Gustav and Hanna

The paths of the two storms can be tracked here.

Dear Jesus,
You were just the son of a carpenter in a remote village, and yet You carried the world. In the face of the immense power of these storms, we are so little. Apart from You we can do nothing. Stay with those persons in the paths of these storms, Jesus. Stay with them, we pray.
John 15:5

Lord Sabaoth,
You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam; though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
The Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46:1-3, 7

Lord God Almighty,
Your arm is not shortened that it cannot save. You have shown strength with Your arm. You are our Redeemer and Deliverer.
We yield ourselves to Your arm. We know not where it will lead us.
We yield ourselves to Your arm. We know You will carry us.
We yield ourselves to Your arm. We know not when we will arrive.
We yield ourselves to Your arm. We trust in You. Amen.
Isaiah 50:2, 59:1, Luke 1:51

1662 BCP

Prayers to be used in Storms at Sea
MOST powerful and glorious Lord God, at whose command the winds blow, and lift up the waves of the sea, and who stillest the rage thereof. We thy creatures, but miserable sinners, do in this our great distress cry unto thee for help: Save, Lord, or else we perish. We confess, when we have been safe, and seen all things quiet about us, we have forgot thee our God, and refused to hearken to the still voice of thy word, and to obey thy commandments: But now we see, how terrible thou art in all thy works of wonder; the great God to be feared above all: And therefore we adore thy Divine Majesty, acknowledging thy power, and imploring thy goodness. Help, Lord, and save us for thy mercy’s sake in Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

0r this,
MOST glorious and gracious Lord God, who dwellest in heaven, but beholdest all things below: Look down, we beseech thee, and hear us, calling out of the depth of misery, and out of the jaws of this death, which is ready now to swallow us up: Save, Lord, or else we perish. The living, the living, shalt praise thee. O send thy word of command to rebuke the raging winds, and the roaring sea; that we, being delivered from this distress, may live to serve thee, and to glorify thy Name all the days of our life. Hear, Lord, and save us, for the infinite merits of our blessed Saviour, thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

General Prayers
LORD, be merciful to us sinners, and save us for thy mercy’s sake.
Thou art the great God, that hast made and rulest all things: O deliver us for thy Name’s sake.
Thou art the great God to be feared above all: O save us, that we may praise thee.

Short Prayers in respect of a Storm
THOU, O Lord, that stillest the raging of the sea, hear, hear us, and save us, that we perish not.
O blessed Saviour, that didst save thy disciples ready to perish in a storm, hear us, and save us, we beseech thee.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon us, save us now and evermore. Amen.

Hurricane Gustav

Dear Jesus,
We see through a glass darkly. We don’t pretend to fully understand the forces of evil and destruction in this world. Yet, we are assured that through Your death You destroyed him that has the power of death, that is, the devil. You, dear Savior, were manifest that You might destroy the works of the devil. We praise You for Your victory.
We bear Your name. We proclaim the good news that You have conquered the prince of the power of the air, and we beg You, dear Lord, to dissipate the winds of Hurricane Gustav. Amen.
1 Corinthians 13:12, Ephesians 2:2, Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 3:8

Hurricane Gustav

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. . . . The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! Psalm 29:1-4, 10-11 ESV

Jehovah-Sabaoth,
Your word that goes out from Your mouth shall not return to You empty. It shall accomplish that which You purpose and succeed in the thing for which You sent it. We humbly beseech You, speak peace to Hurricane Gustav. In the name of Your son, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.
Isaiah 55:11

Hurricane Gustav

Received via e-mail from Tom Victor of Francis Frangipane Ministries–

Father, we acknowledge you as Lord over the United States.

You reign above all gods. All power belongs to You.

We thank You for your continual protection and provision.

Using the authority given to us in the Name of Jesus, we speak to Hurricane Gustav and we command the winds and the storm to dissipate.

We ask for the peace of God to still Hurricane Gustav, and we declare that Gustav will not bring harm or destruction to New Orleans, Houston or the surrounding coastal areas.

We also speak to Hanna and the storms lining up following Gustav. We declare peace to these storms and we command them to dissipate and to do no harm.

Lord, we ask You to touch the heart of every believer in this area to pray against this hurricane. Raise up a Spirit of prayer and empower your people to pray effectively.

Father, please forgive our many sins. Please forgive our disobedience, rebellion, unbelief, and any forms of idolatry. Lord, help us to be a nation that is kind and forgiving to others.

Have mercy upon us. Lord, help us to overcome our temptations as a nation, and please deliver us from this impending destruction. We ask You to destroy every satanic assignment against our nation during this season.

Father, in Your great love and compassion we also ask you to protect the peoples of the islands in the path of Gustav, Hanna and these weather system.

Now to the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. We ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Praying for New Orleans and all in Hurricane Gustav’s path

It is so tragic to read news from New Orleans of being in the path of Hurricane Gustav and mandatory evacuations there on almost the exact date of Hurricane Katrina’s 3rd anniversary.

We’ve been particularly following news from the Rev. Jerry Kramer and Annunciation church. You can read Fr. Jerry’s blog entries here. You can donate to Annunciation’s work here (Click the paypal button on the left side of the page)

Please keep all in Gustav’s path in prayer. May the Lord have mercy on those who have already suffered so much.

L: Lord, have mercy.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: Christ, have mercy.
C: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord, have mercy.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: In the face of peril and apprehension, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: In the face of mighty winds, thunderous sounds, strong rains, and surging waves, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: In the face of complete uncertainty, as well as concern for our loved ones, here or elsewhere, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: In the face of our own vulnerable mortality, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For the strength that God alone can give us, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For all that it takes to keep our children calm and safe, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For faith that can move mountains and remove all fear, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For trust in God’s loving presence in our midst, even at this very hour, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For trust that in life and in death, God will not abandon us, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: Almighty God, we poor creatures place our lives into your hands that you might protect and guide us according to your will; Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear, our prayer.

L: Do not hold our sins against us, but remember us in our faith and love for you; Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear, our prayer.

L: Be our light in the darkness, our hope in the storm, our peace in the chaos, our trust in the unknown; Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear, our prayer.

L: Mighty are your works, O Lord, and mighty is your saving hand.
Turn your ear to our petitions and supplications; Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear, our prayer.

L: God of heaven and earth, God who carries our lives and the lives of our whole community in your hands, be with is in the peril of this day/night. Help us to release our anxieties and fears into those same caring hands, knowing in faith that your will for us is life and everlasting good. Send your holy angels to watch over us and guard us. May they spread their holy wings to give us shelter against the storm. For you alone, O God, are all good, all life, all love, and that love is for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen

Our pastors

Lord, I lift up ________ and his family. Place them in the shelter of the Most High to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, You are their refuge and fortress. You will preserve their family time. You will cover their home. Your faithfulness will meet their financial needs in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). You will command Your angels to guard them, as they travel and win the lost. You have said, I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them. With a long life, I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation (Psalm 91:15-16). In Jesus’s name, I cancel all assignments of the enemy against them.

Our pastors

Jesus, keep my pastor holy in every way (1 Peter 1:16). Protect my shepherd from seducing spirits especially when he is tired and hard-pressed. Give _____ comrades to help protect him, and to walk beside him with in personal holiness (James 4:7). As _____ draws near to You, draw near to him. (James 4:8).

Acts 10:42-46a

“And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.” (Acts 10:42)
      Holy Spirit, please guide those who preach in this diocese so that they will testify week by week that Jesus is ordained by his father to be judge of the living and the dead.

“To him all the prophets witness that, through his name, whoever believes in him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43)
      Father, help us also be witnesses that through his name, whoever believes in him will receive remission of sins.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. (Acts 10:44)
      Jesus, please let there be such apostolic preaching in this diocese so that your Holy Spirit falls upon all who hear the word.

And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. (Acts 10:45)
      Jesus, we pray that we too will be surprised by the joy of seeing your Holy Spirit fall on new believers.

For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. (Acts 10:46a)
      Father, we long to see the gifts of your Holy Spirit manifested among us.

Friday: 22; Job 9:1-15,32-35; Acts 10:34-48; John 7:37-52
Saturday: 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; Job 9:1,10:1-9,16-22; Acts 11:1-18; John 8:12-20
Sunday: 114, 115; Job 11:1-9,13-20; Rev. 5:1-14; Matthew 5:1-12
Monday: 9, 15; Job 12:1-6,13-25; Acts 11:19-30; John 8:21-32

Albany Intercessor

Our pastors

Father, allow _____to glory only in the cross (Galatians 6:14). Keep my pastor from pride and pity. Let the cross be his reason for ministry.

I pray that the eyes of my pastor may be enlightened to know the hope to which we are called and know the riches of our glorious inheritance in the saints. Let my pastor know the incomparable great power which is in us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19). Let ____ see the full revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12). Place in him a desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10).

Prayer for persecuted Anglicans in Diocese of New Westminster, Canada

Over at the Common Cause prayer blog, I just saw this prayer request for Canadian Anglicans affiliated with the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC):

Diocese moves to seize control of ANiC parishes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 27 August 2008

Vancouver – On August 26, 2008, the Anglican diocese of New Westminster informed St. Matthew’s in Abbotsford and St Matthias and St Luke’s in Vancouver that the bishop had dismissed the parish Wardens and other officers (Trustees) that were duly elected by the congregation and appointed new Wardens who are more “loyal” to the bishop. According to their press release, these actions were taken to regain “control of the parishes”, which includes control of the properties and buildings.
Both parishes voted in February this year to realign with the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC), under the Episcopal authority of Bishop Donald Harvey and the jurisdiction of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone – one of the 38 Provinces in the global Anglican Communion. The Anglican Church of Canada is also one of these 38 Provinces.
“Whether the Diocese of New Westminster has the right to unilaterally replace these duly elected trustees, and move to seize control of the parishes’ assets is in dispute,” says Cheryl Chang, ANiC Chancellor.
The elected Trustees of the parish believe the parish properties are held in trust for the benefit of the current congregation who have paid for and maintained these properties, and who are upholding traditional Anglican ministry in accordance with the founding principles of the Anglican Church of Canada (contained in the Solemn Declaration 1893), and the current doctrine of the global Anglican Communion. The Diocese of New Westminster, which has acted unilaterally and contrary to those principles, asserts the property is held in trust for the diocese. Various actions are currently in the Canadian courts to determine who is the rightful beneficiary of such trusts in light of the growing divisions in the global Anglican Communion.
“The trustees of both St Matthew’s and St Matthias and St Luke are meeting and seeking legal advice regarding their response to the Diocese,” Mrs Chang adds. “However, we note with interest that the Diocese has chosen to act only against the two smaller parishes and not the larger ANiC parishes, St. John’s (Shaughnessy) and Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver. Another concern is that the notice alleging a ‘crisis’ was signed by the bishop on July 10th, but not served on the parishes for six weeks, after the Lambeth Conference had concluded.”
The four congregations have been in “serious theological dispute” with the Diocese of New Westminster since June 2002, when the diocese unilaterally proceeded with same sex blessings in clear defiance of leaders of the Anglican Communion and the beliefs of the overwhelming majority of the Anglicans worldwide that such action is contrary to scripture.
Since 2003, the Primates of the Anglican Communion have repeatedly asked the Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of New Westminster to return to biblically faithful Anglican practice and teaching and to provide adequate episcopal oversight for dissenting parishes, but to no avail. In fact, the communion-breaking actions of the Diocese of New Westminster sparked the current crisis and the global realignment which is now taking place in the Anglican Communion.
Members of the Anglican Network in Canada are committed to remaining faithful to Holy Scripture and established Anglican doctrine and to ensuring that orthodox Canadian Anglicans are able to remain in full communion with their Anglican brothers and sisters around the world.
Since it launched its ecclesial structure last November under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, ANiC has received two bishops – Donald Harvey and Malcolm Harding – and 18 parishes.
Contact:
Marilyn Jacobson
Communications, Anglican Network in Canada
604 929-0369
604 788-4222 cell
mjacobson@anglicannetwork.ca
http://www.anglicannetwork.ca

Please pray for all North American Anglicans who are under legal and financial attack by apostate religious organizations.

* Give thanks for successful defenses in recent Virginia cases, and for the judge’s favorable narrowing of issues under consideration. Pray for continued successful defense against the TEC/Diocese of Virginia lawsuits.
* Pray for the hearing before the California Supreme Court coming up in October.
* Pray for Anglican churches in Ohio, who are being threatened.
* Pray for Church of the Good Shepherd, Binghamton, NY, giving thanks that a judge recently extened their time in the sanctuary and rectory.
* Pray for all the attorneys who are representing faithful Anglicans.
* Pray for fair minded judges to hear the cases.
* Pray for TEC and its Diocesan representatives – “Bless and do not curse.”

Psalm 18:1-3

I will love You, O LORD, my strength. (Psalm 18:1)
      You are our strength, LORD; help us to love as we ought.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)
      Jesus, you are our all in all; help us to find in you our daily bread and strength.

I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:3)
      Jesus, we call upon your name, trusting that you will redeem and save us.

      May the Name of Jesus, the Son of God, who is mightier than all the hosts of Satan, and more glorious than all the angels of heaven, abide with us in our going out and our coming in; by day and by night; at morning and at evening; at all times and in all places.
      May the Name of Jesus, the Son of God, protect and deliver us from the wrath of evil persons; from the assaults of evil spirits; from foes invisible; from the snares of the Evil One; and from all low passions that beguile the soul and body.
      May the Name of Jesus protect and deliver us.
      And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with us this day and always. Amen.
       (Blessing adapted from the Anglican Christian community in Ceylon, Pakistan, and India:)

A word received: Pray for hearts that turn to me and my ways.

Thursday: 18:21-50; Job 8:1-10,20-22; Acts 10:17-33; John 7:14-36
Friday: 22; Job 9:1-15,32-35; Acts 10:34-48; John 7:37-52

Albany Intercessor

Our pastors

Lord, let ____ have a discerning mind to prioritize the precious minutes in the day. Let my pastor discern what is most important and be guarded against the tyranny of the urgent (2 Corinthians 11:14, 1 John 4:1)

North India

Following the murder of a Hindu leader, Swami Lakshmanananda, a wave of violence against Christians is sweeping North India.

O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear our prayers for the people of North India.

We confess the sins that the United Kingdom and the United States have committed in the development of this crisis. In colonization, we exploited the people and the resources of this land. In post-colonial times, we turned a blind eye to its poverty. We did not do unto our brothers and sisters as we would have them do unto us.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Death has come upon this land. Your life always overpowers death. Your blessings always overcome curses.

We pray for the outpouring of God’s blessings of life to overcome the effects of these sins. We come together in the Name of Jesus to pray for the Light of Christ, the Blessing of the Almighty Father, and the power of the Holy Spirit to shine brightly where once darkness reigned.

In the words of Jesus (Matthew 6:14): “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Therefore, today we will also choose to forgive those in the UK, the US, and Northern India who gave themselves over to the enemy and brought such despair upon this land. We will leave their sins to You and to Your judgment, but we will forgive those who committed the sins, so that our unforgiveness does not keep the effects of their sins bound to this land.

You love Your Son Jesus, have given Him Your Spirit without limit, and have placed everything in His hands. He is above all. We, Your church, beseech You now by the mercies of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for the comfort, encouragement, and empowering of Your children in the troubled land of North India. We speak the name of Jesus over North India. He is above all. We claim the Spirit of Jesus against the spirit of murder, violence, rape, and arson; against all the demonic forces of nature and spirits of sorcery, witchcraft, and idolatry influencing this land. In Jesus, God’s Spirit is without limit. Send forth Your angels to guard and protect Your children in North India and to fight against the evil schemes of the enemy.

We pray for a cessation of violence. We pray that the murderers of the Hindu Swami and of the Christians be brought to justice.

We ask the mind of Jesus for The Most Revd Joel Vidyasagar Mal, primate of North India, and all of the Anglican leaders, in this storm. Amen.

Psalm 14:4-7

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call on the LORD? (Psalm 14:4)
      Father, please protect and provide for your people who work for companies and managers that are ravenous wolves. Help your people be faithful even in such bad circumstances.

There they are in great fear, for God is with the generation of the righteous. (Psalm 14:5)
      Holy Spirit, please help your people in bad work situations fear God rather than their companies or managers. Bless those who are righteous in evil circumstances.

You shame the counsel of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. (Psalm 14:6)
      Jesus, you are the refuge of the poor — bless with the counsel of your Holy Spirit those who are poor or in bad jobs.

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD brings back the captivity of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. (Psalm 14:7)
      LORD, let your salvation go forth and lead your people out of the captivity of bad employers. Provide for your people, LORD. Thank you.

A word received: I AM with you. Keep your eyes on me.

Wednesday: 12, 13, 14; Job 6:1,7:1-21; Acts 10:1-16; John 7:1-13
Thursday: 18:21-50; Job 6:1,7:1-21; Acts 10:17-33; John 7:14-36

Albany Intercessor