Novena for House of Bishops – Day 2

 

Pray for those in the House of Bishops who are blinded or deafened by anger.

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily upward into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” Then they put their hands over their ears, and drowning out his voice with their shouts, they rushed at him.

Act 7: 54-57 NLT

Father, the Good News brought to us by the Lord Jesus enrages those who walk in darkness.  This has always been so, and it remains so today. 

We pray today for those bishops whose hearts have not yet been opened to the Gospel message, those who have not yet accepted Jesus as their savior.  The message of Jesus tells them that they can do nothing in their own strengths.  The message of Jesus tells them they must climb down from their thrones of self-sovereignty and meekly submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  They are frightened, Father, and they respond in anger.  They rush at your servant, Bob Duncan, seeking to cast him out of your church, because he teaches the genuine gospel message of crucifying the old self and being born again in Christ. 

Father, we pray you will cast the fear from their hearts with your perfect love.  We pray that the cross of Christ will break their stony hearts and render them into hearts of flesh.  We pray that they may turn aside and resolve that their anger will not see another sunset.  We pray that they may turn to Christ alone, who will strengthen them, and who will give them the power to do all things.  We pray that their hatred may become love. 

We pray for ourselves, too, Father, that our own pride and self-sufficiency will not blind us to your message.  We too become angry when we see what is happening in the Episcopal Church.  We too respond in fear and hatred.  Grant us greater love and greater faith, Father, so that we may never doubt that your will is being done. 

May we all have peace, Father.  May the Episcopal Church become a colony of heaven.    

Through our Lord and King, our savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Matthew 5:21-25 and Psalm 139:24b

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.” (Matthew 5:21-22)
      Jesus, the Episcopal Church is awash in anger — have mercy on us and help us repent of our anger towards our brothers and sisters in your body.

“And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council.” (Matthew 5:22b) [Note: 'Raca!' -- 'You worthless!', as a term of utter contempt.]
      Holy Spirit, please cleanse our hearts of the contempt and anger we have towards those we believe are corrupting the church.

“But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:22c)
      Father, we are all in great danger in the Episcopal Church — lead us back into your ways.

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,” (Matthew 5:23)
      Holy Spirit, bring to mind anything that a brother or sister may have against me.

“leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24)
      Jesus, clearly having your people reconciled to one another is of greater importance to you than what we offer as a gift on your altar. Help us daily give you this greater gift.

“Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. (Matthew 5:25)
      Holy Spirit, please show us how to “agree with our adversary” in the present divisions in the Episcopal Church. Please show us how to seek peace and pursue it in a way that pleases Jesus.

And lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:24b)
      A word received: That is the goal, that is my hearts desire, that my people will choose the way eternal.

Sunday: 8, 84; Job 38:1, 18-41; Rev. 18:1-8; Matthew 5:21-26
Monday: 64, 65; Job 40:1-24; Acts 15:36-16:5; John 11:55-12:8

      Notes from the Front Line

A Lent & Beyond [ http://anglicanprayer.wordpress.com/] proposal for a short House of Bishops prayer campaign

Sun. 9/14 Acts 7:51-53 – for those Bishops who are suffering for the Truth.

Albany Intercessor

Deposition roundup

We’ve posted several prayers since the deposition memos surfaced. Here goes:
House of Bishops–Wonderful prayers posted by commenters, too.
Novena Day 1
Bless your enemies
Windsor bishops and walking in the light
Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

PB Schori has called for Bp Robert Duncan’s deposition. Speculation is that the standing committee of Pittsburgh will be the next targets:
PRESIDENT: The Rev. David Wilson (2008)
SECRETARY: Mr. Wicks Stephens (2008)

The Rev. Karen Stevenson (2010)
The Rev. Geoffrey Chapman (2011)
The Rev. James Simons (2009)
Mr. Kenneth Herbst (2008)
Dr. Theresa Newell (2009)
Ms. Gladys Hunt-Mason (2010)

Ex Officio Standing Committee Membership

Bishop of the Diocese
The Rt. Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan

Chancellor of the Diocese
Mr. Robert G. Devlin

Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for choosing Robert, David, Wicks, Karen, Geoffrey, James, Kenneth, Theresa, Gladys, and Robert for this time and this place, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
Grant them Your grace and peace in abundance.
We praise You because in Your great mercy, You have given them new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ. Shield them by Your power until His revelation in the last time. Amen.
1 Peter 1:1-5

One more specific Hurricane Ike-related prayer request — pray for safe rescues

Before we wrap up our Hurricane-Ike prayer series, I wanted to highlight one evident continuing need for prayer: ability of rescuers to find and safely rescue any who may still be injured and/or trapped following Ike.

Here is an excerpt from a recent news story that emphasizes this need and gives details on the number of rescues so far.

The “Windsor Bishops” and Walking in the Light

On Stand Firm and TitusOneNine, you can read the latest news of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s plans to depose Bp. Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, as well as Bp. Duncan’s letter to the HoB calling them to take a stand for justice and to do things in the light, by putting everything on record with a roll call vote.

The combination of both KJS’s memo and +Duncan’s letter puts great pressure on those orthodox bishops, particularly the group of so-called “Windsor Bishops,” many of whom who, up until now, have not seemed to be inclined to take any kind of bold or radical public stand.

But now it appears to me that not to take a stand would indeed be taking a stand. All orthodox bishops remaining in TEC need our prayers in the days ahead. I had already been praying this evening for several, that they would find grace and strength from the Lord to be a “city on a hill” whose light cannot be hidden. Then I came across this passage included in the latest prayer post over at the Common Cause prayer blog. The juxtaposition of this quote with what I had been praying was striking:

A Heritage Reflection
“Of all things in the world there is nothing more generally profitable than light. By it we converse with the world and have all things set before us; by it we truly and easily discern things in their right magnitude, shape and colour; by it we guide our steps safely in prosecution of what is good and shunning what is noxious; by it our spirits are comfortably warmed and cheered, our life consequently, our health, our vigour and activity are preserved. The like benefits doth religion, which is the light of our soul, yield to it. Pious men are children of the light; pious works are works of light shining before men. God’s Word (or true religion) is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path, enabling us to perceive things and judge rightly of them; teaching us to walk straightly and surely, without erring or stumbling; qualifying us to embrace what is useful and to avoid hurtful things; preserving our spiritual life and disposing us to act well with a vigorous alacrity. Without it a man is stark blind and utterly benighted, gropeth in doubt, wandereth in mistake, trippeth upon all occasions, and often falleth into mischief. The path of the just, saith the Wise Man, is as the shining light. The way of the wicked is as darkness, they know not at what they stumble. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.”

Rev. Isaac Barrow (1630-1677)
Sermons

May the Lord raise up many bishops in the week ahead who will walk in the light who will be a city on a hill to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

–

Here is a list of the bishops, for whom I am praying for by name. (Note this list includes both the Windsor Bishops committed to working within TEC, as well as several bishops who have already taken a stand for realignment and support the Common Cause movement’s “outside” strategy)

+Robert Duncan, Pittsburgh (of course!)
+Keith Ackerman, Quincy
+James Adams, W. Kansas
+John Bauerschmidt, Tennessee
+Peter Beckwith, Springfield
+John Howe, Central Florida
+Jack Iker, Fort Worth
+Russell Jacobus, Fond Du Lac
+Mark Lawrence, South Carolina
+Gary Lillibridge, West Texas
+Ed Little, Northern Indiana
+Bill Love, Albany
+Bruce MacPherson, Western Louisiana
+Michael Smith, North Dakota
+Jim Stanton, Dallas
+Don A. Wimberly, Texas
+Geralyn Wolf, Rhode Island

And here are three Scripture passages which I find shaping my prayers:

Prov 4:18-19

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.

Matt. 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Eph 5:8-17

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Democratic Republic of Congo

There has been a call for an action plan to resolve the crisis in DRC. The atrocities include the recruitment and use of children as soldiers, the killing of civilians, and sexual violence against girls, including rape, prostitution, forced marriage and discrimination. In June 2008, over 2000 rape cases were reported in one province alone.
The DRC has more thunderstorms than any place on earth. Its mineral reserves are vast. If the hydroelectric power of the Congo River were harnessed, it could supply the needs for much of the continent. Its economy is in shambles due to civil war.

Lord God Almighty,
You are Creator of heaven and earth and all that is therein, of the Congo River and the Rift Valley, of the rainforests and the atmosphere above. You are Creator and Sustainer of so many peoples within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You sent Your Son to die for these peoples that they might not perish but have everlasting life.
Your Son is Truth Incarnate. Send Your Son to this province today, Lord. He is the Head of the church, the Head of all principality and power. Your church is the pillar and ground of truth. Sanctify Your church, Lord, through Your truth; Your word is truth. Sanctify them by the Holy Spirit speaking through Holy Scripture. Show forth Your truth and Your peace through the deeds of Your church.
As intercessors, we speak the name of Jesus to the prince of the power of the air, to the spirit of disobedience, to the spirit of lusts of the flesh, to the spirit of the desires of the mind, to the spirit of wrath. We speak Jesus, the name which is above every name, at which every knee should bow, in heaven, in earth, and under the earth. We speak Jesus over Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo that they may boldly confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of Your name. We pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Amen.