Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, (Luke 3:15)
Holy Spirit, please give us expectation and hope about what you will do among us.
John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16)
Jesus, please baptize us all with your Holy Spirit and with fire.
“His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor, and gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:17)
Jesus, please come soon and thoroughly clean out the church and gather your faithful ones to yourself.
And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. (Luke 3:18 )
Father, help us hear and respond to the exhortations of your witnesses.
But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison. (Luke 3:19-20)
Jesus, rebuke those who call evil good and good evil.
When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while he prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are my beloved son; in you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22)
Father, thank you for opening a way to heaven for us through your son Jesus. Let your Holy Spirit come on us daily so that we know we have been adopted by you and can call you, “Abba, Father.” Thank you.
A word received: Pray for my people — pray they will be set free from deception. Pray for new hope for my people — pray they will put their hope and trust in me. Pray for a spirit of generosity to flow through the diocese. Pray that my people will be generous with their time and talents and resources. Pray that they will be wells of living water overflowing with my Spirit. Pray for a generous outflow of my Spirit throughout the diocese.
Friday: 16, 17; Daniel 3:1-18; 1 John 3:1-10; Luke 3:15-22
Saturday: 20, 21:1-7(8-14); Daniel 3:19-30; 1 John 3:11-18; Luke 4:1-13
Notes from the Front Line
***** Pray for the Diocesan Convention that it will be a threshing floor of the Holy Spirit.
Albany Intercessor
