American Anglican Council

The AAC is hosting a meeting–Blueprint for the New Church.

Lord, we thank You for the Righteous Branch from David’s line, Jesus Christ. We pray that the Anglican diaspora in North America will look to Him as King and call Him The Lord our Righteousness. Amen.
Jeremiah 23:5-6

AMiA Winter Conference

Commences today in Greensboro, NC.

Lord Jesus, in their words and their deeds, their thoughts and their prayers, may they abide in You. Amen.

The Prayers of the People from Wednesday’s Service in Wheaton

With HUGE thanks to a friend from CANA who sent this to me, here are the prayers of the people as offered at the historic service that followed the announcement of the new Anglican Province in formation on Wednesday Dec. 3rd in Wheaton, Ill.

I was very struck by the prayers for those who disagree with us, and the prayers for mission and thus put out some feelers to try and obtain the text. I hope that this kind of charity and committed intercession focused on mission will mark all of us who are associated with the emerging Anglican Church in North America. (KB)

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We exalt you, O God our King; and praise your Name for ever and ever…because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God members of every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve you. We are forever grateful.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. May we enter into the reality of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. Make us one as you and the Father are one , O Lord.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

For our enemies and those who wish us harm we pray. We ask for the grace to forgive and to love those with whom we differ. For all whom we have injured or offended, we pray to you, O Lord.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, we pray to you, O Lord. We remember especially Iraq, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Congo, Kenya.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We pray for God’s people throughout the world and especially our confessing brothers and sisters in the Worldwide Anglican Communion. Strengthen us in the truth, grant us your courage and joy as we worship in spirit and in truth.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

For our Archbishops, Bishops, priests and deacons that they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Give us all the grace to do your will in everything we undertake on this night. That our works may find favor in your sight and fully please you.

Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer..

We pray for the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness we may preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Give us a passion to see many confess you as Lord and Savior.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him and we pray your comfort and healing for all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.
(I invite you to mention the names of those for whom you are praying.)

Lord, in you mercy.
Hear our prayer.

We offer our worship to you on this evening. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts with the love and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Love, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.

Common Cause Partners

The unveiling of the new CCP constitution is this Wednesday, Dec. 3 in Chicago. The Anglican Primates Council will then meet the next day, on Thursday, Dec. 4, in London, England, to receive the new constitution. On Friday, Dec. 5, the Anglican Primates Council are scheduled to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, in Canterbury, England.
I am not a member of the CCP; for whatever reason, God has not released me from TEC. But I have long admired the bold witness to the historic faith made by CCP leaders. I shall miss this witness within TEC, although they still have ties within the AC. I shall miss them, but I don’t harbor any animosity for their decision.
I feel much like I am standing on the dock, watching friends board a ship to embark on a journey. This is a sailing ship, and the crew is hoisting some of the smaller sails, to catch the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit as they pull out of the harbor, keeping the larger sails folded till open water.
I love the names of ships–Endurance, Enterprise, Flying Cloud, Golden Hind, Intrepid, Constitution, Invincible, Walk-in-the-Water. What would I name this ship? So many possibilities! Faith, Hope, and Love. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. Expectations. Servant in HMS (His Majesty’s Service). LOL!
What are my hopes and prayers for these dear friends, most of whom I’ve never met?
–I hope and pray that, in this new vessel, the way they love and express God’s love will follow the pattern of Christ’s love.
–I hope and pray that their emotions, kicked around like smoldering embers by past trials, will be gathered together in Christ and yielded to the gentle breath of the Holy Spirit to bring forth the fire of God.
–I hope and pray that, as they encounter new ways of ordering their walk, their finances, their vision, their relationships, they will yield themselves to God’s fire to burn away the dross.
–I hope and pray that they use the Sword of the Spirit to cut any rope that would anchor them in ungodly thought systems and emotions–especially regret. None of us have been perfect through this crisis, but they have surely have held the banner of Christ high.
–I hope and pray that they boldly raise their sails to catch God’s Spirit, open to His guidance, going to places they never dreamt of, and receiving gifts unexpected.

May Christ be their new vessel, Christ be their new boundaries, and Christ be their new port. Christ! Christ! Christ!

I salute them. Godspeed.

Jill Woodliff

Important Prayer Requests from Georgette Forney and Anglicans For Life

The latest post at the Common Cause Prayer blog is MUST reading for any Anglicans committed to pro-life ministry.

There is quite a detailed update and list of prayer requests from Georgette Forney, head of Anglicans for Life. Here’s part of what Georgette is requesting we pray for. But please read the whole post.

Special Prayer Petitions
from Georgette Forney of Anglicans for Life

Most important prayer request is that we will fulfill our mission: advocate the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death in the Church and society and successfully end abortion and euthanasia, protect embryos from research abuse, and promote abstinence and adoption.

I am also working on next year’s goals and budget which I will present at our Nov. 10th Board of Directors meeting and include in our Church Grant request going to over 500 Church Pastors. Please pray I will have a clear sense of what God is calling this ministry to accomplish and what He will fund, also pray for Churches to support AFL.

The full text is here.

Note: We’ve added a long overdue link to Anglicans for Life’s website in the “Various Sites” section of the links in the sidebar.