And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: (Matthew 4:13-14)
Jesus, let the words of your prophets come alive for your people.
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: (Matthew 4:15)
Holy Spirit, come and visit your people in the Diocese of Albany as well.
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16)
Father, so many sit in darkness and in bondage to death, let your light dawn throughout this diocese. Help us to see by your light.
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
Holy Spirit, help the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church gathered for the House of Bishops meeting hear Jesus’ call to repent and acknowledge that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:18-19)
Jesus, please help each of us in our several callings to respond to your invitation to follow you. Transform our work lives so that our work draws others to you.
They immediately left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:20)
Holy Spirit, give to each of us this same immediacy of response to Jesus’ call to us.
A word received: Pray that I will be a rock and refuge for my people. Pray that my people will come to me for safety in the storm.
Wednesday: 72 * 119:73-96; 1 Kings 22:1-28 1 Cor. 2:1-13 Matthew 4:18-25
Thursday: [70], 71 * 74; 1 Kings 22:29-45 1 Cor. 2:14-3:15 Matthew 5:1-10
Notes from the Front Line
***** From: Rev Susan Baker Borjeson
Sent: Mon, Sep 12, 2011 8:58 pm
Grace and Peace be with you all -
Thank you for your prayers for all the people displaced. lives turned upside down by the natural events/disasters of the past several months, not the least the NY struggles with flooding. Since the Haiti Earthquake and Japanese Tsunami, we have been called to prayer in nearly every corner of the globe. It is easy to become ‘fatigued’ in the flesh by all of the demands upon us and those immediately affected. Fortunately, it is otherwise for our human spirit, filled with and strengthened by the Holy Spirit – guide, chief strategist and comforter among other things.
At the bottom of this note is a newsletter from Bishop Abraham of Aweil Province Southern Sudan, forwarded to me as a supporter of Fran Boyle of The Falls Church in VA, and the strong link of mission Fran has to the Sudanese. Some of you who were part of the Albany relationship with CMS-Ireland and have met Fran. The word from South Sudan is important for us, even as we face challenges at home. I hope you will read on and keep the concerns in prayer.
Hopefully you have received word of the various diocesan mission efforts, such as the Haiti benefit which had to be rescheduled; the Appalachian Mission trip, and the return of Fr Shaw and Mtr Julie Mudge from Peru. All to be kept in prayer please!
God bless you. See you soon. Susan Baker-Borjeson
Letter from Bishop Abraham of Southern Sudan to the Anglican churches:
Subject: THANKSGIVING AND PRAYERS NEEDED
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 12:18:19 -0400
Dear All,
I write this email with thanksgiving in my heart, thanking Almighty God for answering our cry and prayers for our suffering in South Sudan, because of His helps we are now a new nation in the world today. We will continue praising His Holy Name for His goodness to us. Also I want to acknowledge your dedicated prayers and support to us is something to pass on to the next generations to know, without your support we would not make it. Thanks to you all for helping us to cross the river.
Moreover, I am asking you all in this email lists and your churches to continue praying for people of Southern Kordofan (Nuba Mountain), Abyei, Darfur, Blue Nile, and Beja. Some of these people group I mentioned above are been killed because they refuse to be “Arabized” and “Islamized.” We need your prayers too for the conflicts in Jongeli State, Lake State, Warrap State, among tribes and within tribe so that God of peace intervene in fighting communities.
Another serious disaster happened in Agok where most of displaced people in Abyei are now staying, few days ago Agok is flooded which again, displaced many people to live on the streets. Furthermore, the situation in South Sudan is not good as many of returnees and those who were remain at home are perished due to the fact that most of our food use to come from the north but now the roads to South Sudan are blocked by the northern government. We need your prayers and support to rescue the innocents people.
At this crucial time in the building our nation the church have a role in bring change in the thinking and attitude of people’s culture of war to culture of peace otherwise, the developments will not come to exist in the South and North Sudan and both countries will suffer a lot. The Gospel of peace must be preach in all corners of South and North Sudan for God’s people to live together. Jesus is our peace!
Yours faithfully in Christ’s service, Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial
ECS, Diocese of Aweil and Abyei Area
Republic of South Sudan
Albany Intercessor
