In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, (Haggai 1:1)
Holy Spirit, speak to those who rule over us in church and state.
“Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.”‘” (Haggai 1:2)
Jesus, give our leaders and people a heart to rebuild your church. Bless the ministry of the Franciscans of the Holy Cross.
Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, (Haggai 1:3)
Father, please let your word come to our leaders and people. Raise up true prophets among us.
“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4)
Jesus, please help us look at how we are spending our money and help us get our priorities straight.
Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:5)
Father, help us consider our ways.
“You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:6)
Jesus, help us recognize the actual fruit of our labor. Help us recognize where we have deluded ourselves.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways! ” (Haggai 1:7)
Holy Spirit, help us consider our ways.
“Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the LORD. (Haggai 1:8 )
Help each of us throughout this diocese do what we can to rebuild your church, Jesus.
“You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.” (Haggai 1:9)
Jesus, give us a heart to be about your business.
“Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” (Haggai 1:10-11)
LORD, there is a drought in this land and a famine of your word. Have mercy on us and lead us back to you.
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD. (Haggai 1:12)
Holy Spirit, give us obedient hearts and minds as you did these people.
Then Haggai, the LORD’S messenger, spoke the LORD’S message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the LORD.” (Haggai 1:13)
Holy Spirit, help us take to heart the LORD’s word spoken to us by your prophet Haggai: “I am with you, says the LORD.”
So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius. (Haggai 1:14-15)
Father, stir up our spirits to do the work of rebuilding your church.
Jesus, prepare our hearts for the Diocesan Convention so that it will be a time of rebuilding your church.
Holy Spirit, come with the fire of your love throughout this diocese.
Friday: 31 * 35; Haggai 1:1-15: Rev. 2:18-29: Matt. 23:27-39
Saturday: 30, 32 * 42, 43; Haggai 2:1-9: Rev. 3:1-6: Matt. 24:1-14
Notes from the Front Line
*****.Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2011
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote…
Go out on a limb today, that’s where the fruit is.
Albany Intercessor
