Lent & Beyond

Human trafficking

anglicanprayer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:36:30 +0000

In the ninth chapter of Daniel, he confesses his own sins and the sins of the nation Israel. In 1619 at Jamestown, slavery was introduced to North America. This is a prayer of confession for our nation based on the ninth chapter of Daniel. (I think it particularly important to say this prayer if you are a blood descendant of a Jamestown settler.–JW)

O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us the inhabitants of the United States of America belongs open shame because of the treachery that we and our ancestors have committed against you. To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Our nation has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us. We suffered much in the Civil War. The vestiges of slavery are still with us.
And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. We confess that our ancestors introduced slavery to the continent of North America, and we confess our own indifference to the 27 million people enslaved today.
O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from the United States because of our sins, and the iniquities of our fathers. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servants and to our pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your people. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the church that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your people are called by your name.

John 6:1-15

anglicanprayer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:20:10 +0000

After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed him, because they saw his signs which he performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up his eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” (John 6:1-7)
Lord Jesus, so often we look at our resources and strength and say, “I can’t do what you have asked of me.” Help us to look to you and the resources and strength of heaven to do what you are calling us to.

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” (John 6:8-9)
Holy Spirit, help me keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and know that he can do what I cannot.

Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. (John 6:10-11)
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you have fed and led your people through the years. You gave them manna from heaven, water from the rock, and the food for the five thousand, and you have fed us with your word daily. Thank you.

So when they were filled, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” (John 6:12)
Jesus, gather up the broken fragments of my life so that nothing is lost.

Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” (John 6:13-14)
Holy Spirit, please help us see the “signs following” that mark ministry directed sustained by Jesus. (See Mark 16:17)

Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he departed again to the mountain by himself alone. (John 6:15)
Jesus, please help us accept you for who you are and stop trying to fit you into our agenda. Thank you.

A word received: Pray that my people will thank me.

Friday: 40, 54 * 51; Gen. 17:15-27: Heb. 10:11-25: John 6:1-15
Saturday: 55 * 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Gen. 18:1-16: Heb. 10:26-39: John 6:16-27

Notes from the Front Line

***** Start now reading and reflecting on the lessons for Sunday (Mark 1:21-28; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111) so that you can receive all that God has for you.

***** Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012
From: Fr. Nigel Mumford+
Subject: Daily Quote…
Strive to live in the present moment. Try not to linger in the past. Hope in the future and live you life to the fullest, now, and with great abundance.! Hebrews 13:8 writes, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

***** Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012
From: Bob Downey
Torre,
Have you heard of the little man from St. George St in Sydney? This is a story about him in case you haven’t heard of him before. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdspKNEzH54

Albany Intercessor

Schenectady City Mission Prayer Table Report

anglicanprayer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:33:50 +0000

Schenectady City Mission Prayer Table Report, Thursday January 26, 2012, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.. Torre Bissell, Richard Baratiere and Chuck Rinaldo from Christ Church Schenectady and Carol MacNaughton from St. Michael’s Colonie. This took place during the evening meal at the City Mission.

+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina

Rich (young man) — He asked prayer that he would be God’s man, father, and husband and that he would no longer run from responsibility. His son is Richard Jr. and his wife is Sophia.

Anthony (a regular from the Christ Church prayer table) — “For my family.” He took eight crosses to hand out to other people.

+Kevin — He asked prayer for a job and for a closer walk with Jesus.

+Ron — He asked prayer that communication would be reestablished with his daughter Isabella that he has not seen since Thanksgiving.

+Richard — He asked prayer for his wife +Mary Ellen who has just had major back surgery and is in a lot of pain.

Peter — He asked prayer for a big meeting he has on Wednesday.

+James — “I have lung cancer and my brother died of a heart attack this week.”

King Oswald

anglicanprayer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:22:34 +0000

While exiled, Oswald (604-642) spent part of his boyhood with the monks on Iona. He later became King of Northumbria and evangelized it. Cadwallon had killed Oswald’s brother, the king, after he attempted to negotiate peace. From Wiki:

Subsequently, Oswald, at the head of a small army . . . met Cadwallon in battle at Heavenfield . . . Before the battle, Oswald had a wooden cross erected; he knelt down, holding the cross in position until enough earth had been thrown in the hole to make it stand firm. He then prayed and asked his army to join in.

Adomnán in his Life of Saint Columba offers a longer account, which Abbot Ségéne had heard from Oswald himself. Oswald, he says, had a vision of Columba the night before the battle, in which he was told:

Be strong and act manfully. Behold, I will be with thee. This coming night go out from your camp into battle, for the Lord has granted me that at this time your foes shall be put to flight and Cadwallon your enemy shall be delivered into your hands and you shall return victorious after battle and reign happily.

Oswald described his vision to his council and all agreed that they would be baptised and accept Christianity after the battle. In the battle that followed, the British were routed despite their superior numbers; Cadwallon himself was killed.

Once king, Oswald requested a missionary bishop be sent to Northumbria. Oswald gave the island of Lindisfarne to Aidan as his episcopal see, and Aidan achieved great success in spreading the Christian faith; Bede mentions that Oswald acted as Aidan’s interpreter when the latter was preaching, since Aidan did not know English well and Oswald had learned Irish during his exile.

Father,
We thank You for the saints before us. May we too plant the cross in the battles of our daily lives and heaven come to the field of our existence. Amen.

Psalm 118:1-4

anglicanprayer — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:56:51 +0000

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! For his mercy endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)
Jesus, let your people throughout this diocese give you thanks for your goodness and mercy.

Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 118:2)
Father, let the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church now say, “His mercy endures forever.”

Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 118:3)
Holy Spirit, let the clergy and lay leaders of this diocese now say, “His mercy endures forever.”

Let those who fear the LORD now say, “His mercy endures forever. ” (Psalm 118:4)
Father, let the men and women, youths and children in the pews acknowledge your enduring mercy. Thank you.

Thursday: 50 * [59, 60] or 118; Gen. 16:15-17:14: Heb. 10:1-10: John 5:30-47
Friday: 40, 54 * 51; Gen. 17:15-27: Heb. 10:11-25: John 6:1-15

Notes from the Front Line

***** Start now reading and reflecting on the lessons for Sunday (Mark 1:21-28; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111) so that you can receive all that God has for you.

***** Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily Quote…
Note to self. Move from negative thinking to positive thinking. Is there a coincidence that the math sigh for negative is – the sign for positive is + a cross? Friend, seek first the Kingdom of God though the Cross +. Matt 6:33 put a + before and after everything you do and think.

Albany Intercessor

John 5:24

anglicanprayer — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:26:46 +0000

“Most assuredly, I say to you,” (John 5:24a)
Jesus, please help us hear what you are saying to us.

“he who hears My word and believes in him who sent me” (John 5:24b)
Holy Spirit, let our hearing of Jesus’ words lead us to believing his Father who sent him to us.

“has everlasting life,” (John 5:24c)
Father, please help us daily enter that everlasting life with you.

“and shall not come into judgment,” (John 5:24d)
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes–I, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27)

“but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24e)
Holy Spirit, please help us daily make that passage from death into life with you. Let rivers of living water flow out of our hearts to others. Thank you.

A word received on Mark 1:21-28: Even in the midst of the doubts of the people I was able to set the man free. I can set you free, even amid all your doubts.

Wednesday: 119:49-72 * 49, [53]; Gen. 16:1-14: Heb. 9:15-28: John 5:19-29
Thursday: 50 * [59, 60] or 118; Gen. 16:15-17:14: Heb. 10:1-10: John 5:30-47

Notes from the Front Line

***** Start now reading and reflecting on the lessons for Sunday (Mark 1:21-28; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111) so that you can receive all that God has for you.

***** Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily Quote…
Focus on the crocus, the first sign of spring, the first sign of healing.

***** Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012
From: Jake Dell
Subject: Churches in India decry Kashmir court order targeting Christians http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/01/24/churches-in-india-decry-kashmir-court-order-targeting-christians/

Albany Intercessor

Reflection on Psalm 92:13 and Genesis 15:1

anglicanprayer — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:47:47 +0000

As Jean and I looked at yesterday’s prayer note, Jean asked the question about “Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. ” (Psalm 92:13), “How does one get planted in the house of the LORD?” We looked up the word “planted” in the concordance and found that it actually means “transplanted“. This implies an intentional act. It is something that someone else does to the plant: The LORD, but you have to want it, desire it, and be willing to be moved from where you are now to where the LORD wants you to be. Are you willing and desirous of being transplanted into the courts of the LORD?

A word received: Let me lead you by the hand.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)
Father, please help us daily put on the shield of faith so that we will join with Abraham in having you as our exceedingly great reward. Help us daily put on your full armor.

Father, please put on all of us the shoes of the preparation to share the gospel of peace; gird our loins with your truth; put on us the breastplate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation. Place on our arm the shield of faith with which to quench every fiery dart of the evil one; and place in our hand the sword of your Spirit which is your word; that having stood all, we might yet stand. Finally, help us to be strong in Jesus and in the power of his might, and cast off from us the chains of apathy that keep us from speaking boldly as we ought to speak. Thank you. (See Ephesians 6:10-20)

Tuesday: 45 * 47, 48; Gen. 15:1-11,17-21: Heb. 9:1-14: John 5:1-18
Wednesday: 119:49-72 * 49, [53]; Gen. 16:1-14: Heb. 9:15-28: John 5:19-29

Notes from the Front Line

***** Start now reading and reflecting on the lessons for Sunday (Mark 1:21-28; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111) so that you can receive all that God has for you.

Albany Intercessor

John 4:43-54, Psalm 92:12-15, and Deuteronomy 33:25b, 27a

anglicanprayer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:38:26 +0000

So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where he had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him and implored him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” (John 4:46-49)
Holy Spirit, give us this same persistence in intercession for our children and other members of our family that this man has.

Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. (John 4:50)
Jesus, when you give the word to us, as you did to this man, help us by your Holy Spirit to go forward in faith, believing what you have said to us.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee. (John 4:51-54)
Father, help us see the fruit of faith in Jesus in our lives and in our families as this man did.

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. (Psalm 92:12-15)
LORD God, help us to stay firmly planted in your courts and be fruitful in old age; help us daily declare your faithfulness.

As your days, so shall your strength be. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; (Deuteronomy 33:25b, 27a)
Father, as our days are, so let our strength be. Hold us up each day in your everlasting arms till we come at last into the fullness of your kingdom. Thank you.

Monday: 41, 52 * 44; Gen. 14:(1-7)8-24: Heb. 8:1-13: John 4:43-54
Tuesday: 45 * 47, 48; Gen. 15:1-11,17-21: Heb. 9:1-14: John 5:1-18

Notes from the Front Line

***** Start now reading and reflecting on the lessons for Sunday (Mark 1:21-28; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111) so that you can receive all that God has for you.

***** Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:09:07 -0500
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily Quote…
Is your windshield clean? Can you really see what is ahead without smudges and obscurities? Can you see that person crossing the road? Is your “sight way” clear in the “path way” of life? Can you really see where you are going? Psalm 119:105 writes: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. “

***** Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012
From: Mary MacDonald
Subject: Prayer Table Report, St James Lake George, Friday 1/20/12 Mary MacDonald and Terry Graves Not Much Traffic these days
Philip + Pray for me and my family
[Note from Torre: I thank God for their persistence in prayer for others.]

Albany Intercessor

The 7th Earl of Shaftesbury’s funeral

anglicanprayer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:22:12 +0000

A previous post on the Earl can be found below, “Anna Milles, housekeeper.”

The Earl’s funeral was attended by more than 400,000 mourners, almost exclusively from the lower working class people. The vast throng, hatless in the rain, moved slowly down the road carrying huge and wide banners. I was naked and he clothed me. Then maybe one hundred yards behind that, I was sick and he visited me. And farther back again, I was hungry and he fed me. And even farther back, I was thirsty and he gave me a drink.

Anna Milles, housekeeper

anglicanprayer — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:18:23 +0000

My husband just returned from the Mere Anglicanism conference. He heard a lecture on Lord Ashley, who abolished the practice of using young boys in the dangerous work of sweeping chimneys. What a wonderful role model.

Anthony Ashley Cooper 7th earl of Shaftesbury–(born April 28, 1801, London, Eng. — died Oct. 1, 1885, Folkestone, Kent) English politician and social reformer. When his father succeeded to the earldom in 1811, Cooper became Lord Ashley. . . . From 1833 he led the factory reform movement in Parliament and effected passage of the Mines Act (1842) and the Ten Hours Act (1847), known as Lord Ashley’s Act, which shortened the working day in textile mills. As president of the Ragged Schools Union (1843 – 83), he promoted the free education of destitute children. Succeeding to his father’s title in 1851, he continued his work as one of the most effective social reformers of 19th-century England. He also led the Evangelical movement within the Church of England and financially supported several missionary societies.

A brief fascinating biography is found here.
His family bullied him. The one person who treated him well was Anna Milles, the family housekeeper. She loved him and told him Bible stories, and taught him to pray. “She told him of Calvary and the Empty Tomb and spoke of the Lord Jesus as the risen Redeemer who could be a Friend.” Ashley believed because of her witness and later said, “God be praised for her and her loving faithfulness; we shall meet… in the House where there are many mansions.” Ashley’s choice for Christ became the determining fact of his life.

Father,
We thank You for the faithful witness of the housekeeper Anna Milles and the boy she influenced, the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury. Bless the work of Christian housekeepers, babysitters, and teachers throughout this land. May they remain in You and You in them, that they, too, may bear much fruit. Apart from You, they can do nothing. Stay with them, we plea. Amen.