Advent 2013 Menu: Resources, Prayers, Devotionals

Note: this entry is “sticky” and will remain at the top of the blog throughout Advent.  Look for new entries below this post.

Advent begins this year on Sunday December 1.  I can’t promise daily Advent entries, but I hope to be able to blog quite frequently, sharing Advent resources, prayers, worship music, devotionals and reflections on Scripture.

All new Advent posts for 2013 can be found with our Advent 2013 tag. 
For all Advent entries past & present, here’s our Advent category.

Our Advent Subcategories include: Advent Devotionals,  Advent Favorites,  Advent Prayers, Advent Quotes,  Advent Resources,  Advent: Family & Children

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Update 1:  I’ve decided I will try to post an entry most evenings in Advent with a short reflection on one of the daily lectionary Scripture passages, a prayer, and a worship song.  I’m calling the series Advent Vespers.

By Request: here’s a quick link to our 2013 Anglican Advent Resources post

Update 2:  Because I’m focusing a lot on Advent Music this year, here’s the link for all our posts containing Advent worship music,  and here is our 100 Song Advent Playlist Compilation for 2013.  ENJOY!

An Advent exhortation from Bp. Charlie Masters: AWAKE!

Bishop Charlie Masters (Anglican Network in Canada) has written a good Advent letter, which I found on the Anglican Essentials blog.  It’s a good exhortation and encouragement to us all, here’s an excerpt (emphasis mine).

Thankfully, Romans 13, the first Epistle for the First Sunday of Advent, almost like an alarm clock interrupts the peaceful repose which is our lives and begins the church year with these words; “And do this, understanding the present time: the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11).

It is no accident or should be no surprise that it is difficult to keep fresh a joyful anticipation of the return of Christ which drives us to a changed life in the light of Christ’s return. Peter, in his second epistle makes it clear that the agenda of the evil one and the active and sometimes subtle mocking of the scoffer is to lull Christians into a kind of sleep about the return of Christ. Our flesh wants to sleep.

In 2 Peter 3:3-10, Peter says:

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation’. But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s Word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged, and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and Earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

Dear friends, I exhort you and encourage you to make use of the brief days of Advent not only to prepare rightly to celebrate the birth of Jesus but more importantly to prepare our lives for the glorious return of that same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, lived and died on a Cross, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven and soon, very soon will return, the culmination of all things and all his promises.

Let us ask ourselves questions, each day of Advent, as we go through the Scriptures:

• Is it possible that I am asleep?
• In what ways am I, potentially, dozing off with regards to the return of Christ?
• What does “awake” look like in terms of the return of Christ?
• And how can I grow in being alert and prepared for his return?

The collect for Advent Sunday which is to be used every day and is based also on Romans 13 says this:

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and ever. Amen

My prayer for you and me is that this Advent we will awake to a the full meaning, real transformation of life and joyful anticipation of the Return of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

If you would like to follow along please use the Advent 2013 daily scripture readings.

What great questions for us all to ponder this Advent.  May the Lord increase in us a longing for and an expectation of His return which changes how we live each day!

Matthew 20:25-28

But Jesus called them to himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28 )
      Jesus, we pray for the work of your Holy Spirit in our lives: that our hearts’ desire would be to serve rather than to be served.

      Holy Spirit, please help us follow Jesus’ lead in serving others — to think more highly of others than ourselves.

      Father, please help us use whatever authority you give us to become servants of Jesus and servants of those he sends to us. Thank you.

      LORD, help us to be your servants in serving others.

A word received: I can set your spirit from from every snare of the evil one.

Friday: 140, 142 * 141, 143:1-11(12); Isa. 24:14-23; 1 Pet. 3:13-4:6; Matt. 20:17-28
Saturday: 137:1-6(7-9), 144 * 104; Micah 7:11-20; 1 Pet. 4:7-19; Matt. 20:29-34

Albany Intercessor

Syria–women

From the BBC:

Women in Syria are increasingly the targets of violent abuse and torture by government forces and armed groups.

Some 6,000 women have been raped since the start of the conflict in March 2011, the Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) says.

A spokeswoman for the group said these women were then socially stigmatised, and often forced to flee their homes.

Women are being targeted by snipers and used as human shields, often with their children, the report also says.

Lamentations 3:22-24(NIV)
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

O Father in heaven, may the women in Syria look to You for their portion. Amen.

Matthew 6, James 1, and Deuteronomy 8

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34)
      Holy Spirit, please help us lay aside earthly anxieties and trust God our Father who knows what is best for us and will provide for us in his good time.

      Jesus, help us daily make the choice to follow where you lead.

      Father, please help us daily seek your kingdom and your righteousness.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:21-22)
      Father, let our thanksgiving to you overflow into doing your word. Let our passion for Jesus lead us into share the good news that we have received. Thank you.

So he humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3)
      Father, thank you for humbling us; thank you for feeding and providing for us. Thank you that we can feast on your word.

A word received: Look to me with hope.

Thursday: 131, 132, [133] * 134, 135; Zeph. 3:1-13; 1 Pet. 2:11-25; Matt. 20:1-16
Thanksgiving Day: 65 or 65:9-14; Deuteronomy 8:1-3,6-10(17-20); James 1:17-18,21-27; Matthew 6:25-33
Friday: 140, 142 * 141, 143:1-11(12); Isa. 24:14-23; 1 Pet. 3:13-4:6; Matt. 20:17-28

      Notes from the Front Line

Albany Intercessor

1 Peter 2:1-10

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, (1 Peter 2:1)
      Holy Spirit, help me lay these aside so that your fruit can grow in my life.

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (1 Peter 2:2)
      Jesus, I desire to be fed and nourished by your word.

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:3)
      Jesus, thank you for being so gracious to us.

Coming to him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, (1 Peter 2:4)
      Lord Jesus, I come to you; use me wherever you want in building up your church.

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
      Father, I ask that our sacrifices will be acceptable to you through your son Jesus Christ.

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on him will by no means be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:6)
      Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.

Therefore, to you who believe, he is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7-8 )
      Jesus, you know all the places and times that I have stumbled. Help me leave behind disobedience and help me walk in your footsteps.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9)
      Your light, Jesus, shines forth in the surrounding darkness. Help me daily proclaim your praises and live in holiness.

who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:10)
      Father, thank you for adopting me as your child and making me a part of your people.

A word received: Open the door of your heart. I want to come in.

Wednesday: 119:145-176 * 128, 129, 130; Obadiah 15-21; 1 Pet. 2:1-10; Matt. 19:23-30
Thursday: 131, 132, [133] * 134, 135; Zeph. 3:1-13; 1 Pet. 2:11-25; Matt. 20:1-16
Thanksgiving Day: 65 or 65:9-14; Deuteronomy 8:1-3,6-10(17-20); James 1:17-18,21-27; Matthew 6:25-33

Albany Intercessor

New Wineskins Missionary Network

From their bulletin Reach Out:

Are there any who have not yet received the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation?
More than 1 billion Muslims have never been invited to the Lord’s Table.
550 million Hindus have never been invited to the Lord’s Table.
300 million urban poor have never been invited to the Lord’s Table.
275 Buddhists have never been invited to the Lord’s Table.
150 million Chinese have never been invited to the Lord’s Table.
140 million animists have never been invited to the Lord’s Table.
37 million Sikhs have never been invited to the Lord’s Table.
17 million Jews have never been invited to the Lord’s Table.
2,100 unreached people groups have no church to invite them to the Lord’s Table.

Who will go share the Good News that the banquet is prepared for everyone?
We will go, by our prayers, our offerings, our lives, we will go!

Matthew 19, 1 Peter 1, Nahum 1, and Psalm 121

Now behold, one came and said to him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So he said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” The young man said to him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:16-22)
      Lord Jesus, so many of us are deceived by the cares and riches of this world and your word is chocked within us and we become unfruitful. (See Matthew 13:22) In your mercy come among us and clear away all the weeds and thorns that keep us from bearing fruit for your kingdom.

having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25)
      Holy Spirit, let your word endure forever in our hearts. Much is passing away that was beautiful, but we ask that you endure in us. Thank you.

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who trust in him. (Nahum 1:7)
      Father, thank you for your goodness. Please help me trust more and more as each day goes by. Thank you for knowing me.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; he shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8 )
      LORD, thank you.

A word received: Look to me for help.

Tuesday: [120], 121, 122, 123 * 124, 125, 126, [127]; Nahum 1:1-13; 1 Pet. 1:13-25; Matt. 19:13-22
Wednesday: 119:145-176 * 128, 129, 130; Obadiah 15-21; 1 Pet. 2:1-10; Matt. 19:23-30

      Notes from the Front Line

***** 11/25 12:05 – 1:10 pm, State Street Schenectady, Carol MacNaughton, Mark Pasko and guitar, Cold, very little foot traffic
+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina
H–indicates a hat given

Lee (woman) prayers for her diabetes

H+ Harry – blessing

H+ Rahm (man, came to table in the summer with his kids) – blessing

***** PRAYER TABLE REPORT, ST. ANN’s OF AMSTERDAM, (Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013; 11:30-12:30 in the Parish Hall during monthly Community Meal. Anne DeGroff and Deacon Alan Hart presiding at His table.)

a–anointed with Holy Oil.
t — received one of Dennis Adams’ (North Carolina) wooden crosses.
f — accepted free non-perishable food we are offering.
c — accepted winter clothes items we are offering.

a– WOMAN (no name) — Feeling very weepy, down-spirited after a recent run of bad luck which included an auto accident. We prayed for a return to good health and good spirits.

f, c — MARGARET — This lively middle-aged woman was bursting with joy. She simply wanted to thank the Lord for all He has done for her and her family. She also asked for prayers for her good friend SHARON, who is waiting for a refill of oxygen for her tank.

c — RONALD — Was grateful to receive gloves and a hat. AT first he declined prayer, but then accepted prayer for his health and protection.

c, f — EMILIO — This pleasant man asked for prayer for continued good health. He is a veteran who served on the same Naval vessel as John McCain.

c,f — WOMAN — Gratefully took warm winter gloves, a hat and some food. “Thank you SO much!” she said. We prayed for her safety and protection.

_______________________

(Monday, Nov. 25, 2013; 10-11 a.m. in front of our church on Division Street. Very, very cold but at least there was no wind. It was 18 degrees at the start of the table. Many people on the street this day as the Masonic Lodge across the street was serving a turkey dinner in observance of Thanksgiving, so more people than usual were out and about. Deacon alan Hart presiding at His table.)

ETHEL — She is a regular who walks all over Amsterdam delivering food to needy family members and friends. We prayed for her continued good health and safety. Last winter she fell on one of our steep sidewalks a quarter of a mile or so away.

f,c — REBECCA — Prayed in thanksgiving that her nephew MICHAEL (two years old) is doing better now. Last week he was at the table after visiting the doctor for treatment for spider bites on his face. He is ALL better now!

c — WOMAN IN CAR — She stopped right in front of the table; left the car running and came over to get winter clothing. She was very grateful and said “God bless you and your church!”

c — DAVID — This man is a Viet Nam veteran who is always witnessing to other veterans to come closer — or back — to Christ. He asked for prayer against “false prophets” in our midst who are not really centered in the Gospels.

t,t,c,f — BIANCA — She has come the last two weeks after being “afraid” to come in the past. She asked for prayer for continued good health.

c,f — MAN and WOMAN (no names) — Gratefully stopped the car, got out and took food and clothing. Prayed for them as they got back in the car and drove away.

Albany Intercessor

Syria

From the BBC: Sick and injured Syrians cross the ‘enemy’ border to be treated at an Israeli hospital.

Job 12:21 AMP
He pours contempt on princes and loosens the belt of the strong [disabling them, bringing low the pride of the learned].

Father, we thank You for loosening the belt of lies constricting the nation of Syria.
Jesus, Son of God, You have come to defeat the works of the devil. Pour contempt upon the demonic princes of lies and propaganda in the nation of Syria.
Holy Spirit, as the lies are exposed to the Syrian people, pour out the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might; the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Help the Syrians to not judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay.
Jehovah-nissi, Lamb of God, Spirit of Truth–O Triune God– You are the banner of truth over Syria. Amen.
Isaiah 11:2-3, 1 John 3:8

Joel 3:14 and Psalm 106:1-2

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14)
      Jesus, I pray for the multitudes that are in the valley of decision, that they will make the decision and the choice for you.

Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! For his mercy endures forever. (Psalm 106:1)
      Father, thank you that your mercy endures forever and that all those who make the decision for Jesus will be set free from the curse of sin and death and will attain the resurrection from the dead to a new life with you.

Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all his praise? (Psalm 106:2)
      Holy Spirit, please help us declare the mighty works Jesus has done and is doing.

A word received: Come to me.

Monday: 106:1-18 * 106:19-48; Joel 3:1-2,9-17; 1 Pet. 1:1-12; Matt. 19:1-12
Tuesday: [120], 121, 122, 123 * 124, 125, 126, [127]; Nahum 1:1-13; 1 Pet. 1:13-25; Matt. 19:13-22

      Notes from the Front Line

***** For the sheer joy of it: Best coin ever spent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAXQXb0sgpk

1. ++++++++Nancy – In a domestic violence shelter and will be transitioning into her first apartment. Fearful of living on her own. As a result of domestic violence, she has a broken wrist which is scheduled for surgery on Dec. 6. Has her grandchildren with her that she cares for; Lourdes, Antonio, Manuel as well as her son Wallie, and daughter Harshanie. Prayer for the Lord’s continued protection and provision for all. For the Lord to take away the fear and replace it with His strength and courage.

2. +Judy – pray for the Lord’s protection and provision for all family members, including her son who is in prison. That they would all come to know Jesus and change their lives.

3. +Devine – To stay focused on how God is transforming his life and not to back slide into his previous life. To continue to seek the Lord for his strength to continue to work the program. Continued provision for his family.

Albany Intercessor

Syria

From The Irish Independent:

Syria’s main opposition group has accused government troops of deploying heavy weapons inside a historic Orthodox monastery north of Damascus. The Western-backed Syrian National Coalition said in a statement on Saturday that President Bashar Assad’s army has turned the Cherubim Monastery into a base. From there, they say, troops shell surrounding villages predominantly populated by Sunni Muslims, who dominate rebel ranks.

Today’s collect, adapted:

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of Syria, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

This post reports the new Jesus statue at the Cherubim monastery and this post describes Saidnaya in the valley below the Cherubim monastery.

Luke 23:39-43

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
      Holy Spirit, help us daily recognize our need for Jesus to save us from the just punishment we deserve.

      Jesus, thank you for remembering me now that you are in your kingdom.

      Father, thank you for asking so much of your son Jesus. Thank you for his willingness to go to the cross for us — to drink of the cup you had prepared for him.

A word received: Be still and know that I AM God. Find your rest in me.

Sunday: 118 * 145; Isa. 19:19-25; Rom. 15:5-13; Luke 19:11-27
Proper 29 Closest to November 23: 46; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:35-43 or Luke 19:29-38
Monday: 106:1-18 * 106:19-48; Joel 3:1-2,9-17; 1 Pet. 1:1-12; Matt. 19:1-12

      Notes from the Front Line

***** For the sheer joy of it: Best coin ever spent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAXQXb0sgpk

Albany Intercessor

Isaiah 58:6-12

Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)
      Lord, help us set the oppressed free and break every yoke of bondage.

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
      Holy Spirit, move our hearts with compassion to come alongside those who are suffering and in need.

Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8 )
      Holy Father, we long for your light, the light of Jesus, to shine forth in our lives.

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, (Isaiah 58:9)
      Jesus, please help us forgive so that we may be forgiven. Hear us when we call out to you.

If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. (Isaiah 58:10)
      Holy Spirit, help us see and reach out to the poor and the afflicted.

The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Isaiah 58:11)
      Jesus, let your living water flow through us and out to others. Let us and our homes be watered gardens where others may find the refreshment of your Holy Spirit.

Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. (Isaiah 58:12)
      Jesus, Repairer of the Breach between God and man, help us to be restorers of streets to dwell in. Renew Schenectady and all the communities of this diocese. Help us follow in your footsteps and build up the old waste places and raise up new structures that have you as their foundation. Thank you.

A word received: Come to me for help and protection.

A prayer received: Pour out your word and your Spirit on you Church and end the famine of both.

Saturday: 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13) * 33; Isa. 65:17-25; Rev. 22:14-21; Matt. 18:21-35
Sunday: 118 * 145; Isa. 19:19-25; Rom. 15:5-13; Luke 19:11-27
Proper 29 Closest to November 23: 46; Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:35-43 or Luke 19:29-38

      Notes from the Front Line

***** Schenectady City Mission Prayer Table Report, Thursday November 21, 2013, 5:10 – 6:10 p.m.. Torre 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
a–indicates anointed with Holy Water

Ted (volunteer) — His granddaughter Camille is not as good as she was. The appeal to get insurance coverage for her lyme disease was denied.

Dan — He is struggling with his daughter Julia.

a Gary — He asked for prayer about what to say to the people as a meditation at the meal.

+a Ralph (man) — He is homeless and in need of a job.

++a Davon (man) — We prayed for the pain in his neck. He took an extra cross for his girlfriend.

+a Earl and +a Kathrine and two ++ children. We prayed for provision and protection.

a Bruce (volunteer) — We prayed for his dad, Norman. Norman’s wife Lelia died in April. They had been married 69 years.

+Sue (woman) — She asked for wisdom for her family. She was saved in a Billy Graham crusade 45 years ago.

***** Christ Church Schenectady Prayer Table Report, Saturday, June 29, 2013, 9:15 – 10:30 a.m. Louise Popa, David Haig, Steve Evans, and Torre Bissell on State St. and Carol MacNaughton and Mark Pasko on Albany St. VERY cold and windy.

+–indicates received a wooden cross made by Dennis Adams of North Carolina
a–indicates was anointed with Holy Water
199–“199 Promises of God”, a small paperback with encouraging quotes from the Bible
g–indicates gloves given out

State St.

Tobias (man) — He is going to be baptized on Tuesday. Glad he is finally going to take the plunge.

Richard (man) and Maya (baby daughter) — They were on the way to visit his sister.

Jason (man) — “Hit and Run” prayer

g Tina (woman) — She prayer for provision and protection. She just moved her from Missouri.

g Elena and g 199 Nisa (these two young women drove up and asked for prayer for Nisa’s son Angel.

Paula and John (regulars, they drove up) and her friend +Kathy — We prayed for Paula’s family and then we prayed for Kathy and her daughter Zaradia who is terminally ill with liver disease. We also prayed for Paula’s dad Johnny who has cancer.

g g (Hispanic couple) — They did not want prayer but really appreciated the gloves.

+g g Shada and Coben — Later Shada came back for a pair of gloves for her son.

David (man) — We prayed for his ministry with vets at the VA who are in recovery.

g g Mahendra (young man, regular) — He has given his life to Jesus. He got an extra pair of gloves for his girlfriend.

g (woman) — No prayer

Tona (man) — “Hit and Run” prayer

Albany Street 9:40 AM – 10:40AM, Carol MacNaughton, Mark Pasko and guitar, really, really windy!

G – given winter gloves
H – given a winter hat
+ – given a Dennis Adams wooden cross

Steve – hit and run prayer

GH Angel (young girl) – prayers for her life

GGH Estelle (Angel’s mom) – prayers for her pastor, her church (unity), and her life with the Lord

Unknown man walking by, came and joined hands with us as we prayed for Angel and Estelle. Then he blesses us and left.

HHHHGG – Jamie – a young mother with a stroller, 2 young girls, and a son at home – bless and watchover the family

Gary – hit and run prayer

G Cindy – blessing, praise for her new housing, next to a church
+ James (Cindy’s son) – praise for the healing of his thyroid; prayers for the healing of his nervous system

Unknown walk by blessed us

G Elijiah – blessed us!

(ran out of gloves)

++ Patty – housing for her and her 2 daughters (currently living in a hotel), provision

H+ Keith – blessings

H+ Jay – blessings, walk with God

(ran out of hats)

+ Malaca – pray to better her life

+Sincere (young man) – his life

Robert – blessing

+Jeff – more thankful than anything, he had lost everything (divorce, children) but now rebuilding. He recently moved to Schnectady, has a job, and housing, looking for a church.

++Tom – prayer for his son, Tom Jr, to stay clean (in recovery) of drugs and alcohol.

+Michael – his father. Ron, has just died. We prayed peace; also God to clear the congestion in Michael’s chest

+ Janet – prayers for family safety, keep them strong under pressure, (Cross is for her grandson)

Albany Intercessor

Syria

From the BBC:

More than 11,000 children have died in Syria’s civil war in nearly three years, including hundreds targeted by snipers, a new report says.

Father in heaven,
Make haste to aid Your children in Syria. Their names are written on the palms of Your hands, and Your strong arm is not foreshortened.
Isaiah 49:16

Syria

Ezekiel 33:11a (KJV)
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live:

The Lord is high above Syria and His glory above the heavens. Blessed be His name. It is the Lord God’s pleasure that the wicked turn from his way and live.

Grant the church inside and outside Syria Your word and Your wisdom. We pray for workers to do the planting and the reaping, workers to accomplish and completely finish the Father’s work in Syria.

Mobilize the church outside of Syria to come to the aid of their brothers and sisters still within the nation. Stir the intercessors. Open up relief supply lines. Strengthen Your church and bring reinforcements. Amen.
Psalm 113:4, John 4:34-38