John4:28-42

The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29″Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John4:28 )
      Lord Jesus, search our hearts as you did with this woman at the well. Help us see ourselves through your eyes of love. Help us bear true witness to what you have done in our lives.

Then they went out of the city and came to him. (John4:30)
      Holy Spirit, please help us go out and seek what you are doing in others lives when they meet Jesus. Help us seek that encounter for ourselves as these did.

In the meantime his disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him anything to eat?” (John4:31-33)
      Father, you fed Jesus with heavenly food to sustain him in his hour of need; please sustain us as well in our hours of need.

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work.” (John4:34)
      Father, please help us do the work you have given us to do.

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John4:35)
      Jesus, please give us eyes to see the harvest fields all around us; and hearts to go into them with the good news of you death and resurrection and your sending your Holy Spirit to us.

“And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” (John4:36)
      Holy Spirit, help us throughout this diocese gather fruit for eternal life.

“For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” (John4:37-38 )
      Jesus, help each of us (help me) do the work you have given us to do.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to him, they urged him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his own word. (John4:39-41)
      Father, thank you for the power of the witness of the Samaritan woman. Bless our witness with the same power of your Holy Spirit.

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John4:42)
      Holy Trinity, one God, help us believe every true witness to your work. Let that belief produce good fruit for your kingdom. Thank you.

Monday: 56, 57, [58] * 64, 65; Jeremiah 1:11-19; Rom. 1:1-15; John 4:27-42
Tuesday: 61, 62 * 68:1-20(21-23)24-36; Jeremiah 2:1-13; Rom. 1:16-25; John 4:43-54

Albany Intercessor

Japanese reactors

From bigthink

As of Sunday morning, Japanese workers are heroically laying electrical cables to Units 1,2,3,4, hoping to restore power to the backup pumps. If they are successful, then perhaps the pumps can once again maintain water above the cores of the reactors and the spent fuel ponds, and hence stabilize the accident. Then the dangerous phase of the accident would end, and the long, years-long process of clean up may begin.

But workers have to be extremely careful as they turn on the electricity. Many of the badly damaged pumps may not work. Or, an electrical spark may set off an explosion. Then the electrical cables are useless.

From Business Week:

After appearing to have stabilized, the plant’s Unit 3 reactor became troublesome again Sunday.

Pressure rose inside the vessel that contains the reactor core, necessitating a tricky venting of the gases inside to relieve the buildup, officials with the nuclear safety and the plant’s operator said.

Lord God, Creator of heaven and earth,
On the second day, You created the firmament and separated the waters under the firmament from the waters above it. This is beyond my understanding, and I cannot visualize it.
But, if there is untainted air and water above the firmament available to replace the radioactive steam vented from the reactors on earth, then we humbly beseech You to carry out that exchange.
You are the God of creative exchanges. You created the vegetation to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen and the animals to exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide.
Your Son exchanged His stripes for our illness and His righteousness for our sins.
Cleanse earth’s atmosphere, Lord! We look to You. Amen.

John 19:38-40

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. (John 19:38-40)
      A word received: What change came in Nicodemus’ heart that he would risk burying me?
      Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for working in the hearts of Joseph and Nicodemus. Thank you that they found the courage to serve you in this way. Please help us find the courage to serve as you desire. Thank you.

Sunday: 24, 29 * 8, 84; Jer. 1:1-10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-23; Mark 3:31-4:9
HC: 33:12-22; Genesis 12:1-8; Romans 4:1-5(6-12)13-17; John 3:1-17
Monday: 56, 57, [58] * 64, 65; Jer. 1:11-19; Rom. 1:1-15; John 4:27-42

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011
From: Deacon Alan Hart
Subject: St Mary’s PT
PRAYER TABLE REPORT, St. Mary’s of Lake Luzerne (Sat., March 19, 11:30 a.m.-noon, in Parish Hall before our weekly Community Lunch; Noel Dawes and Deacon Alan Hart presiding at His table.)
a–received anointing with Holy Oil. (Note: No wooden crosses were handed out today, although as always they were available.)
WOMAN (No name) — Received prayer for peace for her husband, who she said tends to be verbally abusive to her some days. She said today was ” … one of those days.” We prayed for peace in her house and a strengthening in their marriage and in their mutual respect for each other.
a–PEGGY — She asked for prayers for her son BRUCE, who lives outside Washington, D.C., and is having problems with his health care plan and also with sleep apnea.
a–DONNA — This woman is getting married in May, and though she is happy and eager about the impending marriage, many annoying problems have suddenly arisen concerning the wedding day arrangements. We prayed for Christ to be in the center of the wedding ceremony and also at the center of their marriage.
EDITH — A regular at the table, she came forward with words of thanksgiving. We have prayed for her brother ROBERT and her sister GRACE, both suffering from cancer, have each enjoyed “… a few good weeks now” of relatively good health. We gave thanks and prayed for continued healing for her brother and sister.

Albany Intercessor

Purim

Deuteronomy 25:17-19

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the LORD your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.”

Purim, the celebration of the deliverance of the Jews from Haman (recorded in the book of Esther), commences at sundown today. This past week, Israel seized a ship making its way from Syria via Turkey to Egypt. On board were discovered some 50 tons of weapons from Iran, destined to be unloaded and taken overland into Gaza to be used against Israel. It included six C-704 anti-ship missiles, two rocket launchers, 230 mortar rockets with a range of ten kilometers, 2,260 smaller mortar rockets and tens of thousands of rifle bullets. As Prime Minister Netanyahu declared, “All those who question why Israel must stop and inspect ships en route to Gaza can find the answer right here. They were en route to terror organizations in Gaza but their ultimate target was the Israeli civilian population.” From Iran (Persia), another “Haman” has arisen calling anew for the annihilation of the “Zionist entity.”

Father,
We plead the Blood of the Lamb over Israel on this holy day. Protect them from attacks of war. Guard them from covenant-hating spirits. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Amen.

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, March 19, 2011, 9:250 – 10:30 a.m. Torre Bissell on State St., and Mark Pasko and Carol MacNaughton on Albany St.
+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

State St:
+Brian (young man) — “For everything I have always wanted.”

+Debra (regular) — “I had a wonderful trip to Virginia. I have been having back spasms.”

+Andrew (Jamaican) — Alcohol and steadiness

+Billie (young man, alcoholic) — His father’s funeral is in Coxsackie on Monday; he spent the night on the street.

+Nathan (teenage boy) — “Pray for my +teacher.” His teacher’s mother is fighting for her life. He came on a bicycle and went back the way he came from.

+Antonia — “For the apartment I need and for her mom, Tanya“

+Lelania – “For safety this summer in Schenectady and for the President.”

Steve (regular) — That he can start his own business.

+Aaron — “better living”

+Dale (young man) — “For my family, my daughter, my girlfriend.”

+Musa (young man) — “For a job.”

Alan — in a rush to a “visitation with my daughter“.

Bill (regular) — “For myself [epilepsy], and for my friend who just lost his grandmother.”

+Katie — “I have a bad cold.”

+Wayne (young man) — He gave his burdens and his sins to Jesus and accepted Jesus forgiveness.

Curtis — “For deliverance and a better job.”

Albany St:

+++Jamal — Earnest and for his Mom and Dad

“Black” (from last week) needs blessing

+Young girl.

Gary — recovering from alcoholism.

Japan’s nuclear reactors

a prayer by Georgia, one of our readers–

Dear Holy Father, Dear Lord Jesus Christ, Dear Holy Spirit,

Please have mercy upon the people of Japan.

Please intervene with Your holy all-powerful Peace, The Peace that surpasses all understanding. Speak Your Peace into the heart of the nuclear reactors – Let Your Peace quiet and control the roiling storm of electrons and fusion of atoms that is causing energy, heat and light to build uncontrollably in the reactors. You are the only place and source of Peace. You are the only rest. You are the only true stillness and stability. You alone are unchanging, unmoving, unto all ages.

You alone are Love, Holy, true, pure, cherishing, abiding, redeeming, healing, comforting Holy Love. Please send angels bearing Your Love into Japan. Let Your Love inspire and fill and motivate and rebuild and restore the hearts and minds of the people to know and love You. Help the people of Japan to love each other as You Love. Open their hearts to Your Holy Love.

Father, You are the creator, source and sustainer of Life, the Breath of Life that drives away, overcomes and banishes the spirit of death. Reveal Your real and Eternal Life to Japan.

Send Your Holy Light to reveal Jesus Your Son, The
Savior and Light of the world, The Divine God Made Flesh who was and helps us to become truly human, compassionate, joyful, free and whole.

Father, You alone can redeem and transform the tragedies and harm that befalls us to good.

Help Japan to see, seek and know that You are their truest need, their best and highest hope.

Help Japan to be rebuilt on the foundation of Your Love, Truth, Life, Freedom, Faith, Hope, Peace and Joy.

In the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Springfield consecration

Fr. Dan Martins will be consecrated bishop of Springfield today.

I recently listened to a teaching by Arthur Burke. He pointed out that the first thing God consecrated was time–creation of the Sabbath. The second thing deemed holy was land–at the burning bush. The third thing consecrated was the liturgical furniture for the tabernacle, and the fourth was the priests.–JW

Father,
We lift up to You the consecration of Your servant Dan as Bishop of Springfield. We ask You to consecrate this day. May this moment in time be holy and set apart. We ask You to consecrate the land on which the ordination will take place and the liturgical items used in the service. Lastly, Lord, we ask You to consecrate Dan to Your service.
Come, Holy Spirit. Come. Amen.

John 4:10 and Sunday School Lesson

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God,” (John 4:10a)
      Father, please help us know your gift to us, your Holy Spirit. Thank you.

“and who it is who says to you,” (John 4:10b)
      Jesus, please help us know you better.

“‘Give me a drink,’” (John 4:10c)
      Jesus, help us give you whatever you ask of us.

“you would have asked him,” (John 4:10d)
      Jesus, please help us ask you for the new life you offered to the woman at the well and that you offer to us — help us turn to your father for our daily bread.

“and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10e)
      Jesus, let your Holy Spirit, your living water, flow over us and through us. Thank you.

STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 24, March 20, 2011
            Lectionary A, Second Sunday of Lent
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 3:1-17; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:12-22
Memory Verse: For we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love/mercy* rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:21b-22)
Next Week: John 4:5-30, 39-42; Romans 5:1-11; Genesis 37:1-36; Psalm 105:17-22
      Gospel: John 3:1-17

A word received: I changed the subject. I AM always doing that. Let me change the subject for you. Let me direct your attention to what is really important.

      Epistle: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

(verse 17) A word received: I give new life in place of the old dead life that many live. I do that by planting the seed of faith in your heart. Turn to me and I will help it grow — I AM the One who gives the increase.

      Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-9

A word received: I want you to enter into the blessing that Abraham received. I want you to be willing to go forth into your communities and work places at my direction. I was faithful in directing Abraham, and I will be faithful in directing you as you go (underline “as you go”).

      Psalm: Psalm 33:12-22

Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in you. (Psalm 33:22 NKJV)

(verse 22) A word received: Mercy and trust go together. Increase your trust of me as Abraham and Nicodemus did and you will see more of my mercy.

*love/mercy (Herbrew hesed)

Saturday: 55 * 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Deuteronomy 11:18-28; Hebrews 5:1-10; John 4:1-26
Sunday: 24, 29 * 8, 84; Jer. 1:1-10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-23; Mark 3:31-4:9
HC: 33:12-22; Genesis 12:1-8; Romans 4:1-5(6-12)13-17; John 3:1-17

      Notes from the Front Line

***** March 28-30 Pray for the Welcome Home Initiative Retreat (WHI). A retreat program for combat veterans and their families. This is available to them at no charge, due to the generosity of the public. If a combat veteran is interested in attending , please contact Sandra, at the Healing Center to reserve their space. (518 ) 692-9550

Albany Intercessor

Japan’s nuclear reactors

From Voice of America:

Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, says Japan is racing against time to cool the overheating reactors. . . . The International Atomic Energy Agency says that Japanese authorities have told them they have successfully laid a cable line to reactor number two at the nuclear plant. However, it is not clear how close workers are to actually restoring power.

The VOA correspondent in Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture says government officials are not expecting power to be re-connected to reactors number two and three until Sunday.

The cooling problem is particularly critical at the number three nuclear reactor, where the risk of an increased level of radioactive leaks is considered especially high.

Fukushima is the site of an 1882 political tumult where members of an opposition political party were attacked in their sleep.

Father,
We do not know if there has been repentance for these political murders or if succeeding generations prayed for the cleansing of the land and of the civil government. We confess our own sins of not praying for our political opponents, of speaking ill of our enemies. We acknowledge that the murder and persecution of the Jiyuto was an abomination, and we leave the persecutors to Your judgment.
If the spilled blood on this land is indeed crying out, we raise our voices in unison and speak the name of Jesus over Fukushima. The blood of Jesus covers the spilled blood of the Jiyuto! At the name of Jesus, the spirit of death must flee! At the name of Jesus, the spirit of hatred must flee! At the name of Jesus, the spirit of revenge must flee!
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. At the name of Jesus, Shintoism must bow its knee. At the name of Jesus, Buddhism must bow its knee. At the name of Jesus, ancestor worship must bow its knee. We decree it so in Fukushima! Jesus reigns! Jesus reigns! Jesus reigns!

Previous posts on the reactors may be found here and here.

John 3:34-36

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” (John 3:34)
      Father, touch us again with your Holy Spirit — fill us to overflowing. Thank you.

“The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.” (John 3:35)
      Father, thank you that we can be caught up in your love for your son, Jesus.

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. ” (John 3:36)
      Holy Spirit, please help us throughout this diocese to believe Jesus and accept his words into our hearts and minds. Thank you.

(Blessing adapted from the Anglican Christian community in Ceylon, Pakistan, and India:)
      May the Name of Jesus, the Son of God, who is mightier than all the hosts of Satan, and more glorious than all the angels of heaven, abide with Bishop Bill in his going out and our coming in; by day and by night; at morning and at evening; at all times and in all places.
      May the Name of Jesus, the Son of God, protect and deliver Bishop Bill from the wrath of evil persons; from the assaults of evil spirits; from foes invisible; from the snares of the Evil One; and from all low passions that beguile the soul and body.
      May the Name of Jesus protect and deliver Bishop Bill.
      And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with Bishop Bill and this diocese this day and always. Amen.

A word received: You are in my care.

Friday: 95 & 40, 54 * 51; Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Hebrews 4:11-16; John 3:22-36
Saturday: 55 * 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Deuteronomy 11:18-28; Hebrews 5:1-10; John 4:1-26

Albany Intercessor

St. Patrick’s Day

I am sitting down to my computer for the first time, and the day is almost over! Father Rob Eaton of Tulare, CA has a brief reflection on St. Patrick’s, which includes some historical references.

Bp. Charles Grafton

The Rt. Rev. Charles Chapman Grafton (1830-1912), Bishop of Fon du Lac–

Almighty God-most Holy Trinity-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

May the increase of your glory be the chief purpose of my life.

May your ever blessed will be the law of my bieng and of all my actions and desires.

May your transforming and uniting love be the permanent and imperative motive of all my actions, duties, labors, thoughts, and words.

May the life of our Blessed Lord be the model and mould of my own, that being melted by penitence, I may be recast and recreated in you.

May the Holy Spirit so rule and govern my interior, all my emotions, fears, hopes, sorrows, and joys that I may rest peacefully in you and be an instrument for the conversion of others. Amen.

John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world” (John 3:16a)
      Father, thank you for loving this fallen and sinful world. Thank you for loving us.

“that He gave His only begotten Son,” (John 3:16b)
      Father, thank you for sending Jesus to us. Please help us daily receive him into our hearts.

“that whoever believes in Him” (John 3:16c)
      Jesus, I believe; help my unbelief and fear.

“should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16d)
      Holy Spirit, please fill us anew with your active presence.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,” (John 3:17a)
      “Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (See Romans 8:1) Jesus, please help us walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh.

“but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17b)
      Jesus, help us faithfully and effectively share with those in the world your love for them and the hope of salvation you hold out to them. Thank you.

A word received: I want my people to be steady in their vows to me. Pray for this.

Thursday (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!): 50 * [59, 60] or 19, 46; Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5; Hebrews 4:1-10; John 3:16-21
Friday: 95 & 40, 54 * 51; Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Hebrews 4:11-16; John 3:22-36

      otes from the Front Line

***** March 28-30 Welcome Home Initiative Retreat (WHI). A retreat program for combat veterans and their families. This is available to them at no charge, due to the generosity of the public. If a combat veteran is interested in attending , please contact Sandra, at the Healing Center to reserve their space. (518 ) 692-9550

***** Pray that God will raise up vocations to the Sisters of St. Mary.

Albany Intercessor

Nuclear reactors

The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews is a deuterocanonical addition to the book of Daniel, inserted between 3:23 and 3:24. It recounts the prayers of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego while in the furnace. This is an apt prayer for the protection of the nuclear reactors. If you don’t have an Apocrypha available, an excerpt can be found in the BCP, pp. 88-90.

A new beginning

The US Geological Survey (USGS) claims the 8.9 magnitude quake along the northern coast of Japan has moved the island nation eastward by an estimated 8 feet. The Hebrew number 8 is symbolic of a new beginning.

Father,
We pray for a new beginning in Japan–new religious structures, new homes, new industries, new schools, new finances, new media, new government structures, and new arts. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done in Japan as it is in heaven. Amen.