Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table report June 6, 9:25-10:30AM Don and Candace Foust
+–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

Gary-a middle aged man–health for family and friends. He said he had prayed earlier today.

+Milton–a young man, prayed for strength for his family; he had recently been absent from his family for awhile. He said he liked the plain wooden crosses because Jesus didn’t have a golden cross and he liked the empty cross because it shows that the Lord had risen.

Rena, a middle aged woman– believes she is ‘cursed’, not happy. Prayed for the forgiveness of sins.

Frank, an older man–led us in prayer for President Obama to bring peace to the Middle East.

+Daniel, a young man and +friend (a young woman)–for a better life.

Dianna, a young woman–prayed for her family.

Lester, a middle-aged repeat visitor–for protection.

Woman on porch across the street–we yelled if she wanted prayer. She nodded, stood on the porch, and we prayed God would draw her like a magnet. She went back into the house.

Sandy, a young woman who at first refused prayer, walking past us to the bus stop, but came back and requested prayer for her sister Jen.

+Brandon, a middle aged man–for his daughter Chantai who is home from college looking for a job.

+Danielle, a young woman–was hurrying to get to the bus, but stopped for prayer. She asked for God to guide and bless her relationship with her fiance’.

Lady walking by–”No, I’ve already prayed today and I’m a Christian, too.”

Couple walking by–”Not now, in a minute,” While they never stopped back, we prayed for the pregnant woman’s unborn child and that they would be good parents.

Jim, a repeat visitor–for protection and good health.

+Chester, a repeat visitor from Faith In Action Sunday–for strength for today.

+John–Guyanese man with no family, who “works, eats, sleeps and drinks”–for strength and wisdom to stay away from alcohol’s temptations. We reminded him that we have been adopted into God’s family. He thanked us for the Prayer Table–a place where people in the Neighborhood can come for comfort.

Robert, a repeat visitor–who showed us the wooden cross he received 4 years ago from the Prayer Table. He shortened the cord so he cannot take it off. It stays on him 24/7. He was going down to NYC to visit his grandchildren and asked us for crosses for them+++ and his wife+.

Albany Intercessor

Luke 18:31-43

Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge him and kill him. and the third day he will rise again.” But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken. (Luke 18:31-34)
      Lord, these things you have said are still not understood by many of your disciples; they are hidden from them and they do not know the things you have spoken. Have mercy on your people and give all of us knowledge of the things you have said. Please open our ears to your word.

Then it happened, as he was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. (Luke 18:35)
      Jesus, please heal our blindness — physical and spiritual.

And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. (Luke 18:36)
      Holy Spirit, please give us inquiring hearts as you did this man.

So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. (Luke 18:37)
      Father, help us tell others when you are moving among us.

And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38 )
      Father, thank you for those witnesses who first told this man about Jesus so that he is able to cry out to him now. Please help us to be faithful witnesses of your love and power.

Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:39)
      Holy Spirit, help us cry out to Jesus in our hour of need. Don’t let us be silenced by those who don’t recognize our need for Jesus’ help.

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he had come near, he asked him, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” (Luke 18:40-41)
      Jesus, please help all of us hear your invitation to speak to you. Lord, wherever I am blind, please may I also receive my sight.

Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 18:42)
      Holy Spirit, please give each of us the gift of faith so that we may be made well.

And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. (Luke 18:43)
      Jesus, thank you for the mighty work you were doing at the healing service at the Diocesan Convention. Help each of us who were there give praise to God. Thank you.

Monday: 56, 57, [58]; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Luke 18:31-43
Tuesday: 61, 62; Deuteronomy 30:11-20; 2 Corinthians 11:1-21a; Luke 19:1-10

       Notes from the Front Line

I thank God for Bishop Bill’s powerful and clear articulation of the faith Friday night and for the way the Convention responded to it. We didn’t have time to take our PC in for service on Friday so it is going in this morning. Please pray it will be fixed quickly. Torre

Albany Intercessor

Luke, 2 Corinthians, and Ephesians

Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. (Luke 18:15)
      Lord Jesus, help us welcome children and infants with all their noise and confusion into our church services.

But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16)
      Holy Spirit, give us eyes to see your kingdom in the infants, children and youth of our parishes. Help us really welcome families with children and make provision for their nurture.

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. (2 Corinthians 96:)
      Father, help us give of ourselves generously in reaching out to young families and youth.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
      Jesus, please help us follow through in opening our hearts and our parishes to all that you send us. Help us give of ourselves to welcome them in. Thank you.

       A word received: Pray for my redeeming work among my people. Pray for new life and new hope for my people. Pray for an increase of charity towards one another for my people.

      A word received: I AM with you. I AM winnowing your heart.

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (Ephesians 4:1)
      Lord, you have made me worthy — help me daily walk out your call to me.

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:2)
      Jesus, I ask you to help me meet those you place on my path with love, humility, gentleness, and longsuffering. Help me bear their burdens with your love.

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
      Holy Spirit, do a work of unity throughout this diocese by joining us together in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)
      Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing us into the body of Christ and giving us hope.

one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (Ephesians 4:5)
      Jesus, you are Lord. Thank you for our baptism which made us part of your body.

one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6)
      Father, thank you for what you have done in our lives through your son Jesus and through your Holy Spirit.

A word received: Praise me for the joy of fellowship in my body. Praise me for hope that endures. Praise for love that overcomes. Praise me for who I AM.

Trinity Sunday: 146, 147; Ecclesiasticus. 43:1-12(27-33) or Job 38:1-11, 42:1-5; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 1:1-18
Monday: 56, 57, [58]; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Luke 18:31-43

       Notes from the Front Line

My sense of things is that the Holy Spirit was doing open-heart surgery on many at the Diocesan Convention. The worship had a wonderful power to it and the business sessions were marked by real charity where there was disagreement. I was deeply moved by the standing ovation for retired bishop Dan Herzog at the end of the Youth Mass today. Torre

Albany Intercessor

Remember the Lord your God and reclaim the field

Deuteronomy 8:18 (New International Version)
But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Six weeks ago, the Holy Spirit dropped the word ‘chaos’ into my spirit. I initially thought it was intended for a friend, then for the church. I’ve come to the realization that it is also intended for something far wider. I will be posting prayers for the economy and business sector.
This call took me by surprise. I have always been an employee of someone else and never particularly interested in money. It is such a kick to witness God bringing His kingdom to earth!
Christians are reticent about praying for business success. We associate money with terms like “filthy lucre” and “mammon.” To an extent, we have walked off of the playing field in a critical sector of our society. This void has been filled by persons who do not hold the same values. Our current financial crisis is the result of greed and a disregard for the common good. We need Christian entrepreneurs and stock traders.
The current economic chaos is an opportunity for Christians to reclaim the playing field. In the creation story, the earth was without form and an empty waste; darkness was on the face of the deep. What happened? The Spirit of God moved and hovered and brooded over the face of the waters. Order was brought out of chaos. (Genesis 1:2) As Christians, we do not live the life of the flesh; we live the life of the Spirit. The Spirit of God dwells within us, directs and controls us. (Romans 8:9) What would happen if Christian entrepreneurs and stock traders were to move and hover and brood over the current economic chaos?
Order.
We are called to be a light of the world–the whole world, including Wall Street. When a lamp is lit, it needs to be placed on a lampstand to give light to all in the house. Our Christian entrepreneurs and stock traders are lamps in the darkness. The Church, and more specifically, the intercessors, are the lampstands, or platforms of support. We are called to pray that our businessmen will so shine before men that they may see their moral excellence and good deeds and recognize and honor our Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
This, obviously, will not be a short-term project. I have added a new category, Business/economics.

Calvin

Now let us cast ourselves down before the majesty of our good God, conscious of our faults, praying that he may not only forgive us but may daily cleanse us of them. May he remove them far from us. so that we are no longer captive and imprisoned by them. Rather, led and controlled by his Holy Spirit, may we walk in such holiness of life that we may seek above all to yield to his will. And since we know ourselves to be such weak and feeble creatures, may he support us in all our imperfections, until he has rid us of them and fully clothes us with his righteousness.

Deliver us from unbelief

During the forty years that I led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 29:5-6

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. Ephesians 1:19a

Lord, we believe that You can heal our church. Help our unbelief.
We speak the name of Jesus against the spirit of unbelief in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Deliver us, we pray.

Luke 18:9-14

Also he spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: (Luke 18:9)
      Holy Spirit, bring us to immediate repentance whenever we hold anyone in contempt.

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. (Luke 18:10)
      Lord, when we go into your temple, give us a heart to pray according to the mind of your Spirit.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men–extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.’” (Luke 18:11)
      Father, I am like other men — I am a sinner who needs to be set free from self-centered prayers. Help me to pray according to the mind of your Spirit.

“‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’” (Luke 18:12)
       And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3) Holy Spirit, have mercy on me and turn my heart into your ways and your love.

“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13)
      God, be merciful to me a sinner!

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)
      LORD, write this humility on our hearts. Thank you.

       A word received: Pray for this nation. Pray for wise and godly men and women who will lead my people in my ways. Pray for the courts, that they will do true justice. Pray for the Congress and the legislatures, that they will have a spirit of wisdom and discernment. Pray for the President and the Governors, that their hearts will be turned into my ways.

Friday: 40, 54; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Luke 18:9-14
Saturday: 55; Deuteronomy 29:2-15; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Luke 18:15-30

       Notes from the Front Line

***** I ask all intercessors who are going to the Diocesan Convention that they sit in on the business sessions and surround the deputies to the convention with prayer.

***** I may not be able to send out any prayers for a couple of days because I am having our computer serviced.

***** This afternoon from 3:30 to 4:15 The Rev’d Nina George Hacker, The Rev’d Alan Hart and I will be doing a workshop at the Diocesan Convention on the Prayer Table Ministry. Please pray for the Holy Spirit’s anointing on that workshop (and the other workshops as well).

Albany Intercessor

First fruits

Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. Deuteronomy 26:10b

Dear Heavenly Father,
You know the thoughts of our hearts. You cannot be mocked. It is our desire that the prayers from Lent & Beyond will please Your Spirit. Teach us to pray, dear Lord. Open our ears so that we can echo Your words.
Satan tries to wear us down, but Your commands are a prescription for perpetual life. Strengthen Your intercessors so that we will not become weary in doing good. Grant us tenacity and a holy boldness. We want to reap a harvest! Let us do good to all people.
We offer You our prayers as a first fruit. Amen.
Galatians 6:7-10

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: (2 Corinthians 8:1)
      Lord, we pray for such grace to flow through the Diocese of Albany.

that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. (2 Corinthians 8:2)
      Jesus, let your abundant joy overflow in our hearts as you did in the church in Macedonia.

For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, (2 Corinthians 8:3)
      Holy Spirit, help us give freely of ourselves — our time, our talents, our money.

imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (2 Corinthians 8:4)
      Father, please give us a heart’s desire to minister to all your children.

And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. (2 Corinthians 8:5)
      Jesus, please help us minister to Bishop Bill and all the priests, deacons, and lay leaders of this diocese.

So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. (2 Corinthians 8:6)
      Holy Spirit, you have begun a good work in us; please carry it through to the end.

But as you abound in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us–see that you abound in this grace also. (2 Corinthians 8:7)
      Holy Spirit, please help us abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in our love for Jesus and all his apostolic witnesses.

       A word received: I AM the prize; I AM the pearl of great price. Look for me; seek me; pursue me.

       A word received: Pray for the Diocesan Convention. I long for people to offer the chaff in their lives for me to take away. I long to refine and purify my people. There is a cost to that: you must be willing for me to take away the chaff in your life.

Thursday: 50; Deuteronomy 16:18-20, 17:14-20; 2 Corinthians 8:1-16; Luke 18:1-8
Friday: 40, 54; Deuteronomy 26:1-11; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Luke 18:9-14

Albany Intercessor

Joy

He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23

It is indeed pure joy to face trials of many kinds, because You are with us in the furnace, driving away the fiery flames with a moist wind. We thank You for the whistling wind. We thank You for the testing of our faith, for how would we feel the moist air and hear the whistling wind without it?
We thank You that the testing of our faith develops perseverance, which leads to maturity and completion, not lacking anything. How could we not lack anything unless we have the mind of Christ? How can we not lack anything unless we are filled with Your Spirit?
You are the joy. The joy is an integral part of who You are–living joy! You are our joy. You are pure joy. We thank You for the joy. Amen.
James 1:2-4, The Prayer of Azariah 26-27, Proverbs 3:5

Psalm 119:49-56

Remember the word to your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope. (Psalm 119:49)
      Holy Spirit, please help us in this diocese to be people of hope. Let your word fill us anew with hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has given me life. (Psalm 119:50)
      Holy Comforter, comfort the afflicted; write your word on their hearts.

The proud have me in great derision, yet I do not turn aside from your law. (Psalm 119:51)
      Father, your word is true and righteous altogether. Don’t let us be turned aside by those who hold us or your word in contempt.

I remembered your judgments of old, O LORD, and have comforted myself. (Psalm 119:52)
      Father, please help us cleave to your ancient landmarks and stay within the boundaries you have set by your judgments.

Indignation has taken hold of me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. (Psalm 119:53)
      Jesus, my wrath only produces bitter fruit. Help me leave the wicked and their judgment in your hands.

Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. (Psalm 119:54)
      Jesus, thank you for the worship songs that lead us to you and for the hymns that stir our soul.

I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and I keep your law. (Psalm 119:55)
      Jesus, please help me remember your name at all times and in all places. There is no other name like yours.

This has become mine, because I kept your precepts. (Psalm 119:56)
      Jesus, please help me keep and do your will in all things. Thank you.

       A word received: I want you to be a people who come into my presence and worship me. I want to be at the center of your life. Let me come in and abide with you. Look to me; turn to me. I AM able to do what you cannot. Pray for my people to worship me and find their rest in me.

Wednesday: 119:49-72; Deuteronomy 13:1-11; 2 Corinthians 7:2-16; Luke 17:20-37
Thursday: 50; Deuteronomy 16:18-20, 17:14-20; 2 Corinthians 8:1-16; Luke 18:1-8

Albany Intercessor

A place to stand

What a broad shadow our God casts–so many places to abide.

He has set the Anglican Communion Institute, with their nimble minds, on a high place–a mountain peak with a commanding view of history and theology. They are like sentries warning of dangers that go undetected in day-to-day living. Theirs is a place to stand that is both ecclesiastical and institutional, based within the Episcopal Church.

He placed GAFCON in Jerusalem, a plateau that has been home to God’s shekinah glory and the Word Incarnate, to holy flames of fire and holy words of wisdom, the resurrection place of His Son and the birthplace of His Church. Theirs is a place to stand that is both ecclesiastical and institutional, based within the Anglican Communion.

The American Anglican Council are like mountain guides, opening trails day-to-day in a constantly changing landscape. Institutional, but not ecclesiastical, they never stand still but always stand fast.

He has placed the feet of Anglican bloggers and commenters in a large place, a broad plain. They are no institution. There is no cyberspace constitution and canons. There are no boundaries, save what plebians can glean from Scripture, and that imperfectly. Yet, He is gracious, for His shadow extends there, too.

How many more abiding places has He provided under the shadow of His wing? They are all His for they trust in His truth. They have made Him their refuge, their habitation. He has given His angels charge over them to keep them in all their ways. He will deliver them. He will answer them in trouble. He will honor and satisfy them. They shall see His salvation.
They dwell in the shadow of the Almighty, and they are one in Christ.

Thank You, Lord, for placing us at this intersection of time and space, of institutions and ideas. Thank You for this high call. Help us, we pray. Amen.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, (2 Corinthians 6:4)
      Father, we pray for your anointing and peace for those who must minister in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, and in the midst of distress.

in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; (2 Corinthians 6:5)
      Jesus, we pray for the church in China and in the Middle East and in the Sudan and other parts of Africa where it must often minister as you and your disciples did: with stripes, imprisonment, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, and with fasting and prayer.

by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, (2 Corinthians 6:6)
      Holy Spirit, please let your fruit be evident in the life of your church wherever your people are called to walk the way of the cross.

by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, (2 Corinthians 6:7)
      Jesus, please clothe us with your word of truth and the power of the Holy Spirit, and with your righteousness. Keep us on your straight and narrow path: don’t let us turn to the right or to the left.

by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; (2 Corinthians 6:8 )
      Jesus, help us remember how you were treated and that we are your disciples — that we won’t be treated any better than you were.

as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; (2 Corinthians 6:9)
      Lord, we pray for all those who labor in your vineyard without recognition or honor — we ask your blessing on them.

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (2 Corinthians 6:10)
      Father, even in sorrow we thank you for the riches of your kingdom.

       A word received: Offer your lives to me anew. Make me your hope and your joy. Look to me; turn to me. I AM waiting for you; I will see you through.

Tuesday: 45; Deuteronomy 12:1-12; 2 Corinthians 6:3-13(14–7:1); Luke 17:11-19
Wednesday: 119:49-72; Deuteronomy 13:1-11; 2 Corinthians 7:2-16; Luke 17:20-37

Albany Intercessor

Dr. George Tiller

In the words of Jesus (Matthew 6:14): “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
When God spoke creation into existence, life was imparted. Each creative act received His blessing. BLESSING and LIFE belong together.
When death comes upon the land through sin, a curse falls upon the earth and greatly affects the well-being of mankind. The only thing that can overcome a curse is BLESSING. God’s LIFE always overpowers death. His BLESSING always overpowers curses.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We choose to forgive those who gave themselves over to the enemy and brought such despair upon our land and in our lives, both Dr. Tiller and his murderer. We humbly ask that our unforgiveness does not keep the effects of their sins bound to our land and our lives. Help our unforgiveness. We leave their sins to You and to Your judgment.
You know our needs far better than we. Bless our nation and its government, Dr. Tiller’s family and parish, the pro-choice and pro-life spokespersons, and the news media. We beseech You that this event will not be used as an incitement for violence. Amen.

(Note: Some of the ideas for this post came from a liturgy for the cleansing of a genocide site by Rev and Mrs Conlee Bodishbaugh.)

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
      Jesus, please help us daily walk with you, to be in you, and to be your new creation. Let your Holy Spirit move through this diocese and make all things new.

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (2 Corinthians 5:18 )
      Father, please help us daily minister reconciliation. Help us share the good news of what you have done for us through your son Jesus.

that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)
      Holy Spirit, help all of us to be ministers of reconciliation — to draw people to the Father through his Son.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
      Jesus, help each of us to be reconciled to your father. Bless the ministry of reconciliation at the Diocesan Convention and throughout this diocese. Thank you.

For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
      Jesus, thank you for what you endured for us so that we could know the righteousness of God.

      A word received: Let me have this day — yield it to me for my purposes. Pray for my desire, the desire of my heart, to be accomplished.

Monday: 41, 52; Deuteronomy 11:13-19; 2 Corinthians 5:11–6:2; Luke 17:1-10
Tuesday: 45; Deuteronomy 12:1-12; 2 Corinthians 6:3-13(14–7:1); Luke 17:11-19

       Notes from the Front Line

Pray for vocations to the vowed life of prayer of the Sisters of St. Mary.

Albany Intercessor