Earthquake, time, and evangelism

The earthquake in Japan shortened the day by 1.8 millionths of a second.

Matthew 9:37-38 (New Living Translation) He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Father,
The days are shorter. We ask You to send more workers into Your fields. Amen.

John 3:1-21

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:1-3)
      Father, we ask for your new life in your church: help all of the once-born to be born again so that they may see your kingdom.

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:4-5)
      Holy Spirit, please come upon all the people of this diocese so that we are all born again of water and you and can enter your kingdom. Let the Diocesan Convention be a doorway into your kingdom for many.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:6-7)
      Lord Jesus, give your people in this diocese discernment so that they can distinguish the works of your Spirit from the works of the flesh.

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 )
      Holy Spirit, come and blow on us; come and blow on me!

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:9-21)
      Holy Spirit, please help the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church to know these things.

A word received: I AM with you. Look to me throughout the day for wisdom and understanding.

Wednesday: 119:49-72 * 49, [53]; Deuteronomy 9:13-21; Hebrews 3:12-19; John 2:23-3:15
Thursday: 50 * [59, 60] or 19, 46; Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5; Hebrews 4:1-10; John 3:16-21

      Notes 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

Albany Intercessor

Japan

Malachi 1:11 NIV
My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.

Father,
The earthquake and tsunami have caused many, many structures to fall. We pray for new homes and new industries for the Japanese.
This is a time for old religious structures to fall as well. At the name of Jesus, Shintoism must bow its knee! We proclaim the freedom and reality of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, over Japan. May the Land of the Rising Sun become the Land of the Risen Sun. May revival sweep this nation! The name of Jesus will be great in this land, and the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. Amen.
Malachi 4:2

Zechariah’s tomb

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced last month the discovery of what is thought to be Zechariah’s tomb on the Judean coastal plain.

Zechariah 6:12-13 (Amplified Bible)
And say to him, Thus says the Lord of hosts: [You, Joshua] behold (look at, keep in sight, watch) the Man [the Messiah] whose name is the Branch, for He shall grow up in His place and He shall build the [true] temple of the Lord.

Yes, [you are building a temple of the Lord, but] it is He Who shall build the [true] temple of the Lord, and He shall bear the honor and glory [as of the only begotten of the Father] and shall sit and rule upon His throne. And He shall be a Priest upon His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between the two [offices--Priest and King].

Father,
We stand in agreement with the prophetic words of Zechariah. Your Son Jesus is the Branch, seated at Your right hand in glory, King of kings and Lord of lords. He now waits until You put His enemies as a footstool under His feet.
We proclain His holy name over Israel–Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! May Your Holy Spirit put Your laws in the hearts and write Your laws on the minds of the people of Israel. Amen.
Hebrews 10:13-16

John 2:19-22, Hebrews 3:7-11, and Deuteronomy 9:4-6

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. Therefore, when he had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2:19-22)
      Holy Spirit, please help us remember Jesus’ words to us and believe him and those words. Thank you.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested me, tried me, and saw my works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.’ so I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” (Hebrews 3:7-11)
      Father, we have rebelled against you and hardened our hearts. Please help us fix our thoughts on Jesus and return to you and your ways. Thank you.

“Do not think in your heart, after the Lord your God has cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you. It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.” (Deuteronomy 9:4-6)
      Jesus, please help us remember that it is only your mercy and grace, your righteousness, that enables us to go ahead in this diocese. We have no righteousness of our own. Cover over our sins each day with your precious blood. Thank you.

A word received: My people are waiting, but I AM waiting on them. Pray for my people to answer my call to them.

Tuesday: 45 * 47, 48; Deuteronomy 9:4-12; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 2:13-22
Wednesday: 119:49-72 * 49, [53]; Deuteronomy 9:13-21; Hebrews 3:12-19; John 2:23-3:15

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2011
From: Noel Dawes
Subject: Welcome Home Initiative, 10th Retreat, March 28-30, 2011. Please Pray!
To All Our Prayer Warriors Who Intercede for the Welcome Home Initiative:
      The next and 10th Welcome Home Initiative Retreat begins in just two weeks, March 28-30th, 2011.
      At this time enrollment is encouraging but we are not certain of overall numbers. We may be able to accept more combat Veterans and their spouses but they need to discuss their registrations with Sandra (contact details at bottom of page). Current registrations are 18 Veterans, 4 spouses and 1 daughter, totaling 23. Of this number we have no names for 10 Veterans (being brought by their Chaplain, who are coming from the Brooklyn Veterans Hospital, NYC. Pray that the Holy Spirit will draw everyone attending. Pray their all our hearts will be very open and prepared to be healed. Pray each of us will come to the Retreat fully expectant that through it, God will do far more than we can ever ask or imagine, according to the power that works within us (Eph 3: 20).
      Lift up the Leadership Team for this Retreat– Fr. Nigel Mumford, Bishop Dave Bena, Noel Dawes and Sandra Lester. Pray for the Ministry Team of mental and behavioral health and very experienced prayer intercessors. The Team is made up of combat Veterans or close family members of combat Veterans who have attended previous retreats. Pray for our ongoing liaison with the Veterans Center in Albany. Pray for all the Christ the King (CtK) Spiritual Life Center (SLC) staff and other volunteer helpers, who are involved in administering the Retreat in one way or another, fine-tuning the details of the Retreat behind the scenes.
      Pray for safe travel for the Veterans. Some are traveling considerable distances. Pray for good, seasonal weather. Pray for safety, especially on the emotional/mind perspective. Pray provision for the Veterans families whilst they are away from home, Pray that the recreational activities and entertainment offered to draw the combatants closer during session breaks will have a powerful healing effect.
      Pray for a supportive community set in reality-based love to be built in the short time of the Retreat (in effect, a type of Band of Brothers and Sisters). Pray for excellent bonding and openness between participants and team in the sessions where memories are revisited and shared. Pray for the release of emotions bound up in traumatic memory. Pray for the balm of the Holy Spirit to pour out and heal the wounds, sometimes newly re-opened.
      Pray for discernment and compassion on the part of all the team. Pray we will truly listen (to the Lord and each other), love and pray; Pray we will all be flexible, adaptable and mutually accountable under the circumstances of this particular retreat. Pray we will be alert to the particular challenges of abreaction in traumatic memory and for our mental health professional on the team.
      Pray for the ministry to the 4 wives and 1 daughter coming. Pray for support, encouragement and tools to be offered to these brave women who are the frontline of their husband’s reintegration back into ordinary society.
      Pray Veterans and their families will be honored for the sacrifices they have made. Pray for effective reintegration into ordinary society even 66 years after the end of WW2. Pray the Holy Spirit will cause our War Fighters and their families to be resilient in the face of adversity and tribulation. Give praise for their continuing sacrifice even though their formal service may be over.
      Pray for to the several military Chaplains who participate in this program, who have some concept of the depth of the spiritual wounds of combat trauma, that tools may be imparted to them which can aid in their spiritual support to our troops.
      As in past retreats, join us in the Welcome Home Closing ceremony on Wednesday, March 30th. We gather in the Great Hall at Christ the King Center at 10:45 a.m. to pour out love and thanksgiving upon these men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. Pray that God will give our very eminent closing speaker, MG (USA, Ret) Bob Dees exactly His right words to say, presented in a Godly encouraging, kind, supporting, resiliency-building way. Pray for Bob’s wife, Kathleen, who will be accompanying him. They are a powerful and experienced ministry team in their own right.
      From previous retreats we know that healing does take place through the Welcome Home Initiative. We rejoice at the evidence of the Holy One in our midst. We rejoice that He sets the traumatized free. We have witnessed the miracles that God can bring about in just three days time! Pray with us that our mighty God will visit us again March 28-30 with healing in His wings.
      If you know of any veterans who might benefit from this program, have them contact Sandra Lester at (518 ) 692-9550, ext 202. For more information, see our web page at http://www.christ-the-king-center.org/WelcomeHome/index.cfm
      Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. And after two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we might live in His presence. (Hosea 6:1-2)
      Noel Dawes
      For the Oratory of Christ the Healer, Christ the King Spiritual Life Center, Greenwich, NY 12834

Albany Intercessor

Nuclear power plants in Japan

Father,
You are Creator of heaven and earth, Sovereign over time and matter. Your prophet Elisha multiplied the widow’s oil and made the iron axhead float. Your Son Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish and walked upon the water. We humbly beseech You to exercise Your sovereignty over the subatomic particles in the nuclear power plants in Japan and abort any meltdown. You reign over the infinitely small! You reign over matter! You reign over space! You reign! You reign! You reign! Amen.

Libya

Father,
The situation is bleak. Help this nation! Stir the hearts of intercessors around the world and teach them how to fast and pray for Libya. Amen.

Sudan

The Sudan Council of Churches has issued this communique.

Lord Jesus,
At Your birth, choirs of angels filled the skies with praise, and the star shone bright. We humbly ask You to fill the land and the skies of Abyei, Darfur, Jonglei, Upper Nile, Lakes and Western Eqatoria States with praise that Your light may shine ever more brightly, to the establishment of Your kingdom and Your peace. Amen.

Psalm 31:20, Daniel 6:26b-27, and John 2:5

You shall hide them in the secret place of your presence from the plots of man; you shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. (Psalm 31:20)
      Lord Jesus Christ, protect all our clergy from the strife of tongues.

For he is the living God, and steadfast forever; his kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (Daniel 6:26b-27)
      Holy Father, as you shut the mouths of the lions and delivered Daniel, shut the mouths of those who gossip and spread lies about our clergy.

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” (John 2:5)
      Holy Spirit, help all of us in this diocese heed Mary’s words to the servants and do whatever Jesus is telling us to do. Please give us discernment to know his words from whatever else we are hearing.

      Holy Trinity, one God, thank you for what you are doing among us.

Monday: 41, 52 * 44; Deuteronomy 8:11-20; Hebrews 2:11-18; John 2:1-12
Tuesday: 45 * 47, 48; Deuteronomy 9:4-12; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 2:13-22

Albany Intercessor

Time, light, and trust

Genesis 1:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs and tokens [of God's provident care], and [to mark] seasons, days, and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light upon the earth. And it was so.

Dear Father,
You are Creator of time and light. Our times are in Your hands. You made the sun stand still for Joshua and the stars to fight for Deborah and Barak. The lights in the heavens declare Your glory. The lights in the heavens manifest Your glory in ways we cannot understand. Our times manifest Your glory in ways beyond our comprehension.
Yet, we trust, Lord, in Your command of the celestial bodies, of wavelengths and quanta, in the intricate arrangement of time and space and light. We trust in confidence because we know that our names are written on the palm of Your hand, and Your care for us is indelible.
Your splendor is like the sunrise, rays flashing from Your hand, where Your power is hidden. The rays of the sun set in motion photosynthesis, on which all of life depends. Your splendor sets in motion life.
When Jesus walked the earth, the touch of His hands brought life to the dead and light to the blind. Jesus told us He could do nothing by Himself; He could do only what He saw You, His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. You, Father, brought life and light at creation, and You brought life and light in the ministry of Jesus.
We thank You that creation is ongoing. We thank You that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We thank You that You continue to bring life and light into the world. Our times are in Your hands. Amen.

Japan prayer resources

Church of England prayer for earthquake disaster.
Methodist Church prayer for earthquake disaster.
A Baptist pastor’s prayer.
Sisters of Bon Secours’ prayer.
Roman Catholic prayer.
Map of Japan.
Evangelism prayer profile.

Romans 5:19 and Hebrews 4:15-16

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)
      A word received: It is only through my blood that you are made righteous.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
      A word received: You are my children: a true father delights to have his children come to him. Come to me boldly so that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Sunday: 63:1-8(9-11), 98 * 103; Deuteronomy 8:1-10; 1 Corinthians 1:17-31; Mark 2:18-22
HC: 51 or 51:1-13; Genesis 2:4b-9,15-17,25-3:7; Romans 5:12-19(20-21); Matthew 4:1-11
Monday: 41, 52 * 44; Deuteronomy 8:11-20; Hebrews 2:11-18; John 2:1-12

Albany Intercessor

The tomb of Daniel

(I’ve been away from my computer. Sorry for the hiatus in posts.–JW)

Claims for the location of the tomb of Daniel include Iran, Iraq, and Uzbekistan. Daniel spent most of his adult life in Iraq and visited Susa, Iran.
I had originally started this post a few days ago with the Middle East in mind. There is so much more heartache in the world today; as I return to the the post, my spirit is stirred for several regions.

Father in heaven,
Gabriel told Daniel that You love him. Daniel’s words recorded in Holy Scripture are filled with Your Spirit, living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword. We stand in agreement with these words in hopes that Your love for Daniel will be stirred and our agreement will carry Your compassion over Iraq and Iran and throughout the world.

Excerpts from Daniel 9 MSG
“‘O Master, great and august God. You never waver in your covenant commitment, never give up on those who love you and do what you say. Yet we have sinned in every way imaginable. We’ve done evil things, rebelled, dodged and taken detours around your clearly marked paths. We’ve turned a deaf ear to your servants the prophets, who preached your Word to our kings and leaders, our parents, and all the people in the land. You have done everything right, Master, but all we have to show for our lives is guilt and shame, the whole lot of us. . . . Oh yes, God, we’ve been exposed in our shame, all of us—our kings, leaders, parents—before the whole world. And deservedly so, because of our sin.

“‘Compassion is our only hope, the compassion of you, the Master, our God, since in our rebellion we’ve forfeited our rights. We paid no attention to you when you told us how to live, the clear teaching that came through your servants the prophets. All of us in Israel ignored what you said. We defied your instructions and did what we pleased. And now we’re paying for it: The solemn curse written out plainly in the revelation to God’s servant Moses is now doing its work among us, the wages of our sin against you. You did to us and our rulers what you said you would do: You brought this catastrophic disaster on us, the worst disaster on record . . .

“‘Turn your ears our way, God, and listen. Open your eyes and take a long look at our ruined city, this city named after you. We know that we don’t deserve a hearing from you. Our appeal is to your compassion. This prayer is our last and only hope:

“‘Master, listen to us!
Master, forgive us!
Master, look at us and do something!
Master, don’t put us off!
Your city and your people are named after you:
You have a stake in us!’

Amen.

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, March 12, 2011, 9:20 – 10:30 a.m. Torre Bissell, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Bishop Bill, Neva Rae Fox, and Sue Plaske on State St., Mark Pasko, and Sue Plaske on Albany St.
+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

State St:

Oudet (husband), +Makendra (son), +Gendhauti (wife), — A Guyanese Indian family. We have prayed with Oudet before.

+Bill — in a rush to go to work. Prayed for a blessing on him.

+Terrence (man) — Prayed for God’s help with his recover and that he would stay clean. He confessed his sins to Jesus, asked for and accept forgiveness.

+Ryan — just getting on the bus “God bless you today.”

+Dejean — “Family and work.” He asked if we wanted a donation; we told him no, that prayer is free.

+Shawn and +Bruce (two men on their way to work) — Shawn asked prayer for his wife.

+Moses (regular) — “Thankful!”

+Jackie (young woman) — She asked prayer that she “might receive Medicaid. Bishop Bill prayed with her for healing.

+Ishmael (young man) — He asked prayer “for blessing”.

+Ivan (young man) — He asked prayer “for my daughter Zeniya.” We prayed he could bring his burdens to the foot of the cross and leave them their.

+Kay — “I have a little baby.”

+Ella — “forgiveness” She confessed her sins to Jesus and asked for and acted Jesus forgiveness and asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior.

+Howard — “suffering” — After praying for him, he prayed for me.

+Paula (regular) — Prayed for her family and for her friend +Debra (regular).

+Reggie (young man) — “My wife is locked up and I want her free.”

+Howard — “For my family.” He crossed the street for prayer.

+Zack (young man) — Prayed with him that he would offer a wounded place in his heart to Jesus.

Albany St:

+Arun — For Lanula in Egypt.

+“Black” Candell — Prayer for a home and warmth and food. He is homeless and needs help.

+Kenyetta (husband Rayno) — For their marriage and protection.

Matthew — wisdom for his walk. He is a believer and want to continue to grow in Christ.

+Yolanda — Bless family, work and relationships

Nelson — going to work. Prayer for protection and presence.

Bo, Ebend, and Eric.

Psalm 32:7-8

A word received: Come to me; I AM waiting for you (underline you).

You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)
      LORD, through the centuries you have been a rock of refuge for your people. You are our hiding place when the storms of life come upon us. You give us songs of deliverance and songs in the night season; thank you.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye. (Psalm 32:8 )
      Lord Jesus, give me a teachable heart; instruct me in the way I should go. Do that for your church as well. Thank you.

A word received: I AM. Start with that. Know that I AM. I will guide you with my eye and I will teach you day by day.

Saturday: 30, 32 * 42, 43; Deuteronomy 7:17-26; Titus 3:1-15; John 1:43-51
      Week of 1 Lent
Sunday: 63:1-8(9-11), 98 * 103; Deuteronomy 8:1-10; 1 Corinthians 1:17-31; Mark 2:18-22
HC: 51 or 51:1-13; Genesis 2:4b-9,15-17,25-3:7; Romans 5:12-19(20-21); Matthew 4:1-11

      Notes from the Front Line

Albany Intercessor