Then he arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to him again, and as he was accustomed, he taught them again. (Mark 10:1)
Jesus, please come and teach us in this diocese.
The Pharisees came and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing him. And he answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:2-9)
Holy Spirit, please move in the marriages in this diocese. Restore to your people the sanctity of the vows they have made to you.
In the house his disciples also asked him again about the same matter. So he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:10-12)
Jesus, you worked with and drew people to yourself whose lives and marriages had gotten messed up. Please renew the lives of those who have been divorced.
Then they brought little children to him, that he might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)
Father, please move in the various Sunday School and youth ministry programs of this diocese. We pray for the children of this diocese, that as they come to know Jesus, they will come to know your love as a father for them. We hold up all those children who are growing up with absentee fathers — that they will come to know your love for them. Thank you.
A word received: Listen, listen to my word. Pray for listening hearts that heed my word.
Tuesday: 97, 99, [100]; 2 Samuel 14:1-20; Acts 21:1-14; Mark 10:1-16
Wednesday: 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30; 2 Samuel 14:21-33; Acts 21:15-26; Mark 10:17-31
Albany Intercessor
