Ephesians 5:1-8

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (Ephesians 5:1)
      Father, please help us show forth your love and mercy and justice.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:2)
      Jesus, please help us walk and abide in your love — help us to be living gospels so that others may see you and know you.

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; (Ephesians 5:3)
      Holy Spirit, set your people free from the snares of pornography.

neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4)
      Thank you, LORD, for working in our hearts and minds.

For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5:5)
      Holy Spirit, please help us stop listening to the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Spirit of Truth, fill us up anew with your presence.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6)
      Lord, cleanse the seminaries of the Episcopal Church of empty, deceptive words. Bless the ministry of Trinity Seminary and Nashotah House.

Therefore do not be partakers with them. (Ephesians 5:7)
      Holy Spirit, please help us walk apart.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8 )
      Jesus, you are my light — let your light shine through me.

Tuesday: 26, 28 * 36, 39; Isaiah 44:9-20; Ephesians 4:17-32; Mark 3:19b-35
Wednesday: 38 * 119:25-48; Isaiah 44:24-45:7; Ephesians 5:1-14; Mark 4:1-20

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Please pray for the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her husband Richard.

***** Coming in February:

Prayer:
Immersed in the Trinity
A Mid-Winter Retreat at St. Mary’s Convent led by Mother Miriam Date: February 18-21, 2011 (Presidents’ Day Weekend) Friday evening through Monday noon Cost: $209 Space is limited. Call the Sisters at (518 ) 692-3028 for more information or to register.

Albany Intercessor

Mark 4:13-20

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (Mark 4:13)
      Lord, please give us understanding of your word.

“The sower sows the word.” (Mark 4:14)
      Holy Spirit, sow your word in our hearts day by day.

“And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.” (Mark 4:15)
      Father, give us a heart to reach out to those on the wayside — to the lost and the least.

“These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.” (Mark 4:16-17)
      Holy Spirit, please help us walk beside those who are going through tribulation to encourage them.

“Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19)
      Jesus, please speak to those who are choked by the cares and riches of the world — give them understanding of their plight.

“But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” (Mark 4:20)
      Holy Spirit, please help us to be good soil for your word so that it may grow and flourish in our lives. Help us bear good fruit for the kingdom: 30-, 60-, 100-fold. Please move through the parishes of this diocese and sow and nurture the gospel in the hearts of your people. Thank you.

Tuesday: 26, 28 * 36, 39; Isaiah 44:9-20; Ephesians 4:17-32; Mark 3:19b-35
Wednesday: 38 * 119:25-48; Isaiah 44:24-45:7; Ephesians 5:1-14; Mark 4:1-20

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Please pray for the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her husband Richard.

Albany Intercessor

Praise

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
Every droplet of water in the canopy of clouds proclaims Your perfect knowledge. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, majestic and sure. Your justice is like the great deep.
When you send your Spirit, you renew the face of the ground. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals. How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all. Amen.
Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 24:1-2, Job 37:16, Psalm 36:6;104:24, 30

Sudan

One of our readers, Georgia, posted this in the comments.

As You have taught us to do, O Lord, we come to You to pray for,
To bless, forgive, love and do go to our enemies, to those who do evil and harm
So that rancor, hatred, bitterness, hard-heartedness will not dwell in us.
So that we can be true children of God, like You, with Your heart and mind.
O Lord, Our Father, may Your Kingdom come
May Your Holy Will be done in each person and in this nation
Let the light of Your Holy Face shine upon and into the depths of them
Let the light and power of the Holy Spirit move and speak and work
Reveal Your Beloved Son, Reveal Your Holy Name and Word
Bring conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment
And the true mercy of repentance from all sin and idolatry and evil.
Let Your Love, Your enduring true Lovingkindness, draw them to You.
Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Word
Come upon and penetrate within each person and group in the Sudan.
Come and wash and work as You will
Bring Your Righteousness, Peace and Joy, Love, Truth and Life,
Let the fruit and gifts of Your Holy Spirit grow within Your people
You are Love and Life, You are our Peace, You are Truth,
You are the Power and Source of Goodness,
YOU alone can impart and bestow what is truly Good.

Amen.

Mark 3:13-15

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those he himself wanted. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve, that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: (Mark 3:13-15)
      Lord Jesus Christ, we hold up our bishops, priests, deacons and lay leaders to you. Please help them enter into the fullness of your calling for them:
      1. Help them daily spend time with you.
      2. Help them faithfully preach your word.
      3. Help them heal the sick and cast out demons.

      Holy Spirit, please guide and bless the ministries of
      The Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori
      Bishop Bill Love
      Bishop Dan Herzog
      Bishop David Ball
      Bishop David Bena of Convocation of Anglicans in North America
      Bishop Harold Miller of the Diocese of Down and Dromore
      Bishop Godfrey of Peru
      Bishop Mike Chapman of Peru

      Father, please help all your shepherds manifest your love to the sheep that are in their flock. Thank you.

“I did not know him; but that he should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” (John 1:31)
      A word received: Look at the role that John the Baptist played in making me known to others. Are you willing to be used by me so that others will know me?

And looking at Jesus as he walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36)
      A word received: I AM the perfect sacrifice to atone for your sins.

Isaiah 49:1-9
      A word received: Join me in calling my people back to my father.

Monday: 25 * 9, 15; Isaiah 44:6-8, 21-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; Mark 3:7-19a
Tuesday: 26, 28 * 36, 39; Isaiah 44:9-20; Ephesians 4:17-32; Mark 3:19b-35

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Please pray for the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her husband Richard and their adult daughter Katharine Johanna.

***** Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2011
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: Pray: Jesus,Jesus,Jesus…
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
      This week I have started a month of praying the word “Jesus” for 15 minuets each day. A friend of mine in the UK menstioned this and a soul string was plucked in me. He said church leaders are praying this all over the UK.
      Things are different already… amazing.
Here follows instant proof:
A Divine Appointment:
      The night before last, Lynn, Sandra and I went to dinner. We asked for a table and the waitress took the two ladies… I heard myself say to the manager, “Are you praying about something?” She said yes, with very wide eyes, “How did you know?” “How can I pray for you?” I said. She told me and burst into tears, “I lost my wedding ring.” I told her I was a priest and that I would pray for the ring to show up. She asked me what Saint to ask, I told her “St. Anthony and also it is good to ask Jesus too!” I then said, “Lets pray right now.” I stood in front of the manager, held her hand and prayed right there in the restaurant. I then had to find the table. Ten minuets later the manager showed up, again with tears in her eyes. “My six year old just called to say that she found the wedding ring! She was so grateful. She kept blessing me!
      The bill came at the end of diner. It just said THANK YOU. God does work in such wonderful ways….
      We all had a faith lift… with fries….THANKS BE TO GOD AND TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
      Pay attention to Divine Appointments…
      Will you join me in praying the “WORD” Jesus over and over for 15 mins each day for a month?
I will be doing this at least until 16th Feb.
Let me know what happens at
healing@ctkcenter.org
Be well, do good works and for the sake of God love one another,
God bless you
Fr, Nigel+

Albany Intercessor

Sudan thank you

Jeremiah 20:11 (New King James Version)
But the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail.
They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper.
Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.

The voting is complete, with a few minor incidents. The results will be announced in February.
I feel such a great sense of gratitude to God. There were many months when I didn’t believe we would see this day. It is a privilege to watch a nation be born, but with this birth, it is more than a privilege. I truly believe we have witnessed a miracle. What an awesome God we have.
I know that many, many problems lie ahead, and more vigilance in prayer will be warranted. I just want to pause, though, and say thank you to our readers. Lent & Beyond has been involved in several prayer campaigns for Sudan over the years, and through the many prayers, we have not received one complaint. Indeed, we’ve had commenters add their own prayers and other blogs link to ours.
Thank you, dear intercessors. Thank you.–JW

Glory

“Please, show me Your glory.” (Exodus 33:18)
Lord, help me to wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, proclaiming aloud Your praise and telling of all Your wonderful deeds.
Lord, I love the house where You live, the place where Your glory dwells. (Psalm 26:6-8)
“Please, show me Your glory.” (Exodus 33:18)
Lord, help me to consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
“Please, show me Your glory.” (Exodus 33:18)
Oh, that I might be presented to You as a radiant bride, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:27)
“Please, show me Your glory.” (Exodus 33:18)

Sudan

Two minute video of prayers for peace in Sudan

John 1:29-42

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
      Jesus, thank you for taking away my sin.

“This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.’” (John 1:30)
      Father, thank you for John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus.

“I did not know him; but that he should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” (John 1:31)
      Holy Spirit, raise up witnesses like John the Baptist among us who will point to Jesus.

And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he remained upon him.” (John 1:32)
      Father, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit upon as well.

“I did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’” (John 1:33)
      Jesus, please continue to immerse us in your Holy Spirit day by day.

“And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34)
      Jesus, you are the Son of God and the light of the world.

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as he walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35-36)
      Holy Spirit, please help us know Jesus as the Lamb of God.

The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:37)
      Holy Spirit, please move the hearts of the people in this diocese to follow Jesus when they hear testimony about him.

Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are you staying?” (John 1:38 )
      Jesus, please help us spend time with you today.

He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and remained with him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). (John 1:39)
      Thank you, Jesus, for inviting us to stay with you.

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. (John 1:40-42)
      Holy Spirit, please help us to be faithful witnesses to our family as Andrew was. Help us find that freedom in Jesus and the Father’s love.

A word received: Pray that my people will know my character and my love for them.

Sunday: 148, 149, 150 * 114, 115; Isaiah 43:14-44:5; Heb. 6:17-7:10; John 4:27-42
      HC: Second Sunday after Epiphany: 40:1-10; Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-41
Monday: 25 * 9, 15; Isaiah 44:6-8, 21-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; Mark 3:7-19a

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Please pray for the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her husband Richard and their adult daughter Katharine Johanna.

Albany Intercessor

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, January 15, 2011, 9:20 – 10:20 a.m. Fairly cold but little wind (thank you, Lord!) Torre Bissell, Bob Baker, and Mark Pasko.
+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

+Andrew (alcoholic regular from summer)

+Kenneth (in a hurry)

+Debbie (regular) — asked prayer for a co-worker Janet’s boyfriend who had surgery and is not doing well.

+Crystal — “for my family”

+Glenny — his family is traveling here from NYC — prayers for their safety (took 4 crosses for his family)

+Shaquille, +Danosp, and +Davior (three teenagers) — Shaquille asked prayer that he would find work.

+Pedro (young man) — “stress”

Desdemona — on her way to the Macedonia 7th Day Adventist Church on Swan St.

+Paula (regular) — has an abscessed tooth.

+Kevin (young man) — “mental confusion”

+Harvey — He asked, “You don’t got to pay for this?” We assured him that the prayer was free.

Southern Sudan

Southern Sudan has ten states.

The Lord bless you, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Lakes, Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile.

Isaiah 43:1-3a

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” (Isaiah 43:1-3)
      LORD, please write these words on our hearts; help us to hearken to your words. Please prepare our hearts to worship you. Thank you.

STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 16; January 16, 2011
            Lectionary A, Second Sunday after Epiphany
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: John 1:29-42; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-9; Psalm 40:1-10
Memory Verse: The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. (John 1:41-42)
Next Week: Matthew 4:12-23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; Amos 3:1-8; 139:1-17
      Gospel: John 1:29-42

A word received: What was your response when I was proclaimed to you? John proclaimed me to his two disciples and they followed me. Are you still following me, or are there places where you have slipped off the path?

      Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

A word received: I have called you into the fellowship of my son. I want you to walk with him in fellowship each day. Begin each day by coming into his presence.

      Old Testament: Isaiah 49:1-9

(verse 7) A word received: I AM the holy one, the Redeemer. Pray that I will come through your community and redeem lives that are lost and forsaken.

      Psalm: Psalm 40:1-10

A word received: I want your response to be like David’s response.

Saturday: 20, 21:1-7(8-14) * 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; Isaiah 43:1-13; Eph. 3:14-21; Mark 2:23-3:6
Sunday: 148, 149, 150 * 114, 115; Isaiah 43:14-44:5; Heb. 6:17-7:10; John 4:27-42
      HC: Second Sunday after Epiphany: 40:1-10; Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-41

Albany Intercessor

Atmosphere

The Lord bless you, O atmosphere!
The Lord bless you, gaseous molecules.
The Lord bless you, space between the molecules.
The Lord bless you, light waves and light quanta.
The Lord bless you, sound waves.
Seen and unseen, heard and unheard, the Lord bless you. Throughout the universe, the Lord bless you.
Through you the colors of worship are seen, stained glass windows sparkling bright and spires reaching high, the banners and flags a-flying, altar frontals and flowers. Still moments of holiness brought in the flash of light.
Through you the sounds of worship travel, Gregorian chants and organs majestic, praise teams and tambourines, prayers of the penitent and dance of the joyful, the trumpet of sermons and the unity of song.
Most precious of all, through you, O atmosphere, God’s Holy Word is spoken aloud, words that shall not return to Him empty. The Lord bless you, O atmosphere. Amen.
Jeremiah 31:23

Isaiah 42:10-13

Sing to the LORD a new song, and his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them! (Isaiah 42:10)
      Holy Spirit, please help us sing that new song of praise to Jesus and his father.

Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. (Isaiah 42:11)
      Jesus, fill our cities and towns and villages with songs of praise to you.

Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare his praise in the coastlands. (Isaiah 42:12)
      Father, please help us by your Holy Spirit to give your glory and declare your praise.

The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; he shall stir up his zeal like a man of war. he shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; he shall prevail against his enemies. (Isaiah 42:13)
      LORD, stir up in us your zeal — help us to shout aloud your praise and please prevail against your enemies. Thank you.

Friday: 16, 17 * 22; Isaiah 42:(1-9)10-17; Eph. 3:1-13; Mark 2:13-22
Saturday: 20, 21:1-7(8-14) * 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; Isaiah 43:1-13; Eph. 3:14-21; Mark 2:23-3:6

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2011
From: Brett Bissell in Brazil
Subject: Technology naming ridiculed
http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/bbc-comedians-ridicule-tech-naming-schemes-make-us-laugh-along/

***** The doctor told Bishop Dan that his eye was better than he anticipated. Praise the Lord!

Albany Intercessor

Mark 2:1-12

And again he entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that he was in the house. (Mark 2:1)
      Jesus, please come into our community with your word and your Spirit.

Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And he preached the word to them. (Mark 2:2)
      Jesus, preach the word to us. Help us to hear your words.

Then they came to him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. (Mark 2:3)
      Holy Spirit, bring all the paralyzed to Jesus for healing: those paralyzed by strokes or other infirmity, those paralyzed emotionally or spiritually.

And when they could not come near him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. (Mark 2:4)
      Father, please help us and guide us in bringing our friends to Jesus. Help us break through every barrier.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” (Mark 2:5)
      Holy Spirit, help us hear Jesus’ words to us: “Your sins are forgiven you.”

And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:6-7)
      Jesus, don’t let us get sidetracked by the negativity of the “learned”.

But immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, he said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” (Mark 2:8-11)
      Jesus, thank you for dealing with the doubts of those with much head knowledge and little heart knowledge.

Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:12)
      Father, help us glorify you for all that we see Jesus doing. Thank you for sending him to us.

A word received: Look to me.

Thursday: 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; Isaiah 41:17-29; Eph. 2:11-22; Mark 2:1-12
Friday: 16, 17 * 22; Isaiah 42:(1-9)10-17; Eph. 3:1-13; Mark 2:13-22

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Bp. Dan Herzog’s cataract surgery went well yesterday. He has a checkup today. Please pray for a speedy and good recovery of sight.

***** Thank you for all your prayers for me. I have been able to work this week. Torre

***** Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2011
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: Linebacker
This You Tube video titled “The Evangelism Linebacker” is hysterical! Here is the link if you want to watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvYFvhx1dcY

***** Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2011
From: michael hales
Subject: A Short Healing video.
Hello Torre and Jean,
      We hope you are both doing well and send you our blessings.
      Here is a short video on some of the healings which God has been doing. It is a call for people to pray for healing. Sometimes when we see a testimony of God working it is easier for us to press in with our prayers even for people who have had long term conditions. It is good also to see God working in one’s own neighborhood as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIrUh-Qw1eo
      Thank you for your continued ministry and we follow your prayer requests.
Blessings Michael and Christine Hales
Bristol, England.

Albany Intercessor