Government leaders

Wannabe Anglican modified this prayer from the BCP for his personal use.

O LORD our Governor, whose glory is in all the world; We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and to all in Authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness; and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; but as for those who stiffen the neck and continue to pursue evil, I pray that you would thwart their evil efforts, remove them from power, and replace them with better men and women; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

The prize

Philippians 10:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Christ Jesus,
Your Abba Father is the prize. Lay hold of me and press out that which is not of You, so that I can lay hold of You. Then bring me to Your Father. Amen.

Psalm 35:9-12

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; it shall rejoice in his salvation. (Psalm 35:9)
      Jesus, please renew in us our first love for you and our joy in the salvation you have worked for us.

All my bones shall say, “LORD, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?” (Psalm 35:10)
      Father, we do not know what to do in this time of darkness and confusion in the Episcopal Church, but our eyes are upon you.

Fierce witnesses rise up; they ask me things that I do not know. They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul. (Psalm 35:11-12)
      Holy Spirit, please comfort and guide Bishop Bill; surround him with your peace and stop the mouths of those who malign him and your other faithful witnesses in this diocese. Thank you.

Friday: 35; Genesis 11:27-12:8; Hebrews 7:1-17; John 4:16-26
Saturday: 42, 43; Genesis 12:9-13:1; Hebrews 7:18-28; John 4:27-42

Albany Intercessor

Pennsylvania

This is the second of a series of prayers for individual states. For the remainder of the year, we will pray for one state each week. Below is an excerpt from the preamble of the constitution of Pennsylvania:

Preamble:
WE, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

Article 1, Section 3:
All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences;

Article 1, Section 4:
No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth.

Oh, Lord,
May the state of Pennsylvania continue to be grateful to You as the source of the blessings of civil and religious liberty. May they defend the freedom of religion. May their leaders humbly invoke Your guidance in their daily decisions. Amen.

PS from Fr. Nigel

Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:39 a.m.
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: PS

      PS. I was just talking to my dear friend from the UK, an evangelist by the name of J.John. I have been praying for him to become more involved in the healing ministry and he has been praying for me to become more involved in evangelism. We have based our missions on the words from Luke 9:2 to Preach the Kingdom AND heal the sick.

      He gave me two passages: one from the 23 Psalm: He MAKES me lie down in green pastures… well the Lord had done that. The second is from Psalm 27:14 Waite for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

      It can be so helpful for all of us to be given a verse or two to keep us on the path of healing.

      God bless you all, Fr. Nigel+

Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:20 p.m.
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: PPS

      PPS. I had a take home device to test my oxygen blood saturation last night. This is to determine if I can come off all night oxygen. Had a response this afternoon that I have to stay on nighttime oxygen until May!

God bless you, Fr. Nigel+

Albany Intercessor

Update on Fr. Nigel

Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:47 a.m.
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: Update on Fr. Nigel

Dear loyal yokefellows, (Philip 4:3)

      Thank you again for your continued prayer. Day by day, very slowly I am continuing the healing process. Having an allergic reaction to the new meds for the pressure wound at the moment. Not fun. The wound is a lot smaller and is healing but is causing a lot of pain. Joints feel stiff and tired. Still short of breath! The docs said it would be a year before I play the bag pipes again! I start another rehab next Thursday at the new medical facility here in Greenwich. So looking forward to coming back to work. Will let you know when I will be speaking/leading at a Tuesday healing service. The visiting nurse comes to see me twice a week and we are off to see the doc in a hour. More blood work and a new set of chest x-rays. Sleeping well, and feel very close to our Lord. God is good all the time, in fact God is BRILLIANT.

      My cousin from Australia who is living in NY city right now has a mild form of H1N1 she has not been hospitalized. She came to see me a couple of times when I was in a coma. She is a former medical doctor and certainly was a help for Lynn, medically speaking. She is amazed at what this thing has done to her body. Total exhaustion. Quite a few people I know have received the vaccination for H1N1 because of what happened to me. Even a few nurses told me that they were so shocked at the ferocity of this virus they also went for the vaccine.

      Keep praying dear people. Pray especially for the peoples of Haiti.

      Thank you all for your prayers. I have no doubt that I am alive because of them.

      God bless you, Fr. Nigel+

Albany Intercessor

Mere Anglicanism

The Mere Anglicanism conference commences tonight.

Hebrews 12:25-29 (New International Version)
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

O God,
You are a consuming fire. Pour out on this conference a spirit of thanksgiving, reverence, and awe. Amen.

Psalm 37:34-36

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, (Psalm 37:34a)
      LORD, help us wait on you and cling to your ways.

And he shall exalt you to inherit the land; (Psalm 37:34b)
      Father, help us enter into your full provision.

When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. (Psalm 37:34c)
      Jesus, thank you that judgment is in your hands and not ours.

I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. (Psalm 37:35)
      Holy Spirit, bring confusion to the purposes of all those who seek to do evil to your people.

Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. (Psalm 37:36)
      Jesus, we pray for the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church that you will bring them to conversion and repentance. You are our strength, salvation and hope in these times of trouble. Thank you for all that you are doing for us and for the great deliverance you are working for your faithful people.

Thursday: 37:19-42; Genesis 11:1-9; Hebrews 6:13-20; John 4:1-15
Friday: 35; Genesis 11:27-12:8; Hebrews 7:1-17; John 4:16-26

      Notes from the Front Line

Diocesan Update Addendum, January 20, 2009

“Your prayers are invited for Jos, Nigeria. According to BBC and CNN, riots have once again broken out between Muslims and Christians. They are blaming the violence on a number of factors, most of which are speculation and avoid discussing spiritual implications. Archbishop Ben Kwashi and Mama Gloria remain safe in their compound, but rumors abound of potential bombings. Several churches have once again been affected.
Please pray for:
God’s peace and love to fall upon the region with such weight that the enemy is unable to move further protection for Bishop Ben, Mama Gloria, the clergy, their families, their spiritual children, Wisdom to be released into the hearts and minds of those in the Nigerian government overseeing the crisis Healing to be released into all areas of the region that the spirits of misinformation and spin doctoring be bound, gagged and laid at the foot of the cross that The Light would penetrate this region funding and support for rebuilding to be released and a strengthening of the faith, a gifting of faith to be released into the hearts of the Christians, and in that faith to be found the love for their brother and sister, and end to violence and a call to build”

This request for intercession for Jos was initiated by Dcn Frank Lockwood, Christ Church, Coxsackie.

For new Diocesan Update subscribers, Archbishop Kwashi was our guest preacher at Diocesan Convention 2008, and last year we sent three clergy, Fr Gus Calvo, Fr Mike Neufeld, and Dcn Frank Lockwood, to visit Jos and explore the possibility of short missions to Jos.

Albany Intercessor

God’s Holy Word

Psalm 138:2 (Amplified Bible)
I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!

Dear Father,
You taught us not to take Your name in vain. Yet, You have magnified Your word above all Your name. Forgive us for disregarding Your word. We have taken it for granted and not held it close so that it can take root in our spirit. We have been disobedient and cast it aside.
We pray for obedience to Your word. We pray for humility, a willingness to listen to instruction, and an acceptance of correction.
Oh, Lord, may our churches be filled with humble hearts that are like greenhouses, receiving the seed of Your Holy Word, bearing fruit and bringing forth a hundredfold. Amen.
Matthew 13:18-23

Psalm 119:25-32

My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to your word. (Psalm 119:25)
      Jesus, please bring revival to the parishes of this diocese.

I have declared my ways, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. (Psalm 119:26)
      Holy Spirit, please teach us.

Make me understand the way of your precepts; so shall I meditate on your wonderful works. (Psalm 119:27)
      Father, help us come into your presence and reflect your ways.

My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to your word. (Psalm 119:28 )
      Lord, renew in our day the wonders of your Pentecost.

Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me your law graciously. (Psalm 119:29)
      Jesus, please help me walk in your grace and mercy.

I have chosen the way of truth; your judgments I have laid before me. (Psalm 119:30)
      Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life; help us walk in your straight and narrow path.

I cling to your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! (Psalm 119:31)
      Thank you, Jesus, for the faithful way Bishop Bill and the other diocesan leaders proclaims your testimonies; please keep this diocese on the right track.

I will run the course of your commandments, for you shall enlarge my heart. (Psalm 119:32)
      Father, please help us all run the way of your commandments. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my people.

Wednesday: 119:25-48; Genesis 9:18-29; Hebrews 6:1-12; John 3:22-36
Thursday: 37:19-42; Genesis 11:1-9; Hebrews 6:13-20; John 4:1-15

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010
From: Sister Mary Elizabeth, CSM
Subject: Welcome Home Initiative Update, Tuesday, January19, 2010
To all our faithful Welcome Home Initiative Intercessors–
      Our Seventh Welcome Home Initiative begins a week from today, January 25- 27, 1010, with ten Warriors registered to participate. Together they represent Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Units and have seen combat in Vietnam or in Iraq and Afghanistan.
      In addition to combatants with PTSD, we also welcome to this retreat Warriors with secondary PTSD derived from their role as a Chaplain assisting in reintegrating combatants stateside or as a mortuary affairs officer who processed over 4000 casualties. There is also a higher level of physical disability in some of the veterans attending. We have three returning WHI Alumnae.
      Our full compliment looks like this:
Veteran (alumnae)      Air Force      Libya, Gulf War
Veteran (alumnae)      Air Force      Afghanistan
Veteran (alumnae)      USMC      Vietnam
Veteran      USMC      Iraq
Veteran      USMC      Iraq
Veteran       Air Force      Iraq
Veteran       Army      Vietnam
Veteran      Army      Vietnam
Chaplain      Navy      Iraq
Veteran      Not Known      Not Known
(Pray also for 3 other participants, whose details we are unable to give.)
      This Seventh Welcome Home Initiative will be co-led by Bishop Dave Bena and Lt. Col. Noel Dawes (Ret) with hopes that Fr. Nigel Mumford will be able to join sometime during the course of the retreat. Sue Ellen Ruetsch returns as our mental health consultant and nurse. Sandra Lester is Logistics Coordinator.
*      Keep this Leadership Team in prayer this week as they prepare for their program presentations and iron out any last minute details and changes. Keep the Prayer Team which will assemble on Monday lifted up as well.

We anticipate severe trauma in some of these men – strong warriors who have held their interior issues at bay with fortitude.
*      Pray for clinical wisdom on the part of our nurses and prayer ministers; for a safe opening of the mental and emotional wounds which have been carried from the battlefield; and for provision by the Holy Spirit to meet each man’s anguish with the healing presence of Christ. .

Some may need to make a faith commitment to Christ in some form during the retreat; others may need a deepening of their experience of His love and healing grace.
*      Pray for the opening of new or renewed faith for each man attending.

Much of the success of WHI rests on the rapid building of community during the two days and for a melding of Vietnam and Iraqi/Afghanistan combat experiences.
*      Pray for camaraderie and trust to develop quickly, as between brothers with a common goal.

Pray for smooth running of logistical details.
*      Pray for travel mercies for the men, seasonable weather, safety on the grounds; for the ability of the Tuesday evening entertainer and Wednesday morning Closing Ceremony guest speaker to make it to CtK in a timely way;

Pray for unbounded welcome to surround this retreat in even the smallest details.
*      Pray for the loving work of the SLC hospitality team; for the volunteers who prepare the baskets and quilts for the rooms and do unseen work behind the scenes; for the smiles that greet each Warrior as he arrives; for an abundance of laughter to offset the more difficult issues raised.

The mid-winter WHI is the most difficult retreat for which to have good attendance at the Closing Ceremony on Wednesday. If you live in the local area, please consider attending, to welcome these Warriors home and to thank them for the sacrifices they have made for our freedoms. Join us for this Closing Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, in Christ the King Chapel at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center. Lunch follows in Trinity Dining Hall; cost is $8.50 plus tax.

Finally, pray for financial provision for the Welcome Home Initiative in 2010. We are committed to providing these healing retreats to our combat veterans free of charge, but we anticipate a shortfall beginning with this January WHI.

Your prayers cover our Teams and these warriors with mercy and grace from afar and are an integral part of this work. I thank each of you for your faithfulness.

Sister Mary Elizabeth, CSM
For the Oratory of Christ the Healer at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center, Greenwich, NY.
See our website: http://christ-the-king-center.org/WelcomeHome/.

***** Words received for lesson 18, February 7, 2010 (check out the other Sunday School Lessons which have been posted on http://christchurchsundayschool.blogspot.com/.)

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1) A word received: I came to show my father’s love for you.

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2) A word received: I have given you a Spirit of adoption so that you can know me as your father.

“And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3) A word received: I AM calling you to purity of heart so that you can see and know my father. (See Matthew 5:8 )

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) A word received: I want you to be led by my Holy Spirit.

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15) A word received: “Abba, Father” is not just a cute title — it is a relationship I want you to have with my father.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26) A word received: I want you to come to maturity of faith. I want you to be sons of my father in word and deed.

“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Galatians 4:6) A word received: Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit — the portion of an eldest son. I want you to have that same fervent desire — the desire to be my son and receive that “double portion” as Elisha did. (See 2 Kings 2:9)

Albany Intercessor

Delaware

Leviticus 25:23 (New International Version)
“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.”

From the preamble to the Constitution of the State of Delaware:

Through Divine goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property, and in general of obtaining objects suitable to their condition, without injury by one to another . . .

Dear Heavenly Father,
It is indeed through Your divine goodness that the people of Delaware enoy the land they live upon. May they remember that they are but tenants and will one day give an accounting. May they honor Your commandments in their hearts and shun hatred, selfishness, hypocrisy, and falsehood. We pray that they will remember their covenant with You, defend life, and find favor in Your sight. Amen.
Proverbs 3:1-5

John 3:16-21

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
      Father, in your love and mercy draw the people of this diocese to your son Jesus. Give your people a hunger for your word. Thank you.

“For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)
      Jesus, do a mighty work of salvation throughout this diocese. Draw the people to yourself.

“He who believes in him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18 )
      Holy Spirit, give the gifts of faith, hope and love to all the people of this diocese.

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)
      Holy Spirit, help us set our affections on Jesus and his cross so that we escape condemnation.

“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 3:20)
      Jesus, help us daily embrace your light.

“But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:21)
      Father, help us abide in your truth and righteousness; help us daily walk in your light. Thank you.

Tuesday: 6, 39; Genesis 9:1-17; Hebrews 5:7-14; John 3:16-21
Wednesday: 119:25-48; Genesis 9:18-29; Hebrews 6:1-12; John 3:22-36

Albany Intercessor

Central Intelligence Agency

The CIA is an independent agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior US policymakers.

Matthew 5:9 KJV
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Dear Heavenly Father,
We humbly beseech You to reveal those covert plans designed to kill, steal, and destroy Your children throughout the world. Bless the CIA in their efforts to expose evil and protect the innocent. Reveal to them new ideas and inventions for the defense of Your children, and grant them wisdom in the use of these gifts. Amen.

John 3:1-9

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night (John 3:1-2a)
      Holy Spirit, bring the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church to Jesus — whether by day or by night — but draw them to Jesus.

and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2b)
      Jesus, you gave Nicodemus eyes to see your work as a sign of your father’s favor; give the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church eyes to see your work among us.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
      Father, please bring the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church to a new birth in Jesus. Baptize them with your Holy Spirit.

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4)
      Holy Spirit, please help your people see beyond the limits of the flesh to what you can do.

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
      Jesus, bring us to that place where you will rule and reign in our hearts. Thank you.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6)
      Father, move through this diocese and bring us to new birth in your Spirit.

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:7)
      Father, bring us to new birth in you.

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 )
      Lord, there is a great mystery here: some are drawn to you and receive new life and others turn away. Only you can see into their hearts; in your mercy draw the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church to you and into the life of your Spirit. Do open heart surgery on them. Thank you.

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” (John 3:9)
      Holy Spirit, prompt the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church to ask this question and to seek the answer in Jesus.

Monday: 9, 15; Genesis 8:6-22; Hebrews 4:14-5:6; John 2:23-3:15
Tuesday: 6, 39; Genesis 9:1-17; Hebrews 5:7-14; John 3:16-21

Albany Intercessor

Delaware

When the first white settlers arrived, the Leni-Lenape, or Delaware, tribe lived along the Delaware River and the Nanticoke tribe along the Nanticoke River.

Deuteronomy 27:17 (New International Version)
“Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

O Lord,
Our ancestors’ greed overtook the land of the Leni-Lanape and Nanticoke Indians. They removed the landmarks of the land You had given these tribes for their inheritance. What curses spoken by the Native Americans and the immigrant Europeans defile the land? What spilt blood cries out from the soil?
We confess our sins of hatred, fear, greed, and vengeance; we confess the sins of our ancestors in removing their neighbors’ landmarks. We cry out to You to root up these hidden defilements in the state of Delaware and cleanse the land. Amen.
Deuteronomy 19:14, Isaiah 24:5-6, Proverbs 22:28