Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, (Matthew 3:1)
      Holy Spirit, raise up your witnesses who will speak to the wilderness areas of our lives.

and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2)
      Holy Father, help us hearken to your call to repentance.

For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’” (Matthew 3:3)
      Jesus, please help us heed those solitary voices that speak your word rather the voice of the crowd which leads us to destruction.

Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:4-6)
      Father, help us come to you, confessing our sins and restore us to a right relationship with you.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7)
      Holy Scriptures, move the hearts of the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church to hear this voice and take it to heart.

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,” (Matthew 3:8 )
      Jesus, help us all bear the fruit of your Holy Scriptures — fruit worthy of repentance.

“and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” (Matthew 3:9)
      Holy Spirit, set us free from all false notions of righteousness.

“And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10)
      Lord, the ax is laid to the root of the tree and much that seems solid is being cut down; but let your new life spring forth out of what appears to be dead.
      

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:11-12)
      Jesus, fill us anew with the living fire of your Holy Spirit. Thank you.

            Praying The Nicene Creed
And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church;
      Holy Spirit, I believe that apostolic teaching which has been taught in all places and in all times. Thank you for the faith that you delivered to the saints. Help us to keep steady in your teaching and grace. Thank you.

            A Collect for Peace
      O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us, thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

            A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
      Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication unto thee, and hast promised through thy well beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name thou wilt be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

Friday: 40, 54 * 51; 1 Kings 18:20-40 Phil. 3:1-16 Matthew 3:1-12
Saturday: 55 * 138,139:1-17(18-23); 1 Kings 18:41-19:8 Phil. 3:17-4:7 Matthew 3:13-17

A word received: Keep looking to me.

      Notes from the Front Line

Diocesan Intercessions: September 9 For the Primates of the Anglican Communion

***** Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:36:57 -0400
From: Deacon Faye VanDermark
Subject: WE NEED PRAYER
Torre and Jean,
We in the Susquehanna Deanery our under a State of Emergency. We have been told the flooding is as bad as it was in 2006. Pray for safety, also for the Emergence personal.
God Bless Faye

***** Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2011
From: Bill and Sally Ireland [Belfast, Northern Ireland]
Subject: Thinking and Praying for All of You
      Hi Torre and Jean, we are thinking and praying for all of you, at this 10th anniversary of Ground Zero. We pray for the Lord’s continued grace, presence and perfect peace to be with all of those, who have been affected by the events of that sorrowful day. All our love and God’s abundant blessings, be with all of you,Sally&Bill. xxx.
      All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
      2 Corinthians 1v3-4. NLT.

***** Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2011
From: +Mike and Linda Chapman [in Peru]
Subject: Re: WE NEED PRAYER: [We in the Susquehanna Deanery re under a State of Emergency...]
We are praying in Peru
+Mike and Linda Chapman

Albany Intercessor

VP Biden

On googling, one can find various prayers for the president, but prayers for the vice-president are almost nonexistent.

Our Father in heaven,
You are good, a refuge in times of trouble. You care for those who trust in You.
The Pilgrims at Plymouth relied on prayer during their first and darkest winter. Our founding fathers also called for prayer during the Constitutional Congress. You have blessed our nation in more ways than we can know.
We pray that Vice President Biden will turn to You and place his trust in You. Care for him and protect him from all assaults of the enemy as he leads our nation. Amen.
Nahum 1:7

Emergency Prayer Request from Deacon Faye VanderMark

Emergency Prayer Request from Deacon Faye VanderMark

      Almost everyone is being evaluated from Sidney, Unadilla, Walton and other communities in New York because of renewed flooding from the incessant rain. Please pray for the rain to stop, for no more damage to property, injury to people, or loss of life. Pray that others will know how to assist them in their hour of trial.
Torre Bissell

Psalm 50:4-6 and Te Deum Laudamus

He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people: (Psalm 50:4)
      Jesus, you shall come and judge your peole on that last day — have mercy on us.

“Gather my saints together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psalm 50:5)
      Father, David understood (2 Samuel 24:21-24) that sacrifices which cost nothing are no sacrifices at all. Help us enter into a true covenant life with you through the sacrifice of your son Jesus.

Let the heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. (Psalm 50:6)
      Holy Spirit, help us hear these words and know that there is no other who will judge us for all eternity but Jesus the Christ himself.

            Te Deum Laudamus.
      WE praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
      All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
      To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
      To thee Cherubim and Seraphim : continually do cry,
      Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Sabaoth;
      Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.
      The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
      The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
      The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
      The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;
      The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
      Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
      Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
      Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
      Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
      When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
      When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death : thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
      Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
      We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
      We therefore pray thee, help thy servants : whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
      Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
      O Lord, save thy people : and bless thine heritage.
      Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
      Day by day : we magnify thee;
      And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
      Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
      O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
      O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
      O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.

Thursday: 50 * [59,60] or 93, 96; 1 Kings 18:1-19 Phil. 2:12-30 Matthew 2:13-23
Friday: 40, 54 * 51; 1 Kings 18:20-40 Phil. 3:1-16 Matthew 3:1-12

A word received: Keep turning to me.

Albany Intercessor

George Washington’s prayer for the nation

ALMIGHTY God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in thy holy protection, that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplications, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Glory–an interesting symmetry

In the Old Testament, the glory fills Solomon’s temple at its dedication (1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5). Later, in a vision, Ezekiel is transported from Babylon to Jeruslem, where he witnesses the progressive departure of the glory from the temple (Ezekiel 8-11).
In the New Testament, the glory returns in the Word Incarnate, Jesus Christ. We shall commence in the middle of this series and go backward in time in the OT and forward in time in the NT.

OT–Ezekiel saw the glory move to a mountain east of Jerusalem after the Spirit showed him the princes of the people devising iniquity and giveing wicked counsel.
NT–A star rose in the east, leading wise men to the king of the Jews. Angels brought shepherds in the field good tidings and a sign.
*******
OT–Ezekiel saw the glory move to the east gate after angels marked the foreheads of those aggrieved by the abominations in the temple, slaughtered everyone else, and scattered burning coals over the city.
NT–At eight days of age, Jesus is brought to the courts of the temple for circumcision. (Eight is the Hebraic number for a new beginning.) Simeon supernaturally recognizes him as the Christ and declares him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Simeon tells Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
*******
OT–Ezekiel saw the glory move to the threshold after the Spirit showed him the abominations in the temple.
NT–The boy Jesus spent three days among the teachers of the temple, amazing them with his understanding.
*******
OT–The Spirit transports Ezekiel to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court, from Babylon where the elders of Judah were sitting before him.
NT–Jesus challenges the Pharisees at the feast of the tabernacles, and they plot to kill him. Jesus says, “He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
*******
OT–Solomon dedicates the temple with musical fanfare. The temple fills with a cloud, and the priests cannot stand.
NT–Jesus’s triumphant entry is followed by overturning the money changers’ tables. Jesus decrees, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer.”
*******
OT–While the whole assembly of Israel was standing, the king blessed them.
NT–As Jesus dies, the veil of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom.

Philippians 2:1-11

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-2)
      Holy Spirit, bring us to a quiet, common mind in Jesus throughout this diocese.

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)
      Holy Spirit, keep me from being high-minded. Help me to have the mind of Christ.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)
      Father, please help us love you, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:5)
      Jesus, help us have your mind about all things.

who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:6)
      Jesus, help us to walk in your humility.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8 )
      Holy Spirit, bring us to the obedience to the Father that will enable us to walk the way of the cross.

Therefore God also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, (Philippians 2:9)
      Jesus, help us daily bring honor to your name.

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (Philippians 2:10)
      Holy Father, cleanse our mouths of all filthy talk and slander so that we can bring honor to the name of Jesus. As you did with Isaiah, touch our lips with your fire and burn away all filthy talk (See Isaiah 6:5-7).

and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)
      Holy Spirit, help as you did Timothy (See 1 Timothy 6:12) to make the good confession before others of our faith in Jesus so that we bring glory and honor to God the Father. Thank you.

Wednesday: 119:49-72 * 49,[53]; 1 Kings 17:1-24 Phil. 2:1-11 Matthew 2:1-12
Thursday: 50 * [59,60] or 93, 96; 1 Kings 18:1-19 Phil. 2:12-30 Matthew 2:13-23

A word received: Don’t be afraid — keep looking to me for help.

Albany Intercessor

Israel

We declare Your high and holy name, Lord God, over the Highlands of Galilee. May Your angels ascend and descend over Lake Huleh, the Jordan River, and the Sea of Galilee.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! (Psalm 22:23 NIV)
May Your May Your holy name resound through the Plain of Esdraelon and living water spring forth in the Kishon River valley.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! (Psalm 22:23 NIV)
May Your majestic name be magnified on the Coastal Plain as the waters run through the Yarkon river and over the Mediterranean shore.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! (Psalm 22:23 NIV)
May Your just name echo throughout the Judean hills and fill the atmosphere over Jerusalem.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! (Psalm 22:23 NIV)
May Your righteous name roll over the plains, ravines, and mountains of the Negev, revealing the riches of the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! (Psalm 22:23 NIV)

Mark 16:14-18

Later he appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and he rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. (Mark 16:14)
      Lord Jesus Christ, rebuke us and the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church whenever our hearts become hardened with unbelief. Help us believe the witness of those who have experienced the power of your Holy Spirit in their ives. Thank you.

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
      Holy Spirit, move our hearts to go forth with the gospel so that we truly become a missionary diocese.

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
      Father, please help us understand that this is literally a life and death choice for the people we wpak with. Help us heed the warning you gave Ezekiel: Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 3:16-21)

“And these signs will follow those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18 )
      Jesus, let there be true signs following the ministry of your people in this diocese. Manifest the power of your Holy Spirit among us. Thank you.

A word received: Don’t be afraid. I AM in charge.

Tuesday: 45 * 47, 48; 1 Kings 16:23-34 Phil. 1:12-30 Mark 16:1-8(9-20)
Wednesday: 119:49-72 * 49,[53]; 1 Kings 17:1-24 Phil. 2:1-11 Matthew 2:1-12

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2011
From: Nigel Mumford
Please pray for our men and women in service.

Albany Intercessor

Israel

Dear Heavenly Father,
We in the Anglican Communion are supported by our Jewish roots. We repent of our historical wrongs against the Jewish people. In particular, we repent of the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290. Christ Himself is our peace, who has made Jew and Gentile both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility.
Blessed is the nation whom God has chosen as His inheritance. For the sake of Jerusalem, we pray that her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a burning torch. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Amen.
Psalm 33:12, 122:6, Isaiah 62:1, Romans 11:16-18, Ephesians 2:13-14

Human trafficking

Last year, I posted Labor Day prayers on the economy; this year, on human trafficking. There are an estimated 27,000,000 slaves in the world today.–JW

Psalm 21
The king shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
Jesus, Your are Faithful and True, The Word of God, and the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev 19).
You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He proclaims liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound (Heb 13:8, Is 61:1).
For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—Length of days forever and ever. His glory is great in Your salvation; Honor and majesty You have placed upon him. For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.
Jesus made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2).
Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You. You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; The LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, And the fire shall devour them. Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth, And their descendants from among the sons of men. For they intended evil against You; They devised a plot which they are not able to perform. Therefore You will make them turn their back; You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.
Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask for the liberty of the slaves, that our joy may be full (John 16).
Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.
Amen.

Mark 15:42-47 and Philippians 1:1-11

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, (Mark 15:42)
      Lord Jesus, give us hearts and wills to prepare for the Sabbath — so that we are prepared in heart, mind and spirit to worship you.

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43)
      Holy Spirit, give us the courage to publicly identify ourselves with Jesus as Joseph did.

Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. (Mark 15:44-46)
      Father, help us give of ourselves as Joseph did to minister to Jesus.

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. (Mark 15:47)
      Father, thank you for all the faithful women who stand watch with Jesus, even in our day as the two Marys did.

      Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Albany, with the bishops, priests and deacons:
      Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
      I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
      And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (From Philippians 1:1-11)

A word received: I AM calling my people back to me.

Monday: 41, 52 * 44; 1 Kings 13:1-10 Phil. 1:1-11 Mark 15:40-47
Tuesday: 45 * 47, 48; 1 Kings 16:23-34 Phil. 1:12-30 Mark 16:1-8(9-20)

Albany Intercessor

Israel

From Haaretz: Diplomatic relations between Israel and Turkey are broken in dispute over the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza.

God Most High,
Your servant Abraham followed Your call and left his homeland. He built altars to You and called upon Your name in Shechem, Bethel, and Hebron. He gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the King of Salem and priest of God Most High. Abraham believed Your promises and You counted it to him as righteousness. He commanded his children and his household to keep Your ways by doing righteousness and justice.
When informed of the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham interceded. He who counted himself but dust and ashes pled for the salvation of the righteous.
When Abraham died, Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah.
As Jews, Muslims, and Christians, we count Abraham as father of our faith. May we all build altars and call upon the name of God Most High. May we all please You with our sacrifices and keep Your ways by doing righteousnesss and justice. Counting ourselves as but dust and ashes, may we all plead for the salvation of the righteous. Together, standing side by side, may we give honor to purity and humility of heart. Amen.
Genesis 12-15, 18, 25

Human trafficking

The trafficking of human beings is the third largest source of profit for international organized crime, after drugs and arms, with revenue amounting to billions of dollars each year.

From the School Sisters of Notre Dame:

O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of women and girls deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and abuse because of human greed and profit at this time in our world.

Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception, and force. We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.

Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted.
Make real your promises to fill these our sisters with a love that is tender and good and send the exploiters away empty handed.

Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen.

From the Sisters of the Divine Savior:

God of all peoples, awaken our hearts and deepen our commitment to work for a world where every person is free and able to live their lives fully and joyfully. We ask for conversion of heart for traffickers and for strong laws that protect victims. Help us to grow in our awareness that we are all connected. Give us wisdom, inspiration, and courage to stand in solidarity, so that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all your people. Amen.

From the Augustinians of the Midwest:

We pray for those in various countries who work for legal organizations, that they deal with persons as persons and citizens, highlighting the needs of the weakest and the smallest, persecuting abuses, fraud, trade in people, hidden slavery. We pray to the Lord.
That we look at persons as God looks at every human person, that we treat them as demanded by their dignity with love, respect, compassion in the midst of their suffering,rejecting every type of avoidable injustice. We pray to the Lord.

Romans 12:9-16

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)
      Holy Spirit, cleanse our hearts and minds so that we can love one another with pure and holy affection.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; (Romans 12:10)
      Jesus, please help us in all things to love one another with your love and set aside our desires to so that we can help one another.

not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; (Romans 12:11)
      Lord, help us serve you with vigor and zeal.

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; (Romans 12:12)
      Father, give us hearts and wills that will make us steadfast in prayer. Fill us with your hope and give us patient endurance in the hard times.

distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Romans 12:13)
      Holy Spirit open our hearts and our homes as Mary, Martha and Lazarus did to Jesus and his disciples. Help us give of ourselves and money to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in their time of need.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)
      Holy Spirit, cleanse our lips from all impurity. We live in the midst of a people of unclean lips; come and touch our lips with your fire so that our impurity is taken away and our sins are purged. (See Isaiah 6:5-7)

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)
      Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen. (BCP)

Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. (Romans 12:16)
      Holy Spirit, help us to accept and live out the wisdom of the Apostles and Church Fathers.

A word received: Apart from me you can do nothing.

Sunday: 63:1-8(9-11), 98 * 103; 1 Kings 12:21-33 Acts 4:18-31 John 10:31-42
HC: 119:33-48 or 119:33-40; Ezekiel 33:(1-6)7-11; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 18:15-20
Monday: 41, 52 * 44; 1 Kings 13:1-10 Phil. 1:1-11 Mark 15:40-47

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Sun, 04 Sep 2011
From: Sister Mary Elizabeth
To our Albany Diocesan Intercessors–
      Please keep Mother Miriam in prayer for the next three weeks as she visits our sisters in Luwinga, Malawi, Africa. Pray especially for safety and travel mercies. Petrol is in short supply making the long road trip from Lilongwe to Mzuzu particularly difficult, and there has also been political unrest this past summer because of the country’s economic woes.
      Mother Miriam travels to Malawi for the joyous occasion of the Life Profession of Sister Jane Chifundo Phiri who will make her final vows as a sister. Many in the Diocese of Albany may remember Sister Jane. She was among the last of the sisters trained in America, being clothed as a Novice in Greenwich in 2005. Sister now serves as the bookkeeper for the African house, among other duties.
      I have attached photos of her as a novice taken in Greenwich and also of the sisters dancing at the introduction of (then) Father Bill Love at the 2006 Diocesan Convention, newly elected as our bishop coadjutor. (In the group photo, Sister Jane is the second sister to my right.) The Rt. Rev’d Fanuel Magagani (also in the photo, at that time the Dean of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Likomo Island, Malawi) will receive her vows to the consecrated life of a Sister of St. Mary on Saturday, September 17.
      Keep Sister Jane, Mother Miriam and all our sisters in Malawi in your prayers.
Sister Mary Elizabeth
Community of St. Mary, Greenwich, NY
      

Albany Intercessor