O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God: Come to the aid of our Primates

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God,

“We bless you for our creation, preservation and all the blessings of this life”

in every need thou bringest aid,

The Primates of the Anglican Communion are gathering in great need; come to their aid, we pray.

thou camest forth from God’s great throne,

Though we do not merit or deserve it, you bring us grace from the Mercy Seat.  Bring mercy and grace upon the Primates’ Meeting in Alexandria.

from God, the Father and the Son;

Call our Primates to unity in truth.

O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God.

Who with the Father and the Son lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Words: Johann Niedling, 1651;
trans. John Caspar Mattes, 1913

Prayers for our country and President (updated)

I will be posting several prayers for our country and new president. I invite readers to submit prayers in the comments – either your own prayer, or a link to a prayer you have found online.

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A Prayer for the President of the United States and All in Civil Authority

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: we commend this nation to Your merciful care, that being guided by Your Providence, we may dwell secure in Your peace.  Grant to our President Barack, and to all leaders in authority, wisdom, strength and courage to know and do Your will.  Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever-mindful of their calling to serve the people in Your faith and fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.  Amen

You can find this prayer and other prayers for our President, country and leaders here.

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A Prayer for Our Country by Peter Marshall (former Senate Chaplain)
(This was included in Sunday’s service leaflets at Truro Church on Sunday.  Unfortunately I do not have more exact attribution details.)

God of our Ancestors, whose almighty hand has made and preserved our nation; grant that we may understand what it is we commemorate and celebrate [today].  May we remember how bitterly our freedom was won, the down-payment that was made for it, the installments that have been made since this Republic was born, and the price that must yet be paid for our liberty.  May it ever be understood that our liberty is under God and can be found nowhere else.  May our faith be something that is not merely stamped on our coins, but expressed in our lives.  To the extent that America honors You, O God, bless America.  Keep her as true as You have kept her free, and make her as good as You have made her rich.  We pray in the name of Him whose service is perfect freedom, Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

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The Rev. Albert Mohler has a prayer for President Obama on his blog today.  Here’s an excerpt:

Our Father, Lord of all creation, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:  We pray today with a sense of special urgency and responsibility.  We come before you to pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and for all those in this new administration who now assume roles of such high responsibility.

We know that you and you alone are sovereign; that you rule over all, and that you alone are able to keep and defend us.  We know that our times are in your hands, and that “the king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord” [Proverbs 21:1].  Our confidence is in you and in you alone.  We come before you as a people who acknowledge our constant need for your provision, wisdom, and protection.

Father, we pray today for Barack Obama as he takes office as President of the United States.  We pray that you will show the glory of your name in our times and in these days, confounding the wisdom of the wise, thwarting the plans of the arrogant, and vindicating those who do justice and practice righteousness.

Father, we pray with thanksgiving for the gift of government and the grace of civic order.  Thank you for giving us rulers and for knowing our need for laws and ordered life together.  Thank you for this nation and the blessings we know as its citizens.  Thank you for freedoms unprecedented in human history.  We understand that these freedoms come with unprecedented opportunities.

Lord, we pray with thanksgiving for the joy and celebration reflected on millions of faces who never expected to look to the President of the United States and see a person who looks like themselves.  Father, thank you for preserving this nation to the moment when an African-American citizen will take the oath of office and become our President.  Thank you for the hope this has given to so many, the pride emerging in hearts that had known no such hope, and the pride that comes to a people who have experienced such pain at the hands of fellow citizens, simply because of the color of their skin.  Father, we rejoice in every elderly face that reflects such long-sought satisfaction and in every young face that expresses such unrestrained joy.  May this become an open door for a vision of race and human dignity that reflects your glory in our differences, and not our corruption of your gift.

Father, protect this president, we pray.  We pray that you will surround this president and his family, along with all our leaders, with your protection and sustenance.  May he be protected from evil acts and evil intentions, and may his family be protected from all evil and harm.

Read it all

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Updates:

A video of Rick Warren’s invocation can be found on You Tube, here.

Here is the text of Rick Warren’s prayer, courtesy of Christianity Today’s blog:

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.

History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

The Lord’s Resistance Army

O LORD, by your hand save me from such men,
from men of this world whose reward is in this life. Psalm 17:14a

Jehovah Sabaoth,
May Your hand be heavy upon the Lord’s Resistance Army and their gods. Amen.

Mark 3:23-25

So he called them to himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:23-25)
      Lord Jesus, we have been a nation divided against itself in so many ways: by race, gender, economic means, and in other ways. Please let this day be a new beginning in our nation so that we draw together for the common good of all. Father, we thank you for this in Jesus’ precious name.

A word received: Yield this day to my purposes.

Tuesday: 26, 28; Isaiah 44:9-20; Ephesians 4:17-32; Mark 3:19b-35
Wednesday: 38; Isaiah 44:24-45:7; Ephesians 5:1-14; Mark 4:1-20

A prayer for President Elect Barack Obama off the Internet:
      Lord, we pray for optimum health, mental clarity and political prosperity for President Barack Obama. We pray that what he lacks in political ‘experience’ you make up for with supernatural wisdom and power. We also pray that when his enemies come upon him they will stumble and fall; and that your love will fill his heart to the end that ‘Your will’ will be done through him.
      We pray mightily for his protection. As we plead the Blood of Jesus over him and his family, we ask you to dispatch legions of angels to protect them from all hurt, harm, danger, and from all accidents and incidents as he is next President of these United States of America.
      We thank and praise you for answering our sincere prayers. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Albany Intercessor

Praise and primates

The primates of the Anglican Communion will be meeting on February 1.

Dear Heavenly Father,
How wonderful You are. Your word made the heavens. All the host of heaven was made at Your command–a ‘firework display’ that transcends time–an expanse of stars like a field full of flowers, the sliver of a silver moon with Jupiter shining bright. Your word resonates through the mysteries of quanta and wavelengths of light. The dark matter of space is filled with Your mystery. Such knowledge is beyond our understanding.
Yet we are not beyond Your presence. If we read Your holy word, You are there. If we make our bed in sin, we can still find You. There is no place we can escape from Your Holy Spirit, no pit beyond Your reach.
You bring the plans of the nations to nothing. You frustrate the counsels of the people. Only Your plans stand forever. Only Your counsel endures for all generations. Happy are those whose God is You.
Your eyes are turned toward those who fear You, toward those who hope for Your unfailing love, to deliver them from death, to keep them alive in famine. The Anglican Communion is in a dark valley, Lord. Deliver us from spiritual genocide. Keep Your church alive in the midst of spiritual famine.
We pray that the primates will fear You and trust in Your unfailing love, for only You can bring good out of evil. Only You can deliver us. We cannot deliver ourselves. Prepare their hearts for Your good work. Amen.

The Lord’s Resistance Army

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a great lion crouching in cover.
Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;
rescue me from the wicked by your sword. Psalm 17:8-13

O Father,
How precious You are. What a delight it is to abide in Your presence. We praise You for Your lovingkindness.
Your children in Uganda, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo take delight in You too. Take delight in them. Commission Your holy angels to encamp around them and hide them from the Lord’s Resistance Army.
Rise up, O Lord of hosts, and bring down the leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army. Rescue Your children by Your sword. Amen.

Mark 3:13-15 and Ephesians 4:1-3

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those he himself wanted. and they came to him. (Mark 3:13)
      Jesus, help us all answer your call and come to you.

Then he appointed twelve whom he also named apostles, that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach, (Mark 3:14)
      Jesus, we pray for Bishop Bill, Bishop Ball, Bishop Dave, and all your apostolic ministers that they will daily spend time with you, and that wherever they go they will preach the good news of salvation.

and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: (Mark 3:15)
      Holy Spirit, come with your power on your servants to heal the sick and cast out evil spirits.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (Ephesians 4:1)
      Father, please help each of us answer the call that Jesus has given us. Give us the clarity that Paul had about who is really in charge.

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:2)
      Holy Spirit, work in our hearts and bring forth your fruit of lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, and bearing with one another in love.

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
      Jesus, as we prepare for the Diocesan Convention and the General Convention this summer, move our hearts to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Thank you.

A word received: Let me be in charge.

Monday: 25; Isaiah 44:6-8, 21-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; Mark 3:7-19a
Tuesday: 26, 28; Isaiah 44:9-20; Ephesians 4:17-32; Mark 3:19b-35

A prayer for President Elect Barack Obama off the Internet:
      Lord, we pray for optimum health, mental clarity and political prosperity for President Barack Obama. We pray that what he lacks in political ‘experience’ you make up for with supernatural wisdom and power. We also pray that when his enemies come upon him they will stumble and fall; and that your love will fill his heart to the end that ‘Your will’ will be done through him.
      We pray mightily for his protection. As we plead the Blood of Jesus over him and his family, we ask you to dispatch legions of angels to protect them from all hurt, harm, danger, and from all accidents and incidents as he is next President of these United States of America.
      We thank and praise you for answering our sincere prayers. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Albany Intercessor

Bishop Albert Chama of Central Africa

Bishop Albert Chama of Northern Zambia has been the acting dean of the province of Central Africa since the retirement of Archbishop Bernard Malango in January 2008. This province has a history of ecclesiastical manipulation and wrangling. The more one reads about the various machinations, the more one wonders who can escape untainted. It is a sorry tale, especially given that the concurrent political crisis in Zimbabwe calls for a spiritually-empowered church to stand against such great evil. To Bishop Chama’s credit, the two Zimbabwean bishops who had become enmeshed in the Mugabe regime were finally excommunicated. This prayer was part of a pastoral letter from the bishops of Central Africa, now altered into a litany.

Lord, you asked for my hands that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment then withdrew them for the work was hard.
Lord, we pray Your mercies for Bishop Chama and the province of Central Africa.
You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
Lord, we pray Your mercies for Bishop Chama and the province of Central Africa.
You asked for my eyes to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them for I did not want to see.
Lord, we pray Your mercies for Bishop Chama and the province of Central Africa.
You asked for my life that you might work through me.
I gave a small part that I might not get too involved.
Lord, we pray Your mercies for Bishop Chama and the province of Central Africa.
Lord, forgive my calculated efforts to serve you
Only when it is convenient for me to do so,
Only in those places where it is safe to do so,
And only with those who make it easy to do so.
Lord, we pray Your mercies for Bishop Chama and the province of Central Africa.
Father, forgive me, renew me
Send me out as a usable instrument
That I might take seriously the meaning of your cross.
Lord, there is no sin beyond the redemptive power of the cross. We claim the blood of Jesus over Bishop Chama that you might use him to the establishment of Your kingdom at the primates meeting in Alexandria and in the province of Central Africa. We plead Your tender mercies over this province. Amen.

Pastoral message on the crisis in Zimbabwe–March 2008
Excommunication of Kunonga
Prayer for empty see, Lake Malawi
Prayer for bishops-elect of Matabeleland and Upper Shire
Prayer for spiritual leaders and healing
Prayer for primate election
Prayer for Zimbabwe

Bishop Errol Brooks of West Indies

The Church in the Province of the West Indies became a self-governing Province of the worldwide Anglican Communion in 1883. It is made up of two mainland dioceses and six island dioceses, including Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Nassau and the Bahamas, Tobago, Trinidad, and the Windward Islands.
The primate post is vacant, and this province will be represented by Bishop Errol Brooks, a native of Anguilla. He has been a priest for 33 years, and ten of those 33 years he has served as Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeastern Caribbean and Aruba.
Excerpts from an interview with David Virtue:

VOL: Do you think a Covenant will save the Anglican Communion?

BROOKS: I firmly believe that the Covenant is necessary. Those who would adhere to the tenets and can sign on and those who can’t, they go their separate ways.

VOL: Where do you stand on the homosexual issues that are tearing the Anglican Communion apart?

BROOKS: I firmly believe that all persons are children of God. Because of sin in God’s creation, sin it seems to me that there are some people who have their own agenda. They have been marred by sin and have developed errant ways. For some reason, people are pushed in certain directions and so the jury is still out. But Lambeth 1:10 was clear about marriage, but we must still have the listening process. Church has always had homosexuals. There has been a long history of it in Jamaica. It was very discrete. They (homosexuals) had a personal faith, but did not push themselves and say the whole church must go their way. We do not want to be homophobic, but we cannot endorse the behavior.

It seems to me (that homosexuality) is unnatural. From the Garden of Eden, it was always male and female for procreation. The marriage service cannot be changed for men to marry men.

VOL: What do you think about Bishop Gene Robinson’s pushing of his homosexuality on the Anglican Communion?

BROOKS: Gene used to come here with his wife and children. Then he appeared one day without wife and kids and came with a male partner. After that we heard that my predecessor wrote to Gene and told him he was not welcome any more to preach and give communion on St. Barts Island. Gene was very annoyed. He and his friends threatened us with a letter stepping on his human rights. We wrote back saying we were not stopping Robinson from coming to St. Barts, but he could not function ecclesiastically. We were not inhospitable. We wrote saying please have respect for our faith and values. The bishops must always be a symbol of unity. He is not at all such a symbol. His being a bishop is very divisive.

I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. John 4:35

O God,
We praise Your Holy Name! You are Creator of heaven and earth, of the crystalline water, the coral reefs and sand banks of the Caribbean archipelago. The starry skies and the warm seas declare Your glory.
Your Name is above every name in Anguilla and Aruba, the Windwards and the Leewards, Eleuthera and Exuma, Tobago and Trinidad, Grand Bahama, Grand Caicos, Grand Turk, St. George’s, St. Vincent, St. John’s, and St. Lucia. We proclaim Your Holy Name over the Anglican Province of the West Indies and over Bishop Errol Brooks.
We pray for the lost souls in these islands. Prepare their hearts to receive the Good News. Open their hearts to Your saving work.
Be with Bishop Brooks in his ministry at home in the Caribbean and abroad on the Mediterranean. Open his eyes to see the harvest. Grant him wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent, what to tear down and what to build up. Guide him to know when and where to let down the nets that a great harvest of souls may be brought into the kingdom of God.
Lord, we cry out for a spiritual awakening in the Anglican Communion. Protect Bishop Brooks in this work. Amen.

The Lord’s Resistance Army

Leaders continue to evade military offensive. What a muddle.

Listen while I build my case, God, the most honest prayer you’ll ever hear.
Show the world I’m innocent—
in your heart you know I am.
Go ahead, examine me from inside out,
surprise me in the middle of the night—
You’ll find I’m just what I say I am.
My words don’t run loose.
I’m not trying to get my way
in the world’s way.
I’m trying to get your way,
your Word’s way.
I’m staying on your trail;
I’m putting one foot
In front of the other.
I’m not giving up.
I call to you, God, because I’m sure of an answer.
So—answer! bend your ear! listen sharp!
Paint grace-graffiti on the fences;
take in your frightened children who
Are running from the neighborhood bullies
straight to you. Psalm 17:1-7 The Message

Lord, the intercessors are calling out! Take in Your frightened children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Uganda who are running from the Lord’s Resistance Army straight to You. Amen.

John 4:34-38

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)
      Father, please help us enter into such a feast: daily doing your will.

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35)
      Holy Spirit, please give us eyes and hearts to see and go out into the harvest fields that are all around us.

“And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” (John 4:36)
      Jesus, thank you for the joy we experience in sowing and reaping at the prayer table. Please help all of us throughout this diocese know the joy of sowing and reaping.

“For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’” (John 4:37)
      Father, please help each of us do the work you have called us to.

“I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” (John 4:38 )
      Father, thank you for the faithful work of those who went before us into the harvest fields.

Sunday: 148, 149, 150; Isaiah 43:14-44:5; Hebrews 6:17-7:10; John 4:27-42
Monday: 25; Isaiah 44:6-8, 21-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; Mark 3:7-19a

Albany Intercessor

PRAYER TABLE REPORT

(Sat., Jan. 17, 2009; 9:30-10:40 a.m. in front of Christ Church, Schenectady; Prayer servants Torre Bissell, Dave Carlson and Deacon Alan Hart were honored to be joined this day by Rev. Nigel Mumford, Director of the Healing Oratory at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center in Washington County.)

Note: Very, very cold morning — zero or below. But … the Lord had many takers, nonetheless, seeking the hope of mercy and forgiveness which comes only from Him.

a–indicates anointed with Holy Oil.
t–indicates received one of the wooden crosses Torre gets from Dennis Adams of North Carolina.
c–indicates received a yellow Christ Church invitation card.

IRIS, PEDRO — This young couple stopped for prayer specifically for Iris, who said she needed healing in her leg. (We were just setting up the Table and chairs at this point so we didn’t get to anoint her or give them crosses.

a–PAT (Frank Upshur’s daughter) — While the rest of the group was praying for Iris and Pedro, Deacon Alan went to see Pat just stepping off the bus on the corner. Pat requested continued prayer for her family members in need, especially grand-daughter KIESHA who has been diagnosed with a thyroid disease and is “very scared.” Pat also wants us to continue to pray for her dad FRANK and her nephew KEITH, who have health issues, and nephew NICK, who needs a good job. Alan anointed Pat for strength and to give thanks for the witness she has become for Christ as she ministers to her family.

(A man waved at us with enthusiasm as he drove past in his car.)

a,t — DAVE — Perhaps the most special visitor to the Table all day. We called to him as he walked on the other side of the street to see if he needed prayer and he shook his head “no” and yelled to us that he thought he was “Damned.” About five minutes later, we saw that he had changed his mind and he came back to our side of the street. Father Nigel assured him God loves him and that he is not damned at all. Dave obviously had been drinking and smelled like a brewery, but when Father Nigel brought this to his attention Dave bristled and denied it, and he said “I haven’t had a drink in 24 hours.” Father Nigel anointed him and prayed for him to be freed from addiction, to be sober and to grow in Christ Jesus.

t,a — ROBBY — While Father Nigel and Alan were praying with Dave, Robby came along on a bike and sought prayer. Torre and Dave (Carlson) prayed for Robby for protection and provision. Robby smiled at them afterward and said, “Now I’m sure I’ve got real protection!”

a,t — DAN — This young man who came across the street at our invitation and asked for prayer for general provision.

(NOTE: At this point, maybe 15 minutes into the prayer session, Father Nigel remarked, “This is not just a Prayer Table … it’s a Salvation Station! We are saving souls right out here on the street, and funny … I don’t feel as cold when I’m praying!”)
t,a — “D.C. ” — This friendly young man is a repeater from a couple of weeks ago. He asked for continued prayers for safety for himself, his mother and his sisters.

BILL — Another man who has been to the Table before. He was carrying a big, heavy bag of laundry and got general prayers for protection and for provision. He told us over and over how grateful he was for the prayers.

c,t,a — LEVI and ROSE — This young couple came along and smiled and stopped before we even asked them if they wanted prayer. Levi said he especially needed prayers that the two of them would have discernment about what to do and what NOT to do concerning the living arrangement they currently have. Certain other people apparently are living with them; Levi did not go into details but the arrangement has made them uncomfortable. We prayed together that the situation would be resolved by our Lord.

t,a — CARL — This quiet, humble young man stopped and politely waited until we were done praying for Levi and Rose. He asked for healing prayer for his grandmother CASSANDRA, who is ill.

a,t — (woman who did not give her name) — This young lady stopped oh-so-briefly because she said she was “… on my way to a class” but we prayed for her to have a good class and a great day.

a,t — JIM — A frequent visitor to the Table, Jim asked for prayer for his son ROBERT. Jim told us some months ago when he first came to us how he still is in deep sorrow over the death of another son RICHARD who had died a year ago.

a– LESTER — By now you are no doubt familiar with this man who is struggling so with his addiction to alcohol. He is at the Table each week and frequently comes to Neighborhood Meal. Today he again needed prayers and had been drinking overnight and/or this morning. He just turned 52 this month but, frankly, he looks like a man in his late 70s. Pray for Lester; he really is trying but cannot get free. He still wears the cross Torre gave him in October. Father Nigel prayed as he anointed Lester that he would “turn from alcoholic spirits to the Holy Spirit.” We gave Lester a spare pair of gloves that we had with us.

a,t — ANDRE — Yet another returnee to the Prayer Table, Andre gladly stopped for prayer as he walked by from the Swan Street side, talking on his cellphone. As we finished a general prayer for his protection and safety, Andrew went right back to the cellphone conversation he was having. That was so great that he stopped for prayer, because — when you think about it — the person listening at the other end of the phone call also received the same prayers!

a,t,c — ELI — Another very special visitor. This man said he has already given his life to Jesus, but Torre suggested to Eli that he needed to reaffirm that decision. Right on the spot he confessed his “whole bunch” of sins in private to Jesus and Torre reminded Eli of the Good News that he now is “just squeaky-clean” because he has been forgiven by God.

a,t,t — MADELINE and ROSE — Rose has been to the Table before but this time she brought her mother, Madeline. We prayed for both women’s general needs and health concerns.

a,c — JAMAAL and ASHLEIGH — As we were taking the Table and chairs away, this young couple was walking by and we prayed for them both but especialty for Ashleigh when Jamaal asked us to pray for her.

(NOTE from Deacon Alan: Torre: As I was putting this report together, it struck me how its is not a bad idea idea at all to have multi-number prayer servants at any given Table. There were three instances today when one or more of us was praying for someone and, right then, someone else came along and needed prayer too. When we have extra people like we have the last three weeks, we can minister to people we might otherwise miss. And .. it might cause people to stop and see and listen and say, “Hey, maybe they will pray for ME, too.” Just a thought. Can you imagine someday our Prayer Table looking like our Sunday healing time during communion with people lined up waiting for prayer? God might just make that happen.)

      Report on the Prayer Table by Fr. Nigel Mumford

Torre, my brother in Christ,
Thank you so much for allowing me to spend the morning with you, the Deacon and David. I am very impressed at the prayer table ministry at Christ Church. I was impressed with the “Proactive” approach in asking people if they would like prayer. I was even more impressed at the 95% response in the positive. One chap caught my attention after the invitation was launched across the busy street as he just replied “I’m dammed” We all heartily responded that he was loved deeply by the Lord. Less than five minuets later he came by on our side of the street! He then decided he would accept prayer. WONDERFUL. I was surprised at the amount of foot traffic there was. Good to be right next to a bus stop!

The “Prayer table” or as I saw it Christ’s “Salvation Station” is a truly anointed ministry even though my oil was getting crunchy! That has never happened before… my oil was frozen! No one on the team complained of the cold, not once. I did note that as we prayed the cold seemed to go and the heat of the provision of the Holy Spirit came upon us. Thanks be to God. (My car registered -4c)

I was deeply touched as you gave out gloves to those who did not have them.

I was deeply privileged to pray with you all today and I thank God for your ministry and those who received so readily. I saw the love of Jesus in action today. Well done good and faithful servants. My soul has been touched by your ministry.

Jesus told his disciples to Preach the Kingdom AND to heal the sick (Luke 9:4) and I saw you all doing just that. “BRILLIANT”

Gosh imagine if all the churches offered such a ministry. Bringing salvation and healing to people one at a time on the streets… right in front of the church… we should all be doing this.

I will be keeping you in prayer on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Thanks be to God.

You were right; it took me 45 minutes in the car to warm up! I wonder if I will need an oil change!

Be well, do good works and for the sake of God love one another…

Fr. Nigel+

Albany Intercessor

Moderator of North India

The Most Revd Purely Lyngdoh was elected Moderator of the Church of North India in Oct 2008. The CNI operates 65 hospitals, nine nursing schools, 250 educational institutions and three technical schools. Bishop Lyngdoh is the first tribal from Northeast India to have been elected to this position.
“Soft spoken, prayerful, and hardworking by nature, Bishop Lyngdoh has been in the ministry for the last twenty-eight years,” according to a statement by CNI. “A Bishop of Small Things – Moderator Lyngdoh brings with himself pastoral care. He desires to see that the Church is built up in the faith and traditions and equipped and made relevant to the times. He strongly believes that it is the small things that make the big things beautiful, meaningful and effective.”

Their superb provincial e-newsletter reported on the Orissa violence in August and September of 2008. The killing of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader by the Maoists provoked Hindus to attack Christians in retaliation. Although the Maoists, in an interview to an Oriya Daily, have claimed the responsibility of killing the VHP leader, the Hindus are adamant in their claim that the killing is schemed by Christians as the slain VHP leader was very active in the area for reconverting the Christians into Hindus and he violently opposed the missionary activities by churches. Some members of the Maoists are Christians.
Hundreds of churches and thousands of houses and institutions were burnt, desecrated, and vandalized across the State. Over 50,000 people were displaced and left homeless. Police were silent bystanders as the rioters’ rampaged through village after village. Many Christians were threatened in an attempt at re-conversion to Hinduism.
From a report of CNI’s October Synod:

Rev. Enos Das Pradhan, the CNI general secretary, complained that in the name of freedom of religion several Indian states have passed anti-conversion laws. However, he added, they had kept re-conversion to Hinduism out of the purview of these laws on the pretext that “reconversion is returning home”.
Bishop Bijay Kumar Nayak of Phulbani diocese called on Christians around the world: “God and prayer are our strength. Please pray for us.”
Bishop Nayak explained that at least six CNI members including Thomas Nayak, a diocesan executive committee member, are among the 54 Christians who have died at the hands of Hindu fundamentalists in Kandhamal.
Thomas Nayak, at 46 years of age the superintendent of the CNI hostel at a mission compound with 300 students, was killed by a mob in the village of Gudrikia on 27 August, the bishop said.
Twenty of the 32 ordained CNI pastors and four dozen presbyters working in troubled Kandhamal, he pointed out, have been on the run since late August as Hindu fundamentalists target pastors in order “to strike at the foundations of Christian life”.

Three CNI Bishops were threatened with deadly consequences if they continue their missionary activities in Orissa–The Rt. Rev. Bijay K. Nayak, Diocese of Phulbani; The Rt. Rev. Dr. Samson Das, diocese of Cuttack; and The Rt. Rev. Dr. Christ Kiron Das, Diocese of Sambalpur.
Talking to reporters, Bishop Lyngdoh told Christian Today, “Church does not endorse or believe in forced conversions. These allegations are false and since the Church is being accused in this, we will conduct a probe.”
The Anglican Church in Canada, the Episcopal Church, Trinity Wall Street, Derbyshire Churches UK, and the Anglican Communion partner in mission with the Church of North India.

We bind to the Church of North India this day the power of God to guide them, the might of God to uphold them, the wisdom of God to teach them, the eye of God to watch over them, the ear of God to hear them, the word of God to give them speech, the hand of God to protect them, the shield of God to shelter them, the host of God to defend them against evil, against the lust of nature, against every person who meditates injury to them, whether far or near, whether alone or with many.
We invoke all these virtues against every hostile, savage power warring upon their bodies and souls, against the evil laws of paganism, against the false laws of heresy, against the false promises of idolatry and against all knowledge which blinds the soul of humanity.
O God, we pray Your continued protection and guidance for Bishop Lyngdoh as he prepares for and attends the primates meeting. Help him to be faithful in the small things that a great, beautiful, meaningful, and effective work may be wrought there. Amen
.

Interview with Most Rev. Lyngdoh
Bishop Lyngdoh’s biblical reflection at Lambeth Conference
Nun’s account of rape and police indifference
Report based on interviews of persons in refugee camps
Orissa bishops’ letter
ACNS report of Orissa violence, with analysis of cultural factors
Conger has several articles on the CNI
Prayer during wave of violence

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 3:14)
      Holy Spirit, please help me bow my knee before God the Father, to reverence and honor him with my thoughts, words, and deeds. Thank you.

from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:15)
      Jesus, help us find our identity in the Father’s love and in your love.

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, (Ephesians 3:16)
      Holy Spirit, I need your strength: both the outer and the inner man are weak; come and renew me and restore my first love for Jesus.

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17)
      Jesus, help me to be rooted and grounded in your love — come and dwell in my heart through faith.

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– (Ephesians 3:18 )
      Holy Spirit, give us such an understanding — this is not something we can learn on our own.

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)
      Jesus, as you visited and refilled the apostolic church with your Holy Spirit, visit and fill us anew with your Holy Spirit so that we can know your love in our hearts.

Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
      So be it, Lord! Let your glory shine forth through us and upon us as you did with the shepherds at your birth. Thank you.

      Lord, you have formed me and said to me: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.” When I pass through the deep waters, you are with me; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow me. When I walk through the fire, I shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch me. For you are the LORD my God, the Holy One of Israel, my savior; I am precious in your sight. You have honored me, and you have loved me; therefore I will not fear, for you are with me. Thank you. (From Isaiah 43:1-5)

A word received: I AM with you in the fire.
I AM with you in the flood.
I AM with you in the day of calamity, and I will hold you up.
Let me be your strength; I AM sufficient.

A word received: Keep on praying; don’t give up. I AM in charge.

Saturday: 20, 21:1-7(8-14); Isaiah 43:1-13; Ephesians 3:14-21; Mark 2:23-3:6
Sunday: 148, 149, 150; Isaiah 43:14-44:5; Hebrews 6:17-7:10; John 4:27-42

Albany Intercessor

Mark 2:13-17

Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to him, and he taught them. (Mark 2:13)
      Jesus, teach us as well.

As he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And he said to him, “Follow me.” So he arose and followed him. (Mark 2:14)
      Holy Spirit, help us hear Jesus’ words to follow him, and then do it.

Now it happened, as he was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him. (Mark 2:15)
      Father, thank you for all of the outcasts and sinners who come to the prayer table. Please help us draw them inside for the heavenly banquet Sunday by Sunday.

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to his disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mark 2:16)
      Jesus, thank you for the support we receive from the leaders and teachers of this diocese and our parish for the prayer table ministry.

When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Mark 2:17)
      Holy Spirit, help us minister healing and repentance throughout this diocese and at the prayer table.

A word received: Pray for my people; pray they will come to me with their wounds and their griefs.

Friday: 16, 17; Isaiah 42: (1-9)10-17; Ephesians 3:1-13; Mark 2:13-22
Saturday: 20, 21:1-7(8-14); Isaiah 43:1-13; Ephesians 3:14-21; Mark 2:23-3:6

Albany Intercessor