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Nehemiah 12:27-28a (Amplified Bible)
And for the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites in all their places to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings, and with singing, cymbals, harps, and lyres. And the sons of the singers gathered together from the plain and circuit around Jerusalem . . .

Dear Father,
Your Holy Scripture promises that Your angels encamp around those who revere and worship You with awe. Just as Jerusalem was once surrounded by singers, we humbly request that You commission angels who sing and play musical instruments to surround Joseph, Sally, Chris, Lauren, Gaenor, Mark, Samuel, Erin, Isabella, Christy, Nick, Alan, and David. Fill the atmosphere around them with praise. Amen.
Psalm 34:7

Testimony

One of our readers, Bob, requested that we place Mark, recovering from an accident, on our prayer list a couple of months ago. Praise be to God for his progress. Thank you, dear intercessors.
Received via e-mail. Posted with permission.

Dear Margaret and Bob,
Your loving prayers for Mark were such a comfort during Mark’s month as a patient at Barrows and now as he does out patient at Barrows. You were so responsive and supportive and we are so grateful to both of you. Mark benefited so much from your prayers and continues to feel your prayers as he continues to recover. Mark is a miracle and you were part of the miracle. While Mark is still not the Mark from before the accident he is close. We celebrate that he alive and he smiles and he walks and is working on his speech with treatment three times a week at Barrows. He is back home living with his twin brother Rob. While he isn’t able to resume doing the complicated computer programming he did before, Mark is improving every week. We are so grateful that he is alive . We came so close to losing Mark. The neurosurgeon is still monitoring him as he still has fluid build up in the left ventricle of his brain which may require another surgery. Next week he sees another neurologist who will evaluate where the fluid is and if he has absorbed it. That would be our next prayer as Mark had a stroke the second week of his stay in neuro ICU and that set him back. He is still on heavy meds and that is hard for him. We are learning to celebrate every step forward and accepting of the times when things seem to have slipped a bit. The doctors have told us that it is not a steady journey forward but one with ups and downs. We are been so blessed to have so many ‘ups’. Mark has handled all of this with a calm smile and accepts the limitations with such grace. I pray for complete healing for Mark’s sake as he is aware of how much he has lost in terms of career and limited freedoms like no driving or being alone. He seems to accept the problems with his speech and works hard with his therapist and doing his homework – he does see progress from the days when he did not even know his name. Those were such difficult days and your continued encouragement kept me going many a long night and I am so very grateful to you for your notes and your sharing of your experiences with your loved ones. You gave me so much comfort, thank you.
Roger and I still feel like it is September because that is when time stopped. I look at the paper and find myself surprised it is almost Christmas. We are still trying to adjust and I feel rather shell shocked as we still pray and wait to see how Mark will progress. We will know more next week after Mark’s 17th CT brain scan and this new neurologist’s assessment. It really is one day at a time as faith in God sustains us and the support of friends like you. Thank you so very much for your continued prayers. . . .

With appreciation,
Marty

Isaiah 9:1-7

Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, as when at first he lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles. 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. (Isaiah 9:1-2)
      Lord Jesus Christ, let your light shine forth in the Episcopal Church — so many sit in darkness and gloom — let your light shine upon them and upon us.

You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before you according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. (Isaiah 9:3)
      Holy Spirit, help us know the joy of harvest — let there be a great harvest of souls brought to you.

For you have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. (Isaiah 9:4)
      Father, by your might and great power break the yoke and the rod of oppression that afflict your people.

For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. (Isaiah 9:5)
      Lord, we are battle weary — bring us to a place and a time of rest in you.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
      Thank you, Jesus, for coming in such an unexpected way — continue to surprise us with joy and prepare our hearts for your coming.

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7)
      Holy Spirit, we pray for the increase of Jesus’ governance in the Episcopal Church and in the government of the United States.

      Jesus, we trust your zeal will turn us around. Thank you.

A word received: Pray for my light to shine forth among my people.

Tuesday: 45 * 47, 48; Isaiah 9:1-7; 2 Peter 1:12-21; Luke 22:54-69
Wednesday: 119:49-72 * 49, [53]; Isaiah 9:8-17; 2 Peter 2:1-10a; Mark 1:1-8

Albany Intercessor

Thanksgiving

Father in heaven,
You have given us the best You have–Your very own Son! We give thanks to You. You are good. Your faithful love endures forever.
You rescue us from our distress and lead us to safety. You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things. You snap our chains and lead us from the deepest gloom. You send out Your word and heal us. You calm the roaring sea and turn deserts into pools of water. You bless our crops and livestock. You rescue the poor from trouble.
We bless You, Lord. Holy is Your name.
Deuteronomy 28:47-48, Psalm 107

The Spirit of truth

Our Father in heaven,
We thank You for bestowing upon us the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, who lives in us and with us. Jesus has not left us orphans. Nor has He left Joseph, Sally, Chris, Lauren, Gaenor, Mark, Samuel, Erin, Isabella, Christy, Nick, Alan, and David as orphans.
Jesus is in You Father. We are in Jesus, and He is in us.
His life permeates our spirits, souls, and bodies. His life permeates the spirits, souls, and bodies of Joseph, Sally, Chris, Lauren, Gaenor, Mark, Samuel, Erin, Isabella, Christy, Nick, Alan, and David. His life permeates their neurons and their neural networks. His life permeates each and every neuronal synapse. Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! We speak the name of Jesus to every synapse. Amen.
John 14:15-21

2 Peter 1:1-8

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: (2 Peter 1:1)
      Jesus, please help us receive the words of this letter from Peter and you into our hearts.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (2 Peter 1:2)
      Jesus, please help us know you better.

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter 1:3)
      Jesus, as we grow in our knowledge of you, let your divine power work in us and bring us to glory and virtue.

by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4)
      Holy Spirit, please help us live in the hope that comes from these precious promises.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, (2 Peter 1:5)
      Father, help our lives reflect your virtue. Please help us to be diligent in acquiring the knowledge that comes by faith.

to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, (2 Peter 1:6)
      Holy Spirit, bring your people to self-control, perseverance, and godliness.

to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (2 Peter 1:7)
      Father, we want to jump straight to love, but that is the fruit of diligence, faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and brotherly kindness. Help us by your Holy Spirit to practice all these so that love may abound.

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:8 )
      Lord Jesus Christ, let our lives be fruitful in our knowledge of you.

Monday: 41, 52 * 44; Isaiah 8:16-9:1; 2 Peter 1:1-11; Luke 22:39-53
Tuesday: 45 * 47, 48; Isaiah 9:1-7; 2 Peter 1:12-21; Luke 22:54-69

Albany Intercessor

Drop-in prayer ministry

My home parish is on the edge of the Mississippi Delta. For thirty years, the parish has run a soup kitchen for the needy. It feeds about fifty people lunch five days a week. This outreach ministry has been a blessing to the entire community, and indeed is an ecumenical effort.
About six weeks ago, we started a drop-in prayer ministry once a week in the church next door. The manager of the soup kitchen announces that if anyone wishes to receive prayer, they can walk over. We also have drop-ins from our own congregation and the community. A sign announces the ministry. We use a prayer team of four people, all trained in healing prayer. The prayer requests are varied–for jobs, for family, for healing.
To my knowledge, in the thirty years that the soup kitchen has been in existence, no one has joined our church as a result of the ministry. In the six weeks since we’ve offered prayer, three people from the soup kitchen have said they wish to join. Thanks be to God.–JW

Matthew 11:16-17 and update by Nigel Mumford

“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament.’” (Matthew 11:16-17)
      Lord Jesus Christ, please help us by your Holy Spirit to stop expecting you to dance to our tune. You are Lord of the dance — help us keep in step with you. Thank you.

Sunday: 63:1-8(9-11), 98 * 103; Isaiah 13:6-13; Heb. 12:18-29; John 3:22-30
      HC: Matthew 11:2-11; James 5:7-11; Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146
Monday: 41, 52 * 44; Isaiah 8:16-9:1; 2 Peter 1:1-11; Luke 22:39-53

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: Healing ministry update a message of hope

Dear friends,
      It is so good to be back full time and back to traveling and healing missions. The recovery time is so much longer! It is so good to be alive.
      I just want you to know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and that God is still in the business of healing.
      Personally Dec 23rd is the one year anniversary of leaving “full time” hospital rehab and coming home. (I have used up all 30 rehab session since then!) That made a new meaning of the song: “I’lll be home for Christmas.” I was home for Christmas, thanks be to God.
      Two weeks ago I was able to play the small bagpipes publicly, a step in the right direction to be able to play the great highland pipes again. A huge healing for my lungs of which I am told that I am working with 2/3rds lung capacity.

Here are some ministry updates:
      1) Last week at the invitation of a Rabbi we prayed for a woman who was paralized from the neck down. That night she raised both her hands. TBTG.
      2) Last week I had the privilege of speaking to a retired police officers group. The subject PTSD. It was a very special time. We even anointed a trigger finger! (If you do not know about anointing trigger fingers send me an email at healing@ctkcenter.org)
      3) Last weekend Lynn and I spoke at a healing mission in Washington DC. 380 came to the Friday and Saturday workshops and over 500+ came to the healing service. TBTG. Now here’s the thing a neuro surgeon brought his patient for prayer and asked that his hands be anointed again. This surgeon was going to be performing surgery, on the brain of the woman he brought, the next day! He told me that we had annointed his hands two years ago and that he has prayed for every patient since! Now that is a miracle people.
      4) I found this very interesting: My sister Julie Sheldon was at a dinner function last week and sat next to the Chaplain of the Tower of London. (His boss is Gen Sir Richard Dannett the man who is writing the forward of my new book, Post Trauma Healing.) The chaplain told Julie that he is living in the house where, the kings and queens of England who had just had their heads cut off at the tower, were taken into his kitchen to have there head sewn back on before burial. That tradition was held only for kings and queens. Others were tossed in, in two parts. Something the history books don’t tell you! I wonder what it is like for him to get a midnight snack?

      On that note I pray that you will all have a most blessed Christmas and for those praying for a sign of hope and a sign for healing here is your sign:

      ”Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son. and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

      God bless you, again thank you for praying for Lynn and me. I AM ALIVE BECAUSE OF THE HOPE OF JESUS AND THROUGH THE POWER OF CORPORATE PRAYER. I give God all the Glory….

      I pray that you will have a blessed and anointed Christmas and that next year WILL BE the year of the Lords favor for you and yours.

In the most incredible love of Jesus: Be well, do good works and for the sake of God love one another.

God bless you

Fr, Nigel+

The Rev. Nigel W D Mumford+
Director, The Oratory of Christ the Healer,
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center
575 Burton Road, Greenwich, NY 12834

(518 )692-9550
healing@ctkcenter.org
www.ctkcenter.org

Jesus said: ASK and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

Albany Intercessor

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, December 11, 2010, 9:30 -10:30 A.M. Torre Bissell, Bob Baker and Sue Plaske.

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

State Street:

Bill (regular) — asked prayer for he and his friend as they travel.

+Debra and +Paula (regulars) — prayed for health and strength and Christmas joy.

+Anthony (bottle man) — prayed for his mom, Florence, in New York City.

Jim (street guy from last week)

+Paul — (little English, probably Eastern European)

+Cassandra (young woman and her little girl) — asked prayers for her unborn baby. We prayed she would have a safe and easy delivery and a strong and healthy child.

+Deanna — “for my baby Luray. We prayed she would grow up in God’s ways.

+Gio (young man) — has been “clean” for two years from drugs and alcohol. He is in recovery and going to meetings. He has various health problems from before when he used other people’s needles including Hepatitis C.

+Heather — “for my two kids Anthony and Christian.”

+Ed — “for a job and health and that His light would shine through me.”

Psalm 30:1-2 and Sunday School Lesson

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. (Psalm 30:1)
      Lift us up, Father; win the victory in our lives and in the lives of our parishes.

O LORD my God, I cried out to you, and you healed me. (Psalm 30:2)
      Jesus, please bless the healing ministry in this diocese. Bless and guide those who minister healing at the Oratory of Christ the Healer at the Spiritual Life Center. Bless with healing all those who cry out to you in the parishes of this diocese.

O LORD, you brought my soul up from the grave; you have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. (Psalm 30:3)
      Holy Spirit, you raised Jesus to new life and brought him forth from the grave. Raise us up to new life by your power as well. Thank you.

STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 13, December 12, 2010
            Lectionary A, Third Sunday of Advent
Theme Verse: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Readings: Matthew 11:2-11; James 5:7-11; Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146
Memory Verse: Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come … he will come to save you.” (Isaiah 35:4a)
Optional: Matthew 11:1, 12-19
Next Week: Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 1:1-7; Isaiah 7:10-17; Psalm 24
      Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

A word received: What is your expectation? What do you expect of me? I AM who I AM. The question is: “What do I expect of you?” I expect you to look at the evidence of what I AM doing. I expect you to heed my words to you. I expect you to change your behavior and your expectation based on who I AM.

      Epistle: James 5:7-11

A word received: The one you are waiting for, the one you are longing for is me. Look to Me; keep turning to me for perseverance and strength to endure. I will see you through it all.

      Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-10

(verse 6b) A word received: I AM the stream in the desert. I AM the living water. Come to me, turn to me and I will refresh you.

      Psalm: Psalm 146

(verse 5) A word received: Blessing, true blessing comes from having me be your helper and your guide. Look to me for help in the hard times.

Saturday: 30, 32 * 42, 43; Isaiah 8:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18; Luke 22:31-38
Sunday: 63:1-8(9-11), 98 * 103; Isaiah 13:6-13; Heb. 12:18-29; John 3:22-30
      HC: Matthew 11:2-11; James 5:7-11; Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146

Albany Intercessor

Quotation

Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night.
George Herbert

Prisoners of hope

Zechariah 9:12-13 (New King James Version)
Return to the stronghold,
You prisoners of hope.
Even today I declare
That I will restore double to you.
For I have bent Judah, My bow,
Fitted the bow with Ephraim,
And raised up your sons, O Zion,
Against your sons, O Greece,
And made you like the sword of a mighty man.”

Our Father in heaven,
Jesus is our stronghold, a strong tower. We run to Him.
We ask You to bend our praise like a bow and fill Joseph, Sally, Chris, Lauren, Gaenor, Mark, Samuel, Erin, Isabella, Christy, Nick, Alan, and David with a double portion of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
      Holy Father, please establish our hearts in your word.

      Jesus, come upon us and give us your good hope by frace.

      Holy Spirit, comfort our hearts and establish us in the work that Jesus is calling us to. Thank you.

A word received: Pray that the schemes of the wicked will be defeated. Pray that my people will discern the true from the false.

Friday: 31 * 35; Isaiah 7:10-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5; Luke 22:14-30
Saturday: 30, 32 * 42, 43; Isaiah 8:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18; Luke 22:31-38

Albany Intercessor

Psalm 37:1-8

Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. (Psalm 37:1)
      Holy Spirit, come and set our hearts free from fretting and envy.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. (Psalm 37:2)
      Father, thank you for your righteous judgments.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness. (Psalm 37:3)
      Jesus, you are our dwelling place from everlasting to everlasting.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, and he shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
      Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, one God, you are my delight and my hope. Help me now to cease from anger and forsake wrath and stop fretting — they only causes harm. (See verse 8 )

Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5)
      Lord Jesus Christ, I commit my way to you.

He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. (Psalm 37:6)
      Holy Spirit, please help me receive the righteousness and justice that come from placing my trust in Jesus.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. (Psalm 37:7)
      Father, help me rest in your arms — let me find my peace in you day by day.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret–it only causes harm. (Psalm 37:8 )
      Holy Spirit, wash and cleanse my heart and mind with the blood of Jesus. Thank you.

A word received: My people go their own way. Pray they will listen to me and walk in my ways.

Thursday: 37:1-18 * 37:19-42; Isaiah 7:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Luke 22:1-13
Friday: 31 * 35; Isaiah 7:10-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5; Luke 22:14-30

Albany Intercessor

Open wide the fortress gates

You are the Lord. There is no other. There is no God but You.
We lift up to You those patients who suffer from neuropsychiatric disease. If their illness results from mineral imbalances, abnormal linkages, or mineral deposits, go before them, make the crooked places straight; break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. Christ Jesus, Lord Sabaoth, open wide the double doors of healing and grant them treasures that have been hidden from man.
God, You have named Your intercessors. You have named Your children Joseph, Sally, Chris, Lauren, Gaenor, Mark, Samuel, Erin, Isabella, Christy, Nick, Alan, and David. You have called us and equipped us for battle.
You are the Lord. There is no other. There is no God but You. Amen.
Isaiah 61:1-6