South Dakota–Francis Sayre

The Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre Jr. (1915 — 2008) was Dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. for 27 years.

Red man, white man,
Who shall sing for thee
Of the great ocean of grass, thy tawny home?
Of badland draws and lookout hills?
Of coyotes and bison and friendly beasts of the barn?

Hark, O Lord, the night chant of the Sioux,
The rising hymn of settlers hope,
The prayer Thy people make upon the Dakota plain;

That they may grow in peace and goodness
Until Thy praises resound in every heart;

through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hat tip: The Anglican Digest

Update about Title IV Disciplinary Board members

We’ve updated our post which has the list of names of the Title IV Disciplinary Board members investigating Bp. Mark Lawrence of South Carolina.

Read the update here.

South Carolina: Prayers for the Title IV Disciplinary Board take on added urgency – Pray for a love of justice

Since the first day we learned of the charges made against Bp. Mark Lawrence of South Carolina, we have focused prayer several times on the Title IV Disciplinary Board.

See:
Praying for the TitleIV Disciplinary Board
Blessing Title IV Disciplinary Board
Title IV disciplinary board

New documents and articles posted by the Anglican Communion Institute, the Anglican Curmudgeon, and the Living Church, make clear that the Disciplinary Board in fact is central to the process against Bp. Lawrence.

Here is an excerpt of how the process seems to be likely to go forward, from the latest article posted by the ACI:

Many in the church had assumed that the Lawrence matter was being processed by the normal intake procedures specified under the new Title IV. Included among these were bishops sympathetic to the national church who assumed that this was the beginning of an extended procedure involving the Reference Panel, subsequent Conference and Hearing Panels, and the normal process of notice and opportunity to be heard inherent in the trial process. We were dubious of that assumption ourselves, but that was one of the questions we raised in our earlier piece on this matter. We are grateful for an answer.

It is now clear that there will be no such process. The matter will be considered by the Disciplinary Board for Bishops, meeting as a whole, which will vote whether to certify Bishop Lawrence for abandonment. If it were to certify that Bishop Lawrence has abandoned the church, his ministry would be restricted immediately (what formerly was called inhibition) and the matter would be sent straight to the House of Bishops at its next meeting (following a period of at least sixty days). If the Disciplinary Board votes by the end of this year, that meeting would be the March meeting of the House of Bishops at which Bishop Lawrence would be deposed if the House so votes by a majority vote.

(emphasis added)

O LORD, We know from Your Word that You love justice (Ps 11:7, Ps 33:5, Ps 99:4). We pray that the Title IV Disciplinary Board would love justice and “DO JUSTICE” as well (Micah 6:8) in submission to You.

May the justice of Bishop Lawrence and the Diocese of South Carolina and their righteousness shine forth as they delight themselves in You and commit their way to You:

Ps 37:4-6
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
(NIV)

May we see Your justice with our eyes, Father, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

-Karen

An update from Abp. Mouneer in Egypt

Yesterday we posted the request for prayer from Abp. Mouneer Anis re: the troubles and violence against Christians in Egypt.

Today there is an update from Bp. Mouneer posted by Jackie at Stand Firm

The cry “Ya Rab (O Lord)” of the Christians in Egypt brought to mind these verses from Psalms 12 and 13:

Ps 12:5-13:6
5 “Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
7 O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.
8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

Psalm 13

1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
(NIV)

O Lord, we cry out with our brothers and sisters in Egypt. O Lord, keep them safe and protect them, may Your Word be a precious treasure to them, giving them hope and joy.

O Lord may they know You have not forgotten them, that You see injustice and that the wicked will NOT always triumph. May they know that You are strong on their behalf.

O Lord, give light to the eyes of our brothers and sisters in Jesus, the light of Christ shining in their hearts (2 Cor 4:6), the light that shines in the darkness and that darkness cannot overcome (John 1:5)

O Lord, may all who know You in Egypt be strengthened to trust in Your unfailing love and to sing of Your goodness in these days of struggle. May their hope in You be a bright beacon throughout the land.

- Karen

1 Corinthians 14:13-15,24-25 and Sunday School Lesson

Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. (1 Corinthians 14:13)
Jesus, we pray that all of the gifts of your Holy Spirit will be manifested among us.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:14)
Holy Father, help us pray both in the Spirit and with understanding.

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:15)
Holy Spirit, give life to all our prayers so that we may pray according to mind and heart of Jesus.

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. (1 Corinthians 14:24)
Holy Father, rise up men and women and youths in every parish of this diocese who will use the gift of speaking your word to us.

And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. (1 Corinthians 14:25)
Jesus, let the words of your Holy Spirit penetrate our hearts so that the secrets of our hearts are revealed and we fall down and worship you. Let our common life of prayer be such that people will report that God is truly among us. Thank you.

A word received: Keep your eyes on me.

Wednesday: 119:1-24 * 12, 13, 14; Jer. 37:3-21 1 Cor. 14:13-25 Matthew 10:24-33
Thursday: 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; Jer. 38:1-13 1 Cor. 14:26-33a,37-40 Matthew 10:34-42

STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 05, October 16, 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 22:15-22; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Isaiah 45:1-7; Psalm 96:1-9
Memory Verse: So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)
Next Week: Matthew 22:34-46; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20; Exodus 22:21-27; Psalm 1

A word received: You are in my hands. That is sufficient to give you courage and hope.

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22

A word received: Pray for my image to be reflected in your face and your actions. You are stamped with my image. I have created you — you are mine.

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

A word received: Don’t be surprised by the present afflictions. Look to me and I will make the gospel shine forth in the face of affliction.

Old Testament: Isaiah 45:1-7

(verse 5) A word received: I want you to know my sovereignty. I AM LORD. There is no other.

Psalm: Psalm 96:1-9

A word received: Come to me. Worship me. Honor me.

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.
12th October Wednesday, 05.30, Fly Entebbe to Goma (DR Congo). Stay overnight at the Church Guesthouse, CAA flight, Confirmed

Albany Intercessor

Montana–Francis Sayre

The Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre Jr. (1915 — 2008) was Dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. for 27 years.

Lord, this wild and sturdy state we call Montana, let it be Thy place of openness and peace enduring. Lift there man’s little spirit to the infinitude of Thy glory, imprinted upon the glaciered peaks, the glistening streams and arid plains of Thy making.

Let herders by their wagons have Thee for company; men lonely in the mines, and ranchers at their corrals know Thy boundless presence. Forfend that townsmen should be sheltered from the neigh of horses, the coyote’s cry, or the silent respect of furry neighbors; but grant that they, rejoicing in Thy creation, may ever reflect in their own affairs the freedom by which Thou hast surrounded them; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hat tip: The Anglican Digest

South Carolina

“It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. (Revelation 12:10b-11a)

O Father in heaven,

I plead with You to guard Your children in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and their allies across the church from becoming like Satan, the accuser of the brethren.

You are their defense.

Bring justice as they let go of their offenses. Unlock the chains of the past. Let there be jubilee in this land of many rivers. Amen.

Matthew 10:16-23

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. ” (Matthew 10:16)
      Guide our bishops: Bishop Bill, Bishop David, and Bishop Dan of the Diocese of Albany, Bishop Harold of the Diocese of Down and Dromore, Bishop Dave of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, and Bishop Mike of the Diocese of Peru, and Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Diocese of South Carolina. Bless the Dioceses of Albany and South Carolina and anoint the apostolic witness among us. Give them wisdom and courage for the facing of this hour.

“But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.” (Matthew 10:17)
      Lord Jesus, protect Bishop Mark Lawrence the Diocese of South Carolina. They have been handed over to the councils for scourging.
            Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Diocese of South Carolina.
“You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.” (Matthew 10:18 )
      Bless Bishop Mark Lawrence as he gives his testimony — that the unbelievers in the Episcopal Church will be convicted and won to you, Jesus.

“But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; ” (Matthew 10:19)
      Holy Spirit, we trust in you that you will give Bishop Mark Lawrence the right words to speak at the right time.

“for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Matthew 10:20)
      Father, speak through Bishop Mark.

“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.” (Matthew 10:21)
      LORD, we live in such a time; have mercy on us.

“And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)
      Father, please give us enduring strength — give us this day’s strength. Help us endure the hatred of those who despise the gospel and your word.

“When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:23)
      Jesus, we pray for all those who have been persecuted for your name’s sake and have fled the Episcopal Church. Come soon, visit them, comfort and guide them. Thank you.

A word received: Look to me. I AM your help and your shield.

Tuesday: 5, 6 * 10, 11; Jer. 36:27-37:2 1 Cor. 14:1-12 Matthew 10:16-23
Wednesday: 119:1-24 * 12, 13, 14; Jer. 37:3-21 1 Cor. 14:13-25 Matthew 10:24-33

      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.
      11th October Tuesday, 08.00, Fly Yei to Entebbe — stay overnight in Entebbe, Eagle Air Confirmed

Albany Intercessor

Washington–Francis Sayre

The Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre Jr. (1915 — 2008) was Dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. for 27 years.

O Thou Creator Divine, who dost fashion our lives by the rhythm of Earth, we thank Thee for that wide span of glory we call Washington.

Hardy the wagons that first came there, and the little ships, which were met by shining salmon striving, upstream leaping that life might be sown about.

Bless, O God, our struggle too, that fresh bounty may come of our hands and hearts, and goodness like unto Thine.

Then, Lord, after work, in peace let Thy people be. Let them abide as great trees rooted in the embracing soil, their branches spread to heaven’s promise.

Thus upon the plains, by ocean’s teeming Sound, and ’round the snowy sentinels that guard these timbered hills, may Thy people live enobled by Thy grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hat tip: The Anglican Digest

South Carolina

“By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:5-6).

Our Father,
From the Sea Islands across the coastal plain of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, may her communicants walk in Christlikeness. Amen.

Chinook Lord’s Prayer

Nesika papa klaksta mitlite kopa saghalie
Our Father Who dwells on High

Kloshe kopa nesika tumtum mika nem.
Good for our hearts Your Name.

Kloske mika tyee kopa konaway tillikum;
Good you Chief of all people;

kloshe mika tumtum kopa illahee kahkwa kopa saghalie;
Good your heart to make our country such as yours up above;

potlatch konaway sun nesika muckamuck,
give us all days our food,

pee kopet-kumtux donaway nesika mesachine,
And stop remembering all our sins we make to them,

kahkwa nesilka mamook kopa klasksta spose mamook mesachie kopa nesia;
As we suppose not their sin against us;

Mahah siah kopa nesika konaway mesachie.
Throw far away from us all evil.

Kloshe kahkwa.
Amen

Prayers needed for Egypt and Abp. Mouneer

I had just been reading about the latest crisis and demonstrations in Egypt, and was glad to see Kendall had posted an alert for prayer from Abp. Mouneer Anis:

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I do request your urgent prayers as the situation here in Cairo is very inflamed. Many Christians demonstrated after the incident of the burning of a church building in Mari Nab near Aswan (Egypt). The demonstrations started peacefully as the people were requesting that investigations for the incidents of burning and demolishing churches would be completed and the new law for building churches, that was promised four months ago, would be passed.

This evening it turned to be very violent between demonstrators and the military. More than 20 people were killed and more than 100 were injured.

Tomorrow there will be a large meeting for the House of Bishops of the Coptic Orthodox Church and political leaders will have a separate meeting to discuss a way out of this very difficult situation. I would appreciate your prayers for our beloved country.

We will hold prayer meetings tomorrow and I hope that I can meet with Muslim religious leaders in order to discuss a way forward for the situation.

Thank you for your prayers.

–The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis

Father, we cry out to You for Your protection of all who follow Christ in Egypt and that You would show the way forward out of violence and strife and into peace for Egypt and her people. Give Abp. Mouneer wisdom, strength and grace as he proclaims Your Word. May he be known as one who speaks Your truth, may he be heard when he cries out for peace. We ask in Christ’s name, Amen.

Title IV disciplinary board

“Judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

Our Father in heaven,
We pray for Ian, Victor, Robert, Dena, Christopher, Dorsey, Herman, Scott, Marjorie, Josephine, Jesus, Diane, Thomas, Angela, Prince, Robert, James, and Catherine in their deliberations so that the communicants of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina may live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:2

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (Psalm 1:1)
      Lord, protect us from walking in the ways of the wicked and the arrogant.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
      Father, help us delight ourselves in your word and your ways. Help us, like Mary, to ponder all these things in our hearts. (See Luke 2:19)

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)
      Jesus, please help us to be vigorous, sturdy, and fruitful in old age (see Psalm 92:12-15). As our days are, so let our strength be (see Deuteronomy 33:25b). You are our refuge, and underneath are your everlasting arms (see Deuteronomy 33:17a).

The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. (Psalm 1:4)
      Father, let the fresh wind of your Holy Spirit blow the chaff out of the Episcopal Church.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (Psalm 1:5)
      Holy Trinity, one God, write on all of our hearts that there is a judgment to come so that we might rightly fear you.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psalm 1:6)
      Jesus, we pray that all of the ungodly schemes against the Diocese of South Carolina and the Diocese of Albany will quickly perish. Bring the leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church to repentance. Thank you.

A word received on Philippians 4:11 & 13: I want you to learn to be content as well. Look at verse 13. You can only do this through me and my work in you.

Monday: 1, 2, 3 * 4, 7; Jer. 36:11-26 1 Cor. 13:(1-3)4-13 Matthew 10:5-15
Tuesday: 5, 6 * 10, 11; Jer. 36:27-37:2 1 Cor. 14:1-12 Matthew 10:16-23

      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.
      10th October Monday, 09.00, Meetings with Bishop Hilary and final meeting with Dr Jenny Bell, Confirmed

***** Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:13:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: The Rev’d Canon Joe & Tina Rhodes
Subject: Prayers Requested
      The following is a prayer request from The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Manna Anis, Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa and President Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
      I do request your urgent prayers as the situation here in Cairo is very inflamed. Many Christians demonstrated after the incident of the burning of a church building in Mari Nab near Aswan (Egypt). The demonstrations started peacefully as the people were requesting that investigations for the incidents of burning and demolishing churches would be completed and the new law for building churches, that was promised four months ago, would be passed.
      his evening it turned to be very violent between demonstrators and the military. More than 20 people were killed and more than 100 were injured.
      Tomorrow there will be a large meeting for the House of Bishops of the Coptic Orthodox Church and political leaders will have a separate meeting to discuss a way out of this very difficult situation. I would appreciate your prayers for our beloved country.
      We will hold prayer meetings tomorrow and I hope that I can meet with Muslim religious leaders in order to discuss a way forward for the situation.
Thank you for your prayers.
+Mouneer
The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis
Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa President Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East Diocesan & Provincial Offices
5 Michel Lutfallah Street, Zamalek, Cairo 11211
Work: +202 27380821 Fax: +202 27358941
Email: bishopmouneer@gmail.com
Website: http://www.dioceseofegypt.org

The Rev’d Canon Joe & Tina Rhodes
2280 Clematis Trail
Sumter, SC 29150
www.win-gs.org
www.sams-usa.org
803-469-0720

***** Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011
From: Mary MacDonald
St James Lake George Prayer Table Report 10/7/11 4pm-5pm Mac MacDonald and Terry Graves
+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

Laura — Getting divorced

Young girl+ — thanks

Tammy+ — My mom is sick and depressed

Young Lady on way to work+ — Thank you

Mary Kay++ — Needs a bone marrow transplant

Man from Baptist church in Hudson Falls+ — We have a prayer list in our church

Young Lady+ — Just recovering from an illness

Mother with 3 children++++ — Pray for us

Couple — No thanks

Tim Postal worker In NJ++ — Pray my job is there when I get home

Albany Intercessor

Idaho–Francis Sayre

The Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre Jr. (1915 — 2008) was Dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. for 27 years.

Great Father, by whose timeless love the ages are adorned, we thank Thee for Thy splendor strewn upon earth, and deeded free to all who seek Thy glory in the fresh land of Idaho.

From the peaked wall towering by the sunrise to the winding shadows of the mighty gorge to the West, Thou has bounded her sundry treasure with light. Bless, Lord, the settled valleys and the wild places in between; that the lives of Thy people may be suffused by Thy radiance from on high; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hat tip: The Anglican Digest