For God’s revelation

Deuteronomy 29:29 (New International Version)
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Your people perish for lack of knowledge. Yet, Your Son Jesus taught us that it is Your pleasure to give Your children good gifts–God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.
Your children are employed throughout the economic sector of the United States, in industry, commerce, agriculture, science, education, health care, government, media, arts, and entertainment. Look with favor upon them and reveal to them new ideas, concepts, and inventions. Through these revelations, release wealth and prosperity to those who fear You and keep Your commandments.
You are omniscient and omnipotent, extravagant in Your generosity. With You, all things are possible. We ask these things for the establishment of Your kingdom on earth and the glory of Your name. Amen.
Psalm 112:1-3, Proverbs 29:18, Luke 12:31-33

Haiti

Cotton Country Anglican posted a prayer by Bishop Bruce MacPherson:

O blessed Lord God, we hold before you those who are suffering from the earthquake the has brought such devastating destruction to the people of Haiti. We pray for those whose lives have been lost, for the missing, for those injured, for those who have been left homeless, and for those who grieve the loss of loved ones, and entrust them to your loving care. May we find ourselves seeking to reach out and touch the lives of these precious people of your creation, and sharing the love that is ours through the gift of your Son. Grant these things for the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Isaiah 62:1-5 and Genesis 6:22

For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. (Isaiah 62:1)
      Jesus, we cry out to you for the Episcopal Church: let your righteousness and salvation shine forth from it.

The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. (Isaiah 62:2)
      Father, when I was baptized I received a new name; baptize the Episcopal Church with your Holy Spirit so that it may receive that new name.

You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. (Isaiah 62:3)
      Jesus, we ask for your grace and peace and faithful witness; come and rule over us and wash us and free us from our sins. Make us kings and priests to our God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (See Revelation 1:4-6)

You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. (Isaiah 62:4)
      Father, we pray that your people who are called by your name will humble themselves, and pray and seek your face and turn from their wicked ways so that you will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal our land. (See 2 Chronicles 7:14)

For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5)
      Jesus, we long for the day when you will rejoice over the Episcopal Church. Come soon, Lord Jesus, and cleanse and renew your people. Thank you.

Sunday: 114, 115; Genesis 7:1-10, 17-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; Mark 3:7-19
Monday: 9, 15; Genesis 8:6-22; Hebrews 4:14-5:6; John 2:23-3:15

Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. (Genesis 6:22)
      A word received: Pray for obedience to my word.
      I have spoken and my people do not listen.
      I have commanded them and they go their own way.

Albany Intercessor

Autism spectrum disorders

Fr. Tim Fountain has requested prayers for his son Joseph. There are so many wonderful young people suffering from this illness and its complications.

Lamentations 2:18-19 (Amplified Bible)
The hearts [of the inhabitants of Jerusalem] cried to the Lord. [Then to the congregation, I, Jeremiah, cried, addressing the wall as its symbol] O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night; give yourself no rest, let not your eyes stop [shedding tears]. Arise [from your bed], cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift up your hands toward Him for the lives of your young children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.

Dear Jesus,
Jacob rested his head on a stone, the heavens opened above him, and the angels ascended and descended upon him. When the children of Israel thirsted in the wilderness, Moses struck the stone, and water streamed forth.
Jeremiah spoke to the stones in the wall of Jerusalem and admonished them to weep. We are living stones, being built into a spiritual temple, and our tears run down like a river day and night. We have prayed and wept for our autistic children. Our hearts are poured out like water before Your face.
Jesus, You are our chief corner stone! We stand on the promise that You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Send forth Your living water into the spirits, souls, minds, and bodies of Joseph, Lauren, Christopher, and all those with this affliction. Wash away all the impurities, reroute their neural connections, and restore a proper balance of neurotransmitters.
Have they not been resting on You? Commission Your holy angels to ascend and descend upon them.
Heal them, Lord. We trust in you; help our lack of trust. Amen.

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, January 16, 2010, 9:30 -10:30 AM Torre Bissell and Dave Carlson

+–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

It seemed that most people were not in as much of a hurry today, maybe because the weather was so much warmer. We were struck again, by the great needs of the people who stopped for prayer. Jesus is the answer to those needs! He came “to preach the gospel to the poor…to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18 NKJV)

+ Marilyn and her son +LaMore — LaMore is a student at Hudson Valley Community College and needs financial aid. We prayed for the Lord’s provision.

Jim — One of our “regulars” who frequently comes for prayer, Jim asked us to pray for the people of Haiti who are struggling in the aftermath of the earthquake

Howard – Deacon Howard will be ministering at a parish in Canajoharie today. We prayed for the Lord’s anointing on him and that the Lord would do a mighty work there today.

+ Jay — was rushing by but did stop briefly for prayer; we prayed that the Lord would meet all his needs

Tim — Tim has stopped for prayer several weeks in a row now – he asked prayer for God’s blessing on his cleaning business.

+ Michael — asked for “strength”

+ Clifford — asked for the Lord to set him free from addictions to drugs and alcohol; He was clean for 3 years and then relapsed

+ Bobby — This man was walking by on the other side of the road balancing a plastic bag of laundry on his head. We called out to him to see if he would like prayer. He crossed over and asked prayer “for things to get better…and for my family.”

+ Ramona and her daughter +Nyera – they passed the table without stopping for prayer; when they were passed the other way later we asked them if they would like crosses. They stopped to get a cross and also received prayer.

+ Katrina – young woman who came around the corner with 2 friends to go to the bus stop; she saw the prayer table and made her way over to us. She motioned to her friends to join her but they stayed at the bus stop. Katrina asked prayer for her family.

+ Debbie – crossed the street while talking on her cell phone, intentionally making her way to the prayer table. She asked us to pray that “the lights will stay on” and that she can find a different apartment.

Lord, we pray that the “lights will stay on” for everyone that needs your light and hope. You are the Light of the world! We pray that your light will shine on our city in this time of great darkness.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” (Isa. 9:2)

David

Prayer Table Regulars
The Prayer Table has become a regular stop for a number of folks in the Neighborhood, and we have added their names here to the bottom of the Prayer Table Report.

Kayla — Pray for healing in her life after being raped. Pray for her mother Laura, her son Nassir, her brother Josh, and Josh’s son Deanthony.

Jim–Pray for healing in his life from abusive parents and for his personal peace after the death of his 31 year old son Robert. Jim is bi-polar.

Bill–Pray for his health and no more epileptic seizures. This middle-aged man has lived alone; please pray for companionship.

Albany Intercessor

Hebrews 4:9-13

For if Joshua had given them rest, then he would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:8-9)
      Jesus, please help us enter that rest; for many are weary.

For he who has entered his rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:10)
      Lord, help us lay aside the burden of “doing” and have a Sabbath Day’s rest.

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:11)
      Holy Spirit, please help us follow those who are good examples of obedience to your word; help us make every effort to rest in the arms of Jesus.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
      Father, we ask for your word to pierce our hearts.

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)
      Father, you see us as we are — nothing is hidden from you — draw us by your Holy Spirit into the life of your son. Thank you.

Saturday: 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; Genesis 6:9-22; Hebrews 4:1-13; John 2:13-22
Sunday: 114, 115; Genesis 7:1-10, 17-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; Mark 3:7-19

      A word received: Thank me and praise me for all that I have done for you.
      Come to me in your time of need.
      I will be there with you.

Albany Intercessor

The Federal Reserve

The federal reserve system is the cental banking authority in the United States; as such, it acts as a fiscal agent for the government, is custodian of the reserve accounts of commercial banks, makes loans to commercial banks, and is authorized to issue federal reserve notes, which constitute a large fraction of the hand-to-hand currency of the country. The Board of Governors is listed here.

Our Father in heaven,
Guide the Governors of the Federal Reserve, Ben, Donald, Kevin, Elizabeth, and Daniel, and its member banks in the ways of justice and truth that they may honor their fellow U. S. citizens and serve the common good. Their lives are closely linked with our economic well being. May we all use our financial resources rightly in the service of one another, to Your honor and glory. Amen.

Psalm 22:3-5

But you are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3)
      Holy Spirit, help us fill our homes and parishes and places of work with the praise of Jesus so that he will be enthroned there.

Our fathers trusted in you; they trusted, and you delivered them. (Psalm 22:4)
      Father, please restore to the common life of the Episcopal Church trust in you and prayer to you.

They cried to you, and were delivered; they trusted in you, and were not ashamed. (Psalm 22:5)
      Jesus, we ask you to deliver the Episcopal Church from trusting in worldly wisdom rather than your word in Scripture. Thank you.

Friday: 22; Genesis 6:1-8; Hebrews 3:12-19; John 2:1-12
Saturday: 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; Genesis 6:9-22; Hebrews 4:1-13; John 2:13-22

      A word received: I love you.

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Jean came home yesterday in the early afternoon. Praise the Lord!

Albany Intercessor

Purification

2 Corinthians 13:5 (New International Version)
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

O Lord, such darkness hidden in the crevices of my soul! Come, Holy Spirit, come. Move over the chaos of my soul. Hover over this earthen vessel and speak light. I want to display Your splendor. Amen.
Genesis 1:1-3, Isaiah 61:3

Delaware

Thank you for joining me in prayer for the U.S. federal government these last two weeks. This is the first 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 Delaware (boldface added).

Preamble:
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; and as these rights are essential to their welfare, for due exercise thereof, power is inherent in them; and therefore all just authority in the institutions of political society is derived from the people, and established with their consent, to advance their happiness; and they may for this end, as circumstances require, from time to time, alter their Constitution of government.

Article 1, Section 1:
Although it is the duty of all men frequently to assemble together for the public worship of Almighty God; and piety and morality, on which the prosperity of communities depends, are hereby promoted; yet no man shall or ought to be compelled to attend any religious worship, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of worship, or to the maintenance of any ministry, against his own free will and consent;

Oh, Lord,
We cry out for a piety and morality in Delaware on which its prosperity can be established. Through Your Divine goodness, may the state of Delaware defend life, the freedom of religion, liberty, and justice. Amen.

Psalm 18:28-34

For you will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. (Psalm 18:28 )
      Lord, let your light shine forth in our lives and on our paths.

For by you I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. (Psalm 18:29)
      Father, please help us leap over the walls of sin and doubt that separate us from you and from one another.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; he is a shield to all who trust in him. (Psalm 18:30)
      Jesus, you are our shield; protect this diocese and your other faithful dioceses and parishes from all assaults of the evil one.

For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? (Psalm 18:31)
      Jesus, you are our rock and our hiding place; you are the rock that does not move or shake.

It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. (Psalm 18:32)
      Holy Spirit, help us daily put on your full armor.

He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places. (Psalm 18:33)
      Father, our lives are in your hands; place us wherever you will.

He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. (Psalm 18:34)
      Jesus, prepare and armor our hearts for the day of battle that is coming. Thank you.

Thursday: 18:21-50; Genesis 4:17-26; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 1:43-51
Friday: 22; Genesis 6:1-8; Hebrews 3:12-19; John 2:1-12

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Jean should be coming home this morning. We felt she was a bit weak to come home yesterday.

Albany Intercessor

For a just society

Dear Heavenly Father,
Though our nation yearns for justice, we lack a practical agreement on the content and character of justice and its consequent rules for ordering society. We have lost our moral moorings, the foundation of political community, and are unable to agree on the concepts of virtue.
Jesus is the Way.
May the leaders of our nation honor the Son of God, just as we honor the Father. God appointed Jesus as judge of the living and the dead. He is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us. He is our Wonderful Counselor.
Jesus is the Truth.
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Jesus is the Life.
Oh, that we would build our government on the Chief Cornerstone, rather than soil of clay! Oh, for a spirit of service and humility, rather than pride! Of the government on His shoulders there will be no end of justice, righteousness, and peace. Amen.
Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 4:3, John 5:22-23, Acts 10:42, Romans 8:34

Some of the ideas for this prayer came from Alasdair MacIntyre’s
After Virtue, 3rd ed, p. 244.

Hebrews 2:14-18

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared in the same, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (Hebrews 2:14)
      Jesus, Son of Man, thank you for partaking of all our weakness and the frailty of our human flesh. Help us know the power of your resurrection and victory over Satan and death.

and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:15)
      Lord, set the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church free from their bondage to empty philosophy which leads to eternal death.

For indeed he does not give aid to angels, but he does give aid to the seed of Abraham. (Hebrews 2:16)
      Jesus, thank you for sending the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to us.

Therefore, in all things he had to be made like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)
      Lord Jesus, our High Priest, come and rescue those who have been captured by the empty philosophies of the world.

For in that he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18 )
      Jesus, come and win the victory in us; help us in all our temptations. Thank you.

      A word received: Wait for me: keep your eyes on me.

Wednesday: 12, 13, 14; Genesis 4:1-16; Hebrews 2:11-18; John 1:(29-34 )35-42
Thursday: 18:21-50; Genesis 4:17-26; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 1:43-51

Albany Intercessor

A love letter

Received by a Mississippi pastor, Betty Love. This is a compilation of the following scriptures in The Message Bible: Philippians 1:3-6, Ephesians 3:20-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:35.

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Meanwhile, we’ve got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God’s original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth. This is the life of the Spirit he invited you to through the Message we delivered, in which you get in on the glory of our Master, Jesus Christ.

So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing!

For our economy

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor:
Be present with thy people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to thy will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
BCP