Aid to Myanmar

Myanmar’s death toll from the cyclone has topped 22,000, with more expected. Nancy Norton, Executive Director of the Anglican Relief and Development Fund, sent us this message:

The Anglican Relief and Development Fund is accepting donations for Cyclone Relief in Myanmar. Donations can be sent to:ARDF, P.O. Box 3830, Pittsburgh, PA 15230 or by credit card on the web at www.anglicanaid.net. Prayers are needed for Archbishop Stephen Oo and all the people affected by the disaster. Thanks.

This prayer is by Clement, Bishop of Rome, c. 100. I have changed it from first person to third person.

We beseech you O Lord, to grant Archbishop Stephen Oo, the Anglican Church in Myanmar, and the citizens of that nation your help and protection.
Deliver the afflicted, pity the lowly, raise the fallen, reveal yourself to the needy, heal the sick, and bring home your wandering people. Feed the hungry, ransom the captive, support the weak, comfort the fainthearted. Let all the nations of the earth know that you alone are God, that Jesus Christ is your child and that we are your people and the sheep of your pasture.

Rowan Williams

This prayer by Hadewijch of Brabant, from the Netherlands in the 13th century, has been modified from the first person to the third person.

As the beautiful dew-covered rose rises from amongst the thorns, so may Rowan’s heart be so full of love for you, my God, that he may rise above the storms and evils that assail him, and stand fast in truth and freedom of spirit. Amen.

Hat tip: RichardKew@aol.com

John Masefield

A poem prayer about the harvest by the British poet, John Masefield, who died in 1967. The Mississippi Delta is awash in young green corn right now. It is good to remember that it is awash in Christ as well.

O Christ who holds the open gate,
O Christ who drives the furrow straight,
O Christ, the plough, O Christ, the laughter
Of holy white birds flying after,
Lo, all my heart’s a field red and torn,
And thou will bring the young green corn
The young green corn divinely springing,
The young green corn forever singing.
And when the field is fresh and fair
Thy blessed feet shall glitter there
And we will walk the weeded field,
And tell the golden harvest’s yield,
The corn that makes the holy bread
By which the soul of man is fed,
The holy bread, the food unpriced,
The everlasting mercy, Christ.

Hat tip: RichardKew@aol.com

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 3:14)
      Father, please help us come before you in humility.

from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:15)
      Father, thank you for letting us bear the name of your son Jesus.

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, (Ephesians 3:16)
      Holy Spirit, come with your might and power into your faithful people.

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17)
      Jesus, please come dwell in our hearts so that we are rooted and grounded in your love.

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– (Ephesians 3:18 )
      Jesus, please help all of us throughout this diocese comprehend the full extent of your love for us.

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)
      Holy Spirit, please help us go beyond knowledge to knowing the love of Christ.

Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Ephesians 3:20)
      Jesus, thank you for exceeding every hope and expectation that we might have.

to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)
      Father, please help us in our generation to give Jesus the glory he deserves. Let your church in this diocese shine forth with his glory. Amen.

A word received: Leave your burdens and your fatigue at the foot of my cross.

Tuesday: 94, [95]: 1 Samuel 16:1-13a; Ephesians 3:14-21; Matthew 8:18-27
Wednesday: 119:121-144: Isaiah 4:2-6; Ephesians 4:1-16; Matthew 8:28-34

Albany Intercessor