1-4, and the Completed Nicene Creed

But he, because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. (Hebrews 7:24)
      Jesus, please bring your faithfulness and stability to the clergy and bishops of the Episcopal Church.

Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, (Hebrews 7:25a)
      Holy Spirit, guide the people of the Episcopal Church to God the Father through Jesus Christ.

since he ever lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25b)
      Jesus, please help us join with you day by day in your ministry of intercession.

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1)
      LORD, we all thirst for you; please help us so that we don’t try to satisfy that thirst with anything less than you.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:2)
      Jesus, you know the number of my days, none of them are hidden from you. When I come before you at that latter day, let me be washed and cleansed by your blood.

My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42:3)
      Lord Jesus, we grieve for the Episcopal Church and all those who have been led astray; come and rescue your flock — so many are sheep without true shepherds.

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. (Psalm 42:4)
      Holy Spirit, help us join with joy and praise all those who keep that pilgrim feast. Thank you.

New Sunday School lessons have been posted at http://ChristChurchSundaySchool.blogspot.com/

Saturday: 42, 43; Genesis 12:9-13:1; Hebrews 7:18-28; John 4:27-42
Sunday: 103; Genesis 13:2-18; Gal. 2:1-10; Mark 7:31-37

A word received 12/29/07: Each day I want you to take a phrase from the Nicene Creed and pray that phrase. My people need to hear what is true and make it their own.
Praying The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
      Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for being one and thank you for your love for one another. Please help me, help your people live in the reality of your unity and love. Thank you.
the Father Almighty,
      Father, thank you for being a father to me. Thank you that by your might you have made your son Jesus known to us so that we can become your children.
maker of heaven and earth,
      Thank you, Father, for your creation. Please help us by your Holy Spirit to be better stewards of your creation.
and of all things visible and invisible;
      Father, we know that we are surrounded by your angelic hosts and that whole company of heaven, that cloud of witnesses that has gone before us. Help us to be steady in you till we reach that place of rest. Thank you.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
      Father, guide us by your Holy Spirit so that every other “lord” in our lives is brought under the sovereign rule of Jesus and he becomes our one Lord. Thank you.
the only begotten Son of God,
      Father, thank you for sending your one and only son to us so that we might become your children.
begotten of his Father before all worlds,
      Jesus, you have always been there; help us receive you into every part of our lives.
God of God, Light of Light,
      Jesus, you are God and you are the light to take us through this time of darkness in the church. You are the word of God and are a lamp to our feet.
very God of very God,
      Jesus, you and the Father are one; please help us come to know you and him better.
begotten, not made,
      Father, thank you for choosing Mary to bring Jesus to us. Help us to respond as she did.
being of one substance with the Father;
      Jesus, you came to us bearing the image of the Father so that we might know his love for us. You are one with him and there is no division between you. Please help us by your Holy Spirit to know the unity and character that you share with the Father.
by whom all things were made;
      Jesus, everything we have was made by you, there is nothing that we can have that we can call our own except for your cross and resurrection. It is all a free gift of yours; thank you.
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,
      Jesus, thank you for being willing to give up the glory of heaven to come and live with us. Thank you that day by day your Holy Spirit is willing to live in us in the midst of all our sin.
and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;
      Holy Spirit, thank you for Mary’s willingness to receive your over-shadowing and her willingness to risk all to bear Jesus for us.
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
      Thank you, Jesus, for what you endured on the cross for us.
he suffered and was buried;
      Jesus, thank you for dying for us while we were still sinners. You went to the cross and the grave for us because of your love for your father and for us. Thank you.
and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,
      Holy Spirit, thank you that you enabled Jesus to rise from the dead. Thank you for his victory over sin and death. Please bring us to new life in him.
and ascended into heaven,
       Jesus, thank you for your ascension into heaven to sit at the right hand of your father. Thank you that you ever live to make intercession for us.
and sitteth on the right hand of the Father;
       Father, thank you for giving Jesus such a place of honor; please help us honor him by our words and deeds and belief.

and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead;
       Jesus, you are Lord and you are judge; help us to fall into your hands and not the hands of men.
whose kingdom shall have no end.
       Thank you, Jesus, for your endurance to the end on the cross. Thank you for establishing an eternal kingdom.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of Life,
       Father, we desperately need the renewing power of your Holy Spirit in the life of the Episcopal Church
who proceedeth from the Father and the Son;
       Holy Spirit, thank you for helping us know both the Father and the Son!
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
       Holy Spirit, please help us know you, worship you, and glorify you.
And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church;
       Holy Spirit, I believe that apostolic teaching which has been taught in all places and in all times. Thank you for the faith that you delivered to the saints. Help us to keep steady in your teaching and grace. Thank you.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins;
       Jesus, thank you for washing away my sins. Thank you for baptizing me with your Holy Spirit. Please help me to live day by day in the hope of the resurrection. Thank you.
and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
       Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, please help us live in the hope of the resurrection and the life of the world to come. Thank you.

      ”My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”

My hope is built on nothing less
      Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No other source of strength I claim,
      But put my trust in Jesus’ Name!

Refrain:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
      All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, his covenant, his blood
      Support me in the raging flood;
Though earthly hope be swept away,
      He then is all my hope and stay.

Refrain

When he shall come with trumpet sound;
      O may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
      Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

Words: Lidie Edmunds (19th century), alt.
Music: Andre Gretry (1741-1831); arr. William Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

Albany Intercessor

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table 2008 01 26

Torre Bissell, Dn. Alan Hart, 9:35 to 10:30 AM, in front of Christ Church on State St (+ indicates received a cross). There were very few people on the street this morning.

+Ed — “I’m a bit of an alcoholic.” (He had a bottle of booze in a paper sack.)

+Kathy — Her brother John was stabbed by his girlfriend. He is in recovery.

+Estella — “to have my son home and live a normal, decent life.” Her son Isaiah was taken from her and put in foster care. There is a court hearing on this matter on Monday.

+Eric — We prayed for God’s blessing on his ministry. (He is an elder in the Macedonia Seventh Day Adventist Church around the corner on Swan St.)

(Deacon Alan and I prayed for the people who were going to the crack house next to the Christ Church parking lot. We prayed that God would cleanse their hearts and minds and bodies of the addiction and that the house would be sold to someone who would put it to good use.)

Prayer for Kenya

Why do you boast, O mighty man, of mischief done against the godly? All the day  you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery.  You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking the truth.  You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. But God will break you down for ever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. 

The righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, ”See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and sought refuge in his wealth!” But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God for ever and ever. I will thank thee for ever, because thou hast done it. I will proclaim thy name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Psalm 52 

Bishop Bob Duncan and Canon Bill Atwood and many other faithful, orthodox Anglicans have called on the church to fast and earnestly pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Kenya, where violence and lawlessness have followed a hotly contested Presidential election.  For more on this prayer and fasting call, visit here.

Father,

Please hear the cries of your faithful servants in Kenya.  The enemy, the great deceiver, has led many into commiting acts of violence and destruction against their neighbors.  Lead our Christian brethren in Kenya to greater trust and reliance on you.  May their example be a shining light that exposes and defeats the powers of darkness.  May you be their refuge, and may they lead others to your refuge as well.  Make them as green olive trees, trusting in your steadfast love for ever and ever.  Grant them your care and protection.  Make their faith a mighty, invincible shield.  Have mercy on them Lord.  Please bring them peace. 

We ask also, Lord, that those of us living comfortable lives, far from the violence and chaos, will be led by your Holy Spirit into fasting and intercession for our Christian brethren and for all the people of Kenya.  Bring them to our minds as we go to prayer.  And may we and may they seek one thing only:  that Thy will be done.  Amen.

Psalm 44: 13-16

You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to those all around us. (Psalm 44:13)
      Lord Jesus, the Episcopal Church has defiled the covenant you have made with your people; have mercy on us.

You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples. (Psalm 44:14)
      Holy Spirit, our pride has brought us low; have mercy on us.

My dishonor is continually before me, and the shame of my face has covered me, (Psalm 44:15)
      Father, the Episcopal Church has sought the honor and praise of the world. We have not sought the honor that comes only from you; have mercy on us.

Because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, because of the enemy and the avenger. (Psalm 44:16)
       All this has come upon us; but we have forgotten you, and we have dealt falsely with your covenant. LORD, save us from the evil one; have mercy on us.

A word received: You are in my care. I will refresh you. Look to me for renewal.

Monday : 44; Genesis 14:(1-7)8-24; Hebrews 8:1-13; John 4:43-54
Tuesday: 47, 48; Genesis 15:1-11,17-21; Hebrews 9:1-14; John 5:1-18

“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them–those who are mistreated–since you yourselves are in the body also.” Hebrews 13:3
       O GOD, who spares when we deserve punishment, and in your wrath remembers mercy; we humbly beseech you, of your goodness, to comfort and succour all prisoners [especially those who are condemned to die]. Give them a right understanding of themselves, and of your promises; that, trusting wholly in your mercy, they may not place their confidence anywhere but in you. Relieve the distressed, protect the innocent, awaken the guilty; and forasmuch as you alone bring light out of darkness, and good out of evil, grant to these your servants, that by the power of your Holy Spirit they may be set free from the chains of sin and death, and may be brought to newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remember Lily, Jane, Diana, Connie, Kim, and Wendy in the Albion Correctional Facility.
Remember April, Jeanette, Renee, and Monique in the Taconic Correctional Facility.
Remember Rick in the Downstate Correctional Facility.
Remember John in the Schenectady County Jail.

Albany Intercessor