Then he began to tell the people this parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time.” (Luke 20:9)
Jesus, please help us acknowledge that you are the owner of the vineyard and that we are only tenants.
“Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.” (Luke 20:10)
Lord, help us repent of our hardness of heart; help us yield up the fruit you are looking for.
“Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.” (Luke 20:11)
Jesus, we have not listened to your servants as we should, we have not listened to your word to us in Scripture: open our ears and our hearts.
“And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out.” (Luke 20:12)
Father, we have wounded your servants you have sent us — we have not listened to their words as we should have. Have mercy on us and help us repent of this.
“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.’” (Luke 20:13)
Holy Spirit, so many times we have praised Jesus with our lips but our hearts were cold; have mercy on us and warm our hearts with your fire.
“But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’” (Luke 20:14)
Jesus, please help us repent of thinking the church belongs to us; it is yours. Help us repent of our stony hearts.
“So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?” (Luke 20:15)
Lord, we have killed off so many of your initiatives and the work you have wanted to do in our hearts and minds. Bring us to new life in you.
“He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.” And when they heard it they said, “Certainly not!” (Luke 20:16)
Lord, there is a terrible destruction coming for those who do not repent; help us daily turn to you.
“Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone’? Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (Luke 20:17-18 )
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us and turn our hearts into your ways.
And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on him, but they feared the people–for they knew he had spoken this parable against them. (Luke 20:19)
Jesus, have mercy on the Presiding Bishop and all the bishops of the Episcopal Church and draw them to yourself. Move among them with your Holy Spirit at the House of Bishops meeting that is going on right now.
A word received: Pray that my people will recognize that they are in a desert and cry out to me for streams of living water. Pray for living water — streams in the desert.
Sunday: 145; Exodus 3:16-4:12; Romans 12:1-21; John 8:46-59
Monday: 35; Exodus 4:10-20(21-26)27-31 1 Corinthians 14:1-19; Mark 9:30-41
Notes from the Front Line
***** Please pray for Bishop Bill and Bishop Mark Lawrence of South Carolina and the other faithful bishops attending the House of Bishops meeting this weekend.
Pray that there will be streams of living water flowing through the Diocesan Convention.
Albany Intercessor
