Mark 12:28-34

Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” (Mark 12:28 )
      Holy Spirit, please help us come to Jesus with an inquiring mind as this scribe did.

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.’” (Mark 12:29)
      Father, help us to hear what is really true.

“‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)
      Jesus, help us have your love for your father; help us put him first in all things.

“And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)
      Holy Spirit, please help us live out love of our neighbors by being willing to share the gospel with them.

So the scribe said to him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but he.” (Mark 12:32)
      Jesus, please help the people of this diocese recognize and respond to the truth of what you are saying to us.

“And to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33)
      Father, help our love for you overflow into daily love for our neighbors.

Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question him. (Mark 12:34)
      Holy Spirit, please help all of us in this diocese enter into your kingdom each day of our lives. Thank you.

Friday: 102 * 107:1-32; Isaiah 65:17-25; 1 Tim 5:17-22(23-25); Mark 12:28-34
Saturday: 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13) * 33; Isaiah 66:1-6; 1 Timothy 6:6-21; Mark 12:35-44

Albany Intercessor

Iranian naval ships

From Yahoo!News: Two Iranian naval vessels have submitted a request to transit the Suez Canal, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday. Israel has expressed concerns over the plans, labeling them a “provocation.”

Father,
My heart trembles at the prospect of a possible war. So much death! The situation is so much bigger than I am, I don’t even know how to pray.
I entrust it to You. You are righteous and merciful, steadfast in lovingkindness. I praise Your holy name. May Your name be magnified in every aspect of this situation. I extol Your holy name over the governments of Iran, Egypt, Syria, and Israel.
May the rustling leaves of the trees on the shores of Israel whisper Your precious name. May the waves of the Mediterranean Sea clap their hands to the glory of Your name as they break on the shores of Israel. May the calls of the seabirds give glory to You as they careen through the air along the Israeli coastline. May the people of Israel give praise to You as they walk upon the Promised Land. May the choirs of angels sing glad hosannas in the atmosphere over Israel.
We pray for the peace of Iran, Egypt, Syria, and Israel. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Amen.

Middle East and North Africa

Protests in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, and Yemen. At least 20 Libyan demonstrators have been killed.

Proverbs 21:1 (English Standard Version)
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;
he turns it wherever he will.

Acts 17:25-27 (English Standard Version)
nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

Sovereign Lord,
You have appointed the times and the boundaries of all nations. You turn the hearts of their leaders. If there are to be transitions in the governments in the Middle East and North Africa, we pray that they will be in Your timing and manner. We humbly ask for leaders established in righteousness who will lead their people in seeking You. Amen.

Libya

Reports of violence.

Father in heaven,
We carry this nation to You in prayer and join our voices to Jesus’ as He sits at Your right hand. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy.
Your Son taught us to bless our enemies. We speak blessings over Ghaddafi and all of his security forces. Amen.

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, £in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
      Holy Spirit, please help us receive with joy the ministry of the youth of the diocese. Help them to be for us a wholesome example of godly living and righteousness.

Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13)
      Jesus, please help the clergy and lay leaders of this diocese spend time daily in reading your Scriptures, in meditating on them, in exhortation, and in proclaiming sound doctrine.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. (1 Timothy 4:14)
      Father, we pray for the ministry of the elders of this diocese, that they would minister the gifts of your Spirit to the people of this diocese, and that those who receive such gifts will use them to build up your people.

Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. (1 Timothy 4:15)
      Holy Spirit, help our clergy and lay leaders grow as they give themselves over to the ministry you have established them in.

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)
      Jesus, help us all take heed to ourselves as we live out your grace. Help us continue steadfast in sound doctrine and teaching throughout this diocese. Thank you.

A word received: Pray for my truth to reign in the hearts of my people.

Thursday: 105:1-22 * 105:23-45; Isaiah 65:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Mark 12:13-27
Friday: 102 * 107:1-32; Isaiah 65:17-25; 1 Tim 5:17-22(23-25); Mark 12:28-34

Albany Intercessor

Libya

The four-decade-old regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi faces rare internet calls for protests this week by activists buoyed by the ouster of veteran strongmen in neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia. The demonstrations are being called on Thursday to commemorate the deaths of 14 protesters in 2006 in an Islamist rally in Libya’s second city of Benghazi.
Libya has the longest serving leader in the world (42 years) with the next closest a decade behind him. He is also the longest serving African or Arabic leader ever. He was bestowed the title of “King of Kings” three years ago by African kings and traditional rulers.

Revelation 19:11-16 (King James Version)
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Faithful and True, the Word of God,
We declare that You are the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS over Libya. Amen.

Libya

Simon of Cyrene (Hearkening; listening) was the person compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus as Jesus was taken to his crucifixion.

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross
Matthew 27:32
And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
Mark 15:21

Because his home town, Cyrene, Libya, was located in northern Africa, a connection arose making Simon of Cyrene the first African saintly Christian. Tradition states his sons Rufus and Alexander became missionaries.

Father,
Is it a mere coincidence that a Libyan helped Your Son bear His cross? Is it a mere coincidence that He was the first African saintly Christian and that His seed bore much fruit? Is it a coincidence that Libya will forever be associated with the sharing of burdens in Christ?
Let us be the Simons. Let us hearken to Your voice. Let us carry the burden for Libya in prayer. We bless this nation! Let our mustard seeds of faith bear much fruit. Amen.

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. (1 Timothy 3:8-9)
      Thank you, Jesus, for the ministry of the deacons you have raised up in this diocese.

But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. (1 Timothy 3:10)
      Holy Spirit, guide the Commission on Ministry and the Standing Committee and the parishes as they test the vocations of those coming forward for ordination.

Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. (1 Timothy 3:11-12)
      Father, please bless the family life of the deacons in this diocese.

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)
      Holy Spirit, please give our deacons great boldness in proclaiming the gospel and in their life of faith.

Wednesday: 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 * 119:121-144; Isa 63:15-64:9; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Mark 11:27-12:12
Thursday: 105:1-22 * 105:23-45; Isaiah 65:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Mark 12:13-27

Albany Intercessor

Protection

Psalm 18:2 (New Living Translation)
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.

Father,
We thank You for Your promises in Holy Scripture. We thank You that protection is Your idea. We thank You for the promise of Your protection for Your children in Northern Africa, Egypt, and throughout the Middle East. Amen.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

      A word received 6/4/2009: Pray for this nation. Pray for wise and godly men and women who will lead my people in my ways. Pray for the courts, that they will do true justice. Pray for the Congress and the legislatures, that they will have a spirit of wisdom and discernment. Pray for the President and the Governors, that their hearts will be turned into my ways.

      A word received 6/25/2009: Pray for the President.
      Pray for my work in his heart and mind.
      Pray for wise and godly counselors for him.
      Pray for wisdom in the storm.
      Pray that he will look to me rather than opinion polls.
      Pray for my word to lodge in his heart.

      Thank you, Lord, for those you have raised up to govern us. Thank you for what you are doing in their hearts and lives. Thank you for the President, the leaders of Congress and the Courts. Direct their steps daily in your ways of righteousness. Thank you for the leaders of your church. Please let the visit of the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori to this diocese bless her and us. Thank you for Bishop Bill, Bishop Dan, and Bishop David and the clergy and lay leaders of this diocese. Help us daily walk by your light in your ways. Thank you.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
      Holy Spirit, please help our desires line up with those of God our Father. Thank you.

Tuesday: 97, 99, [100] * 94, [95]; Isaiah 63:7-14; 1 Timothy 1:18-2:8; Mark 11:12-26
Wednesday: 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 * 119:121-144; Isa 63:15-64:9; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Mark 11:27-12:12

Albany Intercessor

Egypt

Revelation 19:10c KJV
. . . worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

I testify that through Jesus all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth were created. I testify that through Jesus, Egypt was created.
I testify that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. I testify that He is sovereign over the natural and supernatural realms in Egypt.
I testify that Jesus is the Lamb of God. I testify that He died for Egypt.
I testify that Jesus is the bright morning star. I testify that He is the light of Egypt. Shine, Jesus. Shine on Egypt and bring to light the secret things hidden by the rulers of darkness of this world. Amen.

Isaiah 63:5-6 and Ezekiel 22:30-31

“I looked, but there was no one to help, and I wondered that there was no one to uphold; therefore my own arm brought salvation for me; and my own fury, it sustained me.” (Isaiah 63:5)
      Lord Jesus, give us hearts to uphold your people in prayer.

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” (Ezekiel 22:30)
      Holy Spirit, move the hearts of your people to stand in the gap and intercede for this diocese and for the visit of the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori.

“Therefore I have poured out my indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 22:31)
      Father, help us count the cost for this diocese if your people do not step forward into the gap.

“I have trodden down the peoples in my anger, made them drunk in my fury, and brought down their strength to the earth.” (Isaiah 63:6)
      LORD, we are your people who are called by your name. Please help us humble ourselves and pray and seek your face, and turn from our wicked ways, so that you will hear from heaven and forgive our sins and heal our land. (See 2 Chronicles 7:14)

Monday: 89:1-18 * 89:19-52; Isaiah 63:1-6; 1 Timothy 1:1-17; Mark 11:1-11
Tuesday: 97, 99, [100] * 94, [95]; Isaiah 63:7-14; 1 Timothy 1:18-2:8; Mark 11:12-26

      Notes from the Front Line

A Mighty Fortress is Our God http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y-_TsRjm5Y
Just A Closer Walk With Thee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCFgDvG1ODk&NR=1&feature=fvwp
What A Friend We Have In Jesus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLAg2NDcOt4&feature=fvw
Thy Word http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SLHWFpSlq4
Jesus Loves Me This I Know http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DYDvyBKZJA

      Archdeacon Harvey Huth has asked me to coordinate a prayer vigil for the visitation of the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her party as they visit this diocese from Thursday, March 10th 3 PM through Sunday, March 13th 3 PM. He has requested daily prayer coverage starting at 7 AM (except her day of arrival) and ending 10 PM.
      Send me an e-mail telling me the half-hour segments you can pray at torre.bissell@verizon.net or write to me at PO Box 9663, Schenectady, NY 12309-0663. Thank you.

Albany Intercessor

Diocese of Egypt website

From President Bishop Mouneer Anis on Feb 12–

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13)

Tonight our beloved Egypt started to write a new chapter of her story. I pray that no single group would dictate its agenda but all of us must be given the right & the freedom to write together this chapter.
We need to earnestly pray for God’s Grace and wisdom and for a new and free Egypt. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Communion of saints

Our Father in heaven,
Was not Moses born in Egypt? Did not the children of Israel survive on Egyptian grain and later grow into a great nation in Egypt?
Did not Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus live in Egypt? Were not the church fathers Alexander, Ammonius, Athanasius, Carpocrates, Cosmas, Cyril, Dionysius, Eulogius, Heracleon, Hieracus, Nonnus, Origen, Orsisius, Papyrus Oxyrhynchus, Peter of Alexandria, Pierius, and Serapion from Egypt? Did not the desert fathers and mothers live in the Scetes desert in Egypt? We thank You for our rich heritage from Egypt.
We bless Egypt, Lord. We bless the patriarchs of old and the citizens of today. We bless its government, religious institutions, media, arts, education, economy, and families.
We join our voices with Jesus seated at Your right hand interceding for Egypt. We join our voices with the prayers of the communion of saints who know and love this land. Magnify all of these prayers from the communion of saints. Multiply the blessings! Bless them. Bless them. Bless them. Amen.

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

From the Cyberhymnal: Words & Music: Ro­bert Low­ry, in Gos­pel Mu­sic, by How­ard Doane & Ro­bert Low­ry (New York: Big­low & Main, 1876)

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Yes, Lord, nothing but the blood of Jesus can bring about cleansing and wholeness, pardon and atonement, goodness, hope, peace, righteousness, and glory in the land of Egypt. We declare the blood of Jesus over this land. We speak the blood of Jesus over the land of His early childhood. We claim the bood of Jesus over every pathway that he walked or was carried on. We claim the blood of Jesus over his homeplace and his synagogue of old. We claim the blood of Jesus over the Sinai and the Nile, Alexandria and Cairo. Nothing but the blood of Jesus over her military and political and religious rulers. Nothing but the blood of Jesus over Jews and Muslims and Christians. Nothing but the blood of Jesus over the highways and byways. Nothing but the blood of Jesus over the Sahara Desert and White Desert and Black Desert and Eastern Desert. Nothing but the blood of Jesus over the Quattara Depression and the Valley of the Kings. Nothing but the blood of Jesus from the Libyan Plateau to the Red Sea. Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!