“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,” (Matthew 12:18a)
Father, please help us choose what you have chosen.
“My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!” (Matthew 12:18b)
Father, help us love those whom you love and find pleasure in what pleases you.
“I will put My Spirit upon Him,” (Matthew 12:18c)
Holy Spirit, come upon us as well.
“And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.” (Matthew 12:18d)
LORD, let your justice run down like water and your righteousness like a mighty stream in the Episcopal Church (see Amos 5:24).
“He will not quarrel nor cry out,” (Matthew 12:19a)
Jesus, let your peace that passes all understanding fill our hearts and minds.
“Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.” (Matthew 12:19b)
Holy Spirit, help us hear when Jesus speaks to us.
“A bruised reed He will not break,” (Matthew 12:20a)
Father, please help us bind up the bruised and broken-hearted.
“And smoking flax He will not quench,” (Matthew 12:20b)
Jesus, don’t let us quench the fire of your Holy Spirit — help us fan it into flame.
“Till He sends forth justice to victory;” (Matthew 12:20c)
Jesus, win the victory in us; help us bring forth your justice and mercy in the diocese and in this land. Bring forth your justice and mercy in Haiti and in every place where there is trafficking in children.
“And in His name Gentiles will trust.” (Matthew 12:21)
Holy Spirit, help all those who do not know Jesus come to place their trust in him. Thank you.
A word received: Let me carry your heavy burden.
STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 06, October 23, 2011
Theme Verse: 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Readings: Matthew 22:34-46; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20; Exodus 22:21-27; Psalm 1
Memory Verse: “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21)
Next Week: Matthew 21:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13; Micah 3:5-12; Psalm 43
Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46
A word received: The order is important: first, loving me, and second, loving your neighbor. Love that does not begin with me can produce all sorts of evil.
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
A word received: Paul is a living model of the order of love in the gospel. His love for me compels him through every danger and hardship. His love for the Thessalonians shines forth with love for me.
Old Testament: Exodus 22:21-27
A word received: My love should be shown forth in the way you treat the widow, the orphan and the poor among you. If you say you love me, then show forth love to the little ones and to the lost among you. Look around you — they are everywhere around you.
Psalm: Psalm 1
A word received: Look at the way love is to be lived out. You cannot mock my little ones and say that you love me. One of the ways my righteousness is lived out is by the way you treat my little ones.
Thursday: 37:1-18 * 37:19-42; Ezra 1:1-11 1 Cor. 16:1-9 Matthew 12:15-21
Friday: 31 * 35; Ezra 3:1-13 1 Cor. 16:10-24 Matthew 12:22-32
Notes from the Front Line
***** Please pray for David Gough, CMS Ireland as he travels to Egypt, South Sudan and, for the first time with CMS Ireland, to 3 Partner Dioceses in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
20th October Thursday, 08.00, Diocesan staff and meeting with Bishop Bahati, Confirmed
Albany Intercessor
