Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and his disciples came up to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:1-2)
Jesus, day by day we see your church being torn asunder and foundation stone after foundation stone being thrown down. Have mercy on us and lead us through this time of destruction.
For you will light my lamp; the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. (Psalm 18:28 )
Jesus, thank you for being the light to bring us through this time of darkness in the church. Please help us take each step by your light. Thank you.
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
A word received: Yield this day to me.
Thursday: 18:21-50; Deuteronomy 3:18-28; Romans 9:19-33; Matthew 24:1-14
Friday: 22; Deuteronomy 31:7-13,24-32:4; Romans 10:1-13; Matthew 24:15-31
Notes from the Front Line
***** I received an email yesterday from Fr. Bob Whitely, the Church of England priest who helped lead me to conversion, baptized me, and presented me for confirmation in 1961 in Belize. In it he said, “There’s an old prayer of Bishop Westcott from the 19th Century that still resonates for today’s church: We need a modern version of it.
We beseech thee, O God of truth,
That what we know not of things we ought to know
Thou wilt teach us.
That what we know of truth, Thou wilt keep us therein.
That what we are mistaken in, as men must be
Thou wilt correct.
That at whatsoever things we stumble
Thou wilt yet establish us.
And from all things that are false
And from all knowledge that would be hurtful,
Thou wilt evermore defend us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. “
Here is my restating of that prayer:
We cry out to you, Lord Jesus Christ:
You are the way, the truth, and the life.
Please teach us where we are currently in ignorance,
That we may know your truth and abide in it.
Show us where we are stumbling in the darkness,
And guide us back into your way.
Establish us in the life of your Spirit
That we correctly discern the true from the false;
And guard us from all false teaching
And knowledge that would be hurtful to us.
Father, defend us evermore
Through your son Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank you.
Please pray for Fr. Bob’s wife, Margaret who is in great pain. Thank you.
***** Roxie Hansel of Christ Church Cooperstown called yesterday to say, “We had wonderful success with our first prayer table on Saturday. Twelve people came in an hour and a half and we gave out eleven crosses.”
Albany Intercessor
