Sorrow for the Episcopal Church

2 Kings 15:16 (ESV)
At that time Menahem sacked Tiphsah and all who were in it and its territory from Tirzah on, because they did not open it to him. Therefore he sacked it, and he ripped open all the women in it who were pregnant.

Menahem–the consoler or comforter
Tiphsah–ford or passage. It was an ancient town along the western bank of the Euphrates River.
Tirzah–she is my delight. In the Bible it is the name of a woman, one of the daughters of Zelophehad, who received hereditary rights to inherit property.

Father in heaven,
We thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Consoler. How many times have we in the Episcopal Church blocked the passage of the Holy Spirit crossing the “ford” into our spirits? How many times have we extinguished new life and squandered our inheritance?
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Matthew 19:23-30

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24)
      Lord, we live in a society dedicated to materialism; guide us by your Holy Spirit so that we do not become captive to the riches of this world and this life. Help us keep our eye on the prize: eternal life with you Jesus.

When his disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” (Matthew 19:25)
      Father, there is so much confusion in the church about who can be saved. Help us all find new life in the death and resurrection of our son Jesus and through the renewing power of your Holy Spirit..

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
      Jesus, thank you for doing for us what was impossible us to do for ourselves.

Then Peter answered and said to him, “See, we have left all and followed you. Therefore what shall we have?” (Matthew 19:27)
      Holy Spirit, please help us leave behind everything that binds and holds us back from following Jesus.

So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:28-30)
      Thank you, Jesus, for the fellowship we have found in your Body, the Church. Thank you for the adventure that we have had in our lives.

      Praying for the General Convention of the Episcopal Church: A word received: Remember that the divisions in the church in Acts 15 were just as real as the divisions now. If the power of my Holy Spirit is released among the deputies to the General Convention, I can change their hearts as I did the Council in Jerusalem so that they will be able to say, “It seems good to us and to the Holy Spirit…”

            Praying the Apostles’ Creed
The Communion of Saints;
      THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord most High. Amen. (BCP 1662) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Tuesday: 97, 99, [100] * 94, [95]; Num. 16:20-35: Rom. 4:1-12: Matt. 19:23-30
Wednesday: 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 * 119:121-144; Num. 16:36-50: Rom. 4:13-25: Matt. 20:1-16

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012
From: Nigel Mumford
Subject: Daily quote
      Very simply, the bottom line in all of life is love. Love is all you need. Huh, someone should write a song about that! “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for

Albany Intercessor

Egypt

In the wake of the election of the first Islamist president of Egypt, President Bishop Mouneer Anis requests prayers for his country. Below is a prayer posted by Karen a few months back.

O Lord, we cry out with our brothers and sisters in Egypt. O Lord, keep them safe and protect them, may Your Word be a precious treasure to them, giving them hope and joy.

O Lord may they know You have not forgotten them, that You see injustice and that the wicked will NOT always triumph. May they know that You are strong on their behalf.

O Lord, give light to the eyes of our brothers and sisters in Jesus, the light of Christ shining in their hearts (2 Cor 4:6), the light that shines in the darkness and that darkness cannot overcome (John 1:5)

O Lord, may all who know You in Egypt be strengthened to trust in Your unfailing love and to sing of Your goodness in these days of struggle. May their hope in You be a bright beacon throughout the land.

Other prayers posted at L&B:
Mark the Evangelist
Secret agendas
Blessings
Tahrir Square
Cairo
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
Communion of saints
Perfect love
Rebuke the wild beasts
Like a doe
Athanasius
A cyclical pattern
Out of Egypt