Matthew 14:13b-21

He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities. (Matthew 14:13b)
      Jesus, please receive and bless the multitudes that follow you to the Diocesan Convention. Give them journey mercies, fair weather, and freedom from biting bugs and unpleasant wildlife.

And when Jesus went out he saw a great multitude; and he was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14)
      Jesus, in your compassion, please heal the sick who come to you at the Diocesan Convention.

When it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” (Matthew 14:15)
      Holy Spirit, move our hearts to compassion for those seeking Jesus. Don’t let us send them away empty.

But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16)
      Father, please help us respond with joy to Jesus’ call to feed your lost sheep.

And they said to him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” (Matthew 14:17)
      Father, our resources will always be inadequate but yours are infinite. Help us, like Jesus, look to you for what is needed.

He said, “Bring them here to me.” (Matthew 14:18 )
      Holy Spirit, help us bring our meager resources to Jesus for his blessing and provision.

Then he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. (Matthew 14:19)
      Thank you, Jesus, for the clergy who week by week look up to heaven, bless and break the bread and bless the wine so that we may be fed with your body and blood.

So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. (Matthew 14:20)
      Father, please gather up the fragments of our lives so that nothing is lost and let all who come to the Eucharist at the Diocesan Convention be filled with the presence of Jesus.

Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:21)
      Holy Spirit, please let all the men, women, and children who come to the Diocesan Convention meet Jesus and return to their homes having been fed by him.

      Pray for the Diocesan Convention. Pray for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit among all who are going to it.

Thursday: [59, 60] or 8, 84; Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3; Galatians 3:1-14; Mat. 14:13-21
Friday: 51; Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; Galatians 3:15-22; Matthew 14:22-36

      Notes from the Front Line

From an intercessor for the diocese: “Jesus promised his disciples three things — that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.” — G.K. Chesterton

Albany Intercessor