Prophecy (poem)

PROPHECY

Hearkening prophets,
Mouths open wide;
Words from the Spirit
God does confide.

Psalm 81:8-10, Exodus 5:15

Can Prayer Change God’s Mind?

Over at StandFirm, Matt Kennedy has posted his sermon with this title, and there is a great discussion in the comments. Very worth checking out!

–Karen

Psalm XXIII (poem)

Christopher Smart is an 18th century British poet who spent part of his life in a mental hospital.

Psalm XXIII
by Christopher Smart

The shepherd Christ from heav’n arriv’d,
My flesh and spirit feeds;
I shall not therefore be depriv’d
Of all my nature needs.

As slop’d against the glist’ning beam
The velvet verdure swells,
He keeps, and leads me by the stream
Where consolation dwells.

My soul He shall from sin restore,
And her free pow’rs awake,
In paths of heav’nly truth to soar,
For love and mercy’s sake.

Yea, tho’ I walk death’s gloomy vale,
The dread I shall disdain;
For Thou art with me, lest I fail,
To check me and sustain.

Thou shalt my plenteous board appoint
Before the braving foe;
Thine oil and wine my head anoint,
And make my goblet flow.

But great still Thy love and grace
Shall all my life attend;
And in Thine hallow’d dwelling place
My knees shall ever bend.

John 4 portions

8/11/2010, #45, 3rd Quarter 2010

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)
      Jesus, please help us know you and give you whatever you ask of us.

      Jesus, I am asking for your living water, your Holy Spirit. I want to drink deeply at the well of salvation.

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14)
      ”Sprint up, oh well!” Holy Spirit, flood my soul and let rivers of living water flow out of me to others. Thank you.

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)
      Father, we want to worship you in the power of your Holy Spirit anointed with the truth of the gospel. Thank you for giving us this desire.

      A word received: I have my hand on you.

Wednesday: 119:121-144; Judges 13:15-24; Acts 6:1-15; John 4:1-26
Thursday: 105:23-45; Judges 14:1-19; Acts 6:15-7:16; John 4:27-42

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Check out “Spring Up Oh Well “ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuYSIcbmUQs

Albany Intercessor

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army was founded in London’s East End in 1865 by one-time Methodist minister William Booth and his wife Catherine. Last night, I ran across this wonderful poem:

General William Booth Enters into Heaven

[To be sung to the tune of The Blood of the Lamb with indicated instrument]

I

[Bass drum beaten loudly.]

Booth led boldly with his big bass drum –
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
The Saints smiled gravely and they said: “He’s come.”
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
Walking lepers followed, rank on rank,
Lurching bravoes from the ditches dank,
Drabs from the alleyways and drug fiends pale –
Minds still passion-ridden, soul-powers frail: –
Vermin-eaten saints with mouldy breath,
Unwashed legions with the ways of Death –
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)

[Banjos.]

Every slum had sent its half-a-score
The round world over. (Booth had groaned for more.)
Every banner that the wide world flies
Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes.
Big-voiced lasses made their banjos bang,
Tranced, fanatical they shrieked and sang: –
“Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”
Hallelujah! It was queer to see
Bull-necked convicts with that land make free.
Loons with trumpets blowed a blare, blare, blare
On, on upward thro’ the golden air!
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)

II

[Bass drum slower and softer.]

Booth died blind and still by Faith he trod,
Eyes still dazzled by the ways of God.
Booth led boldly, and he looked the chief
Eagle countenance in sharp relief,
Beard a-flying, air of high command
Unabated in that holy land.

[Sweet flute music.]

Jesus came from out the court-house door,
Stretched his hands above the passing poor.
Booth saw not, but led his queer ones there
Round and round the mighty court-house square.
Then in an instant all that blear review
Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new.
The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled
And blind eyes opened on a new, sweet world.

[Bass drum louder.]

Drabs and vixens in a flash made whole!
Gone was the weasel-head, the snout, the jowl!
Sages and sibyls now, and athletes clean,
Rulers of empires, and of forests green!

[Grand chorus of all instruments. Tambourines to the foreground.]

The hosts were sandalled, and their wings were fire!
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
But their noise played havoc with the angel-choir.
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
O shout Salvation! It was good to see
Kings and Princes by the Lamb set free.
The banjos rattled and the tambourines
Jing-jing-jingled in the hands of Queens.

[Reverently sung, no instruments.]

And when Booth halted by the curb for prayer
He saw his Master thro’ the flag-filled air.
Christ came gently with a robe and crown
For Booth the soldier, while the throng knelt down.
He saw King Jesus. They were face to face,
And he knelt a-weeping in that holy place.
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Vachel Lindsay

John 3:33-36

“He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true.” (John 3:33)
      Jesus, please help us receive your testimony, for your words are true.

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” (John 3:34)
      Father, please pour out your word and Spirit into our hearts.

“The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.” (John 3:35)
      Jesus, thank you that I am in your hand.

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
      Lord, I believe; help me to lead others to you as well. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my people to hear and respond to my word.

Tuesday: 94, [95]; Judges 13:1-15; Acts 5:27-42; John 3:22-36
Wednesday: 119:121-144; Judges 13:15-24; Acts 6:1-15; John 4:1-26

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Check out Chris Bennett’s “A response to the riots and violence in Belfast over the Twelfth of July 2010″ http://vimeo.com/13346533

Albany Intercessor

Psalm 89:24-29

But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him, and in my name his horn shall be exalted. (Psalm 89:24)
      Father, thank you for your faithfulness.

Also I will set his hand over the sea, and his right hand over the rivers. (Psalm 89:25)
      Jesus, please let your hand be over the seas and rivers and clean them up. Please clean up the Gulf of Mexico.

He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.’ (Psalm 89:26)
      Holy Spirit, please let each of us find a sure foothold in the Father’s love.

      Jesus, you are the rock that does not move or shake; help us hold steady on you.

      Father, you are my father and my God.

Also I will make him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. (Psalm 89:27)
      Father, please help us honor Jesus as you honor him.

My mercy I will keep for him forever, and my covenant shall stand firm with him. (Psalm 89:28 )
      Holy Spirit, please help us daily live in the covenant of your love and mercy.

His seed also I will make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. (Psalm 89:29)
      Jesus, you chose the cross as your throne, thank you.

A word received: Look to me.

Monday: 89:19-52; Judges 12:1-7; Acts 5:12-26; John 3:1-21
Tuesday: 94, [95]; Judges 13:1-15; Acts 5:27-42; John 3:22-36

Albany Intercessor

Martyrs in Afghanistan

From OneNewsNow: Taliban terrorists have declared they shot and killed a team of missionaries, including six Americans, because they were ‘preaching Christianity.’
Ten members of a medical team, including six Americans, were shot and killed by the Islamic terrorists as they were returning from providing eye treatment and other health care in remote villages of northern Afghanistan, a spokesman for the team said Saturday.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Precious in Your eyes is the death of Your saints. How many Afghans Tom Little and his team ministered to during decades of work there! As the Afghan people learn of the deaths of Tom, an optometrist, and the other health care workers, turn their hearts to You and strip the veil off of their eyes.
We pray that the shed blood of these workers will be the seed of the church in Afghanistan. Bless the deaths of these medical workers and open the heavens over Kuran Wa Munjan district. Amen.
Psalm 116:15, 2 Corinthians 3:16

From the BCP:
O Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyrs, Tom Little and his team of Christian aid workers, triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant us, who now remember them with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wisconsin

State motto: Forward

Jeremiah 7:22-24 (New International Version)
For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.

Heavenly Father,
In You we live and move and have our being. In the name of Jesus, we pray that the state of Wisconsin will move in accordance with Your commands and ways and spurn the evil inclinations of the human heart.
Help them to move forward in You! We claim their motto for the establishment of Your kingdom on the land of Wisconsin as it is in heaven. Amen.

Luke 12:32-40

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
      Father, you have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Thank you for bringing us into your kingdom and for all the ways you have blessed us.

“Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.” (Luke 12:33)
      [Definition of "alms": charitable donations -- in former time, money or other assistance give to people in need as charity -- aid given to the very poor.] Why should our giving to the very poor be in former times? It should be something we do now.

      Father, move our hearts to give to the very poor. Bless City Life of Youth For Christ and the City Mission as they reach out to the children and adults of our city.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34)
      Father, set us free from a treasury of things and bring us to the treasury of joy in your son Jesus. Fill us anew with your Holy Spirit.

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;” (Luke 12:35)
      Holy Spirit, move our hearts to be ready for whatever you want to do through us.

“and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.” (Luke 12:36)
      Jesus, I want a heart like that — a heart that will respond immediately to your knock.

“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:37-40)
      Jesus, please help us enter into this blessing of being ready for you when you come. Thank you.

A word received: My hand is upon my children to bless them. Place your hands on children and bless them.

Sunday: MP: 19, 46; Judges 11:1-11,29-40 2 Corinthians 11:21b-31; Mark 4:35-41
      HC: 33; Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-3(4-7)8-16; Luke 12:32-40
Monday: 89:19-52; Judges 12:1-7; Acts 5:12-26; John 3:1-21

Albany Intercessor

A nurse’s prayer

This week marks the centenary of Florence Nightingale’s death. BBC4 Sunday Worship, marking her Christian witness, comes from the Chapel of St Thomas’ Hospital London – ‘The Lady of the Lamp’ – available from 8:10 am BST Sunday for a week.

A Nurse’s Prayer

Give me strength and wisdom,

When others need my touch;

A soothing word to speak to them,

Their hearts yearn for so much.

Give me joy and laughter,

To lift a weary soul;

Pour in me compassion,

To make the broken whole.

Give me gentle, healing hands,

For those left in my care;

A blessing to those who need me,

This is a Nurse’s prayer.

Allison Chambers Coxsey, c1997

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, August 8, 2010, 9:20 -10:40 A.M. Craig Fetherstonhaugh (from Willowfield parish in Belfast) and Torre Bissell from Christ Church Schenectady.

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

+Keith (dad) and +Michael and +Shekainah (and +Winnie at home) his children. I talked with him about giving his children a nightly blessing.

+Debra (a regular) prayed for her family.

+William — “I want to walk on the path that God has for me. I don’t want to go down the Devil’s path again.”

+Ronnie and Zaire (little boy) — prayed that he would be a good dad. +Camilla (the mom of Zaire). Prayed that she would grow into being the woman, mother, and wife that God was calling her to be.

+Christopher and +Nicole — an engaged couple each with children from prior relationships.

Paula — got a cross for her mom, +Patsy, who is not feeling well. We also prayed for +Johnnie, Paula’s dad, and for Paula’s daughter who will be traveling to London.

+Darsel (a friend of Paula’s) drove up. We prayed for comfort for the family. Robin, Darsel’s sister had died of cancer this past week. We went over and prayed on Darsel’s van which is having mechanical problems. Darsel is a foster mom and is expecting four new children and needs reliable transportation.

+man collecting cans — prayed for God’s blessing on him.

+Terry (teenage boy on bike)

+Elizabeth (woman crossed the street for prayer) “I have cancer.”

+Ken asked for prayer for his son, +Richard, and his brother, +William, that they would get well.

+Andrew (an alcoholic man who has come before) asked prayer that he could stop drinking. Craig prayed that the power that raised Jesus from the dead would work in Andrew’s body. We suggested that he go home and ask his wife +Natasha to pray for him.

Torre

Wisconsin

From the Preamble to the state constitution:

We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution.

Article 1, Section 18:
The right of every person to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of conscience shall never be infringed;

Dear Heavenly Father,
We boldly declare with the people of Wisconsin that we are grateful to You for our freedom. May our blessings, our government, our domestic tranquility, our general welfare, and our freedom of religion be secured in You. Amen.

Acts 4:32-37

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. (Acts 4:32)
      Holy Spirit, please bring us this place of freedom.

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)
      Jesus, we pray for the witness of your servants Bill, Dan, David, and Dave in the Diocese of Albany, Harold in the Diocese of Down and Dromore, and Mike in the Diocese of Peru: give them great power in speaking your word. Let your great grace be upon all of us.

Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. (Acts 4:34-35)
      Father, please give us your heart of compassion for each other. Help us offer of ourselves and our possessions for the common good of all.

And Joseph, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36-37)
      Jesus, please help us by our words and deeds to be Sons of Encouragement. Thank you.

A word received: Let my word shine forth.

Saturday: 136; Judges 9:22-25,50-57; Acts 4:32-5:11; John 2:13-25
Sunday: MP: 19, 46; Judges 11:1-11,29-40 2 Corinthians 11:21b-31; Mark 4:35-41
      HC: 33; Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-3(4-7)8-16; Luke 12:32-40

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Please pray for the prayer table ministry today.

Albany Intercessor

Iowa

The Iowa caucuses are noteworthy for the amount of media attention they receive during U.S. presidential election years: Since 1972, the Iowa caucuses have been the first major electoral event of the nominating process for President of the United States. Although only about one percent of the nation’s delegates are chosen by the Iowa State Convention, the Iowa caucuses have served as an early indication of which candidates for president might win the nomination of their political party at that party’s national convention.

O Lord,
I pray that the next caucuses will only bring forth candidates who have a heart for You. Amen.