Egypt’s diocesan website

Bp Mouneer Anis has posted a few updates on events and requests for prayer. This is from his most recent post on February 5:

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12b

Please continue to pray for Egypt and its people. Pray for wisdom for all those who are in authority. Pray that the spirit of fanatism and extremism would not penetrate our society. Pray for the financial needs of the people in general, and the staff of the diocese.

Sudan referendum results

Praise God! The election commission has announced that 98.83% of the population of South Sudan has voted for independence. Thank you for your prayers.

Caregivers

Through the various trials of a neighbor and of a cyberspace friend, I’ve been reminded of the emotional and physical toll of caring for a loved one with a chronic debilitating illness.

Our Father in heaven, You are Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is present. Be present in warp and weft of time and space around each of Your caregivers. Fill the mundane details and menial duties with Your mercy and transform their service into an icon of Your love.

* * * * * * *

Christ Jesus, You are the Son of God. Your faithful caregivers have been crucified with You in their baptism. They no longer live, but You live in them. The life which they now live in the flesh they live by faith in You. You loved them and delivered Yourself up for them. Strengthen their faith so that they may learn obedience in their suffering.

* * * * * * *

Holy Spirit, in Ezekiel’s vision, the stream flowing from the Temple coursed through the Jordan Valley into the Dead Sea, replacing the salt water with fresh water. Holy Spirit, like that stream, flow through the spirits of the caregivers from depth to depth. Replace anxiety with peace, despair with trust, and fatigue with new life. Amen.

Hebrews 5:8-9, Galatians 2:20, Ezekiel 47

Egypt

Mark 4:22 (Amplified Bible)
Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known.

Father,
We lift up to You the nation of Egypt. Bless the Egyptians as they move to a new government. If there are persons from other nations who are using the Egyptians to promote a secret agenda, reveal their schemes, we pray.
Grant the Egyptians patience and discernment of truth. May the nation of Egypt will be known as a culture of honor. Amen.

Isaiah 59:1-15a

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. (Isaiah 59:1)
      LORD, hear and save your people. Rescue them out of the hand of false teachers. Don’t let any of your little ones stumble.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2)
      Father, help us recognize our iniquities for what they are and return to you.

For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity. (Isaiah 59:3)
      Holy Spirit, set your people free from pornography and programs which defile and debase them — guide them out of the miry clay.

No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. they trust in empty words and speak lies; they conceive evil and bring forth iniquity. (Isaiah 59:4)
      Jesus, please help us call for justice and righteousness. Set the people of Egypt free from tyranny.

They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; he who eats of their eggs dies, and from that which is crushed a viper breaks out. (Isaiah 59:5)
      Holy Spirit, confuse the counsel of those who plot evil, defeat their purposes.

We all growl like bears, and moan sadly like doves; we look for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. for our transgressions are multiplied before you, And our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them: In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. (Isaiah 59:11-15a)
      LORD, help us repent and return to you. Thank you.

Tuesday: 78:1-39 * 78:40-72; Isaiah 59:1-15a; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Mark 9:42-50
Wednesday: 119:97-120 * 81, 82; Isaiah 59:15b-21; 2 Timothy 1:15-2:13; Mark 10:1-16

      Notes from the Front Line

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

***** Please pray for the people of Egypt and those who minister to them.

Albany Intercessor

God’s word

Isaiah 55:11-13 (New Living Translation)
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

Father,
We trust in the promises of Your word and pray that Your word will be sent throughout the Middle East–Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Turkey. Amen.

Mark 9:36-37

Then he took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when he had taken him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37)
      Jesus, we ask you to bless the Sunday Schools and youth ministries in this diocese. Please bless and prepare the hearts and minds of all those who will be ministering to our children and youths at the Diocesan Convention.

      Holy Spirit, please help every parish in this diocese receive little children and provide for their nurture.

      Father, please help us receive all the little ones you send us. Thank you.

A word received at Christ Church on Sunday: Will you trust me in the face of testing and trials? Will you trust me in dry times? Will you remember me in the times of plenty? How much do you really love me? I AM the Lord. I AM not to be tossed about. I AM to be first in all things. Am I first for you?

Monday: 80 * 77, [79]; Isaiah 58:1-12; Galatians 6:11-18; Mark 9:30-41
Tuesday: 78:1-39 * 78:40-72; Isaiah 59:1-15a; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Mark 9:42-50

      Notes from the Front Line

Pray for the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her husband Richard.

***** Please pray for the people of Egypt and those who minister to them.

Albany Intercessor

Sudan

Reports from South Sudan indicate that 66 people have been killed in fighting between factions of Sudan’s northern army over whether they and their weapons should transfer to the north. Calm has been restored by the SPLA forces and the United Nations peacekeepers.

Father,
We pray peace over the joint integrated units of the Sudan Armed Forces. Amen.

Matthew 5:13-16 and Prayer Table Reports

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” (Matthew 5:13)
      Holy Spirit, please show me how you want me to be salt in my daily life.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
      Father, please help us daily show forth the light of Christ Jesus in the world. Show us how we are called to be his light in the world. Thank you.

STUDY GUIDE:      SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 18      February 6, 2011
      Year A, Fifth 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: Matthew 5:13-20; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Habakkuk 3:2-6, 17-18; Psalm 27:1, 5-11
Optional: Revelation 3:14-22 (The lukewarm Laodicean Church)
Memory Verse: The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
Next Week: Matthew 5:21-37; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Psalm 119:9-16
      Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20

A word received: Ask the class to share times when they know they have been salt and light. What happened?

A word received: Pray for my people to make the choice to be salt and light in the world. I want others to know my savor when they meet them in the world. I want them to be able to see by my light when they meet them in the world.

A word received: The purpose of your good works is to bring glory to my father in heaven. Let your light shine forth. I AM that light. I want you to shine forth with my light.

      Epistle: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

A word received: Paul clearly shows forth my light. Look at the first five verses. They show clearly how to let my light shine forth in you.

      Old Testament: Habakkuk 3:2-6, 17-18

(verse 18a) A word received: “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD.” That is what I want you to do. I want you find your joy in me and what I have done in things of the world which are passing away.

      Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 5-11

(verse 6) A word received: This is the joy that those who trust me know. Their confidence is in me. Make me your light and your salvation day by day.

Sunday: 93, 96 * 34; Isaiah 57:14-21; Hebrews 12:1-6; John 7:37-46
      HC: 27 or 27:1-7; Habakkuk 3:1-6,17-19; 1 Corinthians 2:1-11; Matthew 5:13-20
Monday: 80 * 77, [79]; Isaiah 58:1-12; Galatians 6:11-18; Mark 9:30-41

      Notes from the Front Line

Pray for the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her husband Richard.

***** Please pray for the people of Egypt and those who minister to them.

***** He Leadeth Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQLV5AnyeSU&feature=related
He leadeth me

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain:
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Joseph H. Gilmore, 1862
Copyright: Public Domain

Albany Intercessor

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, February 5, 2011, 9:25 – 10:30 a.m. Cold but pleasant. Torre Bissell, Sue Plaske, Mark Pasko, Dave Bayer, and Carol MacNaughton.
+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

State St:
+Julius — “Pray for my family. I’m fighting an addiction to alcohol.”

Ken (Sue Plaske’s husband) — “He’s sick.”

[We have begun to wonder if the house next door is being used as a crack house again. We prayed that God would shut down any activity like that.]

Bill (man getting out of car on the other side of the street and going into the house next door) “Pray for my father who is up in heaven.”

+Irene (in a rush) — “They also do this [the prayer table] in New Jersey.”

Steve — that he will be able to start his own business.

+Teniqua (teenage girl) — “For my grandfather, ‘Sugar Boy’.”

+Alfredo — He asked prayer for a “good job” and for his girlfriend +Nellie for healing. We gave him a Spanish language Bible and he called up Nellie on his cell phone and had us pray for her over the speaker phone. (God bless technology!)

+Amy — “To feel better emotionally.”

+Moses — relief of stress.

(Another man went briefly into the house next door) We prayed for the cleansing fire of the Holy Spirit in that house.

+Johnny (Paul’s husband) and +Paula — Blessing on her ministry to her husband and her family. She gives him an injection in his liver every Wednesday. She said, “This is one of his better days.”

+Michael — asked for blessing and prayed for work.

Debra (regular) — Paula went over to her apartment to check on her and had us pray for her over the speaker phone.

Albany St:
Pastor John Terry — Out of the Box Minstry on Albany Street. Building given to them; a former synagogue, providing a home for homeless teens.

Pablo — his wife Nancy and his mother Nancy — blood pressure heart related.

Cardell (Muslim) — Thanksgiving to God that he is alive.

Jerry — Hold it together; weight on his shoulder.

Rock — prayer to stay sober.

Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2011
From: Deacon Alan Hart
Subject: prayer table report
PRAYER TABLE REPORT, St. Mary’s of Lake Luzerne
(Sat., Feb. 5, 2011, 11:40 a.m. -noon inside our Parish Hall prior to our weekly Saturday free community luncheon. Deacon Alan Hart presiding at His table today.)
Note: Normally the table is set up outside the Hall, but we have a great deal of snow piled up and it has shortened our driveway and eliminated a lot of space and room around the Hall, so I held the table inside today for the safety of the people seeking prayer.
a–indicates anointed with Holy Oil.
t–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina.

a,t — MARGE — She asked for prayers for her sister-in-law BLANCHE, who lives in Brooklyn. Blanche is now in a psychiatric ward in New York and is very distraught. She sees things and imagines things that are not there, or she mistakes safe things or safe people as dangers. She doesn’t want anyone near her or anyone to help her. Marge and her husband John are very worried. We prayed for peace and safety for Blanche.

a,t — ANGIE — This woman came for prayer because she is feeling overwhelmed with the things expected of her at present, especially during this harsh winter season. Her husband does not breathe well and is not able to do much to help her out with physical work, so Angie has had to to do hard outdoor work like shoveling, carrying heavy things, in addition to her indoor household chores. She is angry that family members do not want to offer to help them out, even though she has asked for help. We prayed for an outpouring of family and friend support for Angie and her husband and for strength for her to do what she can do. We prayed for her to realize that she is not going through this difficult time alone, that God is with her.

a–EDITH — This pleasant lady came to the table last week feeling very depressed because her brother (ROBERT), sister (GRACE) and close friend (identity private) had all had a particularly trying week with their respective cancer battles. Edith at that time also requested prayer for herself for painful arthritis in her hands because it was keeping her awake at night and preventing her from sleeping. Today, however, she came only with a praise report: Robert, Grace and her friend all enjoyed “… a very good week” with their health. What’s more, she said after getting prayer at the table last Saturday the arthritis pain has gone away. She’s been sleeping well all week. Praise God!

t,t,t — PATRICIA AND BILL — This couple, who come to the luncheon every week, came to the table for the first time today. They asked for prayer for their friend PHIL, who lives in Florida and has been disgnosed with cancer. We prayed for Phil’s return to good health.

Apostles’ martyrdom

Several of the apostles died in the Middle East:
James the son of Zebedee: He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ. From Acts 12: 1-2.

Matthew: There is reason to believe that he stayed for fifteen years at Jerusalem, after which he went as missionary to the Persians, Parthians and Medes. There is a legend that he died a martyr in Ethiopia (south of the Caspian Sea, not in Africa) .

Thomas: The earlier traditions, as believed in the fourth century, say he preached in Parthia or Persia, and was finally buried at Edessa. The later traditions carry him farther east. His martyrdom whether in Persia or India, is said to have been by a lance.

James Alpheus : We know he lived at least five years after the death of Christ because of mentions in the Bible. According to tradition, James son of Alpheus was thrown down from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees; he was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.

Jude (Thaddeus): According to tradition Jude taught in Armenia, Syria and Persia. Foxs’ Book of Martyrs: “The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72.” Another tradition tells us he was buried in Kara Kalisa in what is now Iran.

Phillip: Preached the Gospel in Phrygia which was in the Roman Province of Asia near Ephesus [Turkey]. He suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.

Matthias: Tradition says that Matthias, who filled the place of Judas Iscariot, was stoned at Jerusalem.

Father,
We thank You for the witness of the apostles and all Christians who have been martyred in the Middle East. Wherever the martyrs’ blood cries from the ground, may there be an open portal with angels ascending and descending to bring about Your kingdom.
We pray for the exposure of every secret plot of the Muslim Brotherhood and every scheme of Al Quaeda. We pray for the protection of Israel from terrorists. We pray for the free passage of commercial ships through the Suez Canal, but not warships. We pray for a smooth transition to a secular government in Egypt, not an Islamic Caliphate.
We pray that Your kingdom come, Your will be done in the Middle East as it is in heaven. We pray for a Great Awakening to take place, with thousands of souls being swept into the kingdom of God. We pray for a highway of holiness from Egypt to Assyria; we pray that Egypt, Israel, and Assyria will be a blessing on the earth (Isaiah 19).
We pray that Christians will show their love for the Middle East by prayer and fasting. Bless the Middle East. Bless the Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Bless them all. Amen.

Mark the Evangelist

Mark the Evangelist founded the church in Africa and was Bishop of Alexandria. There he was martyred. In AD 68 they placed a rope around his neck and dragged him through the streets until he was dead.

Holy Spirit, turn to good that which was meant for evil. Blow over that grisly path of Mark’s martyrdom and transform it into a pathway of mercy. Amen.

A brief interview with President Bishop Mouneer Anis about the current situation in Egypt is found here.

Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
      Father, let the fruit of your Spirit grow in us. Make this diocese a garden of delight for your.

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)
      Jesus, help us daily take up our cross and crucify the passions and desires of the flesh.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
      Holy Spirit, shed your light on my path.

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26)
      Holy Spirit, restrain us.

Saturday: 75, 76 * 23, 27; Isaiah 57:3-13; Galatians 5:25-6:10; Mark 9:14-29
Sunday: 93, 96 * 34; Isaiah 57:14-21; Hebrews 12:1-6; John 7:37-46
      HC: 27 or 27:1-7; Habakkuk 3:1-6,17-19; 1 Corinthians 2:1-11; Matthew 5:13-20

      Notes from the Front Line

Pray for the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her husband Richard.

***** Please pray for the people of Egypt and those who minister to them..

Albany Intercessor

Iraq

Iraq is a verdant valley sandwiched between the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Jordan and the mountains of Iran.

Our Father in heaven,
The people of Iraq have suffered much. Bless the organization of the government of Iraq. May they experience both an agricultural and a spiritual abundance. May they bless the Christians within their borders, rather than persecute them. Amen.

Mark 9:4-7

And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:4)
      Father, please help us hear what you are saying to us through your prophets.

Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. (Mark 9:5-6)
      Jesus, thank you for hearing us when we are afraid and when we are at peace.

And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved son. Hear him!” (Mark 9:7)
      Father, please help us hear what Jesus is saying to us. Touch us again with your Holy Spirit and open our ears and our hearts to your word. Thank you.

Friday: 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 * 73; Isaiah 56:1-8; Galatians 5:16-24; Mark 9:2-13
Saturday: 75, 76 * 23, 27; Isaiah 57:3-13; Galatians 5:25-6:10; Mark 9:14-29

      Notes from the Front Line

Pray for the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori and her husband Richard.

***** Please pray for the people of Egypt.

Albany Intercessor

AAC Anglican Perspective

Two-minute video on praying for Egypt.