Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21)
      Holy Spirit, please help us remember that all who are going to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church are in some real sense our brothers and sisters. Some of them have done great harm to the Bodyof Christ, but they still need our forgiveness.

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)
      Jesus, forgiving others and accepting their forgiveness is the way to heal the wounds in your Body, the Church.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ hen the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. (Matthew 18:23-27)
      Father, help us acknowledge the magnitude of our debt to you.

“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.” (Matthew 18:28-31)
      Father, hear the cries of your servants as they confront evil and injustice.

“Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.” (Matthew 18:32-34)
      Lord, you have told us that the same measure we use on others will be used on us. (See Mark 4:24) Have mercy on usand help us forgive others.

“So my heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35)
      Holy Spirit, please help us forgive others from our hearts. Thank you.

A word received: Rejoice with me over every lost sheep who is found.

Friday: 88 * 91, 92; Num. 13:1-3,21-30: Rom. 2:25-3:8: Matt. 18:21-35
Saturday: 87, 90 * 136; Num. 13:31-14:25: Rom. 3:9-20: Matt. 19:1-12;

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Schenectady City Mission Prayer Table Report, Thursday, June 21, 2012, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.. Torre and Jean Bissell and Chuck Rinaldo from Christ Church Schenectady. This took place during the evening meal at the City Mission.

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

+Dan (got a cross for a friend) — His daughter Summer and her husband Bob lost their baby through a miscarriage. This is their third miscarriage. Pray for comfort in the Lord.
Chuck — He has a brother in California who is diabetic and has large sore on his upper arm which is not healing and he is depressed. His other brother in Albany has largely recovered from a recent stroke. Please pray for the Lord’s work in both of their lives.
+Smiley — We prayed that he would share the joy of the Lord with others this evening.
+James and +Alissa — Alissa said, “We had a miscarriage last week and a lot of other problems.” Pray for a job for James and that Jesus would replace their sorrow with his joy.
+Melissa — “I need a job!” She also took a cross for her +son.
+Thomas (young man) — “I just got out of detox today.” His father and his grandfather are both unwell, and he has a nine months old child.
Gary — We prayed for peace and for clarity of purpose for him.

***** Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2012
From: Bishop Dan Herzog
Subject: How Muslims Come to Faith in Christ
http://www.jdgreear.com/my_weblog/2012/06/how-muslims-come-to-faith-in-christ.html

***** Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2012
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote
      When I was in a coma, (Oct 2009) one of the many visions I had was a vision of a dining room. I knew I was in heaven and I knew I was waiting. There was green wall paper and dark mahogany furniture. It was all so vivid and real. I knew I was waiting for Jesus to come through the door on my right. I was alone and sitting next to the head of the table, where He was going to sit. I was very aware of what was about to happen. I did not expect to say anything to Jesus but what was he going to say to me? I was not even sure if I could speak.
      I do often wonder, if he had come through the door, would I still be here?
      I will find out…next time.

Albany Intercessor