Mark 10:13-16 and Words Received for a Sunday School lesson

Then they brought little children to him, that he might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. (Mark 10:13)
      Holy Spirit, move the hearts of many to bring children to our parish to you for your touch; please don’t let anyone hinder them or discourage them from coming.

But when Jesus saw it, he was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)
      Jesus, please help us receive with thanksgiving every child and every adult who brings them.

“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Mark 10:15)
      A word received for the Sunday School teachers for the Palm Sunday lesson: Ask the teachers and the class to follow me with humility on Palm Sunday. I went in on a donkey to Jerusalem and was proclaimed as a king; yet I went on to the cross as a lamb sacrificed for my people.
      [See http://ChristChurchSundaySchool.blogspot.com/]

      Father, please help us come to you as your children by adoption and faith.

And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:16)
      Jesus, please take me up in your arms, lay your hands on me, and bless me.

Wednesday: 128, 129, 130: Exodus 7:8-24; 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6; Mark 10:1-16
Thursday: 140, 142: Exodus 7:25-8:19; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18; Mark 10:17-31

      Notes from the Front Line

Praise the Lord for answered prayer! Fr. Brad called yesterday to say that the dumpster was in front of the crack house next to Christ Church Schenectady and the house was being cleaned out for the new owner.

Pray for the House of Bishops meeting, March 7-12, Camp Allen, Texas:
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
      May the Holy Spirit manifest Himself in a mighty way during this gathering, touching and transforming the hearts, minds and souls of every bishop here, guiding and leading us in all that is said and done, that it will be in accordance with His will, and to His honor and glory and the benefit of His Church and people. Come Holy Spirit! Come now and come with power to cleanse and redeem your Church. We need you Lord Jesus. Amen.

***** Words received for Sunday School Lesson 25, April 6

Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. (1 Samuel 3:1a)
      A word received: I want the children to minister to me.

And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. (1 Samuel 3:1b)
       A word received: I want to pour out my word and my Spirit on my people. Pray for hearts that are prepared for my gifts.

And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, (1 Samuel 3:2)
      A word received: Eli had two kinds of blindness; the worst was spiritual blindness.

and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, (1 Samuel 3:3)
      A word received: I long for my people to rest in my presence.

that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” (1 Samuel 3:4)
      A word received: I want you to hear and answer me when I call to you.

So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. (1 Samuel 3:5)
      A word received: You will not always know whether it is my voice or the voice of another. Go to someone with discernment if you are not sure.

Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” (1 Samuel 3:6)
      A word received: I will keep calling you until you recognize my voice.

(Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) (1 Samuel 3:7)
      A word received: I want to reveal my word to you. I want you to know me. I want every child to know me.

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. (1 Samuel 3:8)
      A word received: I want the adults to recognize when I am calling to the youth; I want them to discern this and encourage the youth to hear me as Eli did with Samuel.

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if he calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3:9)
      A word received: Pray for adults who will mentor the youth as Eli did Samuel.

Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
      A word received: Pray for listening hearts.

Albany Intercessor

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops adjourns on Wednesday.

Lord, these days in the Episcopal Church are dark.  Although my words are not worthy of Your ears, in Your forgiveness please hear my prayer.  I wait for You, Lord.  In Your word I hope.  I lean not on my own understanding. 

All glory and honor belongs to You.  Blessed be Your name.  May Your name be blessed on the lips of Episcopal bishops.  Blessed be Your name.  May Your will be done in the Episcopal House of Bishops as it is in heaven. 

Form the words in my mouth that are pleasing to Your ear.  I hope in You, Lord.  In You are unfailing love and redemption from all my sins.  Guard me from trusting in my own understanding.  Amen. 

Psalm 130, Proverbs 3:5

Rio Grande

The Rt. Rev. William Frey, Retired Bishop of Colorado, will be the Assisting Bishop until a new Diocesan Bishop is elected.  The Rev. Ann Halisey and Ms. Suzanne Foucault will guide them through the Visioning and Search processes.

Dear Lord,

We lift up William, Ann, and Suzanne.  May they fear the Lord and walk in His ways so that blessings and prosperity may come to the Episcopal diocese of Rio Grande through their ministries.  Amen.

Psalm 128:1-2

House of Bishops

Psalm 129:3-4 (The Message)
Their plowmen plowed long furrows
up and down my back;
Then God ripped the harnesses
of the evil plowmen to shreds.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We see through a glass dimly and understand imperfectly. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, and the cosmic powers over this present darkness in the Episcopal Church. In our mortal flesh, we stand against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, Satan and all his angels. We plainly see the furrows Satan has torn on the back of the body of Christ, but we perceive the plowmen dimly.
Come, Lord Jesus, come! Deliver Your people in the Episcopal Church. Cut the harnesses and rip them to shreds! Come, Lord Jesus to the House of Bishops meeting, and send the plowmen running! Come! Amen.
Psalm 129:3-4, 1 Corinthians 13:12, Ephesians 6:12