Matthew 9:1-8

So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own city. (Matthew 9:1)
      Jesus, please make our community your own.

Then behold, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” (Matthew 9:2)
      Holy Spirit, help us hear Jesus’ words of comfort to us.

And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This man blasphemes!” (Matthew 9:3)
      Father, even now many of our church leaders are offended by what Jesus said and did.

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”–then he said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” (Matthew 9:4-6)
      Jesus, please help all of us in the Episcopal Church know your power to forgive sins.

And he arose and departed to his house. (Matthew 9:7)
      Holy Spirit, help us recognize the work of Jesus in our midst.

Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men. (Matthew 9:8)
      Father, please help us see your power manifested throughout this diocese and at the Diocesan Convention. Thank you.

A word received: I love you.

Friday: 107:1-32: Jeremiah 31:27-34; Ephesians 5:1-20; Matthew 9:9-17
Saturday: 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13): Ezekiel 36:22-27; Ephesians 6:10-24; Matthew 9:18-26

Albany Intercessor

Revelation 21:9-14 for GAFCON

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and of all their righteous offspring, let your Holy Spirit carry the Apostolic leaders who will visit the earthly Jerusalem during GAFCON.  Fill them with fresh vision of the Heavenly City to come, and bless them to lead many to it, for Jesus Christ’s sake.  Amen.

The Archbishop of Canterbury

Dear Heavenly Father, we know the story of Your obedient servants Abram and Sarai. They left the beautiful city of Haran and wandered in the desert. They trusted You to show them the way. They came to Shechem, and they were so grateful that You were with them, they built an altar and gave You thanks. They came to Bethel, and they were so grateful that You were with them, they built an altar and gave You thanks.

They came to Egypt, but Abram was so afraid of the Egyptians, he forgot Your promise to be with him. They built no altar. But You didn’t forget. You kept Abram and Sarai safe, and the Egyptians gave them gifts. They came to Hebron, and they were so grateful that You were with them, they built an altar and gave You thanks.

Your servant Rowan has gone from Oxford to Monmouth to Lambeth to Dromantine to Dar es Salaam. We don’t know if, in his fear, in his despair, in his fatigue, in his distraction, he has built altars of thanksgiving at every stop. Show him how, Lord, if he hasn’t. If he does forget, Lord, we thank You for not forgetting. Teach him what You would have him do, keep him and Jane safe, and give him gifts. You satisfy those who are thirsty and fill the hungry with good things.
Genesis 12, 13 [inspired by a Godly Play presentation], Psalm 107:9