Reminder: Pray for the Anglican Consultative Council

The ACC Meeting begins tomorrow May 1, though in actuality, the actual meetings don’t begin until May 2.

You can find all our ACC Prayer resources here.
The ACC schedule is here.
Participant list here.

Please pray!

An Encouragement to Pray for Bishop Mouneer Anis

I was reminded and encouraged by a friend today to be praying especially in these days for Bishop Mouneer Anis, the Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East, who is a member of the Primates Standing Committee.

Primates Standing Committee
The Most Revd Dr. Phillip John Aspinall (Australia)
The Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis (Jerusalem and the Middle East)
The Most Revd Henry Luke Orombi (Uganda) – Unable to attend
The Most Revd Katharine Jefferts Schori (US based)
The Most Revd Dr Barry Cennydd Morgan (Wales)

It seems especially important to uphold Bishop Mouneer in prayer as the other orthodox Primate, Bp. Orombi of Uganda will be unable to attend the ACC meeting.

May the Lord encourage and strengthen Bishop Mouneer daily and give him the mind of Christ in each decision he will be making in the days ahead.

This prayer from the 1928 BCP service for the ordination of a bishop comes to mind:

MOST merciful Father, send down, we beseech thee, upon this thy servant thy heavenly blessing; and so endue him with thy Holy Spirit, that he, preaching thy Word, may not only be earnest to reprove, beseech, and rebuke, with all patience and doctrine; but also may be, to such as believe, a wholesome example in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in chastity, and in purity; that, faithfully fulfilling his course, at the latter day he may receive the crown of righteousness, laid up by the Lord Jesus, the righteous Judge, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen

An Easter Praise Litany from New Zealand

The risen Christ meets us at the tomb, and turns our tears to joy.
For your love and goodness
we give you thanks, O God.

Christ comes through our locked doors, and turns our fear to courage.
For your love and goodness
we give you thanks, O God.

Christ comes to daily life and work, and turns our failure to new vision.
For your love and goodness
we give you thanks, O God.

Christ breaks the bread, and turns our despair to hope.
For your love and goodness
we give you thanks, O God.

from a longer Easter service, found here.

Luke 5:1-11

So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that he stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, (Luke 5:1)
      Jesus, we pray for all those going to the Diocesan Convention that we will press in to hear your word.

and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. (Luke 5:2)
      Jesus, come into our work lives as you did with Simon.

Then he got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. (Luke 5:3)
      Holy Spirit, guide us in our work lives so that they become the means by which people are taught by you.

When he had stopped speaking, he said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)
      Father, please help us heed Jesus’ commands and launch out into the deep to let our nets down. Help us recognize and respond to the mission opportunities you place before us.

But Simon answered and said to him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5:5)
      Jesus, Master, help us go the extra mile for you.

And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. (Luke 5:6)
      Father, please help us bring in the catch you have for us.

So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. (Luke 5:7)
      Holy Spirit, please help us assist one another throughout the diocese to bring in the catch.

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:8 )
      Jesus, help us acknowledge our sins before you as Simon Peter did.

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; (Luke 5:9)
      Jesus, surprise us with joy at the catch you bring in.

and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” (Luke 5:10)
      Father, help us set aside our fear of the unknown and become effective fishers of men.

So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed him. (Luke 5:11)
      Jesus, help us throughout the diocese to forsake all to follow you. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my people. Cry out to me for my people. Listen to me, my people. Hear my word, heed my word. Let my word take root in your hearts.

Thursday: 37:1-18; Daniel 5:13-30; 1 John 5:13-20(21); Luke 5:1-11
Friday: 105:1-22; Daniel 6:1-15; 2 John 1-13; Luke 5:12-26

Albany Intercessor

For our nation

On April 30, 1863, during the darkest days of our country, President Abraham Lincoln called for a day of united prayer and fasting.

Lord God Almighty, who hast made all the peoples of the earth for thy glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with thy gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Anglican Consultative Council

1 John 5:21 (Amplified Bible)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)–[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).

O Father, may it be so for the participants in the Anglican Consultative Council. Amen.

An Easter Prayer by Helen Steiner Rice: May this Easter Grandeur Awaken Faded Flowers of Faith

God, give us eyes to see
the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty
in every living thing -
And may we see in lacy leaves
and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe
with gentleness and power -
And may this Easter grandeur
that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith
lying dormant in our hearts,
And give us ears to hear, dear God,
the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful
than man’s often empty words
Telling harried human beings
who are lost in dark despair -
‘Be like us and do not worry
for God has you in His care.

–Helen Steiner Rice

found here

Easter Quotes: Trevin Wax – our coffins will not stay closed!

When people put their trust in Jesus, His resurrection power is released in their lives. We may die physically, but we cannot die spiritually. And what’s more, even physical death will be overturned by God on the Last Day.

The Resurrection of Jesus teaches us a vital truth: matter matters. The body is important. The Greek thinkers who believed matter to be evil and the spirit to be good were promoting a mindset foreign to the Jewish and Christian worldview. It is precisely because the body is valuable and God’s creation good that God has chosen to reclaim and redeem it, to stomp out the sin and destruction unleashed upon His beautiful world in the Garden of Eden.

We may taste death before Jesus returns, but one thing is certain: our coffins will not stay closed. Just as on Easter morning the grave could not hold Jesus, at the trumpet call of the Last Day, neither will the grave be able to hold the remains of those who are “in Christ.”

From a fantastic Easter reflection by baptist pastor Trevin Wax at Kingdom People.  Go read it all!

Psalm 38:1-9

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your wrath, nor chasten me in your hot displeasure! (Psalm 38:1)
      LORD, you know the sins of the Episcopal Church; correct us and guide us and draw us back to you.

For your arrows pierce me deeply, and your hand presses me down. (Psalm 38:2)
      Holy Spirit, pierce the hearts of the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. (Psalm 38:3)
      Jesus, your body the church is wounded and ill, have mercy on us and help us repent of our sins.

For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. (Psalm 38:4)
      Jesus the burden of the sin in the Episcopal Church is more than we can bear, please come and help us.

My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness. (Psalm 38:5)
      Father, deliver us and heal us.

I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. (Psalm 38:6)
      Holy Spirit, teach us in this diocese to mourn for the sins of the Episcopal Church.

For my loins are full of inflammation, and there is no soundness in my flesh. (Psalm 38:7)
      Holy Spirit, gird our loins with your truth.

I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart. (Psalm 38:8 )
      Holy Spirit, please help us turn to Jesus for the help only he can give.

Lord, all my desire is before you; and my sighing is not hidden from you. (Psalm 38:9)
      Lord Jesus, restore us with the strength and compassion of the Holy Spirit and let the light of your word illumine our path.

      A word received: I AM. You are in my care. Look to me, keep your eyes on me. Let me guide you.

Wednesday: 38; Daniel 5:1-12; 1 John 5:1-12; Luke 4:38-44
Thursday: 37:1-18; Daniel 5:13-30; 1 John 5:13-20(21); Luke 5:1-11

      Notes from the Front Line

      Holy Spirit, help us at the Diocesan Convention grieve for the sins of the Episcopal Church and turn to Jesus in repentance.

Albany Intercessor

Yet more profiles on ACC laity

The Church in Wales
Mrs Helen Biggin
Supports women bishops in Wales.

The Church in the Province of the West Indies
Dr Barton Scotland
Lawyer–foreign affairs and economic development. Diocese of Guyana.

Co-opted Members
Mr Michael Lee Tamihere (Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia)
International Anglican Youth Network.

Brother George Siosi (Melanesian Brotherhood)
Head Brother. Attended Lambeth Conference as a chaplain.

Ms Sarah Tomlinson (Scotland)
International Anglican Youth Network. Helped stage prayer station labyrinth at Lambeth Conference. Glasgow University Student Representative Council, acting president.

Mrs Maria Christina Borges Alvarez (Cuba)
No information found.

A prayer for Melanesian Brotherhood companions, adapted.
STRENGTHEN, O God, we pray you, all participants in the Anglican Consultative Conference, that they may faithfully keep their promises and daily serve you in good works. Make them to be of one heart and mind, and show to others the love that comes from you. Let all that Jesus commanded his Church be to them as a light that never goes out, and their glad obedience as fire that is always burning, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

South Dakota

This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Daniel 5:12

The diocese of South Dakota is having bishop candidate walk-abouts tonight.

O Lord, grant the voting delegates and communicants of South Dakota keen minds, knowledge, and discernment during the walk-abouts and the upcoming election. Amen.

Still more profiles on ACC laity

Church of the Province of South East Asia
Dato Stanley Isaacs
Malaysian Barrister-at-Law with illustrious government career. Attended the 3rd Global South Encounter.

The Church of South India (United)
Mr J M Richard
Board of management of the Bishop Cotton Boys School and Girls School in Bangalore. Treasurer of St. Mark’s Resource Centre, Bangalore.

The Anglican Church of Tanzania
Mrs Judith K Ghemela
No information found.

The Church of the Province of Uganda
Mrs Jolly Babirukamu
Teacher and counselor. Anglican Peace and Justice Network and International Anglican Women’s Network. Served on the JSC at New Orleans and abstained from endorsing the report to the ABC regarding the response of TEC to the Dar es Salaam communique. On the Ugandan board of advisors of Juna Amagara Ministries.

The Episcopal Church
Ms Josephine Hicks
North Carolina attorney. Chair of TEC Executive Council Standing Committee on Administration and Finance. (The Executive Council allotted $2.3 million to the ACC from 2007-2009. Hicks had urged the council to approve the request saying it needed to make a “leadership statement.” ) Defends TEC litigation. International Anglican Women’s Network.

Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Anglican Consultative Council

My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD. Psalm 26

Dear Heavenly Father,
Even the demons know who Jesus is–the Holy One of God. We pray that the participants in the Anglican Consultative Conference, the support staff of the Anglican Communion Office, and the hosts in the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica recognize Jesus so well.
He is Love Incarnate, Love Divine. He knows our frame that we are mere dust, and He has compassion upon us. We are not worthy, but He is merciful and gracious.
You, dear Father, sent Him to us, in Your love. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your steadfast love towards those that fear You.
We fear You. We adore You. We bless You. We bless Your holy Name. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.
Open the ears of the Anglican Consultative Council to hear His voice when He calls them. Plant their feet on the Rock of Salvation. May they stand in the great assembly and praise the Holy One of God. Amen.

St. Gregory the Great’s Easter Prayer

It is only right,
with all the powers of our heart and mind,
to praise You Father
and Your Only-begotten Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ:
Dear Father, by Your wondrous
condescension of loving-kindness toward us,
Your servants, You gave up Your Son.
Dear Jesus You paid the debt of Adam
for us to the Eternal Father by
Your Blood poured
fourth in loving-kindness.
You cleared away the darkness of sin
By Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection.
You broke the bonds of death
and rose from the grave as a Conqueror.
You reconciled heaven and earth.
Our life had no hope of eternal happiness
before You redeemed us.
Your Resurrection has washed away our sins,
restored our innocence and brought us joy.
How inestimable is the tenderness
of Your love!

– Saint Gregory the Great’s Easter Prayer

found here

Psalm 27:1-3

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1a)
      Lord Jesus, once again I make the choice to trust you in my present circumstances.

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1b)
      Holy Spirit, fill me today with your strength and new life.

When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. (Psalm 27:2)
      Father, thank you for being my shelter in the storm, for holding me in your arms.

Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident. (Psalm 27:3)
      Father, please help me to hear what you said to King Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15) With Jehoshaphat we say, “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

      A word received: Don’t be afraid — turn to me. Look to me for my provision.

Monday: 25; Daniel 4:19-27; 1 John 3:19-4:6; Luke 4:14-30
Tuesday: 26, 28; Daniel 4:28-37; 1 John 4:7-21; Luke 4:31-37

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Holy Spirit, we ask you to move through all the administrative details and work that goes on in preparing for the Diocesan Convention. Bless those who labor in this ministry.

Albany Intercessor