Perspective From the Scriptures: He is the One who Stills the Tumult

May 11, 2009

(posted by KB)

The Psalms for today’s lectionary are quite extraordinary to read in light of the incredible conflict, confusion and sense of hurt and anguish over the outcome of Friday’s business session at the ACC.

There were many passages in today’s Psalms expressing outrage at injustice and crying out in anguish at being “trampled on” that I could have quoted. But what really leaped off the page at me this morning and greatly encouraged my heart was this declaration of our Lord’s power and majesty and the reminder that He is still at work revealing His glory to the ends of the earth, each morning and evening.

Psalm 65: 5-8

5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas;
6 the one who by his strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;
7 who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,
8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

***

Almighty Father, the schemes of man are as insignificant as dust to be brushed away compared to the awesomeness of Your majesty and power.   Lord Jesus, You commanded the roaring waves and winds of the Sea of Galillee to be stilled.  Still our hearts today and help us to stand in awe and thanksgiving of and for Your glory.  Still the tumult and confusion of the ACC meeting and demonstrate to all present that You reign.  Comfort and encourage the hearts of those who feel trampled on and help them to find strength in Your steadfast love and faithfulness.  May all who love You be reminded of Your sovereignty and Your promise that You will build Your church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  May we be working to see Your kingdom established even to the ends of the earth and today be proclaiming Your glory and Your victory.


Colossians 4:2-4

May 11, 2009

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)
      Father, move our hearts to prayer.

      Jesus, give us steadfastness and vigilance in prayer.

      Holy Spirit, file us with thanksgiving as we pray.

meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, (Colossians 4:3)
      Lord God, open the door for all your witnesses so that your word will go forth with power. We pray for all your witnesses who are in prison that they will find your freedom to share the gospel in their circumstances.

that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:4)
      Holy Spirit, please help us all show forth the light of the gospel wherever we are. Give us boldness in speaking your word. Thank you.

      A word received: Come to me; turn to me. I AM waiting for you. Turn to me. I AM waiting for my people to return to me. You have only to turn to me. Turn to me; let me guide you through this time. Pray for my people to seek me and my direction for the ordering of their lives and my church.

Monday: 56, 57, [58]; Wisdom 9:1,7-18 or Leviticus 16:1-19; Col. (3:18-4:1)2-18; Luke 7:36-50
Tuesday: 61, 62; Wisdom 10:1-4(5-12)13-21 or Leviticus 16:20-34; Romans 12:1-21; Luke 8:1-15

       Notes from the Front Line

***** Pray for all those attending the Diocesan Convention that they will seek God’s direction for the ordering of their lives, their parishes, and this diocese.

Albany Intercessor


Psalm 24:7-10

May 10, 2009

Lift up your heads, O you gates! (Psalm 24:7a)
      Lord, there are so many shut gates in your church and in this nation and in our personal lives.

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! (Psalm 24:7b)
      Jesus, there is no way we can lift up those barriers in our own strength.

And the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24:7c)
      Jesus, we long for you to re-enter the life of the Episcopal Church and the life of this nation and renew our own personal lives.

Who is this King of glory? (Psalm 24:8 )
      Jesus, you are the King of glory; there is no other.

The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8 )
      Jesus, you are Lord of the battle; we do not know what to do in the present circumstances, but our eyes are on you.

Lift up your heads, O you gates! (Psalm 24:9a)
      Jesus, with your help and strength carrying the main burden, help us by your Holy Spirit to do our part in lifting up the barriers that plague the Episcopal Church and this nation.

Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24:9b-c)
      Jesus, in your name and power we command every stronghold to be broken so that you may enter in with your glory.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:10)
      Jesus, you are the King of glory, and in your glory we see the heavens opened up and your father’s love revealed to us. Thank you.

       A word received: Pray for my purposes to be worked out in the church. Pray for new life and new hope for my people.

       A word received: Pray for my people to listen to my Spirit. You cannot get through this time on your own strength. Turn to me for strength and guidance — I will see you through. Keep your eyes on me.

Sunday: 24, 29; Wisdom 7:22-8:1 or Leviticus 8:1-13,30-36; 2 Thess. 2:13-17; Matthew 7:7-14
Monday: 56, 57, [58]; Wisdom 9:1,7-18 or Leviticus 16:1-19; Col. (3:18-4:1)2-18; Luke 7:36-50

       Notes from the Front Line

***** Pray for the barriers that divide us in this diocese be broken open by what happens at the Diocesan Convention.

Albany Intercessor


Prayer Table Reports: Albany, Gloversville, and Schenectady

May 9, 2009

Prayer Table Report
Saturday, May 9, 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.

+Rose and +Madelyn — women — “Good health and financial — very much so!”

+Nathan — older man — “I want to thank him for all he has done for me and that I will get through the rest of the day peacefully.”

+Yassin — Guyanese man — “I need a job.”

Alex — young man (wearing one of our crosses) — “for my family”

Linda — woman who is a regular

Pat — woman who is a regular — “This is my last week [before she moves to Atlantic City].”

+Raymond — Guyanese man — “I’m a Hindu.” We prayed with him and suggested that he ask God to reveal himself to him.

+Kevin — man with badly damaged hand [At first I thought he had had leprosy from the kind of damage I was seeing. It was similar to what I had seen on lepers hands in Liberia.] — He said his step-father had done that to him when he was a baby. He asked prayer “for my baby’s mama.”

+Ron and nephews +William and +Dillon — “for my girlfriend — she definitely needs it.”

+George (and +friend) — young men in early 20s — reluctant

Bob — older man, a repeater — “My chest is full of cancer.”

+Richard — man — stopped and asked for a cross

+Marlene and +Barbara — two young women who work at McDonalds — “for a better job”

Bill — man who works long hours — a regular

+John — young man

+Roopram — Guyanese man — He first passed by on the other side of the street and we called out to him. He continued on his way and then later came back on our side of the street. He said, “I thought you were selling health insurance.” After getting prayer for good health and peace he said, “This is a different kind of health insurance.”

(Man walking by when we asked if we could pray for him) — “Well, if you want to.”

Young man on the other side of the street pulled his cross out from his shirt to show us we had prayed for him before.

+Stephanie and +Timmaja — two young women — wanted prayer for +Michelle, Stephanie’s mom who is “very sick”.

(For a co-worker of a man) — His son just died.

+Chris — “for everything”

Jim — a regular — was just in the hospital for six days with a stomach infection; this was his first day out walking.

Prayer Table Report
(Sat., May 9, 2009; 10:30 – 11:30 — Dianne Gambill and David Carlson)
[+ --indicates received one of the wooden crosses from Dennis Adams of North Carolina.]

+ Marcus – was walking by with 2 other men – stopped to get a “blessing” – we prayed for the Lord’s health and blessing and that Marcus will know how much the Lord loves him

+ Keshia – asked for prayer for her family

+ Irvin – was walking by with 2 large bags of cans/bottles – when we called out to him and offered to pray he said, “maybe later” but then he turned around and came back saying, “I better get it now” – we prayed for the Lord to bless him, provide for him, and reveal Himself to him

3 college students – students from Word of Life Bible Institute (Schroon Lake), doing street evangelism in Schenectady this weekend – we prayed for the Lord’s anointing and guidance and that people would be ready to respond to the Lord and give their lives to Him

+ Kim – when we offered to pray for her, she said “I’ll take all the prayer I can get” – asked prayer for her family and for safety

Deb – BNI community worker – and Mark – they were giving out newsletters titled “What’s happening’ in Vale Community?” – we prayed for safety for them; Mark also asked for prayer as his pastor is away and he is going to be preaching tomorrow at State Street Presbyterian Church; he then prayed for us

Horace – asked us to pray for the Lord’s blessing

David Carlson

Prayer Table Report from Grace and Holy Innocents, Albany, NY
11:50 am to 12:30 pm at the parish soup kitchen, Louise Fisher and Torre Bissell
[+ --indicates received one of the wooden crosses from Dennis Adams of North Carolina.]

Terrance — young man, a repeat from last week — prayed for more work for him.

+Emmanuel — boy age 8 who had come previously — “for my family again”

+Nevaeh — girl age 4 (her name is heaven spelled backward) — brought by Emmanuel

+Nashon — boy age 3 nicknamed “Popup” — brought by Emmanuel

+Douglas “for my wife +Linda” We prayed with both Douglas and Linda. Linda had a pulmonary condition and was on oxygen. She has had a heart attack, two strokes, and an aneurism.

Wayne — a repeat from last week — prayed for work and for his mom.

+Tobari — boy age 12 — “money to buy food”

+Collin — boy age 8 — “for my family”

+Blue Jay — boy age 10

+Phaith — girl age 6

Ava — girl age 1

+Tamika — the mom of the above kids — we prayed for wisdom in raising these children.

+Antonio — the father of the above kids — we prayed he would grow into the man, the father, the husband that God wanted him to be.

+Katy — woman who writes songs and poems.

Prayer Table report from Trinity Gloversville
Date: Sat, 09 May 2009
From: Rev. Jackie Jones
Subject: Prayer Table Report-Gloversville
We put out out Prayer Table again today. Two people stopped for prayer. Others came by, but didn’t want prayer.One person, Don, was a Jehovah’s Witness. Please pray for JoAnn- married to an alcoholic, Thomas, not in recovery, and their children Christine and Tommy. Also pray for Daniel- a young man, who is angry at those who want to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Unfortunately, he has thought about painting graffiti on billboards to get his point across. Tried to convince him that there were legal means to express himself and God didn’t want him to end up in jail.
Please pray that as the Farmer’s Market opens up nearby, many would come for prayer.
God Bless, Jackie+

Albany Intercessor


South Dakota

May 9, 2009

Today is a bishop election.  May the delegates seek and hear the still, small voice of God.


Forgiveness

May 9, 2009

Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden]; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.  But he knows not that the shades of the dead are there [specters haunting the scene of past transgressions].   Proverbs 9:17-18a Amp 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Guard us from the sins of anger, hate, revenge, spite, and chicanery.  We do not wish the present transgressions to become the fertile soil of unforgiveness, giving berth to the root of bitterness.   May we forgive. 

Purify us so that Your Church, the resurrected Body of Christ, will not be haunted by shades of death, but rather will rise in newness of life, revived and transformed.  Help us to yield to You so that we may forgive _____ as Christ forgave His persecutors.  Deliver us from being hardened wineskins.  Make our hearts new. 

Raise up shepherds who will tend us.  Remove the filter of our mistrust so that we may recognize the godly leaders that You bring to us and pray for them.  Amen.  

Reference:  Francis Frangipane


Gregory of Nazianzus on the cure of souls

May 9, 2009

Today is the feast day of Gregory of Nazianzus

The scope of our art is to provide the soul with wings, to rescue it from the world and give it to God, and to watch over that which is in His image, if it abides. To take it by the hand, if it is in danger, or restore it, if ruined, to make Christ to dwell in the heart by the Spirit: and, in short, to deify, and bestow heavenly bliss upon, one who belongs to the heavenly host.   

This is the wish of our schoolmaster the law, of the prophets who intervened between Christ and the law, of Christ who is the fulfiller and end of the spiritual law; of the emptied Godhead, of the assumed flesh, of the novel union between God and man, one consisting of two, and both in one.


My reflection on May 8, ACC-14

May 9, 2009

1. There will be a resurrection. Read the rest of this entry »


Georgia’s prayer

May 9, 2009

A reader named Georgia left this prayer as a comment yesterday.

Holy Father, Please send Your warring angels to sever the cords of deception and death, the bonds of financial, idealogical and political power that have taken hold of Your Church. Remove the money-changers who would exhange the truth of God for a lie and interfere with Your Redemption, quench Your Spirit and silence Your healing sanctifying Truth.
Have mercy upon Your Church. Help us to value and cherish You above all else. Take our hearts and eyes away from idols and deceptions.
Have mercy.
In Jesus’Name, Amen


Luke 7:29-35

May 9, 2009

And when all the people heard him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. (Luke 7:29-30)
      Holy Father, have mercy on this generation, for many of our leaders and teachers reject the baptism of repentance and affirm what you have rejected as sin. Holy Spirit, bring them to repentance.

And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep.’” (Luke 7:31-32)
      Lord Jesus, have mercy on this generation, for we have expected you to dance to our tune. Help us repent of our arrogance toward you.

“For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Luke 7:33-34)
      Lord Jesus, you will judge us on that last day; have mercy on us and help us repent of judging you — of thinking you must meet our standards. You are the standard of righteousness.

“But wisdom is justified by all her children.” (Luke 7:35)
      Father, bless us with wisdom and your Holy Spirit. Help us seek out and see the path you have marked out for us in this diocese. Father, please bring all of us in this diocese to the pace where we will have one faith — grounded in apostolic teaching, one Lord — Jesus Christ, and one baptism — of repentance and the Holy Spirit. Thank you.

      A word received: Turn to me in repentance. Return to me. Give me the burden of your sin. I can bear it, you cannot. Don’t be afraid — I already know your sin. Turn to me, let me bear your sin. Don’t turn away — yield your sin to me, I will forgive.

Saturday: 55; Wisdom 7:1-14 or Exodus 40:18-38; Col. 3:12-17; Luke 7:18-28(29-30)31-35;
Sunday: 24, 29; Wisdom 7:22-8:1 or Leviticus 8:1-13,30-36; 2 Thess. 2:13-17; Matthew 7:7-14

       Notes from the Front Line

***** Pray for that the hearts of those attending the Diocesan Convention will be moved to true and lasting repentance.

Albany Intercessor


Praise unleashes spiritual warfare

May 8, 2009

God inhabits the praises of His people. In His presence, His enemies melt like hot wax. (Psalm 22:3, 68:2) Read Revelation 19:1-16.

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Come Faithful and True,
Come to judge and make war. Come riding on a white horse. Come to Kingston, to the Pegasus Hotel, to the Anglican Consultative Council. Come. Come KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Amen.


Praise stirs the zeal of Jesus

May 8, 2009

Study Matthew 21:7-16. This is a critical juncture in the history of the Anglican Communion. Make it a day of continuous praise. Turn on that praise music!

Hosanna to the son of David:
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.


Psalm 40 NLT

May 8, 2009

A timely psalm for a momentous day. Today the Anglican Consultative Council votes on the covenant and on the Windsor Continuation Group. This past week, I was worshipping with a group of women. We took turns singing the psalms, chosen at random. It was interesting. One sounded like a Gregorian chant, another like a dirge, another like a ballad, etc. Try singing it.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand[a]—
you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:
8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart.”

9 I have told all your people about your justice.
I have not been afraid to speak out,
as you, O Lord, well know.
10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles surround me—
too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
I have lost all courage.

13 Please, Lord, rescue me!
Come quickly, Lord, and help me.
14 May those who try to destroy me
be humiliated and put to shame.
May those who take delight in my trouble
be turned back in disgrace.
15 Let them be horrified by their shame,
for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

16 But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”
17 As for me, since I am poor and needy,
let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
O my God, do not delay.


Luke 7:1-10

May 8, 2009

Now when he concluded all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. (Luke 7:1)
      Jesus, please enter our communities. Come into Schenectady and Hamilton Hill.

And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. (Luke 7:2)
      Jesus, we come to you for those who are dear to us and are sick or near death.

So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, pleading with him to come and heal his servant. (Luke 7:3)
      Thank you for the intercession of these elders; help each of us to be an intercessor those in need among us.

And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying that the one for whom he should do this was deserving, (Luke 7:4)
      Lord, so many are deserving and no one speaks up for them; help us speak to you for them — for the lost and the least.

“for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” (Luke 7:5)
      Father, please pour out your blessing on all those who love your people — the children of Israel.

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. (Luke 7:6)
      Holy Spirit, none of us are worthy to invite Jesus into our homes, but prompt us to remember his great love for us and invite him in anyway. Jesus, you make us worthy to do this when we are not; thank you.

Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. (Luke 7:7)
      Jesus, please speak the word and those we love will be healed.

For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Luke 7:8 )
      Father, we are a rebellious people who have forgotten what it is like to be under authority. Restore us as a nation and as a church to being under the authority of Jesus.

When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Luke 7:9)
      Jesus, please help us recognize and honor true faith in you when we encounter it.

And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick. (Luke 7:10)
  &nbs
p;   Lord Jesus, please let the Diocesan Convention be an occasion for healing the wounds in the body of the Diocese of Albany. As we return from it, help us find that healing and reconciliation have taken place throughout the diocese. Thank you.

      A word received: Tell my people of my love for them. I want you to share the good news of my love for my people — even for my wandering sheep.

Friday: 40, 54; Wisdom 6:12-23 or Exodus 34:18-35; Col. 3:1-11; Luke 7:1-17
Saturday: 55; Wisdom 7:1-14 or Exodus 40:18-38; Col. 3:12-17; Luke 7:18-28(29-30)31-35;

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Pray for those who come interceding for others at the healing service at the Diocesan Convention that their prayers will be answered.

Albany Intercessor


National Day of Prayer

May 7, 2009

I have nothing special or new to post today for the National Day of Prayer, but there are a number of great prayers for our country which you can find in our archives (Patriotic category).

Here are a few links:

For Our Nation

Prayers for our country & president


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