Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table report September 12, 9:30-10:30 AM Torre Bissell and Don Foust
+–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.
While the weather was overcast and cool with occasional sprinkles, State Street was full of activity.

+Carol–Crossed the street for pray. Carol needs to find a new apartment, but is full of fear. We prayed for God’s peace in her life and the means to find a new place to live.

+Richard– wanted “happiness”. We prayed for the true joy that only God can give.

+Lillian–on her way to work. We prayed for blessings at her place of work.

+Tony–Tony was wearing his wooden cross from a previous visit. He took a cross for his grand-daughter Alexis. Tony is trying to put his life back together. He is looking for his own place to live. He would like to get back together with his ex-girl friend. We prayed for strength for Tony to follow his new path.

+RC–This older gentleman was very skeptical about what we did at the Prayer Table. We prayed for his work and his family. After praying, he gladly accepted a cross and put in on.

+Keko–This young man was looking for a job. We prayed for meaningful employment.

Kayla– A regular. Kayla was in unusually good spirits. We prayed for healing of old wounds (Kayla had been raped last year). We prayed for blessings for her son Nassir, her brother Josh, and her mother.

+Trish–This woman approached the Prayer Table very timidly. We prayed for her children Justus and Sasha. When we gave her a cross, she said, “I really wanted a cross“. Later that morning, we saw a car slow down and pick-up Trish. Please pray for Trish’s rescue from “a life on the streets”.

+Michelle–With her husband on the way to do laundry. We prayed for blessings on this family.

+John–This older man walked by on the other side of the street and said he would stop on his way back from the store. On his return trip, John passed by the Prayer Table on the opposite side of the street, remembered his words to us, turned around and crossed the street. We prayed for peace in the world, peace on the streets of Schenectady, and peace among all peoples.

Clarence–This man had stopped by the Prayer Table last week. We had prayed for a job, and Clarence praised the Lord that he had found a part-time job at the car wash. Clarence is on parole and is deeply committed to turning his life around. He may attend services at Christ Church. Pray for Clarence and thank God for his faithfulness.

+Chris–works at the City Mission. We prayed for blessings on her ministry to others.

+Paulette and her children +Monette and +Taishawn– Repeat visitors to the Prayer Table. We prayed for protection and blessings on this family.

Albany Intercessor

Hearing God’s voice

This a comment of mine from a SF thread. Some of the ideas came from listening to Johnny Enlow.
. . . speaking generally about discerning God’s voice—
1. God is a communicator (John 1:1) and desires to communicate with man (Genesis 3:8).
2. When God’s people don’t hear His voice, even creation can confirm what God is saying to us (Numbers 22:28-30, Luke 19:40).
3. God often speaks in mysterious ways, but it is because He places high value on everything He speaks and doesn’t want us to take it for granted (Proverbs 25:2, Matthew 13:9-11). He wants us to seek after Him.
4. Spiritual disciplines are the most effective way to establish relationship.
5. He is speaking to us all the time, if we will only put up our antennae. In relationship, over time, each person learns to recognize the still, small voice, the impressions, that are the most basic type of revelation.
He does this in different ways. For example, if I hear the same Bible verse from 2 or 3 different sources in the same time period, I’ve learned to attend to those verses. Over time, if you are diligently seeking Him, You become better at recognizing certain coincidences as Providential.
6. We recognize the truths to be taught by the Holy Spirit when they are in accord with the Scriptures (BCP p. 853).
7. He loves it when we respond, even if we don’t understand.
8. It’s fun.

Philippians 4:1-7

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. (Philippians 4:1)
      Holy Spirit, please help us stand fast in Jesus.

I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2)
      Father, help us have the mind of your son throughout this diocese. Wherever there are divisions among us, help us to be reconciled to each other in Jesus.

And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. (Philippians 4:3)
      Jesus, I ask your blessing on all those men and women who have labored for you in this diocese.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)
      Holy Spirit, please help us find our joy and gladness in Jesus.

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:5)
      Jesus, please help us to be gentle with one another in this diocese — let our strength be under your control. Thank you.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6)
      Father, call many throughout this diocese to a life of prayer and intercession.

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
      Jesus, please help us cast all our cares on you and let us find you mighty to save. Thank you for giving us peace in the midst of the storm in the Episcopal Church. I ask you to raise up good jobs for those who have lost their jobs in this diocese. Amen.

      A word received: My people falter between many opinions. (1 Kings 18:21)
      My people are double-minded: they want my praise and the praise of the world.
      Pray for my people to return to me with a single heart.
      Pray they will repent of their double-mindedness.

Saturday: 55; 1 Kings 18:41-19:8; Philippians 3:17-4:7; Matthew 3:13-17
Sunday: 24, 29; 1 Kings 19:8-21; Acts 5:34-42; John 11:45-47

Albany Intercessor

Sudan

Psalm 123:1-2 (New International Version)

I lift up my eyes to you,
to you whose throne is in heaven.
As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.

Sovereign Lord,
We look to You, our Master. We cannot stop the the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms operating in Sudan, but You can. We look to You for Your mercy. Amen.

Georgia bishop election

Takes place today. The candidates are:
The Very Rev. Dean Taylor, St. Mark’s, Dalton, Diocese of Atlanta
The Rev Scott A. Benhase, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Washington D.C.
The Rev. William Patrick Gahan. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wimberley, Texas
The Rev. Frank S. Logue, King of Peace Episcopal Church, Kingsland, Ga.
The Rev. Stephen F. Zimmerman, Chapel of St. Andrew, Boca Raton, Fla.
The Rev. William Willoughby III, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Savannah, Ga.

If one of the candidates is not elected in seven ballots, delegates will dismiss and reconvene in two weeks.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Your eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen the hearts of those who are faithful to You. Nothing is hidden from Your sight. Help this diocese in its weakness. Send a spirit of humility that they may seek Your guidance, that they may fear You. Teach the intercessors and delegates how to pray. We know Your Holy Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. May they submit to You and separate from the profane. Spirit of God and Word of God, bring illumination to their mind. Amen.
Hebrews 4:13, Romans 8:22-25, 2 Chronicles 16:9

Philippians 3:12-16

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (Philippians 3:12)
      Jesus, thank you for laying hold of me; please help me to press on in you.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (Philippians 3:13)
      Holy Spirit, please help us let go of old wounds and reach forward to what you have for us.

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
      Father, please help us press on to answer your upward call in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (Philippians 3:15-16)
      Jesus, please bring us to a quiet common mind in you in this diocese. Thank you for Bishop Bill’s witness to the truth of the gospel and the witness of Spricture.

      A word received: Pray for my purposes to be accomplished.
      Pray for a spirit of discernment for the people of this diocese.
      Pray they will discern the true from the false.
      Pray for hearts that are yielded to me.

Friday: 40, 54; 1 Kings 18:20-40; Philippians 3:1-16; Matthew 3:1-12
Saturday: 55; 1 Kings 18:41-19:8; Philippians 3:17-4:7; Matthew 3:13-17

      A word received 5/1/2009: Pray for wisdom for Bishop Bill and for all the leaders and teachers of the diocese. Pray for wisdom to see and take the correct path. Pray for the wisdom to turn to me in times of trouble. Pray for the fire of my Holy Spirit to light the way for this diocese.

      A word received (12/27/2007): Pray for my people — their hearts are filled with anger towards one another. Pray that they will relent of their anger and know that they are just as much in need of my mercy as those they are angry with. Pray for my people to know my “Amazing Grace”. I want this to be heart knowledge, head knowledge, spirit knowledge. I want my people in every part of their lives to know their own personal need for redemption. There is not one — no not one — who can be justified by his own righteousness. The Episcopal Church on all sides is awash with self-righteousness that leads to death.

Albany Intercessor

Sudan

Psalm 66:7 (New International Version)
He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him.

Sovereign Lord,
You are mighty and powerful. You keep Your eyes on the nations. Keep Your eyes on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan and bless the peacemakers. Do not let the rebellious rise up against Your people. Amen.

Philippians 2:12-18

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (Philippians 212:)
      Holy Spirit, bring all of us in this diocese to the obedience that leads to eternal life.

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
      Father, we pray that we will fully live out your will and purposes for us.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, (Philippians 2:14)
      Jesus, set us free from a grumbling spirit.

that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:15)
      Father, thank you for giving us a spirit of adoption whereby we can cry out to you as our father and see by your light. Help us daily shine forth your light in our lives.

holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Philippians 2:16)
      Holy Spirit, help us run the race that is set before us and not falter in the day of battle. Thank you for Bishop Bill’s defense of the gospel at the Deanery meeting on Tuesday.

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. (Philippians 2:17)
      Jesus, thank you for those who have poured out their lives so that we would come to know you. We bless what you are doing in their lives and ours.

For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:18 )
      Jesus, thank you for the joy you have given us by the apostolic witnesses you have place over us: Bishop Bill Love, Bishop David Ball, Bishop David Bena, Bishop Dan Herzog, and Bishop Purcell. Thank you for all these witnesses to your love and glory.

      A word received: Pray for my people to return to me.
      Pray for my people to hope in my mercy.
      Pray for ears that hear and hearts that respond.

      A word received: Pray for my people to know and speak the truth.
      Pray they will acknowledge the truth of my word.
      Pray for my light to shine forth in the diocese.

Thursday: 50; 1 Kings 18:1-19; Philippians 2:12-30; Matthew 2:13-23
Friday: 40, 54; 1 Kings 18:20-40; Philippians 3:1-16; Matthew 3:1-12

Albany Intercessor

Sudan

Psalm 34:15 (New International Version)
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.

O Lord,
We claim the promise of Your Holy Scripture. Attend to the cries of Your children in Sudan! Amen.

Sudan

This article discusses the work of a coalition of anti-genocide organizations to pressure the US government to act for peace in Sudan.

Prince of Peace,
Bless these peacemakers. Bless their work. Bless their finances. Amen.

Ugandan and Sudanese Christians pray and fast for the end of LRA violence

Christians in violence-hit Western Equatoria State conducted three days of fasting and prayer for peace in the region this week. Hundreds of Christians took part in a 20 kilometer march for peace from Nzara to Yambio, led by Catholic Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala and by Bishop Peter Munde of the Episcopal Church of Sudan.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Part the heavens over Uganda, Sudan, and Congo. Mount the cherubim and soar on the wings of the wind! By Your hand, save Your children. By Your hand, deliver them. By Your hand, eradicate the Lord’s Resistance Army. Amen.
Psalm 17:14, 18:9-10

Philippians 2:1-11

============ 9/9/2009, #77, 3rd Quarter 2009

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, (Philippians 2:1)
      Jesus, please help us seek after and find the consolation you offer, the comfort of your love, the fellowship of your Spirit, and your affection and mercy.

fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Philippians 2:2)
      Holy Spirit, fulfill Bishop Bill’s joy by helping us be like-minded in Christ, having Jesus’ love for one another, being in one accord, and of one mind, directed by you.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)
      Father, help us today lay aside our agenda, our ambitions and seek after the mind of Christ.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
      Holy Spirit, guide us in seeking the true welfare of each other in this diocese.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 )
      Jesus, please help us have your mind and your sense of direction about the issues which plague and divide the Episcopal Church.

Therefore God also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
      Holy Spirit, please help us in humility submit ourselves to Jesus’ will and purposes for our lives and for this diocese.

Albany Intercessor

Mark 15:40-41 and Mark 16:9-14

      A word received: Call my people to me. Call them to repentance. You cannot come to me unless you ask me for my help so that you can turn to me.

There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed him and ministered to him when he was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. (Mark 15:40-41)
      Jesus, please bless the ministry of all the women who minister you in this diocese. We pray that you will call more women into the ministry of service to you. Raise up vocations to the Sisters of St. Mary and the Daughters of the King and other ministries of service. I pray that all of the men and women of this diocese will hear your call to serve you and minister to you.

      And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

      A word received: Pray for my people to enter into service to me. I want them to minister to me with praise and worship — I want my people to serve me. I want your attention on me. Keep me in focus; keep me at the center of your life — then you will know how to truly serve others.

Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons. (Mark 16:9)
      Jesus, thank you for your ministry to Mary Magdalene and to all of the women of this diocese.

She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. (Mark 16:10)
      Holy Spirit, thank you for the ministry of compassion you give to those who reach out to those who mourn and weep.

And when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. (Mark 16:11)
      Father, please help your people believe the witness of those who have met your son Jesus and help them believe the witness of Scripture.

After that, he appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. (Mark 16:12-13)
      Holy Spirit, replace the doubts of your people with the assurance of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Later he appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and he rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. (Mark 16:14)
      Jesus, please help us hear your rebuke for our hardness of heart and unbelief.

Albany Intercessor

Mississippi

I’ve been told that Mississippi’s state drink is milk and its state insect is the honey bee. That makes Mississippi the land of milk and honey! LOL!

Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the land of Mississippi, for its rich agricultural resources, for its people, and for its churches. We claim its heritage as the land of milk and honey and proclaim that worship of the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, will sweep across this state.
There is a history of divisions among the Christians of this state, through denominationalism and racism. With the blood of Your Son, cleanse those words that break covenant. Fill the gaps caused by these words with Your Holy Spirit. Heal the Body of Christ. We raise of the banner of love over this state.
Set the pulpits and altars aflame with Your Spirit. Tear down those structures that keep Your people from gathering together and worshipping in a new way. Release revelation. We ask for salvations by the thousands, for healings and miracles.
Dear Father, the name Mississippi means father of waters. Yet, we are a state known for its fatherlessness. Bless the men of this state. Give birth to a spirit of fatherhood within them–natural fatherhood within families and spiritual fatherhood within churches.
May Your glory flow over this land. Amen.

Sudan

Lord,
We give You glory and proclaim Your praise. Jehovah Sabaoth, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, will march out like a mighty man. Like a warrior, he will stir up His zeal. With a shout, He will raise the battle cry and triumph over His enemies.
Lay waste to the political and military forces that plot to disrupt the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan. Dry up the Lord’s Resistance Army!
Do not forsake Your children in the Episcopal Church of Sudan. Guide them on unfamiliar paths. Show them the next right step. Turn darkness into light before them. Make the rough places smooth.
Lord, have You not heard our cries? Incline Your ear to us. Give birth to a new peace, a new kingdom on earth in Southern Sudan as it is in heaven, and bring these evil men to utter shame. Amen.
Isaiah 42:12-17