John 6:16-21

Now when evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. (John 6:16-17)
      Jesus, when it is dark and we cannot see the way ahead clearly, please come to us with your light.

Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. (John 6:18 )
      Lord, a great wind is blowing against your church and your people, and we are often afraid.

So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” (John 6:19-20)
      Please help us hear what you are saying to us, Jesus.

Then they willingly received him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. (John 6:21)
      Jesus, please help us willingly and gladly receive you into our lives and circumstances. Thank you.

Thursday: 131, 132, [133]; * 134, 135; 2 Samuel 19:1-23; Acts 24:1-23; Mark 12:28-34
Friday: 140, 142; * 141, 143:1-11(12); 2 Samuel 19:24-43; Acts 24:24-25:12; Mark 12:35-44

Albany Intercessor

Poem of deliverance

“Cassandra Southwick” by John Greenleaf Whittier is the story of a girl about to be sold into slavery who is freed at the last moment. This excerpt follows her deliverance.

Thanksgiving to the Lord of life! To him all praises be,
Who from the hands of evil men hath set his handmaid free;
All praise to Him before whose power the mighty are afraid,
Who take the crafty in the snare which for the poor is laid!

Sing, O my soul, rejoicingly, on evening’s twilight calm
Uplift the loud thanksgiving, pour forth the grateful psalm;
Let all dear hearts with me rejoice, as did the saints of old,
When of the Lord’s good angel the rescued Peter told.

And weep and howl, ye evil priests and mighty men of wrong,
The lord shall smite the proud, and lay His hand upon the strong.
Woe to the wicked rulers in his avenging hour!
Woe to the wolves who seek the flocks to raven and devour!

But let the humble ones arise, the poor in heart be glad,
And let the mourning ones again with robes of praise be clad,
For he who cooled the furnace, and smoothed the stormy wave,
And tamed the Chaldean lions, is mighty still to save!

Does God have time for our prayers?

Matt Kennedy is preaching a sermon series on the Lord’s prayer. This is yet another superb teaching.

Healing prayer

George Conger has posted an article on a scientific study of healing prayer in Mozambique.
God is good.

Hat tip: Northern Plains Anglicans

Acts 8:14-15

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-15)
      Jesus, I pray that Bishop Bill, Bishop Dan, Bishop David, and Bishop Dave will go throughout the Diocese of Albany and Bishop Harold will go throughout the Diocese of Down and Dromore and impart the Holy Spirit with great power to all who have received the word of God.

      Holy Spirit, move among us and help us do and see the signs and wonders that Jesus has told us to do: heal the sick, cleanse lepers, feed the hungry, give living water to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, visit prisoners, and raise the dead.

      Father, we ask that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you.

Wednesday: 119:145-176; * 128, 129, 130; 2 Samuel 18:19-23; Acts 23:23-35; Mark 12:13-27
Thursday: 131, 132, [133]; * 134, 135; 2 Samuel 19:1-23; Acts 24:1-23; Mark 12:28-34

Albany Intercessor

Psalm 124

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say– “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, When men rose up against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;” (Psalm 124:1-3)
      LORD, we are in your hand and you have carried us this far — thank you.

“Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul;” (Psalm 124:4)
      Father, we trust in you and know that there is no height nor depth nor any kind of trouble that can separate us from your love and that you cannot handle. (See Romans 8:39)

“Then the swollen waters Would have gone over our soul.” (Psalm 124:5)
      Jesus, we know that when we pass through the waters, you will be with us, and through the torrents of the river, they shall not overwhelm us. Thank you. (See Isaiah 43:2)

Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. (Psalm 124:6)
      Holy Trinity, one God, thank you.

Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. (Psalm 124:7)
      Jesus, you have guided us by your Holy Spirit and we have escaped so many traps — thank you.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8 )
      Truly, LORD, you are our help and our salvation. We thank you and praise you for all that you have done, are doing right now, and will do in the future to set us free in your kingdom.

      A word received: Pray for that: “Lord, please feed your people.”

Tuesday: [120], 121, 122, 123; * 124, 125, 126, [127]; 2 Samuel 18:9-18; Acts 23:12-24; Mark 11:27-12:12
Wednesday: 119:145-176; * 128, 129, 130; 2 Samuel 18:19-23; Acts 23:23-35; Mark 12:13-27

      Notes from the Front Line

***** “Jesus Culture – Kingdom” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ormUQ3kmA (Link from Craig Fetherstonhaugh.)

Albany Intercessor

Worries and cares

1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified Bible)
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Father God,
Thank You for Your watchfulness. Amen.

John 5:19-27 and Luke 12:54-56

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever he does, the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19)
      Holy Spirit, please help us to be guided by the Father in the same manner Jesus is.

“For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does; and he will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” (John 5:20)”
      Father, thank you for revealing yourself to us in the Scriptures and through your Holy Spirit. Help us recognize your work among us today.

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom he will.” (John 5:21)
      Jesus, thank you that when were dead in sin you raised us to new life by faith in you.

“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,” (John 5:22)
      Jesus, please cover over our sins with your blood so that when you look at us we shall be clean and spotless. Thank you.

“that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (John 5:23)
      Holy Spirit, please help us honor Jesus by our words and deeds and faith in him.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)
      Lord Jesus, please help us hear and receive your word into our hearts. Thank you for bringing us from death into life.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” (John 5:25)
      Holy Spirit, you raised Jesus from the dead, please raise all those in the Episcopal Church who are dead in sin and unrepentance to new life in Jesus.

“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself,” (John 5:26)
      Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life.

“and has given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of Man.” (John 5:27)
      Father, you have granted all authority in heaven and earth to Jesus. Help us heed his command to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to observe all that he has commanded us. Thank you.

Then he also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?” (Luke 12:54-56)
      A word received: This time is evil but I have called you to be salt and light.

Monday: 106:1-18; * 106:19-48; 2 Samuel 17:24-18:8; Acts 22:30-23:11; Mark 11:12-26
Tuesday: [120], 121, 122, 123; * 124, 125, 126, [127]; 2 Samuel 18:9-18; Acts 23:12-24; Mark 11:27-12:12

Albany Intercessor

John Greenleaf Whittier

Whittier was a Quaker and wrote many poems on slavery. This is an excerpt from “Cassandra Southwick” on a slave’s temptation to hopelessness and self-pity.

Oh, ever as the Tempter spoke, and feecle Nature’s fears
Wrung drop by drop the scalding flow of unavailing tears,
I wrestled down the evil thoughts, and strove in silent prayer
To feel, O Helper of the weak! that Thou indeed wert there!

I thought of Paul and Silas, within Philippi’s call,
And how from Peter’s sleeping limbs the prison shackles fell,
Till I seemed to hear the trailing of an Angel’s robe of white,
And to feel a blessed presence invisible to sight.

Bless the Lord for all his mercies!¯for the peace and love I felt,
Like the dew of Hermon’s holy hill, upon my spirit melt;
When ‘Get behind me, Satan! ‘ was the language of my heart,
And I felt the Evil Tempter with all his doubts depart.

All Africa Bishops’ Conference

The conference will be held August 23-29 in Entebbe, Uganda. The theme is Securing The Future: UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (New International Version)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Entebbe”, in the local Luganda language, means a “seat”, and was probably named that because it was the place where a Baganda chief sat to adjudicate legal cases.

Jesus,
You are holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. You are seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

You live forever to make intercession for those that come to God the Father by You. We join our prayers to the intercessions You are making for the All Africa Bishops’ Conference. We stand in agreement with Your will and Your way for the Anglican dioceses in Burundi, Central Africa, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Tanzania, Egypt and Uganda.
You are worthy, Lord. You are worthy. Amen.

Jeremiah 23:28-29

“The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:28 )
      Jesus, let all those who hear your word speak your word. Help us discern the difference between the chaff and the wheat in the words we hear.

“Is not my word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29)
      Holy Spirit, break up the stony places in our hearts with your word; let the fire of your word burn in our hearts.

      A word received: I AM walking — join me. (Sense of Jesus walking through the community)

      A word received: You will meet me as you look for me. (Sense that we needed to look for Jesus in the people we would meet on the street)

      A word received: Keep looking for me. Keep looking for me in the face of those you meet.

      A word received: I want you to see my face.

Sunday: 118; * 145; 2 Samuel 17:1-23; Galatians 3:6-14; John 5:30-47
      HC: 82; Jeremiah 23:23-29; Hebrews 12:1-7(8-10)11-14; Luke 12:49-56
Monday: 106:1-18; * 106:19-48; 2 Samuel 17:24-18:8; Acts 22:30-23:11; Mark 11:12-26

      Notes from the Front Line

***** 3 Prayer Table Reports:
Christ Church Schenectady, Saturday, August 14, 9:20 – 10:30. Carol MacNaughton, Craig Fetherstonhaugh, Shane Goodman, and Torre Bissell.
+–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

+Amir (young man)
+Agnes — wanted prayer for her kids
+James — His mother is a pastor of a church in NYC. He is not ready yet to fully surrender his life to Jesus. He asked for prayer for his wife, Javasha, and for his children, Josette and Jamar
+Tyler (boy accompanied by his grandmonther, +Nancy) — wanted prayer for his mother, +Kim.
+Chris (Boy on bike)
Eric (man) — We prayed for an anointing on him as he preached at the 7th Day Adventist Church on Swan St.
+Connie — We prayed for the healing of deep, deep inner wounds.
+Steve — Prayed a prayer of blessing (God is the Spirit of life, no other spirit will do.)
Mike — he will be travelling
[After the prayer table Craig and I went prayer walking and met 6 or 7 people all of whom accepted prayer and a cross.]

PRAYER TABLE REPORT, (St. Mary’s of Lake Luzerne), Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010; 11:30-noon in front of the Parish Hall after our monthly healing service and prior to our weekly free community luncheon. Deacon Dawn Skramstad and Deacon Alan Hart present at His table.)

a–indicated anointed with Holy Oil.
t–indicates received wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

a–MARYLOU — This is a repeat visitor to the Table. Marylou has been troubled for some time (“I’m up-and-down!” as she described it herself) with worries about her granddaughter CHRISTIE’S pregnancy; worries that Christie will be all right and come through the delivery and birth and that the baby will be healthy and normal. (The birth is expected in October.) We prayed for MaryLou to stop having these feelings of anxiety and fear over the pregnancy and know that all will be well, that God will watch over mother and baby and preserve and protect them all.

a,t — ANGIE — Another person who has visited His table in the past and was patiently waiting for her turn while MaryLou was being prayed for. Angie has a husband who is in very poor health and not doing well at all, although her husband did come to the luncheon later in another vehicle. We prayed for the health of her husband and also for greater family unity for them and strength through faith. The Lord knows the details.

t,t,t — APRIL (mom), AUBREY (young daughter) and ERIC (dad) — This family from Michigan saw our “luncheon” sign on Route 9N yesterday while driving past and decided to stop and visit and have lunch with us. They are vacationing and were delighted to see the church, took pictures inside and outside. They also are Episcopalians and thought our church was beautiful, which of course it IS! We prayed for them for travel mercies as they return back home on Monday.

St James Lake George Prayer Table Report August 12th 2010 4:30-5:30 pm, Mary MacDonald, Terry Graves and Bunny Morgan

Young trio      peace on earth
Young man      healing for left knee
Young couple      no thanks
Young family      pray for us
Young couple      no thanks
Angelica      prayers for her friend’s mother , Elizabeth who has cancer
Pricilla      Hugh Wilson broke his neck
Young family      for health for family , oil spill
Denise      pray for me
Mike and his family      recovery from cutting off tips of index and middle fingers
Young couple      no thanks
Two men      no thanks
Olivia and Paul      pray for our family for Pop Pop and Grandma and repose of the soul of Grandpa
Minni       Ian and Seneca
Young family      health for the family
Alex      don’t get a parking ticket
Marcial      Margaret Ashline surgery
Mary      repose of the soul of Bob Vittengl

Albany Intercessor

Your Name

Song of Solomon 1:3b (New International Version)
Your name is like perfume poured out.

ADORATION

Your Name is holy.
Glory to glory.
Your Name is pass-key.
Glory to glory.
Your Name is perfume.
Glory to glory.

Aroma-bearer,
Unlock Your presence,
Unstop my spirit
And pour Yourself in.

Your Name is Amen.
Glory to glory.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

Poem

A Song to David (excerpt)
by Christopher Smart

Glorious the sun in mid career;
Glorious th’ assembled fires appear;
Glorious the comet’s train:
Glorious the trumpet and alarm;
Glorious th’ almighty stretch’d-out arm;
Glorious th’ enraptur’d main:

Glorious the northern lights a-stream;
Glorious the song, when God’s the theme;
Glorious the thunder’s roar:
Glorious hosanna from the den;
Glorious the catholic amen;
Glorious the martyr’s gore:

Glorious–more glorious is the crown
Of Him that brought salvation down
By meekness, call’d thy Son;
Thou that stupendous truth believ’d,
And now the matchless deed’s achiev’d,
Determin’d, dar’d, and done.

Psalm 107:1-9

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! For his mercy endures forever. (Psalm 107:1)
      Thank you, LORD, for your mercy and kindness towards us.

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, (Psalm 107:2)
      Jesus, thank you for paying the price of my redemption with your blood.

And gathered out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. (Psalm 107:3)
      Holy Spirit, assemble your people and send them forth to do the work of ministering Jesus.

They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; they found no city to dwell in. (Psalm 107:4)
      Holy Father, so many of your people, your lambs, are wandering in the wilderness and in desolate places — draw them to Jesus.

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. (Psalm 107:5)
      Jesus, please help your people understand that the hunger and thirst they experience can only be satisfied by you.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. (Psalm 107:6)
      Jesus, help us find you mighty to save: we cry out to you for the Episcopal Church — deliver us from our distress.

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city for a dwelling place. (Psalm 107:7)
      Holy Spirit, lead us into your provision for us. Help us to go for it and receive all you have for us.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:8 )
      Thank you, Father!

      Thank you, Jesus!

      Thank you, Holy Spirit!

For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:9)
      Thank you for all your wonderful works and your goodness to us.

Friday: 107:1-32; Judges 14:20-15:20; Acts 7:17-29; John 4:43-54
Saturday: 33; Judges 16:1-14; Acts 7:30-43; John 5:1-18

      Notes from the Front Line

***** “Jesus Culture – You Won’t Relent – Kim Walker & Chris Quilala” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74JgXohEcco

Albany Intercessor

John 4:32-38

But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” (John 4:32)
      Father, please help us receive and eat of that food which comes from doing your will.

Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him anything to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work.” (John 4:33-34)
      Thank you, Jesus, for doing your good work on the cross that purchased our salvation.

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35)
      Holy Spirit, please help us stop “waiting for the harvest” and never producing! Help us go out into the harvest fields and do the work there to which you are calling us.

“And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” (John 4:36)
      Lord, I want to be doing your work — whether sowing or reaping — I want to do your kingdom work.

“For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” (John 4:37-38 )
      Jesus, ours is only one small part of the whole — the whole is incomplete until we do our part — help us by your Holy Spirit to do all that you are asking of us. Thank you.

Thursday: 105:23-45; Judges 14:1-19; Acts 6:15-7:16; John 4:27-42
Friday: 107:1-32; Judges 14:20-15:20; Acts 7:17-29; John 4:43-54

      Notes from the Front Line

***** “Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.” D. T. Niles

Albany Intercessor