Bernard Ntahoturi

Chairman of the primates drafting group and primate of Burundi.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Psalm 42:7
Holy Spirit, sweep over Your servant Bernard.
This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: I will go before you and will level the mountains ; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:1-3
Father Almighty, Bernard has been sumoned by name for this task. Go before him. Break down the strongholds. Reveal to him Your treasures hidden deep within his spirit.
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51:6
Jesus, You are our wisdom.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Psalm 46:4-5
Holy Spirit, You are that river whose streams make glad! Help Bernard at the break of day.
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
Jesus, may Your living water become a spring in Bernard’s spirit, welling up to eternal life.
However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Father Almighty, reveal to Bernard what You have prepared for those who love You by Your Holy Spirit.
Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.” The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.”
Selah
As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.” Psalm 87:5-7
Lord, Bernard is one of Your children. Establish him. May the Anglican Communion sing to Your glory. Amen.

Veni, Creator Spiritus

Creator Spirit all Divine,
come visit every soul of Thine.
And fill with Thy Celestial Flame
the hearts which Thou Thyself did frame.
O Gift of God, Thine is the Sweet
consoling name of Paraclete.
And spring of life and fire of love,
and unction flowing from above.
The mystic seven-fold gifts are Thine,
finger of God’s Right Hand Divine.
The Father’s Promise sent to teach,
the tongue a rich and heavenly speech.
Kindle with fire brought from above
each sense, and fill our hearts with love,
And grant our flesh so weak and frail,
the strength of Thine which cannot fail.
Drive far away our deadly foe,
and grant us Thy true peace to know,
So we, led by Thy Guidance still,
may safely pass through every ill.
To us, through Thee, the grace be shown,
To know the Father and the Son,
And Spirit of Them Both, may we
forever rest our Faith in Thee.
To Sire and Son be praises meet,
and to the Holy Paraclete.
And may Christ send us from above,
that Holy Spirit’s gift of love.

May it be so for the primates. Amen.

Primates drafting group

A drafting group has been appointed consisting of five primates — archbishops Bernard Ntahoturi of Burundi (chair), Paul Kwong of Hong Kong, Alan Harper of Ireland, Ian Ernest of the Indian Ocean, and Carlos Touche-Porter of Mexico. The Rev. Canon Gregory Cameron, deputy secretary general of the Anglican Communion, is serving as secretary of the drafting group, which will prepare a communiqué for release towards the end of the meeting.

Dear Heavenly Father,
As they work on the drafting committee, may Bernard, Paul, Alan, Ian, Carlos, and Gregory search for You with all of their hearts and seek Your glory. Amen.
John 7:18, Jeremiah 29:13

Isaiah 54

“Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,” says the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:1)
      LORD, turn all of the barren and desolate places in our lives into gardens of your Spirit.

“Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.” (Isaiah 54:2)
      Holy Spirit, in these times of fear and uncertainty, help us reach out to others with the gospel and bring them to Jesus.

“For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.” (Isaiah 54:3)
      Jesus, restore the prosperity of the communities of this diocese.

“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.” (Isaiah 54:4)
      Father, give us hearts that are fixed on where true joys are to be found: in your son Jesus.

“For your maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; he is called the God of the whole earth.” (Isaiah 54:5)
      Jesus, we long to see you acknowledged as the Redeemer and Lord over this nation. Bring all the nations within your saving embrace.

“For the LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused, says your God.” (Isaiah 54:6)
      Holy Spirit, help us answer Jesus’ call.

“For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you.” (Isaiah 54:7)
      Jesus, hold us up by your mercy.

“With a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.” (Isaiah 54:8 )
      Father, we have deserved your wrath but in your mercy you sent us Jesus; thank you!

“For this is like the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.” (Isaiah 54:9)
      Jesus, your grace and mercy have kept us going. Please continue to sustain us with your peace and your provision in this time when others are afraid.

“For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
      LORD, thank you for having mercy on us.

“O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires.” (Isaiah 54:11)
      Jesus, we cry out to you for your afflicted ones in the dioceses of Maridi and Jos — have mercy on them.

“I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones.” (Isaiah 54:12)
      Father, we ask you to establish a hedge of protection around your faithful people.

“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (Isaiah 54:13)
      Holy Spirit, teach the children and the youth in this diocese.

“In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.” (Isaiah 54:14)
      Thank you.

“Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of me. whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.” (Isaiah 54:15)
      Jesus, we cry out to you that you will defeat the purposes of those who assemble against your people in Maridi and Jos.

“Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the spoiler to destroy.” (Isaiah 54:16)
      Father, help us to be instruments of your work.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from me,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)
      Father, help us enter into your heritage and protection and righteousness day by day. Thank you.

A word received: Pray for my people to know my father’s love for them. Pray for my people to receive the comfort and guidance of my Holy Spirit. Pray for my people to rejoice in the salvation I have obtained for them.

Wednesday: 72; Isaiah 54:1-10(11-17); Galatians 4:21-31; Mark 8:11-26
Thursday: [70], 71; Isaiah 55:1-13; Galatians 5:1-15; Mark 8:27-9:1

      Words Received for a Sunday School lesson in February:

“So the eunuch answered Philip and said, ‘I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’” (Acts 8:34) A word received: I want you to be prepared to answer such a question.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:35) A word received: Philip is prepared to answer — he is filled with my Spirit and he knows the Scriptures. I want you to be filled with my Spirit and to know my word.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:35) A word received: That’s what I want — that you will “preach Jesus” — that you will speak of my son to others.

“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’” (Acts 8:36) A word received: I gave him eyes to see the opportunity — he had a heart to seize the opportunity. I want you to have such a heart as well.

“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:38 ) A word received: Have the children and the adults talk about seeing others baptized. I want them to know that this is for now.

“Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39) A word received: Listen to the joy of the Ethiopian. Picture his joy. I want you to know this same joy of being washed clean of sin and filled with my Spirit.

Albany Intercessor

Notes from the Front Line

Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2009
From: Kevin & Donna Steckline
Subject: Update From Maridi
Dear Bp. Bill, Torre and Linda,
      Attached is the latest correspondence from Bp. Justin in Maridi. As Jane of CMS-I writes us below, he is in deep despair. Please continue to pray. FHS, Donna
————
From: Jane Corbett
Sent: Tuesday, February 03
Subject: Fwd: UPDATE FROM MARIDI
      News just received form Maridi.
      Please keep praying that more aid will come and that we can all really respond adequately.
God Bless, In His Mission. Jane
P.S. Really feel his despair, have never seen his writing so distracted.
————
Subject: UPDATE FROM MARIDI
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009
Dear brother Bishop Harold [Miller]
      Greetings from Maridi, South Sudan to you and all Christians in the Diocese. I would like to let you know that from mid January to date the situation is still calm but fears and rumors continues to increase amongst the people. There is a big presence of both the SPLA and the Uganda army in and around Maridi. The number of the displaced had increased to 1,218 heads of families.32 people were killed at the spot and 18 other people slaughtered in the forest bringing the total to 50 people killed. 87 people wounded , out of this 7 people were hospitalized and two later died .
      The only practical help which has reached the suffering people on the ground now is from CMS Ireland. They quickly had to sent the amount of US 21,560 dollars. With this money the emergency committee was able to purchase 200 bags of sorghum and maize, 800 pieces of blankets,700 pieces of plastic plates and cups each and distributed to the most affected families.
      We are looking forward to distribute Jerry cans for fetching water, cooking poys and some more blankets and food items
Medicines are urgently needed.
      Some UN Agencies have come to see the situation and take some photos, we do not know when they will come to help.
      Dear brother Bishop allow me again to say thank you for your prayers and the quick response from your people. I will not be able to come for the Dedication of the extention of Comber Parish due to the Bishop’s retreat which has been organized for us here as from 11th February to 18th. The situation also requires me to be with the children at home and with the christians in the Diocese.
      We wish you all God’s blessings
————
Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2009
From: Linda Stevens
Subject: Re: Fw: UPDATE FROM MARIDI
      The Albany Diocese Mission Board voted at its meeting 1/25 to send $5,000 from the Maridi Fund and $1,500 from the Maria Fenty Fund to CMS Ireland’s Emergency Fund for Maridi. Funds are in the process of being sent.
      We grieve and pray for our friends.
Faithfully, Linda
Linda F. Stevens, Albany Episcopal Diocese Missions Coordinator
St. John’s Church, Troy, NY 12180
home: 13 Robin Lane, Troy, NY 12180
home phone: 518-279-9612
cell phone: 518-265-3721
————
If you would like to send help to either the Diocese of Maridi in the Sudan or the Diocese of Jos in Nigeria, make out a check to the “Episcopal Diocese of Albany” and on the memo line indicate the diocese(s) you wish the money to be sent to. You can mail the check to:
      Episcopal Diocese of Albany
      Christ the King Spiritual Life Center
      575 Burton Road
      Greenwich, New York 12834

Albany Intercessor