(Sat., January 10, 2009, 9:30-10:45 a.m., in front of Christ Church, Schenectady; Torre Bissell, David Carlson and Deacon Alan Hart.)
Note: Every single Prayer Table is an amazing experience. Today we had a lot of people coming for prayer and reassurance and hope … and they stayed to talk with us at length in many cases. Bear in mind that this was one of the coldest days in the Table’s history — 10 degrees at the start. The weather was not a deterrent, as you will see.
Another note: Before the Table began, Torre mentioned he had been studying Psalm 138 today. He kept repeating what he had read and felt inside (“…I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name.”) We believe that the praise we felt just extended to the Prayer Table today.
a–indicated anointed with Holy Oil.
c–indicates received one of our yellow Christ Church cards.
t–indicates received one of the wooden crosses Torre gets from Dennis Adams of North Carolina.
t–ANDRE — Repeat visitor who has come a few times off and on but not lately. He asked for prayer for success in finding a job. His girlfriend is pregnant (they already have a 3-year-old together) and he needs work. Besides his own troubles, he said his sister ” … is locked up right now because she was found in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He said he and his girlfriend plan to be married by a Justice of the Peace on Valentine’s Day.
LINDA — This likeable lady comes to the Table every week on her way to get the bus. We prayed for general provision and protection and that she will received signs today that God is working in her life.
c,t — DAVID — Deacon Alan and David prayed for this young man (and Linda, too) while Torre was still praying for Andre. David wanted prayer ” … to be freed; for deliverance.” The Lord knows the details, but that was all David would divulge. We prayed for his freedom for whatever he needs to be released from.
(A man in a Mooradian’s furniture truck waved at us enthusiastically ad he drove by. That always gives us a big lift!)
PAT (Frank Upshur’s daughter) — Pat, another regular, asked for continued prayers for her nephews NICK (kidney illness) and KEITH (needs job), and also for grand-daughter KIESHA (has thyroid disease; getting tests this week and is “kind of scared.”
a,t,c — CHARLIE — Sat and talked with us for quite awhile. He said he just started a new job and wants prayer that the job will last and he will succeed with it. He also asked for God’s help in trying to stop smoking and is proud that he has not had a smoke since the New Year began and wants it to continue. He is a member of another church in our neighborhood but said he may come by Sunday to visit our church as well.
a,t,c — ROBIN — Middle-aged woman who asked for prayer for protection from cancer because she said “… there is a lot of it in our family right now.” We prayed for her protection from cancer and all diseases of body, mind and spirit.
VIVIAN — A young girl, perhaops 13 or 14. She asked for prayers ” … just for everything, I guess.”
c,t — MATTHEW — This man, perhaps in his late 20s, was not dressed very warmly — just a couple of heavy sweaters but no coat or gloves or hat. Matthew said he is living at the motel down the street for now but wants to get back home to Ithaca where he has a house. Right now he cannot go there because there is “a technicality.” He recently was incarcerated and just got out. We prayed for him to be safe, provided for, and to be able to go home soon.
MARLENE — The enthusiastic young lady who stopped the last two weeks (and gave us hugs!) was in a big hurry today and just waved and blew kisses at us as she walked by. “I can’t stop today, but …God bless you!” she said.
DONNA JEAN — David called out to this woman walking in the street rather than the sidewalk (which was very icy), and she came over to the edge of the sidewalk and we carefully prayed for her overall provision, protection and safety right there.
a,t,t — EZEKIEL and his young son, ANDREW — They were walking by after ALMOST stopping earlier from the other direction. Ezekiel has an infection in his left ear, so we anointed him and prayed for healing. Andrew received prayer to grow up to become “…the man God intends him to be.”
t–CECIL — This well-dressed, well-spoken man was on his way to a service at another area church and freely accepted our offer for prayer. He said, “Hey, … you can never get enough prayer.”
t,c — LAURA — Perhaps the most unusual visitor we have ever had at the Table. She was the passenger in a van which pulled up in front of the church and stopped near the bus stop. She got out, set up a tripod and put a camera on it, pointed it at us and said, “Do you fellows mind if I take your picture praying for someone?” She came over and spoke to us afterward. It turns out Laura and her husband, JIM, have begun a project what they hope will be a book of photos and anecdotes and that it will be called “America Still Prays!” She intends to travel to all 50 states and take photos of people in all kinds of praying situations. She has already taken pictures of people praying in diners, in front of buildings, etc. We told her some of the stories of people who have stopped in the past year.
t–MARCUS — This teen-aged boy stopped for prayer for everything in general. We prayed God will guide him today and all days.
One final note: After the Table, Deacon Alan visited BERNICE, his 91-year-old family friend who is facing her final days/hours at Ellis Hospital’s Long-Term Care unit. She is still coherent, not receiving water and quite sedated. She still recognizes familiar faces. We prayed together for her at her bedside. She still clings to the Vatican cross Torre gave Alan to give to her.
Albany Intercessor
Posted by anglicanprayer 
