Mark 2:1-12

And again he entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that he was in the house. (Mark 2:1)
      Jesus, let it be heard that you are in our homes!

Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And he preached the word to them. (Mark 2:2)
      Jesus, we pray that your word will be preached to us week by week throughout this diocese.

Then they came to him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. (Mark 2:3)
      Father, we pray that every parish in this diocese will be a place where people are drawn to Jesus for healing.

And when they could not come near him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. (Mark 2:4)
      Holy Spirit, give us that same persistence in prayer that these four men had in bringing their sick friend to Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” (Mark 2:5)
      Thank you, Jesus; I was paralyzed by sin and you forgave me. Thank you.

And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:6-7)
      Lord, set us free from grumbling, murmuring, and complaining.

But immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, he said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?” (Mark 2:8 )
      O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. (Psalm 139:1-6)

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” (Mark 2:9-11)
      Holy Spirit, help all of us in this diocese know and proclaim that Jesus has the power to forgive sins.

Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:12)
      Jesus, visit us with your mighty deeds. Set us free from the paralysis of “politeness” that keeps us from sharing the good news of salvation. Thank you.

A word received: Pray for my children to be drawn to me.

Thursday: 18:1-20; Isaiah 41:17-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 2:1-12
Friday: 16, 17; Isaiah 42: (1-9)10-17; Ephesians 3:1-13; Mark 2:13-22

Albany Intercessor

Archbishop of Southern Africa

The Church of the Province of Southern Africa is the oldest in Africa. The twenty-four dioceses of the Province extend beyond the Republic of South Africa and include the islands of St. Helena and Tristan da Cunha, Mozambique (Lebombo and Niassa), the Republic of Namibia, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Kingdom of Swaziland and Angola. On January 1, 2008, Rt. Rev. Thabo Cecil Makgoba began his work as Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan and Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
In his Charge to his bishops, he said

. . . I am inviting all of you to join me in rededicating ourselves to be sekgo sa metse, Spirit-filled channels of peace with justice, and yeast for forgiveness and reconciliation, in whatever ways God calls us in this new chapter of our lives. . . . We must be sekgo sa metse wherever old divisions of the past or new inequalities of the present rear their heads – whether of race, or wealth, or status, or power; whether in politics, or sport, or on university campuses, or even within our churches. Archbishop Clayton once said “The Church, the body of Christ, has a prophetic duty to stand for righteousness. She must do so… It is not her duty to be popular. It is her duty to speak the truth.” In this way, we bear a moral duty to ensure that the past does not destroy the future.

When interviewed, he said

The bishop listens to where God’s people are in terms of the issues and brings the needs and concerns of God’s people before God in prayer. My role is to hear what God is saying to all God’s people.

In October 2008, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, bestowed on him the Anglican Communion’s highest award, the Cross of St Augustine.

I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,
So that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:18-20

Dear Heavenly Father,
We pray that Archbishop Makgoba will be a vessel of living water in the Anglican Province of Southern Africa and at the primates meeting in Alexandria. Open his ears to hear Your voice and his heart to receive Your words. May he be like a tree planted by the rivers of living water, bringing forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Bring forth peace and justice, forgiveness and reconciliation, righteousness and truth at the primates meeting.
May we see the work of the primates meeting and know that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it. Amen.

Mere Anglicanism

The Mere Anglicanism Conference commences today. The theme will be the engagement of secularism and Islam.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of salvation. Imbue those attending this conference with Your grace to do the good works in Christ Jesus which You have prepared for them. Amen.
Ephesians 2:8-10

The Lord’s Resistance Army

The Ugandan army reports a little progress in their pursuit of the LRA, but the leaders still evade capture.

Lord Jesus, this rebel group has been in existence for twenty years! Stir intercessors from the four corners of the earth to bring this petition to You. Together we take the sword of the Spirit and cut a trapdoor in the floor of heaven. We lift this evil stronghold that has ravaged Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Sudan, and the Central African Republic up to Your feet. Forgive our sins and break this stronghold, we pray. Amen.
Mark 2:1-12

PRAYER TABLE REPORT

(Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 12:45-2:00 p.m., in front of Christ Church, Schenectady; Scott Underhill)

Note: Neither Deacon Alan nor Torre could make the table this afternoon, so I did it solo for the first time. God provided people despite the frigid temperatures (~10 deg) and wind (wind chill -10 deg).

t–indicates received one of the wooden crosses Torre gets from Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

MAIL MAN — As the table was being set up, the mail man walked by stating if you are out tomorrow, he really will be impressed. Forecast for tomorrow calls for colder temperatures.

FERNANDO — As he quickly walked by, he did not stop for prayer because he was on the way for an interview. Prayed him success in his job search (a common theme among today’s visitors).

c — ROBIN — This young man asked for work so he could provide for his family. He gave thanks for his family’s good health.

(Four middle age woman in a nice SUV stopped in front of the table because of the traffic light. The passenger window came down a bit and the driver yelled out “Prayer! We need more prayer!” AMEN sister I yelled back)

(Man with a cane walked by politely refusing prayer but saying “You sure are dedicated”)

c — TONY — Young man came from across the street when I yelled to him. When he found out what the table was for he sat down. We prayed for him to find work and a good place to live. I asked him if he needed prayer for anything else and he stated he had just come from the funeral of his ex-girlfriend’s grandmother. We prayed for her soul and comfort to the grieving family and friends.

(A man in the minivan pulled into the driveway and stopped next to the table. He rolled down the window and said “I got to ask you, what possess you to be out here on a cold day like today?” I simply say “God!” “Figures” he replies. When asked if he wanted prayer, he said no thank you and turned around in the parking lot and drove off.)

(A man on a bike rides by on the opposite side of the street for the second time. He gets off the bike and bends down to pick something off of the street. It is a crushed cigarette container. Seeing it empty he throws it back onto the ground. I yell, “Do you need prayer?” He looks back at me and laughs…”No prayer there” indicating lack of cigarettes. He leaves, riding into the cold wind. I pray for those who live in conditions like that).

IVAN — As this older gentleman walks by I ask him if he needs prayer. He said, “Got Work?” I reply “I have God who can help you with work.” Ivan continues to walk down the street. I get up to offer him a cross, but due to the cold in my thighs, I couldn’t catch up.

2 Young Ladies come across the street asking if this is where the drug tests are done. I tell them no, but I would like to pray for them. They are in a hurry, saying they will be back. As they go to leave, one of them starts to say “I am having a difficult situation…” but before she can continue, she is dragged away from the other.

MARJORIE — An older woman who has been to the table before. She said she did not have any prayer request, so we prayed for continued health and protection.

c,t — JAMIE — This proper woman got off the bus and was hesitant when asked for prayer. With a smile she sits down. “I am homeless. I was living in an apartment in Troy with a woman who was doing drugs. I had to get away from the scene, so I came to the City Mission in Schenectady a couple days to get away. I really need an apartment.” We prayed that God would open up an avenue for her that would lead her to the life He wanted her to lead. After praying she asked for directions, which I did not have, so I took her to see Lorraine, the parish secretary, who helped her out and gave her our news letter. I invited her to church on Sunday morning and asked her if she knew Barbara Ayers, a parishioner who works at the City Mission. Amazingly, Jamie said yes, Barbara lead the morning devotional. Pray that Jamie finds her physical needs being met and comes worship our Lord with us on Sunday.

HENRY — The enthusiastic young man with a large smile asked for a new job; he was out delivering brochures. I looked at his bare hands. “Do you have gloves,” I asked. “No.” I gave him my gloves. He was truly grateful. How wonderful Jesus is.

CONNIE — A parishioner at Christ Church asked for strength in her fight to remain clean. After putting the table away, was able to drive her downtown to where she was staying.

One a final note: I was at a conference this Monday, where several people from churches outside of the Schenectady Area commented how they love receiving this prayer table report and praying for those who come. Thank you all for the prayers; this ministry is truly a blessing. Attached are a couple pictures I took today to give you an idea of what the prayer table looks like and where it is situated (today the table was set up in the driveway to be in the sun).

The prayer table

[Prayer table outlined -- it's amazing how God gives people driving by the ability to see it.]