Prayer for Common Cause

The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday

2008-05-10T15:18:00.006-04:00

Let Us Pray For...
Diocese of San Joaquin, ACN
The Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield
Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

Los Angeles Chapter, AAC

San Diego Chapter, AAC
Mr. Clinton Smith

Special Pray Petitions
Please pray for Bishop Schofield's health. Also that the Diocese will walk hand in hand with the Lord Jesus Christ, standing firm on His truth and direction.

From the Scriptures
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

"Come now; let us leave."

John 14:15-31 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

"Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
Let us thine influence prove,
Source of the old prophetic fire,
Fountain of life and love.

Come, Holy Ghost (for moved by thee
The prophets wrote and spoke);
Unlock the truth, thyself the key,
Unseal the sacred book.

Expand thy wings, celestial dove,
Brood o'er our nature's night;
On our disordered spirits move,
And let there now be light.

God through himself we then shall know,
If thou within us shine;
And sound, with all thy saints below,
The depths of love divine.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Hymns and Sacred Poems

Week of VII Easter

2008-05-06T09:46:00.005-04:00

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

Idaho Chapter, American Anglican Council (AAC)
Mr. Doug Hackler

Oregon Chapter, American Anglican Council (AAC)
Mr. Rick Carlin

And Let Us Intercede For...

St George’s (Lowville)
St Hilda’s (Oakville)
Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharines)
Ontario - Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)

A judge has ordered these parishes to share their facilities with Church of Canada members until final adjudication of ownership.

From the ANiC Press Release:
[“We are saddened and deeply disappointed that the judge ruled in favour of a sharing arrangement,” said the Ven Charlie Masters, rector of St George's Lowville. “We attempted this arrangement on February 24th and found it to be terribly difficult. Our parishioners were deeply distressed by the damaging effect the arrangement had on the life and ministry of our congregations. The congregations have experienced much hostility from members of the diocese, particularly since our votes, and they go to church on Sundays for healing and restoration, not to be confronted by conflict and hostility. We are also deeply concerned about the disruption to the community ministries and mission work and those who have benefited from these ministries. We will be consulting with our leadership and congregations to determine the best way forward in light of this decision.” In all three instances, the Diocese maintains highly suitable alternative sites within the immediate vicinity of the contested parish buildings.]

Please pray for God's comfort, protection and guidance for these faithful Anglicans.

Holy Scripture

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

VII Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day

2008-05-03T12:52:00.011-04:00

Let Us Pray For...

Idaho Chapter, AAC
Mr. Doug Hackler

Oregon Chapter, AAC
Mr. Rick Carlin

Special Prayer Petitions
Pray for the members of the Idaho and Oregon Chapters of the AAC. Please pray for continued growth in the newly formed Idaho Chapter. Pray for Grace Anglican Church in Boise, ID (Fr. David Baker) and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Portland, OR (The Rev. David L. Humphrey, Rector).

From the Scriptures
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

I Peter 4:7-11 (NLT)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Spirit to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

"The Sunday after Ascension Day," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
"Alas, beloved people, listen! We should be careful not to love too much what we will have to forsake, lest indeed we forsake too much what we should possess eternally."

Blickling Homily X (c. Late 9th Cent.)
"The End of the World"

Ascension Day

2008-05-01T08:38:00.002-04:00

Let Us Give Thanks For...

Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)
Vocations to Ordained Ministry

On Ascension Day, May 1, at St Luke's in Akron OH, Bishop Roger Ames willordain into the prebyterate the following 5 candidates:
Sean Templeton of Holy Trinity, Milan OH.
Kevin Maney of St Matthew's, Westerville OH.
Greg Heath of St Anne-in-the-Fields, Madison OH.
David Smith of Good Samaritan, Cleveland Heights OH.
Jeremy Lile of St Luke's, Akron OH

On the Feast of the Eve of Trinity Sunday, May 17, at The Falls Church inVirginia, Bishop David Bena will ordain the following 3 candidates into the diaconate:
Jeffrey Harrison Altman of Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester NY.
Vanessa A. Bickle of Apostles, Fairfax VA.
John Elgin Kurcina of Christ the King, Alexandria VA

The following 5 candidates will be made priests on May 17:
James Walter Brown of Messiah, Chesapeake VA.
Robert Hillis Fickley of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
James Levi Guthrie, Jr. of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
Charles Larry Shrum of The Falls Church, Falls Church VA.
William Edwin Wilson of Our Saviour, Leesburg VA

The CANA Vocations Committee currently is serving about 80 other aspirants,seminarians, postulants, and ordinands.

Special Prayer Alert: Bishop Joel Obetia

2008-04-30T20:21:00.010-04:00

Let us Pray For...

Bishop Joel Obetia, who is part of the GAFCON worship leadership, to be granted a visa to come to Jerusalem leaving Uganda this Friday evening. Urgent and important. It will need a special letter from the Tourism ministry to achieve.

Rogation Wednesday

2008-04-30T08:11:00.002-04:00

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

Western Region, Forward in Faith North America (FiFNA)

and

Western Convocation, Anglican Communion Network (ACN)
Fr. William Thompson, Dean

And Let Us Pray For...

The Diocese of Athabasca
Now in Communion with The Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)

Holy Scripture

HEAR, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; * show thyself also, thou that sittest upon the Cherubim.
Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, * stir up thy strength, and come and help us.
Turn us again, O God; * show the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
O LORD God of hosts, * how long wilt thou be angry with thy people that prayeth?
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears, * and givest them plenteousness of tears to drink.
Thou hast made us a very strife unto our neighbours, * and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Turn us again, thou God of hosts; * show the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; * thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
Thou madest room for it; * and when it had taken root, it filled the land.
The hills were covered with the shadow of it, * and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedar-trees.
She stretched out her branches unto the sea, * and her boughs unto the River.
Why hast thou then broken down her hedge, * that all they that go by pluck off her grapes?
The wild boar out of the wood doth root it up, * and the wild beasts of the field devour it.
Turn thee again, thou God of hosts, look down from heaven, * behold, and visit this vine;
And the place of the vineyard that thy right hand hath planted, * and the branch that thou madest so strong for thyself.
It is burnt with fire, and cut down; * and they shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, * and upon the son of man, whom thou madest so strong for thine own self.
And so will not we go back from thee: * let us live, and we shall call upon thy Name.
Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts; * show the light of thy countenance, and we shall be whole.
GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;
AS it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
Psalm 80, Morning Prayer for Rogation Tuesday, 1928 BCP (USA)

VI Easter

2008-04-26T15:10:00.008-04:00

Let Us Pray For...
Western Region, FiFNA

Western Convocation, ACN
Fr. William Thompson

Special Prayer Petitions
Please continue to pray for FiFNA's national Assembly at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL on June 11. Forward in Faith NA welcomes all of its Common Cause Partners to the 2008 Assembly in the suburb of Saint Louis.

On Wednesday, June 11th, representatives will gather from across the USA and Canada for three days at Our Lady of the Snows retreat center in Belleville, Illinois, for renewed Christian witness and mission in this new climate of cooperation. The featured speakers will be the Reverend Canon Keith Roderick addressing the Imperiled Christians of the Middle East and Carrie Boren on Evangelism.

The Assembly will hear from world church leaders, and leaders from many parts of the Anglican Church in the USA and Canada. The annual gathering will include noted preachers Right Rev. Donald Parsons, and Rev. Dr. Arnold Klukas, both of whom are professors at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin; the Right Rev. John Broadhurst from the UK will give an update on the English front; and education sessions by Lay Teachers Sister Mary Charles, All Saints’ Sisters of the Poor, and Mr. John Witt, a former city attorney of San Diego.

The three day Assembly will focus on moving “forward together in mission: celebrating Common Cause” cooperation in working for the renewal of Christian witness to Gospel of Jesus Christ and upholding the Faith and Order of the Undivided Church.

Please continue to pray for the Anglican Communion Network. According to Network Moderator Bishop Robert Duncan, "The diocesan bishop of every Network diocese, as well as a dean representing all the Network convocations, met together in Chicago on April 24. It was an extraordinarily productive meeting. As has happened so many times before in the Network’s five year history, deepened understanding and deeper unity, despite remarkably different contexts and strategies regarding the Episcopal Church, were the fruit of the meeting. The Network’s vision of a biblical, missionary and united Anglicanism was again affirmed and embraced."

From the Scriptures
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 27 (KJV)

A Guiding Prayer
O Lord, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

"The Fifth Sunday after Easter, commonly called Rogation Sunday," The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

A Heritage Reflection
"Understand now and bless this: many are one bread and one body in Christ. He is our head, and we are his members. Bread does not consist of one grain but of many and wine not of one grape but of many. Thus we must have unity in our Lord, just as it is written about the faithful host, that they were in as great a unity as if they were all one soul and one heart."

Aelfric, Abbot of Eynsham (955?-1020?)
"On the Sacrifice of Easter"

Week of V Easter

2008-04-22T18:45:00.003-04:00

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...

Diocese of Western Canada & Alaska, Reformed Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Charles Dorrington (Bishop Ordinary)

Diocese of Central & Eastern Canada, Reformed Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Michael Fedechko (Bishop Ordinary)

And Let Us Pray For...

Clergy in six Lower Mainland Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) churches who are responding to "abandonment of ministry" charges.

Pray also for their new Bishop, Donald Harvey (ANiC/Southern Cone) and for their former Bishop Michael Ingham (Anglican Church of Canada), who is making the charges against them.

Holy Scripture

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
Hebrews 11:32-38, NLT

V Easter

2008-04-19T15:50:00.030-04:00

Let Us Pray For...
Diocese of Western Canada & Alaska, Reformed Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Charles Dorrington (Bishop Ordinary)

Diocese of Central & Eastern Canada, Reformed Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Michael Fedechko (Bishop Ordinary)

Special Prayer Petitions
Please pray for these Alaskan and Canadian churches as they continue to proclaim the gospel of Christ in their communities. Pray that their ties with other Anglican Provinces around the world will continue to strengthen. Please also pray that they will be a source of encouragement and fellowship to their Canadian Anglican neighbors experiencing persecution.

From the Scriptures
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 17-23 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
O Almighty Father, thou King eternal, immortal, invisible, thou only wise God our Saviour; Hasten, we beseech thee, the coming upon earth of the kingdom of thy Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and draw the whole world of mankind into willing obedience to his blessed reign. Overcome all his enemies, and bring low every power that is exalted against him. Cast out all the evil things which cause wars and fightings among us, and let thy Spirit rule the hearts of men in righteousness and love. Repair the desolations of former days; rejoice the wilderness with beauty; and make glad the city with thy law. Establish every work that is founded on truth and equity, and fulfil all the good hopes and desires of thy people. Manifest thy will, Almighty Father, in the brotherhood of man, and bring in universal peace; through the victory of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"For the Coming of Christ’s Kingdom and Universal Peace,"
The Book of Common Prayer (According to the Use of The Reformed Episcopal Church in North America)

A Heritage Reflection
"To put our own sense on Scripture, without respect to the use of words, and to the reason and scope of the text, is not to believe Scripture, but to make it, is not to learn from Scripture, but to teach it to speak our language, is not to submit to the authority of Scripture, but to make Scripture submit to our reason, even in such matters as are confessedly above reason, as the infinite Nature and Essence of God is."

Rev. William Sherlock (1641?-1707)

A Vindication of the Doctrine of the Trinity

April 16, 2008

2008-04-16T10:44:00.002-04:00

Please pray for...
Victims and survivors of a fire at Buddo Girls' School, Province of Uganda

Message from Anglican Communion Network (ACN) Communications Office:
"there was a fire last night at the Buddo Girls' School in Kampala [Anglican Province of Uganda] where 19 girls and 2 adults died. The fire appears to have been deliberately set. Mama Phoebe (Orombi) and Rev. Helen are presently in Virginia, leaving tonight from D.C. with a 12 hour layover in London. Please pray for the families of the victims, for Mama Phoebe and Rev. Helen, for Archbishop Henry and for all those involved."

April 15, 2008

2008-04-15T20:14:00.005-04:00

Please pray for...
Church of the Good Shepherd, Binghamton, NY
Anglican Province of Kenya

Special Prayer Need
A press release indicates that the parish is being sued by the Diocese of Central New York (TEC). In obedience to Christ, please pray for the parish and for those who are attacking it.

Holy Scripture
Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said. Luke 12:10-12, NLT

Week of IV Easter

2008-04-15T19:31:00.004-04:00

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...
Common Cause Observers
Anglican Province of America (APA)
Anglican Essentials Canada (AEC)
Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas (FACA)

Special Prayer Petitions
Let us give thanks and intercede for Continuing Anglicans, who maintain sacred wisdom and traditions amidst great change and hostility.

Holy Scripture
Psalm 12
1 Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!
2 Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
3 May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues.
4 They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”
5 The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”
6 The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.
7 Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation,
8 even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.

Psalm 13
1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?
2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
New Living Translation

IV Easter

2008-04-12T10:32:00.021-04:00

Let Us Pray For...
Common Cause Observers
Anglican Province of America (APA)
Anglican Essentials Canada (AEC)
Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas (FACA)

Special Prayer Petitions
Please continue to pray for The APA Bishops, who, along with the REC Bishops, will be meeting with the gathering of the Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas. FACA is an attempt to bring together the Continuing Anglican churches. The latter meeting will be concerned primarily with the final vote to join the Common Cause Partners.

Please pray for the Anglican Province in America Provincial Synod at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL, July 23-25. Please also pray for the current members of FACA: The Anglican Church in America, The Anglican Mission in the Americas, The Anglican Province in America, the Diocese of the Holy Cross, Episcopal Missionary Church, and the Reformed Episcopal Church.

Please pray for “Compelled by Christ's Love,” the Anglican Network in Canada national conference, April 25-26. Anglican Essentials Canada and the Network will gather in the Vancouver area, in South Delta Baptist Church - where many of us have gathered for important ACiNW (now ANiC BC) and Essentials events in the past. The conference will be a time to celebrate God’s provision and leading, a time for rich Bible ministry, and a time to refocus on the mission Christ gave His Church. Please plan to join us--and Archbishop Gregory Venables, Primate of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone!

From the Scriptures
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:3-11 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
THIS is indeed the first and great command, to love Thee, O God, with all our heart: for on this depends our salvation. But even this must be the gift of Thy grace: for this grace I now apply to Thee, to make my love and fear of Thee the governing principle of my whole life; that I may always do what I believe will please Thee; that I may carefully avoid what I know will offend Thee; and that I may live as having Thee the constant witness of my thoughts, words, and actions.

Give me a steadfast faith in Thy word and promise; a firm trust in Thy power. Let the fear of Thy justice keep me from presumption, and a sense of Thy goodness from despair. Defend me from all those bewitching snares which destroy our love of Thee: from worldly cares; from all sensual and sinful pleasures; from evil company; from foolish diversions; and from every thing that may make me forget, that Thou alone art worthy to be feared and loved. Grant me these mercies for Thy Son Jesus Christ and His sake; whose love and death we are going to commemorate. Amen.

Bishop Thomas Wilson (1698-1755)
"A Further Instruction for Such As Have Learned the Church Catechism," Works (Vol. IV)

A Heritage Reflection
"If you believe Him to be the fountain of all good, you will pray to Him daily. And if you put your whole trust in God, as it is your duty to do, you will endeavour to be pleased with all His dealings with you, you will never murmur at the ways of His providence, not suffer your heart to fret against the Lord. And especially you will never attempt to better or secure your condition by evil ways: believing assuredly, that God can and will make you full amends in the next life, for what you want or suffer in this in submission to His will."

Bishop Thomas Wilson (1698-1755)
"A Further Instruction for Such As Have Learned the Church Catechism," Works (Vol. IV)

Commemoration of William Law

2008-04-10T13:46:00.004-04:00

William Law (ordained 1761), a Priest of the Church of England, endured loss of income and other indignities due to the church politics of his time - yet left a legacy of devotional insight and spiritual renewal for the church.

Let Us Pray For...

All Common Cause Partners enduring hostility.

Bishop Edward MacBurney (FiFNA/Southern Cone), for comfort at the death of his son, and for the Holy Spirit's strength and words as he faces accusations from The Episcopal Church
Bishop Robert Duncan (ACN) for strength and wisdom in leadership and to endure hostility in the service of Christ
Bishop John David Schofield (ACN/Southern Cone) for good health and the Spirit's guidance for leadership and to endure hostility
Bishop William Cox (ACN/Southern Cone) for the Spirit's guidance
Give thanks for the trial court decision favoring the CANA congregations in Virginia. Pray for God's help with appelate cases, and for the people to follow the Godly counsel of their Bishops in responding to enemies.
Pray for the CANA congregations in Ohio, facing legal attacks mounted by TEC. Pray for the protection of Bishop Ames and his people, and pray that their hosting of this Summer's CANA gathering be a source of inspiration and joy.
Give thanks for the recent favorable court decisions allowing Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) congregations to continue use of their facilities. Pray for their continued protection and for strength and guidance for their clergy, especially those facing discipline.
In obedience to our Lord's command and in faithfulness to his example, let us pray for those who are hostile to CCP and are attacking its members.

From William Law:

Poor Sinner! consider the Treasure thou hast within Thee, the Saviour of the World, the eternal Word of God lies hid in Thee, as a Spark of the Divine Nature, which is to overcome Sin and Death, and Hell within Thee, and generate the Life of Heaven again in thy Soul. Turn to thy Heart, and thy Heart will find its Saviour, its God within itself. Thou seest, hearest, and feelest nothing of God, because thou seekest for Him abroad with thy outward Eyes, thou seekest for Him in Books, in Controversies, in the Church, and outward Exercises, but there thou wilt not find him, till thou hast first found Him in thy Heart. Seek for Him in thy Heart, and thou wilt never seek in vain, for there He dwelleth, there is the Seat of his Light and Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of Prayer, Book II (1750)

Please use the comments feature of this blog to update or correct any of the above requests, and especially to add the prayer needs of any other CCP members who are under attack.

Week of III Easter

2008-04-09T22:39:00.003-04:00

Let Us Continue in Prayer For...
The Reformed Episcopal Church (REC)
The Rt. Rev. Leonard W. Riches (Presiding Bishop)

The Reformed Episcopal Church Mission Statement
Adopted by the Bishops of this ChurchDecember 3, 1992
Revised by the Council of Bishops, October 2, 2003
Built upon the foundation of the authoritative Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, the Reformed Episcopal Church sets her highest priority on biblical worship and declares her commitment to the work of evangelism, the bold and unadulterated proclamation of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:4). In keeping the faith once delivered to the saints, the Reformed Episcopal Church, however, does not believe evangelism to be the end, but rather the beginning of her divinely given vocation.
In addition to being evangelical, she is deeply committed to discipleship, the work of training evangelized men and women in Christian living (St. Matthew 28:20). When the Gospel is truly proclaimed and the mercies of God are made known, redeemed men and women must be led to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, which is their spiritual service (Romans 12:1). Thus, the Reformed Episcopal Church understands the Christian life to be necessarily corporate. The Gospel call of salvation is not only to a savior, but also to a visible communion (I Cor.12:27) which, being indwelt by Christ's Spirit, transcends both temporal and geographic bounds.
Therefore, the Reformed Episcopal Church is creedal, following the historic catholic faith as it was confessed by the early undivided Church in the Apostles' (A.D. 150), Nicene (A.D. 325) and Athanasian Creeds (circa. A.D. 401); sacramental, practicing the divinely ordained sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper as outward and visible signs of His inward and spiritual grace; liturgical, using the historic Book of Common Prayer; and Episcopal, finding unity with the Church of the earliest Christian eras through submission to the government of godly bishops.
In this fashion, by embracing the broad base of doctrine and practice inherent in apostolic Christianity received by the Church of the English Reformation and expressed in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, the Reformed Episcopal Church has a foundation for effective ministry in the name of Christ to a world which is lost and dying without Him.
Approved, General Committee, October 5, 2003

III Easter

2008-04-05T13:43:00.009-04:00

Let Us Pray For...
The Reformed Episcopal Church (REC)
The Rt. Rev. Leonard W. Riches (Presiding Bishop)

Special Prayer Petitions
The upcoming spring Council (House) of Bishops meeting in Charleston, SC. We need prayer for finalizing plans for our upcoming triennial General Council (Convention) this fall in Victoria. In addition, both REC and APA Bishops will be present for the spring Council of Bishops meeting. Pray that the REC and the APA would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to complete merger plans.

The REC/APA Bishops will be meeting also with the gathering of the Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas. FACA is an attempt to bring together the Continuing Anglican churches. The latter meeting will be concerned primarily with the final vote to join the Common Cause Partners.

Third, please pray for our fundraising efforts to send our bishops to the GAFCON meeting in Jerusalem. We are all so very encouraged and excited about meeting numerous other orthodox Anglican Bishops from the Global South and around the world. Finally, we are seeing the faithful come together. We rejoice to be part of it.

From the Scriptures
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 3:20-4:6 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"The Second Sunday After Easter," The Book of Common Prayer (According to the Use of The Reformed Episcopal Church in North America)

A Heritage Reflection
"For preservation of Christianity there is not any thing more needful, than that such as are of the visible Church have mutual fellowship and society one with another."

Richard Hooker (1554?-1600)
The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity (Book III)

Thanks Be to God

2008-04-04T08:25:00.007-04:00

Let us give thanks
Virginia CCP churches keep their property

The court found that there is a real "division" in TEC and the Anglican Communion, and that the CCP churches rightly invoked Virginia law is separating from TEC. Please note May 28th on your calendar and be praying, as there will be a ruling then on TEC's constitutional challenge to the Virginia statute.

Non nobis Domine non nobis,
Sed Nomini tuo da gloriam
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to Your Name give glory.
Psalm 115:1

Eve of anticipated Virginia ruling

2008-04-03T21:12:00.002-04:00

BabyBlueOnline (a lay person in the CCP) renews a call for prayer

Psalm
I will remember the works of the LORD, *and call to mind your wonders of old time.

I will meditate on all your acts *and ponder your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy; *who is so great a god as our God?

You are the God who works wonders *and have declared your power among the peoples.

By your strength you have redeemed your people, *the children of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you, O God;the waters saw you and trembled; *the very depths were shaken.

The clouds poured out water;the skies thundered; *your arrows flashed to and fro;

The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind;your lightnings lit up the world; *the earth trembled and shook.

Your way was in the sea,and your paths in the great waters, *yet your footsteps were not seen.

You led your people like a flock *by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalm 77:11-20 Page 693, BCP

Special Prayer Appeal

2008-04-02T22:34:00.002-04:00

Please pray
It is anticipated that the judge is about to render his opinion in litigation involving Common Cause congregations in Virginia. Prayers are requested and details of the issues are at the link.

Scripture offered at BabyBlueOnline
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:"See, I lay a stone in Zion,a tested stone,a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
Isaiah 28:16

Week of II Easter

2008-04-02T07:01:00.003-04:00

Let us continue in prayer for
Forward in Faith North America (FiFNA)
The Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, SSC, DD (Director)
Fr. William H. Ilgenfritz (Convocational Dean)

Pray for Pilgrims
Many FiFNA clergy and people include pilgrimages to holy sites in their rule of life. Please pray for their safe travel and for spiritual refreshment and renewal.

Scripture
O HOW amiable are thy dwellings, * thou LORD of hosts!
My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the LORD; * my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young; * even thy altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; * they will be alway praising thee.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; * in whose heart are thy ways.
Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well; * and the pools are filled with water.
They will go from strength to strength, * and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.
from Psalm 84

Tradition
By this way, then, at the bidding of Christ our God, and helped by the prayers of the holy men who accompanied us, we arrived at the fourth hour, at the summit of Sinai, the holy mountain of God, where the law was given, that is, at the place where the Glory of the Lord descended on the day when the mountain smoked.
From "The Pilgrimage of Egeria"

Reason
Geography too sprang from the same source. Each pilgrim who wrote an account of his travels for the instruction and edification of his fellows was unconsciously laying the foundations of a new science; and it is astonishing how very early these written accounts begin.
Catholic Encyclopedia

II Easter

2008-03-29T17:47:00.012-04:00

Let Us Pray For...
Forward in Faith, North America (FiFNA)
The Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, SSC, DD (Director)
Fr. William H. Ilgenfritz (Convocational Dean)

Special Prayer Petitions
Please pray for FiFNA's Council:
The Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, SSC, DD, President
The Rev. William H. Ilgenfritz, SSC, Vice President
The Rev. Warren V. Tanghe, SSC, Vice President
The Rev. Michael Brooks, Secretary
Mr. Karl O. Sharp, Treasurer
The Rev. Canon Edward den Blaauwen, SSC, Executive Administrator
The Rt. Rev. Jack L. Iker, SSC, Episcopal Member
The Rt. Rev. William C. Watland, Episcopal Member
The Rt. Rev. Donald J. Parsons, Episcopal Member
The Rt. Rev. Richard Boyce, Episcopal Member
The Rev. James Guill, SSC, Clergy Member
The Rev. Lawrence D. Bausch, SSC--Church Office
The Rev. Keith Acker, SSC--Press Officer, Editorial Board
Mr. Robert Shattuck, Lay Member
Mrs. JoAnn Patton, Lay Member
Lt. Col. John F.D. Armstrong, Lay Member
and the many Ex-Officio Adjunct, Episcopal Adjunct, International Adjunct, and Other Adjunct Members.

From the Scriptures
"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. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)

A Guiding Prayer
Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"The First Sunday after Easter," The Book of Common Prayer (1928, USA)

A Heritage Reflection
"May God, who seeth all things, and who is the Ruler of all spirits and the Lord of all flesh--who chose our Lord Jesus Christ and us through Him to be a peculiar people--grant to every soul that calleth upon His glorious and holy Name, faith, fear, peace, patience, long-suffering, self-control, purity, and sobriety, to the well-pleasing of His Name, through our High Priest and Protector, Jesus Christ, by whom be to Him glory, and majesty, and power, and honor, both now and for evermore. Amen."

The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians (c. AD 97)

Easter Wednesday

2008-03-26T18:17:00.003-04:00

Let us continue in prayer for
Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)
The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns, Missionary Bishop
The Anglican Church of Nigeria

Please pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance of the 2008 CANA Council, August 21-23 in Akron, OH.

Ask God's blessing on CANA's mission values:

Radical Inclusion
Profound Transformation
Inspired Service

For Clergy

Pray for The Rev'd Alan Crippen II, who will be made a priest at Grace Chruch and St. Stephen's in Colorado Springs on April 13th.

Give thanks and pray for three new deacons ordained this year: Dan Clark and Marge Marcewicz in Wyoming, and Sheri Graham in Texas.

Pray for all CANA clergy and their families.

Easter

2008-03-22T18:18:00.004-04:00

Let us pray for

Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)

The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns (Missionary Bishop)

Anglican Church of Nigeria

Adorations:

Praise God for the celebrations of Holy Week..

Praise God for the conversions, baptisms, and recommitments to JesusChrist of youth and adults in several CANA congregations..

Praise God for the fresh surge of emphasis on healing and the powerful ministry of the Holy Spirit in several CANA congregations..

Praise God for the dozens of Burmese immigrants recently confirmed at a church in Tennessee..

Praise God for the courage of a congregation in Texas to help stop a modern child slavery racket.

Confessions:

Sorrow for the slow progress in evangelizing the 10/40 window andunreached people groups in other parts of the world..

Sorrow for the failure of discipleship in the Church at large that has allowed some evangelical Christians in the West to convert to Islam..

Sorrow for the greed that has led to the US economic downturn.

Thanksgivings:

Thanksgiving for the growth of churches in the Majority World, includingthe planting of 300 new churches in the Church of Nigeria in the past year..

Thanksgiving for the effective progress of Anglican ministries in fighting pandemics in the Majority World..

Thanksgiving for the continued leadership of the Church of Nigeria and other provinces in leading a way forward for the future of Anglican Christianity..

Thanksgiving for the straightforward articulations of Bishop Mouneer of Egypt..

Thanksgiving for the life witness of Bishop Cox and Bishop Schofield..

Thanksgiving for the courage and faithfulness of our brothers and sistersin Canada.. Thanksgiving for the emerging ministries of CANA's and AMiA's new bishops..

Thanksgiving for the wisdom and discernment of Virginia Judge Bellows, re the TEC litigation against CANA churches in Virginia..

Praise God for the safe return of Chaplain Rindahl from Iraq.

Supplications:

For peace through Jesus Christ in the Middle East, the Congo, the Sudan,and other places torn by war and corrupt leadership..

For GAFCON: for Godspeed & good health for all participants..

For Common Cause, for wisdom..

For orthodox clergy and congregations discerning the future of their Anglican affiliation..

For the strengthening of clergy marriages and family relationships..

For bi-vocational priests facing difficult decisions about balancing their schedule..

For all clergy and laity who are being pinched by the current state ofthe US economy..

For seminarians seeking open doors to serve God and the Church..

For missionaries having difficulty raising funds; that they may find newopen doors and places to serve.

Scripture, Tradition and Reason:

(Jesus) promised to be not only with these disciples, but also with all who would subsequently believe after them. Jesus speaks to all believers as if to one body. Do not speak to me, he says, of the difficulties you will face, for "I am with you," as the one who makes all things easy. Remember that this is also said repeatedly to the prophets in the Old Testament. Recall Jeremiah objecting that he is too young and Moses and Ezekiel shrinking from the prophetic office. "I am with you" is spoken to all these people.
St. John Chrysostom, The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 90.2

Maundy Thursday

2008-03-20T17:21:00.004-04:00

Let us thank the Lord that
Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) congregations will remain in their churches through Easter!

"A judge in the Ontario Superior Court in Hamilton, Madam Justice Milanetti, reserved her decision today on whether the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) parishes of St George's Lowville (Milton, Ontario), St Hilda's (Oakville, Ontario) and Church of the Good Shepherd (St Catharines, Ontario) will retain exclusive use of their church facilities while the bigger legal issues of who owns the buildings are sorted out." (ANiC News Release)
Let us continue to pray

for these and all parishes now in dispute with their former diocese regarding property ownership. Pray that this will not distract from their ministries and that they will know God's direction in this matter.

Pray for all ANiC clergy facing canonical charges, and most of all for the spiritual wellbeing of all ANiC members in this time of conflict. As Christ teaches, pray also for those who are set against them.

Scripture:
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32, NLT

Holy Wednesday

2008-03-19T12:26:00.002-04:00

Please keep up intercession for a special need of
The Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)

Pray specifically for a court case on March 20 [Maundy Thursday] in Southern Ontario that could be precedent setting. Please pray for the two churches involved - St George's Lowville (Milton) and St Hilda's (Oakville) - and the clergy who must prepare affidavits for this court appearance - the Rev Canon Charlie Masters (also General Secretary of the Common Cause Partnership) and the Rev Paul Charbonneau. Please pray for an unbiased judge; for clarity of thought and presentation for our legal representatives and witnesses; that God would be honoured in all we do; and that the outcome would be to His glory and the building of His Kingdom.

Scripture

The Lord GOD has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens--
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
The Lord GOD helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
It is the Lord GOD who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Isaiah 50:4-9a