Almond branches and the Anglican Communion

Exodus 25:31-37 (New International Version)
“Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall be of one piece with it. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.
“Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it.

Numbers 17:8 (New International Version)
The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.

Jeremiah 1:10-12 (New International Version)
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.
The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching [a] to see that my word is fulfilled.”

Footnotes:
a.Jeremiah 1:12 The Hebrew for watching sounds like the Hebrew for almond tree .

Watch, O Lord. Watch over the Anglican Communion. Fulfill Your word. Uproot and tear down our false beliefs. Destroy and overthrow our idolatrous strongholds–Mammon, Baal, Asherah, Molech. Raise up prophets and priests who will hold up Your Holy Word and give glory to the Word Incarnate, Christ Jesus. We cry out for our church to be a bright shining sevenfold light. Amen.

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I have cried to you, O LORD; (Psalm 130:1)
      LORD, when I am weary and discouraged and cry out to you, you lift me up; thank you.

Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. (Psalm 130:2)
      Lord Jesus, hear my cry and carry me through this time.

If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? (Psalm 130:3)
      Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared. (Psalm 130:4)
      Father, send your renewing Holy Spirit among us and draw the people of this diocese to you.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I do hope. (Psalm 130:5)
      Holy Spirit, you have written your word on my heart and given me hope, thank you.

My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning–yes, more than those who watch for the morning. (Psalm 130:6)
      Jesus, you are my hope and my strength; I stand on you, you are the rock of my salvation.

O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is abundant redemption. (Psalm 130:7)
      Jesus, please bring the people of Israel to a saving knowledge of you.

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. (Psalm 130:8 )
      Jesus, you have paid the price for the redemption of Israel, please help them by your Holy Spirit to accept what you have done. Thank you.

      A word received: Pray for my little ones.

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24)
      A word received: I called you to know the power of my Holy Spirit, now I want you to learn of me: I am meek and lowly and humble of heart, but I AM the wisdom of God.

Wednesday: 128, 129, 130; Numbers 22:41-23:12; Romans 7:13-25; Matthew 21:33-46
Thursday: 134, 135; Numbers 23:11-26; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 22:1-14

      Notes from the Front Line

***** “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4wJE34VZnQ&feature=related
“In Christ Alone” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtL_li4GbE&feature=related

Albany Intercessor

Prayer Table Report

Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, June 26, 2010, 9:30 -10:30 AM Torre Bissell & David Carlson

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

+ Ryan — asked prayer “for prosperity” – prayed for the riches of God’s grace

+ Deborah – asked prayer for her health, her family, and her finances

+ Nathan — very positive, upbeat young man – asked prayer for his mom (Mary)

+ Gene – was on his way to attend his daughter’s (Karen) high school graduation – we prayed for both Gene and Karen, for the Lord’s provision and blessing

+ Will — young man (in his 20’s) and his little brother (+ Deo) who was about 3 years old – prayed that Will would be the big brother God is calling him to be; another brother (+ John) walked up and we prayed for him as well – he was in his late teens; Torre sensed that John had a heavy burden – led John in a prayer to give his burdens to the Lord; 2 others joined them — + Cody and +Crystal who is 8 months pregnant; we prayed for her unborn baby to be healthy, and for a safe delivery

+ Anthony — asked prayer for his family to have unity

+ Connie – asked prayer for the families of 2 kids who recently died of cancer (she had recently attended a fundraiser for the families) and prayer for the 2 boys who were recently shot (especially the 11-year-old who is in critical condition); Connie expressed gratitude to the Lord and said she was thankful she went to prison as it made her wake up and probably saved her life

+ Charnda — this man thought for a minute and then asked prayer for “wisdom”

+ Desmond — asked prayer “to be better”

+ Irving — asked prayer for “everything” – we prayed, as we often do, that he will become the man God is calling him to be

David

Psalm 127

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
      LORD, build us up in this diocese; guard our hearts, our homes, and your people.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so he gives his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2)
      Father, please help us rest in your arms of love.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. (Psalm 127:3)
      Jesus, thank you for the children and grandchildren and all the other young men and women you have given us a concern for.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. (Psalm 127:4)
      Holy Spirit, guide the children of this diocese. Bless the ministry of Beaver Cross at the Christ the King Spiritual Life Center.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:5)
      Thank you, LORD, for our children.

      A word received: Hope in me; I will see you through. I can overcome what you cannot.
      Jesus, thank you for what you can do that I cannot.

Tuesday: 124, 125, 126, [127]; Numbers 22:21-38; Romans 7:1-12; Matthew 21:23-32
Wednesday: 128, 129, 130; Numbers 22:41-23:12; Romans 7:13-25; Matthew 21:33-46

      Notes from the Front Line

***** “My Faith Looks Up To Thee” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YX12bTxPlo
“Celtic Woman-O’ Come All Ye Faithful” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eLDvM7eSq0&feature=related

Albany Intercessor

Missouri

Missouri has more caves than any other state.

Our Father in Heaven,
May the sounds of Your Holy Spirit wash over Your musicians in Missouri like a breaking surf, like thundering breakers. May they know Your heart and mind. Let their life be God’s prayer as they receive Your love all day. Sing songs to them through the night. May the music that comes from Missouri be ‘Deep calling to deep.’ Amen.
Psalms 42:7-8

Crickets

I’m told one track is of regular cricket song. The other track is cricket song slowed down 15-fold. (One year in a cricket’s life is equivalent to 15 years in a human life.)
Link

O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1 KJV

Psalm 106:19-23 and Prayer Table Report

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molded image. (Psalm 106:19)
      Holy Spirit, please help us recognize and repent of all our idolatries.

Thus they changed their glory into the image of an ox that eats grass. (Psalm 106:20)
      Jesus, please help the leaders and teachers and people of the Episcopal Church recognize how far we have fallen from grace by worshiping the standards of our culture.

They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, (Psalm 106:21)
      Father, please bring to our minds all that you have done to bring us out of bondage to sin and death.

Wondrous works in the land of Ham, awesome things by the Red Sea. (Psalm 106:22)
      Holy Spirit, please help us remember your mighty works among us and once again turn to Jesus.

Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen one stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he destroy them. (Psalm 106:23)
      Father, please raise up intercessors throughout the Diocese of Albany and the Diocese of Down and Dromore who will stand in the breach before you. Thank you.

      A word received: Don’t be afraid. Keep looking to me. I AM there with you.
      Father, you have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.

Monday: 89:19-52; Numbers 16:1-19; Romans 3:21-31; Matthew 19:13-22
Tuesday: 124, 125, 126, [127]; Numbers 22:21-38; Romans 7:1-12; Matthew 21:23-32

      Notes from the Front Line

***** “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”:
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYN7ocH_7EA&feature=related
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAJbMcQRfy0
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJkHkUw0tKk&feature=related

***** Prayer Table Report from St. Mary’s, Lake Luzerne, Saturday, June 26th from 11:20am – 12 noon – Deacon Dawn Skramstad.

I set up the table outside our parish hall just prior to the beginning of our weekly community luncheon. The turnout was light due to it being graduation weekend and there were a number of get togethers in the area. I asked each one as they entered if they would like prayer and many replied, No, but we thank God for this luncheon and for the outreach St.. Mary’s is making in the community.

Emily – This lady comes each week and loves it when we have the prayer table. We prayed for relief from the pain of arthritis, mobility in her hips, and for the arthritis to be healed; prayed for her sister to completely recover from surgery and that her kidneys would start functioning again.

Davida – She is a 9 year old who loves to pray. Today we prayed for her parents, David & Tina. David cut his finger pretty badly and we prayed for complete healing and relief from the pain. Tina had three teeth pulled and was in a lot of pain – we prayed that her pain would be relieved and her gums would heal completely. We also prayed that Davida would continue to be the light of Christ for her family. When she got up to leave, she hugged me and said, “God bless you too, Deacon Dawn!”

Kathy – She is a regular at our prayer table. Today we prayed for her friend Sherry who has a fractured right shoulder and is in a lot of pain. We prayed for relief from the pain, for restful sleep as it has been difficult for her to get comfortable at night, for the healing of her shoulder, and wisdom for the doctor who is reluctant to do surgery on her.

Angie – She is another regular at our prayer table. Her husband is in the hospital with COPD and emphysema. There is alot of chaos in the home and estrangement from her daughter. We prayed for peace in the home, healing of the relationship with her daughter, for God’s protection, and for healing for her husband.

Blessings! Deacon Dawn

Albany Intercessor

Missouri

Missouri is located in the “heartland” of America and is known as the “gateway to the west.” It was a starting point for much exploration and travel. The Oregon and Sante Fe Trails began in Missouri, as well as the Butterfield Overland Mail route and the Pony Express.

Oh, Lord, we pray for an outpouring of intercession, obedience, and perseverance upon Your children in the state of Missouri so that a gate will open into the ways of God, the puposes of God, and the Presence of God. May Your abundant life flow through this gateway to the rest of the nation. Amen.

Evangelism

The Church of England recently issued a report on sharing one’s faith in a multicultural society. An article about the report can be found here.
The Diocese of Southwark has numerous black-majority churches. May the next bishop be able to work with them in a spirit of trust.

Acts 1:8 (New International Version)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

How wide Your heart is, O Lord, and how long Your arms, to reach Your righteous right hand to the ends of the earth. Come, Holy Spirit. Come! Come to the Church of England, especially the diocese of Southwark. Come to faithful Anglicans in North America, especially _____.
Your arm is not foreshortened. Reach out to the lost and the unsaved. Reach through Your faithful servants. May their feet be the feet of Jesus. May their hands share the Spirit of Jesus. May their words carry the seeds of faith in Jesus. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Galatians 5:1, 16, 22-23

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)
      Holy Spirit, please help us recognize for what they are every yoke of bondage and avoid them. Help us see the “freedoms” our culture offers for what they are: traps of the world, the flesh, and the evil one.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
      Holy Spirit, please help us “walk the walk” so that when we “talk the talk” we will be true to Jesus.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
      Father, thank you for the wonder and joy life in your Holy Spirit gives.

      Jesus, thank you for mentoring us with your Holy Spirit.

      Holy Spirit, thank you for coming into our sin-filled lives and washing us clean with the blood of Jesus.

      Holy Trinity, one God, thank you.

      A word received: Pray for the mind of my Spirit.
      Holy Spirit, I give you my thoughts and my hopes; help them line up with what you want.

Sunday: MP: 145; Numbers 21:4-9, 21-35; Acts 17:(12-21)22-34; Luke 13:10-17
      HC: 16; 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62
Monday: 106:19-48; Numbers 22:1-21; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 21:12-22

      Notes from the Front Line

***** “Come Down O Love Divine” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HPKL1wOVXk

***** “Celtic Woman – Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPeVIuRjUi4

Albany Intercessor

Oil spill

Written by The Rev. John Widdows, Episcopal Diocese of Maine. I obtained this from the Episcopal Diocese of Central Gulf Coast website. Thanks, folks.

As the catastrophic oil accident in the Gulf continues, O God, for the wonders of technology, we give you thanks. For the limits of technology we pray for awareness. For the arrogance of technology, when it harms your Creation, we pray for humility. For the victims of this technology, we pray for forgiveness. For the recklessness which prevents careful preparation for accident, we pray with repentance and for enlightenment. And for our capacity to learn from this huge mistake and to minister compassionately as a society to those harmed by it, we give you thanks. Amen.

Oil spill

Triune God,
In the beginning, Your Spirit hovered over the face of the waters and brought order out of chaos. You gathered together the waters under the heaven. You said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” So You created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems and every winged bird, and it was good.
You measured the waters and gathered the wind in the hollow of Your hands. You fixed the limits of the water and established all the ends of the earth.
The earth is Yours, Lord, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. All things were made through Christ, for Christ, and by Christ. All things are sustained by Christ’s powerful word.
Humanity was made in Your image to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air. We were created to love You and to love others, and we have failed. We have not reflected Your love.
We have not loved You with all our heart, mind, and soul. We have spiritually polluted our shores with idolatry—opulence, festivals of debauchery, and gambling casinos.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have ignored the cries of our desperately poor Caribbean neighbors.
In our greed, we have failed to protect God’s creation, the earth and the seas and the living creatures, over which we were given dominion. We have physically polluted our shores.
We thought we were gods, but our recklessness has brought us to our knees, to ask for Your forgiveness for the chaos we have brought about.
Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy.
Our Christian faith and the moral foundations of our society are rooted in Your relationship with the children of Israel. Yet our nation has insulted and betrayed the nation of Israel.
Every sector of our society has fallen short—the church, the government, the economy, the educational system, the media, arts and entertainment, and the family. We were made in Your image, and yet every aspect of our culture has failed to reflect Your character. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy.

You are our only hope.

Just as You were present with the three Jewish men in the fiery furnace, in deep humility, we ask for Your presence, protection, and provision for
–those families who lost loved ones in the explosion
–those scientists, industrialists, and civic leaders who are seeking solutions to the problem
–the clean up crews
–those whose livelihoods were directly impacted by the disaster
–the creatures of the Gulf of Mexico and the food chain

You are our only hope.

Just as You blessed King Solomon with wisdom to rule, grant the same to BP Group Chief Executive Tony Hayward, President Barack Obama, Secretary of Navy Ray Mabus, and Governors Rick Perry, Bobby Jindal, Haley Barbour, Bob Riley, and Charlie Crist.

You are our only hope.

Just as Your protected Daniel from the destruction of the lions, we ask for the protection of our nation from the destructive emotions of fear, hate, greed, jealousy, anger, dissension, ambition, and resentment.

You are our only hope.

Overnight, You caused Aaron’s staff to sprout and bud and blossom and bear almonds. Touch the spirit of this nation and bring forth love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

You are our only hope.

The heavens are the work of Your fingers. You set the moon and stars in their place. O Lord, we cry out for the touch of Your finger to stem the flow of the escaping oil. You controlled the flow of the Red Sea and the Jordan River. You made the sun to stop in its course and the iron axehead to float. You calmed the storm and walked on water. You brought forth water from a rock and restored life to the dead. With You, nothing is impossible.

You are our only hope.

We pray for the cleansing of the oceans, the shorelines, and the marshes and all the creatures that dwell in them. We pray for our children whose earthly home we have so imperiled.

You are our only hope. You will not leave us orphaned. Thank you, God, for never forsaking us. In the name of Jesus, help us to not forsake You. Amen.

Romans 6:1-11

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? (Romans 6:1)
      Lord, I am still a sinner; please let your grace work more freely in my life.

Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? (Romans 6:2)
      Jesus, Son of David, I have not fully died to sin yet; have mercy on me!

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3)
      Holy Spirit, there is an on-going baptism of repentance that leads to the death of sin in my life; keep me on this path so that I fully enter Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
      Father, please let your glory infuse my life so that I walk as your new creation.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of his death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of his resurrection, (Romans 6:5)
      Jesus, please unite us in the likeness of your death and resurrection.

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:6)
      Lord, old habits and thoughts of slavery to sin remain — they persist in my life. Please set this captive free; free all the captives, Jesus.

For he who has died has been freed from sin. (Romans 6:7)
      Lord, bring me to that death to self and sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him, (Romans 6:8 )
      Jesus, I live in the hope of the resurrection.

knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over him. (Romans 6:9)
      Holy Spirit, win that same victory in me.

For the death that he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. (Romans 6:10)
      Father, I want to live my life for you.

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:11)
      Lord, please help me reckon in this way. This is the “new math”, but the old math dies hard in me.

      A word received: Yes, I AM waiting for you. Turn to me and I will guide you.
      Jesus, please help me die to sin and live for you.

Saturday: 33; Numbers 20:14-29; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 21:1-11
Sunday: MP: 145; Numbers 21:4-9, 21-35 Acts 17:(12-21)22-34; Luke 13:10-17
      HC: 16; 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62

      Notes from the Front Line

***** “Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TCwNmF-rEk&feature=related
       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz-iqQrmV1s&feature=related
“I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxaiLR1REKE&feature=related

Albany Intercessor

Gulf coast disaster day of prayer

The Governors of the States of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the Lt. Governor of the State of Florida have all signed proclamations calling for a day of prayer on Sunday, June 27.

Historical precedents:

President James Buchanan reminded citizens: “In this the hour of our calamity and peril, to Whom shall we resort for relief but to the God of our fathers? His omnipotent arm only can save us from the awful effects . . . let our fervent prayers ascend to His Throne.”

President John Tyler said that “When a Christian people feel themselves to be overtaken by a great public calamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government over the children of men, to acknowledge His goodness in time past, as well as their own unworthiness, and to supplicate His merciful protection for the future”;

. . . . . The Continental Congress declared that “in the hour of calamity and impending danger . . . we are peculiarly animated, with true penitence of heart, to prostrate ourselves before our great Creator and fervently to supplicate His gracious interposition for our deliverance”

President Ronald Reagan affirmed not only that “Prayer is the mainspring of the American spirit, a fundamental tenet of our people since before the Republic was founded” but also that “Prayer is today as powerful a force in our Nation as it has ever been. We as a Nation should never forget this source of strength”

President Reagan reminded us that we “have always turned to prayer at times of crisis. We recall the moving story of George Washington kneeling in the snow at Valley Forge to ask for divine assistance when the fate of our fledgling Nation hung in the balance. And Abraham Lincoln tells us that on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg, ‘I went into my room and got down on my knees in prayer.’ Never before, he added, had he prayed ‘with as much earnestness.”

Missouri

Let us declare with Missouri from the Preamble to their State Constitution:

We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this constitution for the better government of the state.

Show us Your glory, Lord, in the “Show me state”. We cry out as Moses, “Show us your glory, Lord.”
Exodus 33