Jean came through the surgery VERY well.

Jean came through the surgery VERY well. She was only on the table for an hour. They may let her come home tomorrow. Love, Torre

Albany Intercessor

Genesis 3:1-7

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)
      Holy Spirit, help us to be sober and vigilant; because our adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (From 1 Peter 5:8 )

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” (Genesis 3:2-3)
      Holy Spirit, please help us take to heart the rulings that you have given us in Scripture.

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)
      Father, even now many are being deceived by the lies of Satan.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6)
      Father, thank you for your mercy to us: thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross to repair the damage done by our willful sin.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. (Genesis 3:7)
      Open the eyes of the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church and help us all know our poverty and nakedness before you, Jesus. Thank you.

      A word received: I AM. I AM going before you.

Tuesday: 10, 11; Genesis 3:1-24; Hebrews 2:1-10; John 1:19-28
Wednesday: 12, 13, 14; Genesis 4:1-16; Hebrews 2:11-18; John 1:(29-34 )35-42

Albany Intercessor

U. S. Armed Forces

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff–Admiral Mike Mullen
Air Force Chief of Staff–Gen. Norton Schwartz
Army Chief of Staff–Gen. George Casey
Chief of Naval Operations–Adm. Gary Roughead
Marine Corps Commandmant–Gen. James Conway

Almighty God,
We commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces [especially Mike, Norton, George, Gary, and James] at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BCP

Prayers for our nation can be found at this Roman Catholic website and this evangelical ministry. An Episcopal novena for our nation is found here.

Please pray for Bishop Bill

Please pray for Bishop Bill as he attends the Province II Bishops Meeting January 11-13.

Albany Intercessor

Healing

Torre’s wife is scheduled for surgery tomorrow.

Habakkuk 3:4 NLT
His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
Rays of light flash from his hands,
where his awesome power is hidden.

Dear Jesus,
You are the bright morning star, the light of the world. May Your awesome power come to Jean through the hands of the intercessors and the hospital staff. Amen.

Hebrews 1:1-4 and Deuteronomy 31:7-8

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (Hebrews 1:1)
      Holy Father, please us heed your word to us by your prophets; write the words of David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, and all your prophets on our hearts.

has in these last days spoken to us by his son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2)
      Dear Jesus, continue to speak to us and to your church; help us hear what you are saying.

who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:3)
      Jesus, let the brightness of your light shine forth through the Diocese of Albany and throughout the Episcopal Church.

having become so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:4)
      Holy Spirit, help us bring honor to the name of Jesus today. Thank you.

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8 )
      Father, as you enabled Moses and Joshua to go forth at your word, help us in our generation to go forth into all that you have prepared for us to do. Thank you.

Monday: 4, 7; Genesis 2:4-9(10-15)16-25; Hebrews 1:1-14; John 1:1-18
Tuesday: 10, 11; Genesis 3:1-24; Hebrews 2:1-10; John 1:19-28

Albany Intercessor

The First Amendment

Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices:
Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers for our nation can be found at this Roman Catholic website and this evangelical ministry. An Episcopal novena for our nation is found here.

Fr. Nigel Update

Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 7:51 pm
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: update
Dear faithful prayer partners,
      Again I write to thank you all for your heartfelt prayers. I can now climb the stairs of my house (slowly) and sleep in our bed. I am starting to feel “normal” again. To be free of a hospital bed for 3 months to the day is amazing. Sleeping without oxygen is a little frightening. I am encouraged to use it when moving and to remove it when stationary. Slowing one’s breath down at night is a little uncomfortable and reminds me of the close shave I have had with death. Funny how much we take so much for granted. This morning I caught my wife just looking at me. Smiling when I caught her. She said it is so good to have you back, it is so good that you are alive. We wept. I have had a lot of opportunity to weep over the past three months.

      The band aids are off my throat and feeding tube area. The stage three pressure sore is now half what it was. Will be starting a new medical protocol on Monday. I do not want my lungs to be subject to a general anesthetic so I am avoiding surgery at all costs. here is still a hole, but it is closing from the inside out as it should. Thanks be to God. Having had yet another close shave with death my emotions are rather fragile. My prayer life is amazing. I feel so close to Jesus. Just knowing that so many prayed for me when I was in a coma,the prayers of the people literally carrying me to life, just moves my soul to the amount of love that has been poured out in and by so many.

      My friends in Christ keep praying, pray for your loved ones, pray for the sick, pray for peace, pray for the church. You know its time we all got back on our knees. When was the last time you got on your knees with your spouse to pray? I strongly recommend that you continue what the Lord has put on your heart over the past three months. Pray. Pray without ceasing. Use one part of your brain for daily functions and conversations and use another part of your brain to simultaneously pray. Pray a simple prayer. Pray a prayer of a child, pray the Lords prayer, pray for protection, pray for your own health and the health of those you know and don’t know. I put it to you to look at what the Book of Common prayer states on page 137 in the daily devotions for individuals and families. Three quarters of the way down the page it writes “Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.” The BCP suggests that we pray for ourselves first and then others. Just a thought.

      I send you all such love, those I know, those I do not know, those who have head me speak, those who have sent beautiful prayer shawls, and wonderful quilts, get well cards and letters. We have been so swamped and I so sick that I do apologize to those I should have sent thank you cards. I have been remiss please forgive me. Please know that you are deeply appreciated as we store up treasures in heaven. It is so good to be alive, thank you all, thank you God, thank you Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit, thank you Holy Trinity.

Be well, do good works and for the sake of God love one another. Keep on praying dear souls… May God bless you richly, Fr. Nigel+

      Notes from the Front Line

O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever. (Psalm 131:3)
      A word received: Hope in me; I AM your strength.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:13)
      A word received: How do you make me the beginning and the end of your day?
      What do you do to give me that place in your life?

      A word received: Hear me, listen to me, let me be your daily guide.

      A word received at Christ Church Schenectady:
      You say to me, “Remember your people…”
      I not only remember you, I know you.
      I know you so well that I know your very thoughts — before you speak.
      I AM here — I AM calling you.
      Do you hear me? Are you even listening to me?
      If you listen you will hear me — I want to be in every part of your life.
      You can choose to listen for me and to me.
      Choose life.
      Come to me; I will never turn you away.

Monday: 4, 7; Genesis 2:4-9(10-15)16-25; Hebrews 1:1-14; John 1:1-18
Tuesday: 10, 11; Genesis 3:1-24; Hebrews 2:1-10; John 1:19-28

***** My wife, Jean, will be having shoulder replacement surgery at Saratoga Hospital on Tuesday, January 12th. She is expected to return home on Thursday. It has become “painfully clear” that the surgery is necessary.

Albany Intercessor

Maximus of Turin

Excerpt from a sermon on the mystery of our Lord’s baptism (398-400 AD):

Someone might ask, “Why would a holy man desire baptism?” Listen to the answer: Christ is baptized, not to be made holy by the water, but to make the water holy, and by his cleansing to purify the waters which he touched. For the consecration of Christ involves a more significant consecration of the water.
For when the Savior is washed all water for our baptism is made clean, purified at its source for the dispensing of baptismal grace to the people of future ages. Christ is the first to be baptized, then, so that Christians will follow after him with confidence.

Dear Jesus,
Why did You desire to be born of a woman? After all, You could have descended full grown. Were You born of a woman to sanctify the waters of the womb? Did You undergo cell division and tissue migration, beating heart and sucking thumb, to purify our flesh?
O Lord, have mercy on our nation. What carnage have we wrought? Amen.

Fasting slogans

Sugarless for Sudan
Soup for Sudan
Exercise for Sudan
Smokeless for Sudan
Sacrifice for Sudan
Sober for Sudan
No ‘Damns’ for Sudan
No Sodas for Sudan

A shoulder prayer for Jean Bissell

Torre and Jean Bissell are former missionaries to Liberia and now serve as intercessors for the Episcopal Diocese of Albany. Torre posts the lectionary prayers here at Lent & Beyond. Jean will be having shoulder replacement surgery on Tuesday.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

We bind unto Jean today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
Christ’s yoke be upon her shoulders.
Christ be with her, Christ within her,
Christ behind her, Christ before her,
Christ beside her, Christ to win her,
Christ to comfort and restore her.
Christ beneath her, Christ above her.
Christ’s ease be upon her shoulder abduction,
Christ’s ease be upon her shoulder flexion,
Christ’s ease be upon her shoulder extension,
Christ’s ease be upon her shoulder rotation,
The fullness of Christ in her range of motion.
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love her,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Christ’s yoke be upon her shoulders.
May Jean lean upon Christ’s bosom,
May Jean lean upon Christ’s gentleness,
May Jean lean upon Christ’s humility
May Jean lean upon Christ’s healing.
We bind unto Jean the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of our salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Portions of this prayer are excerpts from St. Patrick’s breastplate.

Genesis 1:1-5

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
      Father, help us make a new beginning in you.

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2)
      Holy Spirit, in this time of darkness in the church and in the nation, come and hover over us.

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)
      Jesus, let your light shine forth in this diocese.

And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:4)
      Jesus, please help us desire the goodness of your light. You are dividing the light from the dark in the Episcopal Church: help us choose the light.

God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. (Genesis 1:5)
      Father, let our days begin by resting in you. Set our hearts on your ways. Thank you.

Sunday: 111, 112, 113; Genesis 1:1-2:3; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:29-34
Monday: 4, 7; Genesis 2:4-9(10-15)16-25; Hebrews 1:1-14; John 1:1-18

Albany Intercessor

Preamble to the Constitution of the United States

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Father in Heaven,
We lift our eyes toward Your Throne, where You reign in righteousness. Your Word assures us that when Your people cry out in sincerity and humility, You will never turn a deaf ear to us. We call upon You now, seeking Your forgiveness and favor.
Only in You can perfect freedom be found. Yet, we have spurned You and sought freedom by the devices and desires of our own hearts. Do not give this nation over to our sins. Give us, instead, over to passionate prayer that moves Your heart.
May Your unfailing love rest upon the United States of America, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You. Amen.

Portions of this prayer came from Beth Moore, National Day of Prayer 2009.

Prayers for our nation can be found at this Roman Catholic website and this evangelical ministry. An Episcopal novena for our nation is found here.

In the face of weakness

This article describes the negotiations leading up to the election. This editorial details the increasing restrictions being placed upon the media prior to the election.

Matthew 14:17-19 NLT
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.

Lord God Almighty,
Nothing is impossible for You. Your children in Sudan are weak. Their skills are insufficient, and their provisions pitiful. They are persecuted on every front.
May they be still and hear Your voice quietly, confidently saying, “Bring the matter to me.” By recognizing their weakness, may they prepare themselves to receive more of Your power. Grant them, Lord, the faith to obey You in the face of the impossible.
No word spoken by You is without power. On the Sabbath, may they rest in the knowledge that Your work was accomplished from the foundations of the world. Amen.
Luke 1:35-37, Mark 10:27, Hebrews 4:7-11

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, January 9, 2010, 9:30 -10:30 AM Torre Bissell and Dave Carlson (Don Foust has been sent to Colorado by GE.)

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

On this cold January morning there weren’t a lot of people on the streets. A handful of people passed by, most of them on their way to the nearby Dollar General store. Some turned down our offer to pray for them, thanking us politely. We prayed for each one anyway, that the Lord would do a work in their hearts and bring them closer to Him, including the man who didn’t feel he needed prayer because, “I pray every Sunday.” We noticed that many who are guarded and cautious the first time they come to the prayer table, later begin to trust us more and reveal more about themselves. We prayed for the city of Schenectady in the words of Isaiah 58:12, “You shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.” Lord, restore the streets of Schenectady and make them safe to dwell in!

Gaudio — man who also came for prayer last week – we prayed for continued healing for his sister (Audio) in Puerto Rico as well as for Gaudio and his family

+ Rachel — We offered prayer as she struggled to push a small grocery cart through the snow in the road. We went out to meet her at the curb and asked what she would like prayer for – “my family…and the world.”

+ Jim — Was walking by quickly with a bag of groceries in each hand – when we offered prayer he set his bags down on the table and said he has to go to a funeral today – after praying for him and the funeral and all who will attend, we said “God bless you.” His response was, “every day He does.”

+ Shannon — This young man asked for prayer “to stay clean.” We asked the Lord to set him free from any addictions he is struggling with.

Jim — One of our “regulars” who frequently comes for prayer, Jim said he recently started a new med for his bi-polar condition and it has made a tremendous improvement in how he feels. We thanked God for that and prayed for continued health and blessing from the Lord.

+ Katie — Older woman, pushing a small cart full of grocery bags in the street. We went out to the curb to pray for her. She wanted prayer for “everything…that I’ll come closer to God.” After we prayed for her she added another request, that the Lord would “take away the cigarettes from my life.”

Walter — Asked for prayer to “get my life together.” When we offered him a cross he said he already has one from a previous week.

+ Frank — We asked what he would like prayer for. He paused and then said, “2010.” We prayed that this would be a year of health and blessing (physical and spiritual) for him.

+ John — We called out to him as he passed on the other side of the street. He said he might stop by “on my way back.” He did stop, and waited patiently while we finished praying for someone else. He asked prayer for lower back pain. As he left he said, “keep the faith.”

Tim — This young man came to the prayer table last week asking prayer for good health. This time though he revealed that he is a recovering addict. We prayed for the Lord to set him free of all addictions and keep him on the road to recovery.

During the last 15 minutes we had several who declined our offer for prayer. We asked the Lord to send 1 more. Shortly after 10:30, as were carrying the table and chairs back to the church, a man called out to us from the street. We asked if he wanted prayer and he said ‘yes.’ We prayed for John and his young daughter (Nessly). Thank you, Lord, for sending us that one more to pray for! You are Lord! You are Mighty to Save!

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