Also he said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?” (Mark 4:21)
Holy Spirit, let the light of the gospel and the fire of your love shine forth clearly in the Episcopal Church; don’t let it be hidden any more.
“For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” (Mark 4:22)
Jesus, please help us bring everything in the Episcopal Church to the light of the gospel.
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:23)
* Father, we pray that you will open our ears to the full truth and power of the gospel.
* Holy Spirit, we pray that every parish in this diocese will see by the light of your fire.
* Jesus, make the gospel of salvation visible and known to every man, woman, and child in this diocese.
* Jesus, thank you for being the light to bring us through this time of darkness in the church and in the nation. Please help us take each step by your light. Thank you.
A word received: Pray for my people to return to me. Pray for new life in my body. Pray for a renewal of your first love for me.
Thursday: 37:1-18; Isaiah 45:5-17; Ephesians 5:15-33; Mark 4:21-34
Friday: 31; Isaiah 45:18-25; Ephesians 6:1-9; Mark 4:35-41
PRAYER TABLE REPORT
(Weds., Jan. 21, 2009, 1 p.m.-1:40 p.m. in front of Christ Church, Schenectady; Soon-Deacon-To-Be Scott Underhill and Deacon Alan Hart.)
Note: Extremely cold, windy, uncomfortable day to be at the Table. You will see quickly that strictly in terms of numbers, it was not a success. We only had two people stop for prayer, although we took heart that quite a few people waved at us and smiled from the comfort of their heated cars and trucks. We cut it a little short today because of the cold. Scott and I did not get discouraged, however.)
DANIEL — This was a boy of about 12 or 13 who stopped for prayer of thanksgiving that Barack Obama is our new president. We were glad to oblige and lifted up hope that Mr. Obama will not only be a good president for our country but will be a great world leader as well. We also prayed for Daniel to grow into the man that God intends him to be and that he will be protected and made safe and provided for. We gave him one of the crosses Torre Bissell gets from Dennis Adams of North Carolina. Nice young man.
JAMES — James is a Guyanese man who is a regular to the Saturday morning Table and is a member of another area church. He was waiting for a bus to Albany but came over and spoke with us for about 15 minutes. A very interesting man; he said he accepted Christ as a 20-year-old and has been a Christian now the past 44 years, almost 45. He asked for prayers for continued health and strength. James says he gets inspiration daily from the story of Daniel in the lion’s den and that he feels protected in the same way that Daniel of old was protected.
Also … a young man riding on a bike in the bitter cold waved and yelled “God bless you guys!” as he rode past us.
One last note from which I hope you will take inspiration and increased faith: Before I (Alan) got to the church today I helped out at the Protestant service at Ellis Hospital. Prior to the service I visited with BERNICE, the 91-year-old woman I have been telling you about who was a childhood friend of my Dad and his family in Carman in the 1930s. Two weeks ago, she had a severe stroke and doctors prepared Bernice’s family for the worst and it appeared Bernice was down to her last days, if not hours. Family from all over the Northeast gathered to say goodbye to her in her room on the B6 floor that week. But … she fooled everyone! She made it through the weekend and has strangely gotten better each day. Today her eyes were wide open and she tried to communicate with signs and groaned-out single words to me. She ate a meal at breakfast! God apparently had other ideas about her immediate future than the doctors did. I prayed for her to have continued healing and to let God have His way on all this.
Albany Intercessor
Posted by anglicanprayer 
