Psalm 69:1-8

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. (Psalm 69:1)
      LORD, save all who cry out to you; rescue them and bring them out of their distress.

I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. (Psalm 69:2)
      LORD, I cry out to you for myself, for my family, for our parish and this diocese: come and rescue us out of the deep waters and the floods that overwhelm us.

I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God. (Psalm 69:3)
      Jesus, I’m waiting for you; I look to you for help.

Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; they are mighty who would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully; though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it. (Psalm 69:4)
      Holy Spirit, please help me to be faithful to the gospel and the faith once delivered to the saints, whatever the cost.

O God, you know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from you. (Psalm 69:5)
      Father, nothing is hidden from your sight; look up me with your eyes of compassion.

Let not those who wait for you, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me; let not those who seek you be confounded because of me, O God of Israel. (Psalm 69:6)
      Holy Spirit, don’t let me lead others astray.

Because for your sake I have borne reproach; shame has covered my face. (Psalm 69:7)
      Lord, many reproach Bishop Bill because of his faithfulness to you and to your word; keep him steady in you.

I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother’s children; (Psalm 69:8 )
      Holy Spirit, bless and help all those who must make the choice between faithfulness to Jesus and faithfulness to their family: help them choose Jesus. Thank you.

      A word received: Yield this day to me.
      Let me be the master of your day.
      Look to me for the guidance of my Holy Spirit.
      Look to me.

Friday: 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; 2 Kings 1:2-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:11-16
Saturday: 75, 76; 2 Kings 2:1-18; 1 Corinthians 4:1-7; Matthew 5:17-20

      Notes from the Front Line

***** The first Christ Church Sunday School lesson of the new Sunday School year is posted at http://christchurchsundayschool.blogspot.com/

***** Check out the posting on Joy by our son Jonathan at http://gethsemaneprayer.blogspot.com/.

***** Please pray for the Clergy Conference with Bishop Mark Lawrence, Diocese of So Carolina. The Conference is Monday, September 21 beginning with Eucharist at 5 PM through lunch Wednesday, September 23. Bishop Mark Lawrence is the guest presenter along with his wife Allison.

Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009
From: Sister Mary Elizabeth, CSM
Subject: Welcome Home Initiative Intercessors Update — Thursday, September 17, 2009
To All Our Faithful Welcome Home Initiative Intercessors–

      Thank you all for your prayers offered on behalf of our combat veterans who seek healing in Christ through the Welcome Home Initiative retreats. Our next Welcome Home Initiative Retreat will be held October 26-28, 2009 here at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center (CtK) in Greenwich, New York, and is free to combat veterans of any war.

Acts of Love, Honor and Respect

      Shortly after the last WHI one of the Iraq veterans wrote of several “God-incidences” which had intervened mightily in his family’s week at CtK. Some years before he remembered attending a dessert party at a church in Connecticut and meeting a couple — Noel and Meryl Dawes — who gave him a=2 0wooden cross for his father, a Zen master who had given his life to Christ. When his father died, the cross was placed over his heart as he was prepared for burial – a memory and a link brought bacck when Noel approached this warrior after initial introductions to say, “Welcome Home.”

      In fact the soldier had called his brother that night and it was his brother (currently in combat deployment) who reminded him of the cross and of their last service to their father. He wrote that this caring for his father’s body had at first been difficult, but he realized that cleaning and dressing his father one last time was an act of honor, love and respect.

      He continued in his letter, “During the retreat, many brothers spoke about witnessing or gathering the bodies of deceased brothers and friends, and many unknown US service members. The horror and sadness were just unbearable. Even so, bringing them back was, and still is, an act of love, honor, and respect. Bringing them home to their families, though painful, provides closure with dignity.”

      Carrying the memory of lost brothers in arms – often coomrades held as they died or sometimes the memory of the bodies of strangers brought back from the war zone — is one of the most difficult burdens for a combat veteran in his quest for inner healing – the horror and sadness were just unbearable.” Facing the trauma of these memories “…bringing them back,” then laying the memory to rest “…an act of love, honoor and respect” is part of the process of healing that each of you, as Intercesors, cover with prayer during our three-day retreat. Thank you for your service on behalf of these men and women.

Pray for Father Nigel’s Upcoming Speaking Engagements Touching on WHI

      Fr. Nigel will be the Keynote Speaker at the Armed Forces Christian Union conference for retired and active duty British military this weekend, Friday through Sunday, September 18-20, at the Windmill Farm Conference Center. He will offer four presentations on basic healing prayer, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Post Traumatic Embitterment Disorder (PTED) and the healing of memories. He is scheduled to meet with high ranking officers to discuss how to implement a WHI-prototype program for combat troops in Britain, and anticipates considerable one-on-one prayer opportunities with the conference attendees. Keep him in your prayers.

      Fr. Nigel has also been invited to attend the Royal Marines reunion the weekend of September 26-27, meeting with Royal Navy Chaplains at the Commando Training School where he served as a Drill Instructor in 1976-77. He will participate in the dedication of a new memorial for Royal Marines who have died since 2000, and march with over 2000 Marines honoring their fallen comrades.

      During the week of October 5-9 Fr. Nigel will help facilitate Christian Healing Ministry’s new Fourth School of Healing Prayer led by Francis and Judith McNutt, leading20a session on the healing of Combat Operational Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. His talk will be video taped for use in the CHM’s video schools and, because of the scope of this ministry, this one presentation may have a profound impact on disseminating methods for offering healing prayer for combat veterans, both nationally and internationally. Pray for Holy Spirit passion and clarity in his presentation during this School for Healing Prayer.

Thanks for Prayer for the AMCF Conference in August

      Thanks for your prayer support for the AMCF Conference in Estes Park, Colorado, this past August. Seven members of the WHI team attended, networking with other paramilitary and church organizations who minister to combat veterans. Father Nigel and Noel presented on Combat Operational Stress/PTSD and on how to pray dynamically for the military, respectively. (Note: The AMCF — Association of Military Christian Fellowships — is a worldwide, loosely networked organization of over 120 autonomous national Military Christian Fello wships).

Upcoming Welcome Home Initiatives

      Enrollment is open for the October 26-28 retreat. Pray that the Holy Spirit will move men and women to join this new, forming cadre of brothers and sisters who have borne the burden of war who will pray together for healing and readjustment back to the life they fought to defend.

      This ministry is truly carried on the wings of your prayer. If you know of combat soldiers of any war who might benefit from the Welcome Home Initiative Retreat, have them call Sandra at (518 ) 692-9550 X 202.

Sister Mary Elizabeth, CSM
For the Oratory of Christ the Healer at Christ the King Spiritu al Life Center, Greenwich, New York
For more information see our Website at www.christ-the-king-center.org/WelcomeHome/

Albany Intercessor

Matthew 5:1-10

And seeing the multitudes, he went up on a mountain, and when he was seated his disciples came to him. (Matthew 5:1)
      Holy Spirit, please help us come to Jesus.

Then he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: (Matthew 5:2)
      Jesus, help us hear and receive your teaching.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
      Jesus, please help us recognize our poverty of spirit and turn to you to receive more of your Holy Spirit.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
      Father, please give us your love and compassion for those who mourn; help us minister the comfort of the Holy Spirit to them.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
      Holy Spirit, bring our strength under your control. Help us enter the inheritance you have prepared for us.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
      Father, help all of us who hunger and thirst for you and your righteousness come to the waters; and buy that wine and milk which cannot be bought with money — it is priceless. (See Isaiah 55:1)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
      Jesus, thank you for your grace — giving us what we don’t deserve — and for your mercy — not giving us what we do deserve. Help us show forth your grace and mercy to others.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8 )
      Father, bring us to purity of heart so that we may see you.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
      Jesus, you said to Jerusalem, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:42) Help us know what makes for true peace and minister that peace to others.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
      Jesus, please help us overcome evil with good. Thank you for the witness of Paul and Silas and Stephen and Polycarp and so many of your saints through the centuries who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

      A word received: Be prepared — be listening — be prepared to do my work.
      Set your hearts on the pilgrim’s path.
      I will direct you, be prepared.

Thursday: [70], 71; 1 Kings 22:29-45; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15; Matthew 5:1-10
Friday: 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; 2 Kings 1:2-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:11-16

Albany Intercessor

Sudan

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 4:16

Dear Father,
The light of Your Son has surely shined on the land of Cush. We thank You for the faithful witness of the Christians in Sudan. They bring You offerings of worship and praise. They offer You their lives. They will bring gifts to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD Almighty. They will submit to You. Make Your face to shine upon them today, we pray. Amen.
Zephaniah 3:10, Isaiah 18, Psalm 68:31

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1)
      Holy Spirit, please help us lay aside excellence of speech and wisdom, and come to people in humility when we desire to share the gospel.

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)
      Jesus, please help us know you and the power of your cross.

I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. (1 Corinthians 2:3)
      Jesus, help us to be in awe of you when we go to people with the gospel. Let your strength be made perfect in our weakness.

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (1 Corinthians 2:4)
      Holy Spirit, flow through us.

that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:5)
      Father, it is not by our might or power that we will win through to victory in the diocese, but by your Holy Spirit.

      A word received: Come to me daily — seek me out while I may be found.
      Look for me in the Scriptures.
      Seek my Holy Spirit so that you can know me.

Wednesday: 72; 1 Kings 22:1-28; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13; Matthew 4:18-25
Thursday: [70], 71; 1 Kings 22:29-45; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15; Matthew 5:1-10

Albany Intercessor

Sudan

Psalm 25:15 (New International Version)
My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Lord, only You can release the feet of Your Sudanese children from the snares of their enemies. Set them free. Amen.

Nigerian primate election

Most. Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, Archbishop of Bendel, Nigeria, and chairman of GAFCON’s Theological Resource Team has been elected. He is taking over from the Most Rev Peter Akinola the incumbent Primate who vacates his office on March 25, 2010.

Dear Lord, bless Your servant Nicholas and his family. Amen.

Fort Worth litigation

Judge John Chupp will reconvene the court hearing at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Many of the Psalms make suitable prayers (e.g. 70, 71, 73, 74).

Dear Lord,
The weight of our sins pulls us down. Demonic currents entrap us in a vortex of venom. Forgive us of the sin of cold love and save us from this deadly whirlpool.
Bless the church property under litigation in Fort Worth. Bless the land and bless the buildings. May it be used for generations to come for the glory of God. Bless each pulpit in Fort Worth. May each one be used to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified.
Bless our enemies. You discern the thoughts and intents of the heart, Your word dividing spirit and soul. You alone know their inmost needs. Bless them in Your infinite wisdom. Amen.
Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 24:12

Sudan

Genesis 1:3 (New International Version)
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Your word brought forth light. It created something out of nothing. Grant to the leaders of the Epsicopal Church of Sudan an apostolic anointing to bring forth illumination and to create Your kingdom in Sudan as it is in heaven. Amen.

Matthew 4:17-20

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
      Lord, please help us heed your call to repent; help us recognize the signs of times.

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. (Matthew 4:18 )
      Jesus, please come and meet us in the work place as you did Simon and Andrew.

Then he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
      Holy Spirit, help us daily follow Jesus.

They immediately left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:20)
      Father, please help us have the same immediate response to Jesus that Simon and Andrew had. Thank you.

      A word received: Hear me, my people: seek my face.
      Pursue holiness and righteousness.
      Pursue me; seek me out.
      I AM there — waiting for you.
      Come into my arms and I will bless you.

Tuesday: 61, 62; 1 Kings 21:17-29; 1 Corinthians 1:20-31; Matthew 4:12-17
Wednesday: 72; 1 Kings 22:1-28; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13; Matthew 4:18-25

Albany Intercessor

Primate election

Tomorrow, Tuesday September 15th, the Anglican Church of Nigeria will hold elections to nominate a candidate to the position of the Archbishop of All Nigeria. The enthronement of Archbishop Akinola’s successor as Primate will not occur for months to come, but the House of Bishops will convene to decide tomorrow. As one of the leading provinces in the Anglican Communion,
this election is immensely important. Please join our Nigerian brothers and sisters in prayer tonight and tomorrow as they pray for the House of Bishops during these elections.

Some specific prayer points include travel to and from the meeting, protection of families and dioceses left behind, unity, clarity, and ears to hear the Lord. As the Lord calls the next Archbishop, pray that the Lord will equip and guide him. One of the Nigerian bishops emphasized that there is much work to be done ahead, but they are not willing to give up. May we join with them in his prayer that Nigeria will continue to “shine forth, stand up for truth, pursue righteousness and justice.”

Hat tip: StandFirm

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, (1 Corinthians 1:1)
      Father, thank you for calling Bishop Bill as your apostolic witness to this diocese. Thank you for those brothers and sisters you have given him to support him in this ministry.

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2)
      Jesus, thank you for your people in this diocese who call on you as Lord; please sanctify our hearts.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3)
      Holy Trinity, one God, grant us your grace and peace.

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, (1 Corinthians 1:4)
      Father, thank you for the grace that is being poured out on us by your son Jesus Christ.

that you were enriched in everything by him in all utterance and all knowledge, (1 Corinthians 1:5)
      Holy Spirit, guide our tongues and help us speak those things which build each other up rather than tear each other down.

even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, (1 Corinthians 1:6)
      Jesus, please confirm our testimony about you.

so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 1:7)
      Holy Spirit, please help us receive every gift you have for us and build this diocese up as we use those gifts while waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8 )
      Jesus, wash us and cleanse us with the fire of your Holy Spirit so that we will be blameless before you on the day you return.

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
      Father, thank you for your faithfulness to us.

      A word received at Christ Church Schenectady (9/13/09): Ask Me — Ask Me. Ask Me what I want you to do — I will show you. I want to tell you — listen to Me.

      A picture/word received at Christ Church Schenectady (9/13/09): I saw this stream running from the altar down the center aisle of the church. God said it used to be a river — Don’t let it dry up.
      What are you doing?
      What are you thinking?
      What are you saying?
      Does it point to Me — Jesus?

      A word received: Call my people to me.
      Call them to receive all that I have for them.
      They turn away empty when I could fill them.
      Turn to me; let me fill you with my word and Spirit.

Monday: 56, 57, [58]; 1 Kings 21:1-16; 1 Corinthians 1:1-19; Matthew 4:1-11
Tuesday: 61, 62; 1 Kings 21:17-29; 1 Corinthians 1:20-31; Matthew 4:12-17

Albany Intercessor

Harare, Zimbabwe

Dr Chad Nicholas Gandiya, having been duly elected in June 2009, was consecrated and ordained Bishop of Harare on the 26th July 2009. An application to Zimbabwean courts has been launched by Nolbert Kunonga, excommunicated bishop of Harare, claiming he is still bishop of that diocese and has access to its property and funds.
After reading this account, God prompted me to look up a satellite image of Zimbabwe. The satellite image shows a diagonal line through the heart of the nation, much like a laceration. I know nothing about interpreting satellite images, but the laceration doesn’t correlate with any of the geographic features on the map above.
Jeremiah lamented that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. The prayer below is based on Jeremiah’s prayer following.

O LORD,
You alone are the hope of Zimbabwe. All who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water.
Heal this nation, O LORD, and it will be healed; save it and it will be saved. You are the one we praise.
They keep saying, “Where is the word of the LORD ? Let it now be fulfilled!”
Your servant Chad has not run away from being your shepherd in Harare; you know he has not desired the day of despair. What passes his lips is open before you.
Do not be a terror to your people! Be their refuge in the day of disaster. Let their persecutors–the prince of the powers of the air and the children of disobedience–be put to shame. Keep the Anglican Church from shame.
Let the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places be terrified, but keep Your children from terror. Bring on this wickedness the day of disaster and destroy it with double destruction.
We speak Christ into the atmosphere over Zimbabwe. We declare Zimbabwe’s heart to be in Christ. We decree that Zimbabwe’s heart is a new creation. Old things are passing away, and all things are becoming new. Christ! Christ! Christ! Amen.
Jeremiah 17:13-18, Ephesians 2:2, 6:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17

If any of our readers are moved to pray, please post it in the comments below. Much discernment is needed to break the affliction over this nation.

Sudan

–US Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration is traveling in Sudan . The African Union’s High Panel on Darfur is set to release a report on Darfur on Tuesday. Some Darfur activists have been critical of Gration’s approach.

O Lord, open the doors that need to be opened and close the doors that need to be closed to bring about the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Amen.

Sudan

Revelation 5:4-7 (New International Version)
I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

Lion of the tribe of Judah, You have triumphed! Root of David, You are victorious! Send the seven horns and seven eyes, the seven spirits of God, out into all the earth. Send them to Sudan. Amen.

Peru

Our readers may recall that some time back we prayed for Rt. Rev. William Godfrey of Peru during a serious illness. We praise God for his recovery. His blogspot tells of his ministry. There is a great problem of malnutrition and cold in the high plains.

Jehovah-jireh, we know it is Your desire to give all of Your children the blessings of this life. Yet, so many suffer from lack.
Every day we pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is heaven.” The currency of heaven is love. We pray for the establishment of Your kingdom on the Peruvian high plains and an exchange rate based on Your providence.
Raise up Christians in Peru who are zealous for You. Anoint them with a spirit of prophecy, trusting in Your revelations rather than in the wisdom of the world. Just as Elisha increased the widow’s oil to save her children from slavery, we pray for supernatural increase of Your provision to save these children.
Thank You for Your love, dear Lord. Amen.
2 Kings 4:1-7