Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (Psalm 1:1)
      Holy Spirit, please help us recognize the heavy cost of the counsel of the ungodly, the paths of sinners, and being scornful. Help us shun these and enter God’s blessing.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
      Father, please help us delight in your word and teaching. Please graft your word into our hearts.

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)
      Jesus, plant us by streams of living water, and make our lives fruitful for your kingdom. Bless the work of our hands and minds so that it prospers.

The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. (Psalm 1:4)
      Jesus, we cry out to you for those who don’t know you, that you will bless them with a saving knowledge of you.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (Psalm 1:5)
      Father, help us to be faithful and effective witnesses to those who do not know your love for them.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psalm 1:6)
      LORD, help us walk in your righteous ways. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my little ones who walk by faith. Pray they will catch glimpses of me in their daily lives. Pray for their oppressors — pray they will repent. Pray for my little ones — for the lost and the least; pray they will find me mighty to save.

Monday: 1, 2, 3; Daniel 1:1-21; 1 John 1:1-10; John 17:1-11
Tuesday: 5, 6; Daniel 2:1-16; 1 John 2:1-11; John 17:12-19

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Pray for the travel to and from the Diocesan Convention that it will be guided and directed by the Holy Spirit and guarded by the holy angels.

Albany Intercessor

John 14:1-7

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1)
      Jesus, our hearts are often troubled; please help us turn to you with belief in you and trust in you. Thank you.

In my father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)
      Jesus, thank you for preparing a place for us.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3)
      Father, we long for that day when we are received into Jesus’ open arms.

And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:4)
      Holy Spirit, please help us keep our eyes on Jesus so that we will know the way.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)
      Father, we cry out to you for all those in the Episcopal Church who do not know where Jesus has gone, neither do they know the way to get there.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
      Jesus, please help all of us in the Episcopal Church to know you as the way to the Father, the truth, and the life. Help us receive the new life in your Holy Spirit that you offer us.

“If you had known me, you would have known my father also; and from now on you know him and have seen him.” (John 14:7)
      Holy Spirit, please help us to know Jesus as he is and his father. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my people to turn to me. Pray for my church to receive me into their hearts. Pray for my people to be a faithful witness.

Sunday: 146, 147; Isaiah 43:8-13; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-7
Monday: 1, 2, 3; Daniel 1:1-21; 1 John 1:1-10; John 17:1-11

      Notes from the Front Line

Pray for the times of rest and the breaks that they will be times of bonding by the Holy Spirit.

Albany Intercessor

Easter Quotes: The first dawning of a better hope

Happy then this day to us; happy we that this day came, which opens to us a door of hope—have reason, therefore, to remember it, and with joy to keep it, as the first dawning of a better hope, the day-spring of all our happiness. This day our head is risen, and with him our hope has enlarged its borders, and made a prospect into the other world, sees some comfort there for our sorrows here. This day’s bright -shining beams have lightened our eyes, that now we shall not sleep in death; a Sunday indeed, the first true Sunday that ever shone, wherein the Sun of righteousness arose out of the chambers of the grave, to guide our feet out of misty darkness into marvellous light–out of the paths of the dead into the land of the living–out of this miserable into a blessed life by Christ’s resurrection.”

Rev. Mark Frank (1613-1664)
Sermons (Vol. II)

hat tip: Common Cause Prayer blog

Anglican Consultative Council

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the clouds. You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

Your Son Jesus has prepared a place for us, an abiding place, through which flows living water. Lead the members of the Anglican Consultative Council–Rowan, John, George, Anthony, Turi, Andrew, Robert, Sarah, Sunil, Joanildo, Martin, Stephen, Susan, Suzanne, James, Daniel, Maria, Kahwa, Joyce, Michael, Elizabeth, Rose, Peter, Razafindralambo, Michel, Kate, Maurice, Lawrence, Azad, Samson, Amos, Abraham, Merilyn, Sarai, San, Abraham, Abraham, Ashish, Vincent, Humphrey, Shahid, Floyd, Josias, Jane, John, Dato, John, Moses, J. M., Thabo, Janet, Ezekiel, Enock, Gerard, Mwita, Judith, Jolly, Catherine, Ian, Josephine, Christopher, Helen, Barton, Cornell, Kumara, Michael, George, Sarah, Maria, Carlos, Phillip, Mouneer, Katherine, Bill, and Barry–to still water.

Jesus, You are the Life; bear their griefs. You are the Truth; carry their sorrows. Wash away their transgressions. Cleanse them and restore their souls. In Your light may they see light. Amen.

Anglican Consultative Council

O Lord,
We praise You. We will praise You all of our lives. We will sing praises to You as long as we live.
We will not put our hopes in the devices and desires of our own hearts, but in You. You are our help and our hope. Bless the Anglican Consultative Council.
You made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. You made the Caribbean Sea, the island of Jamaica, the Liguanea Plain, and the Hope River. Remain faithful to the Anglican Consultative Council as it convenes there.
Uphold the cause of the oppressed. Give food to those who hunger for righteousness. Release those who have been imprisoned, blinded, and oppressed by Satan. Love the righteous. Watch over the lonely. Heal our wounded understanding of You. Frustrate the wicked.
May You reign forever over the Anglican Communion. Amen.
Psalm 146

Prayer Table Report

      PRAYER TABLE REPORT
Saturday, April 18, 2009; at Christ Church in Schenectady. Torre Bissell and Don Foust, 9:20-10:30 a.m.
+–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

Torre and Don “Our low-tech operation”

+Clifford — middle-aged man — for his baby girl named Journey and Akida, for his family, and all the sick and suffering and the poor — “that God keeps me on the right path and I thank him for everything I have.”

+Alex — young man who stopped last week also — “for me and my family” he passed the prayer table when he saw we were praying with someone else and then came back when we were done.

+Charles — young man — “for my friend +Cody, a couple of days ago got held up at gun point” prayed for protection and provision

+Issa — young woman who has come the last couple of weeks– “for my brother Michael who is in Missouri being trained for combat, my mother is OK.”

Pedro — young man — he got a job, looked very happy, we also prayed for his wife Norma.

+Luis — man –got thrown out of half-way house, on the street, goes to Narcotics Anonymous meetings at Christ Church, gave his life anew to Jesus. He said he walked by the prayer table last week and didn’t stop, this week he did.

+Patricia — grandmother with grandson +Jihad — broken little finger from taking care of Jihad, Patricia has congestive heart failure. Wanted prayer for Beth Ann “my baby girl”, Richard her son who is “paraplegic and terminal”, and daughters Christina and Michelle who are diabetic.

+Amin — man — at City Mission, just got out of jail

Robert — man — confused but looking

Jim — man, a frequent visitor — prayed for the comfort of the Holy Spirit for him because of the death of his son Robert at age 31.

Hussein — Muslim man, a repeat customer from last year — crossed the street to get prayer

Eric and Eric Jr. (with trumpet) — on the way to the Macedonia Seventh Day Adventist Church around the corner on Swan St.

Christy — woman, a repeat from last year — “that I will stay clean and lead a good life.”

      PRAYER TABLE REPORT #2 (Christ Church Schenectady)

(Sat., April 11, 2009; 10:30 – 11:30 — Dianne Gambill and David Carlson)
[+ --indicates received one of the wooden crosses from Dennis Adams of North Carolina.]

PRAYER TABLE REPORT #2

(Sat., April 18, 2009; 10:30 – 11:30 — Dianne Gambill and David Carlson)

[+ --indicates received one of the wooden crosses from Dennis Adams of North Carolina.]

+++ David – young man in his 20’s who was walking by as we were “changing shifts” from the first hour of the prayer table – Torre asked what he would like prayer for and he said “happy family” – we did pray that they would be happy and that they would know that Jesus loves them; David took crosses for himself and his 2 kids

+ mother with a toddler and a baby – politely declined our offer for prayer but she did allow her little girl to accept a cross

+ Marcus – 14-yr-old on a bike – stopped for prayer and seemed to have something on his mind – we asked if school is going well and he said ‘no’ – we prayed for him, his family, for school – protection and provision; we assured him that God loves him and has a plan for his life; we both felt that there was something else he wanted to say, some burden – we told him the prayer table is open on Saturdays between 9:30 and 11:30 and that he can always come back for prayer any time

++ Serita – stopped at the table and asked prayer for her marriage, which we did; she came back about 20 minutes later and asked if we know anyone who can provide marriage counseling; we gave her one of the Christ Church cards and told her to call the church office and ask for Pastor Brad; she said she is reading the book, “The Power of a Praying Wife”

+ Cedrick – young teenage boy – seemed uncomfortable but was willing to let us pray for him and his family

middle-aged man – asked for prayer for his friend in NYC (woman named Bahesia) who has been fighting cancer off and on since 1998; we prayed for her healing and also prayed for the man that the Lord would bless him and make him a blessing to others; he thanked us and said “it’s not every day that you get prayed for!”

++ Bita – woman walking by to catch a bus – said she didn’t have time to stop – we said that we’re always here on Saturday mornings if she has a burden – she then stopped and asked prayer for her 17-yr-old son Brandon who is in jail; we prayed for protection for him and the Lord’s covering over all the details

++ Joshua and Jordan – 2 teenage boys who rode up on their bikes and waited patiently while we prayed for someone ahead of them – Joshua asked prayer for his family, Jordan asked prayer for healing

+ Pablo – older man who also stopped last week – said everything is good in his life – we prayed that it would stay that way

Albany Intercessor

Intercessors for the Anglican Consultative Council

Isaiah 25:1-2
O LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.
You have made the city a heap of rubble,
the fortified town a ruin,
the foreigners’ stronghold a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.

O Lord,
We praise Your name for You have done marvelous things.
How many strongholds of false thinking and willful habits have I constructed in my soul? Take pity. Knock down those strongholds of sin to which I so closely cling. Cleanse me, I pray.
Cleanse Your intercessors for the Anglican Communion. Teach us how to pray. Teach us how to love Your church, the bride of Christ. Help us to love the Anglican Consultative Council with the love of Christ. Knock down those strongholds that hinder this work. Amen.

Acts 4:13-20

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
      Jesus, please help the laity of this diocese to daily spend time with you and give us boldness in proclaiming the truth of the gospel and in telling all that you have done for us.

And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. (Acts 4:14)
      Bless the ministry of healing throughout this diocese, Father, and let it be a witness to your love for us.

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, (Acts 4:15)
      Holy Spirit, come in a transforming way into the councils of the Episcopal Church.

saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (Acts 4:16)
      Jesus, please let the miracles you do among us move the hearts of the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church to turn to you. Don’t let them miss what you have prepared for them.

But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” (Acts 4:17)
      Father, don’t let the hearts of your faithful witnesses be moved by any threats, don’t let your witnesses be silenced by fear of reproach by church leaders.

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:18 )
      Holy Spirit, help us disobey every such command. Don’t let us give in to any demands for political correctness.

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)
      Jesus, let our hearts burn with the desire to speak the things we have heard and seen you do. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my people to remember my mercy. Pray they will know their need for my mercy. Pray for a new openness to my word and my Spirit. Pray for hearts that are warmed by my Spirit.

Saturday: 145; Isaiah 25:1-9; Acts 4:13-21(22-31); John 16:16-33
Sunday: 146, 147; Isaiah 43:8-13; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-7

      Notes from the Front Line

Pray for the Diocesan Convention to equip us to be disciples who boldly proclaim the gospel.

Albany Intercessor

Anglican Consultative Council

Daniel 12 The End Times
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We are sinful creatures and have brought shame upon Your church. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy.
We pray that the members of the Anglican Consultative Conference will be wise. We pray that they will lead the Communion to righteousness.
Stir their hearts to seek Your face. Give them a hunger for Holy Scripture. Shape their thoughts; bring their minds into alignment with the mind of Christ. Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Only in Him can we rest secure. Only in Him can we find life everlasting.
Bless them with wisdom and righteousness. Amen.

Psalm 136:1-9

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! For his mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)
      LORD, thank you for your enduring mercy.

Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For his mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:2)
      LORD, so often you called your people to repentance and told them to put away their idols so that they could worship you with a pure heart. Help us put aside every idolatry so that we can worship you as we should.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For his mercy endures forever: (Psalm 136:3)
      Jesus, you are Lord of heaven and earth; thank you for your mercy.

To him who alone does great wonders, for his mercy endures forever; (Psalm 136:4)
      Holy Spirit, help us daily tell others of your great mercy to us.

To him who by wisdom made the heavens, for his mercy endures forever; (Psalm 136:5)
      Holy Spirit, help us to worship the creator, not the creation.

To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, for his mercy endures forever; (Psalm 136:6)
      Father, help us to be faithful stewards of your creation.

To him who made great lights, for his mercy endures forever– (Psalm 136:7)
      Jesus, please help us to walk by your light.

The sun to rule by day, for his mercy endures forever; (Psalm 136:8 )
      Jesus, help us to walk by your “sonlight” — to be faithful children of your father.

The moon and stars to rule by night, for his mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:9)
      Jesus, there is no darkness dark enough to hide us from your light. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my people to rest in me. Pray that my people will look to me for rest and refreshment. Pray that they will receive my Holy Spirit with open hearts.

Friday: 136; Daniel 12:1-4, 13; Acts 4:1-12; John 16:1-15
Saturday: 145; Isaiah 25:1-9; Acts 4:13-21(22-31); John 16:16-33

      Notes from the Front Line

Pray for the Diocesan Convention to be a time of renewal and rest for all who attend.

Albany Intercessor

A Prayer of Adoration for Easter: Te Deum Laudamus

From our archives, originally posted January 12, 2005

ADORATION: Te Deum Laudamus

Filed under: Prayers & Prayer Themes, Adoration, Illustrated Devotionals — Karen B.

Te Deum Laudamus (1662 BCP)

WE praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubin and Seraphin : continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death : thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants : whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people : and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.

art credit: Web Gallery of Art Fra Angelico, Transfiguration, 1440-41, Fresco, Convento di San Marco, Florence

An Easter Blessing prayer

From the Creighton University Praying Easter Week site

Through the resurrection of Jesus
God has redeemeed us and made us his children.

May God bless us with joy.

Amen.

Our Redeemer has given us lasting freedom.

May we inherit everlasting life.

Amen.

By faith, we rose with Jesus in baptism.

May our lives be holy,
so that we will be united with Jesus for ever.

Amen.

May almighty God bless us,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

John 15:11-17

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)
      Jesus, please help us enter into the joy you have prepared for us.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
      Jesus, help us love one another throughout this diocese. Please help us lay aside old rancor and bitterness. Help us see beyond ideology and know the love you have for those we disagree with.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
      Holy Spirit, help us show forth this love at the Diocesan Convention.

“You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14)
      Father, please help us to do all that Jesus commands us to do.

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from my father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)
      Father, no matter what the national church does, help us in this diocese walk by the light you have given us in your son Jesus.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” (John 15:16)
      Holy Spirit, please help us show forth your fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help us have the mind of Jesus when we pray to the Father so that we enter fully into his will.

“These things I command you, that you love one another.” (John 15:17)
      Lord, we have so often messed up on the first ten commandments, don’t let us fail on this as well. Help us daily embrace your cross, Jesus. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my people to listen to me. Pray for them to read the Bible with understanding that leads to repentance. Pray for my word to be grafted into their hearts. Pray for hope based on my word.

Thursday: 146, 147; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 3:11-26; John 15:12-27
Friday: 136; Daniel 12:1-4, 13; Acts 4:1-12; John 16:1-15

Albany Intercessor

Easter Quotes – What happened on Easter?

This comment from Phil Snyder (of the Deacon’s slant blog) which he left at TitusOneNine the other day caught my eye.

A former Rector of mine once opened his Easter sermon with “If you ever ask a priest “What happened on Easter?” and the priest responds: “Well, that’s complicated…” run.  Do not walk; run away from that priest as fast as you can.

What happened on Easter?  God the Father raised Jesus Christ to new life.  “What” is not difficult.  “How,” on the other hand, is almost always difficult and we will never really know this side of heaven.  I know that God raised Jesus to defeat death and sin and to pay the price for my sins (and the sins of the whole world).  That’s all I need to know.  I don’t need to know how.

Even while we seek, like the Apostle Paul, to press on to more deeply know Christ and the power of His resurrection, may we never lose sight of the “simple” straightforward truth of the message of Easter.  May these truths never become trite or stale and may the Lord give us faith to truly believe in His victory.

Anglican Consultative Council

The ACC is scheduled to meet in May, in Kingston, Jamaica. The city is sited on the Liguanea Plain, an alluvial plain located next to the Hope River.

Psalm 146:5 (New International Version)

 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
       whose hope is in the LORD his God,

O Lord,

May Your Holy Spirit flow through the Anglican Consultative Council meeting.  May each member place his hope in You, and may their work be blessed.  Amen.