ACNA

The leaders of the Anglican Church in North America have my deep admiration. Since the Reformation, it has been the seemingly inevitable flow of history for the church to split into ever smaller fragments. Like the disciples making headway painfully, rowing against the wind (Mark 6:48), Bishop Duncan and the other ACNA leaders have made headway painfully rowing against the flow of church history and brought several disparate groups together. Bishop Bena writes about the experience here. Jill Woodliff

O Lord,
How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity. We thank You for the unity in the Anglican Church in North America. Amen.
Psalm 133:1

Call2Fall

Call2Fall is a national effort to pray for our land.

Pray for God’s Mercy upon Our Land –

Holy Father, I humbly plead for Your underserved mercy upon my life, my church, my nation and world. Lord, help us come before You with deep awareness we deserve Your judgment far more than Your blessing. By Jesus’ blood alone, we plead for Your merciful grace to revive and bless us once again.
(Psalm 85:4-7; Lamentation 3:22; Daniel 9:18-19)

1 Samuel 12:18-25

So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. (1 Samuel 12:18 )
      LORD, please send your witnesses and signs to the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church so that they will fear you and heed your voice.

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.” (1 Samuel 12:19)
      Holy Spirit, so move in our hearts that “the LORD your God” becomes “the LORD our God”. Help us repent of make the norms of our culture our ruler and king.

Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.” (1 Samuel 12:20)
      Jesus, please help us daily follow you and serve you with all our heart.

“And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.” (1 Samuel 12:21)
      Father, we have gone after empty things which have not profited us — have mercy on us and help us turn to you and your ways.

“For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you his people.” (1 Samuel 12:22)
      LORD, though the Episcopal Church has forsaken you and your ways, you have not forsaken us; you keep calling us back to yourself and your ways. Thank you for your kindness and mercy toward us.

“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23)
      Holy Spirit, give us steadfastness in prayer and teach us your good and right way. Bless Bishop Bill and the leaders and teachers of this diocese as they teach us your good and right way.

“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24)
      LORD, please help us fear you and consider all that you have done for us.

“But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” (1 Samuel 12:25)
      Holy Spirit, please give us a heart to take seriously the witness of the Scriptures in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Thank you.

       A word received: Wait on me — don’t rush ahead. Wait for my word and guidance. Wait, wait for me. Listen, listen for my word of direction.

Wednesday: 119:145-176; 1 Samuel 12:1-6,16-25; Acts 8:14-25; Luke 23:1-12
Thursday: 131, 132, [133]; 1 Samuel 13:5-18; Acts 8:26-40; Luke 23:13-25

Albany Intercessor

General Convention

Dear Heavenly Father,
What a gracious privilege it is to dwell in Your courts, to remain in the shadow of the Almighty. We exalt Your holy name for You are a loving God, abundant in tender mercies.
We lift up those faithful persons attending the General Convention in Anaheim, whether clergy or laity, representative or press or visitor. They cleave to Your ways. They are Your heritage. May Your hand of blessing and protection be upon them.
Your church is withered and barren. We pray for new life in Your church. Your Holy Word promises that those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
Stir, O Lord. Stir a spirit of repentance. Plow up the hard ground of our hearts. Release tears of contrition. Plant the precious seeds of righteousness. Then we shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, carrying a harvest of love. Amen.
Psalm 126:5-6, Hosea 10:12-13, Word Received 4-6-09

Go before them

O Father,
We lift up those persons in the economic sector who praise Your name, especially ____. May they seek Your guidance in all their decisions, follow Your instructions carefully, and give You the glory. Show them when to move and when to wait. Go before them, we pray. Amen.
2 Samuel 5:17-25