Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 1:1)
LORD, the Church at Ephesus and then the whole Church received this as a letter from you to them. Help the Church throughout the Diocese of Albany to do the same.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:2)
Father, thank you for giving us the good gift of your son and the power of your Holy Spirit.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:3)
Father, we bless you and thank you.
just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, (Ephesians 1:4)
Father, thank you for choosing us and calling us to holiness in your love.
having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Ephesians 1:5)
Jesus, thank you for giving us your Spirit of adoption so that we can know we are adopted children of your father.
to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
Holy Spirit, please help us by our words and deeds to bring praise to Jesus.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7)
Jesus, thank you for redeeming us. Please let every parish in this diocese be a redemption center where old lives are turned in and your new life is received.
which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, (Ephesians 1:8 )
Holy Spirit, give Bishop Bill and the priests, deacons, and lay leaders of this diocese wisdom and prudence.
having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself, (Ephesians 1:9)
Lord, daily put your word into our mouths and give us hearts and wills to speak your word.
that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in him. (Ephesians 1:10)
Lord Jesus, gather us together. Let the Diocesan Convention be such a gathering where we join with your angels in praising you.
In him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, (Ephesians 1:11)
Father, please help us enter into the inheritance you have prepared for us.
that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:12)
Holy Spirit, please help our trust in Jesus bring him praise and glory.
In him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Holy Spirit, seal us, anoint us, prepare us with your word of truth and the gospel of salvation. Thank you.
A word received: I was submitted to my Father’s will; I want you to submit yourselves to his will as well.
Monday: 1, 2, 3 * 4, 7; Isaiah 40:12-23; Eph. 1:1-14; Mark 1:1-13
Tuesday: 5, 6 * 10, 11; Isaiah 40:25-31; Eph. 1:15-23; Mark 1:14-28
Albany Intercessor
