Secretary for Anglican Communion Affairs

The Archbishop of Canterbury has announced that Rev. Canon Joanna Udal is the new Secretary for Anglican Communion Affairs.

“That the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted . . . but not crushed . . . always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might be manifested in our body” (2 Cor. 4:7-10).

“For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you” (2 Cor. 4:11-12).

Dear Father,
We pray that Joanna’s primary ambition will be for Christ to be revealed through her. Be her strength and power. Even though it be a path of affliction, make her way perfect. When injured and betrayed, may she pray, Father, forgive them. Crown her with Your tender mercies. Amen.
2 Samuel 22:33

Are you praying for your bishop?

If you’re not praying regularly for your bishop, you’re a fool. In our current state, more than the weekly corporate intercession is needed. Don’t assume someone else is taking care of it. I don’t know a single person with a list of the names of the HoB who covers them in prayer every day. Maybe there is such a person, maybe not.
How to pray? Ask God to bless him/her at a point of great need. Ask God to guard him/her against spiritual blindness, fear, confusion, and deception. Ask God to stir in him/her an increased hunger for Holy Scripture. Ask God to guide the use of his/her time to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.

I do not cease to pray for my bishop _____ and to desire that _____ might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that _____ might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to Christ’s glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Amen.
Colossians 1:9-11

Mark 11:27-33

Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him. And they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority to do these things?” (Mark 11:27-28 )
      Jesus, the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church are still questioning your authority; have mercy on us.

But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John–was it from heaven or from men? Answer me.” (Mark 11:29-30)
      Father, your call for us to turn away from sin by repentance is as current today as it was when it was proclaimed by John the Baptist; help us heed your call.

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’”–they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” (Mark 11:31-33a)
      Holy Spirit, as in Elijah’s day, the people falter between two opinions. (1 Kings 18:21) The choice then is the choice now: following God or following the gods of this world; help us choose to serve Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Mark 11:33b)
      Jesus, St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo said, “I believe in order to understand.” Please restore to the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church a true and lively belief in you so that they may understand. Thank you.

      A word received: Wait for me. Wait for me and my guidance. Wait for me; wait on me. I will shepherd you as a flock. Keep your eyes on me and I will lead you. I will go before you and make a way through for you.

      A word received: You are in my care. I want my people to know what it means to be cared for by my Holy Spirit. He is the Comforter — he will speak comfort to your heart and soul. I want you to invite him in for his comfort in this time. Thank me for sending the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday: 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30; Isa 63:15-64:9; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Mark 11:27-12:12
Thursday: 105:1-22; Isaiah 65:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Mark 12:13-27

Albany Intercessor

Welcome Home Initiative

To All Who Support the Welcome Home Initiative with Prayer–

Our next Welcome Home Initiative approaches in five weeks – March 23 through 25. Begin laying down a covering fire of prayer for this WHI:

*      for Fr. Nigel Mumford, Bishop Dave Bena and Noel Dawes as they prepare to lead the retreat.
*      for Sandra Lester and the administrative details she oversees.
*      for Sue Ellen Reutsch and the oversight of mental health issues; for Mary Ellen Bena and ministry to military wives.
*      for the raising up of Prayer Team members for this retreat and for the on-site Intercessors Team; for wisdom and guidance in the selection of those who will have direct contact with the men and women God is calling to attend this retreat.
*      for the hands which prepare and the hearts that pray over quilts and care b askets made up for the warriors and their families. Care baskets are assembled by our local Daughters of the King but more volunteers could be used.
*      for sound ministry finances in these difficult economic times; for the continuing donations which enable us to offer this Retreat free to warriors and their families.
*      for God’s call to warriors to come to the Welcome Home Initiative Retreat. At present we have had expressions of interest in the upcoming March WHI from warriors in the British Armed forces, from chaplains processing returning troops across the U.S., from ministry streams hoping to contribute to healing and prayer for the armed forces; even from a warrior/minister serving in Israel. Pray for the right mix of men and women attending this retreat, f or their travel, and for ministry to the families they bring with them. We know of some with interest for whom the travel expense is a barrier: pray that God will break down any barrier, if this is the time and place for these men and women to begin to be healed by Christ.
*      for good weather that week. A winter storm during the last retreat interfered with some arrangements and dampened attendance to the Closing Ceremony. Pray for God’s providence through all circumstances and for His will to be done at this retreat.
*      for continued, enthusiastic local community support to be shown at the Closing Ceremony, Wednesday, March 25, gathering at 11:00 a.m. in the CtK’s Great Hall.
*      Pray also for Noel Dawes this week as he travels to Florida, speaking primarily to a group of military, fire, police and hospital chaplains, as well as making other contacts for the several military ministries he represents. Pray for travel mercies, for good contacts made at the Lord’s initiation, for the various presentations he has to make, and for lives to be touched and transformed by the message of the ministry of healing in Christ’s name. Noel and Meryl’s 18-month old granddaughter is currently undergoing treatment for cancer – a major concern in their lives right now: pray for compplete healing and protection for little Charlotte.

And offer praise to God for the outpouring of opportunities to share about the Welcome Home Initiative in the larger military community which have been forthcoming in the past several months. In the wake of Fr. Nigel’s key visit to the Pentagon in December, healing prayer is now being offered at services for the military in the Washington, D.C., area at Ft. Belvoir, VA, with hope to begin services in the Pentagon Chapel very soon. A senior Army Chaplain present at the December meeting is planning to attend the School of Healing Prayer here at the Oratory of Christ the King. Fr. Nigel, Noel and Sandra are representing the WHI at various conferences this spring and summer. More details for prayer coverage will be released soon.

If you know of any member of the armed forces — currently serving, recently released from combat duty or having seen combat in any military conflict – please recommend them to the Welcome Home Initiative Healing Retreats. The Welcome Home Initiative is free to combat veterans of all wars and their immediate families: they are only responsible for their travel expenses. For more information see our website at www.christ-the-king-center.org/WelcomeHome or call Sandra Lester at (518 ) 692-9550 ext. 202.

God’s blessing to each of you who has a heart for praying for t he men and women who have risked so much to defend our freedoms.

Sister Mary Elizabeth, CSM
For the Oratory of Christ the Healer, Christ the King Spiritual Life Center, Greenwich, NY

Albany Intercessor