Let us pray for California, as several large storm fronts arrive. Pray especially for protection from mudslides, which tend to happen during heavy rains in areas recently ravaged by wildfires.

Let us give thanks that winter weather did not get in the way of high turnouts for the Iowa Caucases.

Let us pray for safe travel for Primary voters in New Hampshire.

Dear Kenyan Friends and Friends of Kenya,

You may have heard that there is a terrible outbreak of violence in Kenya in the wake of the most closely contested election in Kenya’s history. So far probably 300 have been killed. In Eldoret, about fifty were burned to death when an Assembly of God church containing people seeking refuge was set on fire.

I was able to speak with the Archbishop. He and Mama Alice were in good spirits despite the fact that they were unable to leave the house because the streets are so dangerous. He has also been battling malaria, but is feeling better today.

Bishop Murdoch and I are asking that you please re-double your prayers for the Archbishop and for Kenya that peace would prevail. ABp Nzimbi confirmed that the overwhelming majority of Kenyans want peace.

31st December, 2007

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bill Atwood

Suffragan Bishop for International Affairs

All Saints Cathedral Diocese, Nairobi

Anglican Church of Kenya

My apologies for the confusion, and apparent neglect. It makes me think we’ll need to make the switch to our backup blog on a permanent basis, and I need to get to work on setting that up. Prayers for ability to fit that into my busy schedule in the next few days would be appreciated.

May these last few days of the Christmas season continue to be days of wonder and joy for all our readers.

Karen B.

Charles Wesley

Now that we’re back online, in the next 24 hours or so, I’ll see what I can do to switch the site to an Advent theme.

Although on one hand I’ve missed blogging during Advent this year, the time away from the computer has freed me up for a number of special Advent & Christmas projects and I’ve been enjoying that. I hope and pray that this Advent has been a time of joyful expectation and spiritual encouragement for all our readers!

–Karen

So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. (Acts 8:27-28)
      Holy Spirit, you arranged this meeting. Please work in our lives so that we make the connections you want us to have.

Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” (Acts 8:29)
      Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) LORD, pour out your anointing on the mission team to Bolivia and on all who say to you, “Here am I! Send me.”

Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5)
      Father, please help us commit our way to you, trusting you that all things work together for good to those who love you, to those who are called according to your purpose. (From Romans 8:28)

***** Readings for Thursday: Psalms 131, 132, 133; 1 Samuel 13:5-18; Acts 8:26-40; Luke 23:13-25

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A word received: Keep listening to my Spirit so that you will know how to pray.

We are sometimes surprised that men who call themselves the servants of Christ appear to be wholly unmoved by the command of Christ to preach the Gospel to all nations. The command is clear; it is repeated again and again. Christians do not question its authority; they do not doubt that Christ gave it; they do not doubt His right to give it; they simply disobey it. The command does not come home to them. It does not appear to have any binding force. This seems strange. We think that the mere repetition of the command should be enough. (From Missionary Principles by Roland Allen, Chapter 1, The Impulse) [Note: this is the beginning of a book we need to heed throughout this diocese. Torre]

Albany Intercessor

who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:15)
      Holy Spirit, please come upon all who receive the Word of God.

For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:16)
      Holy Spirit, please fall on us anew with your power — more power, Lord, more power! Holy Spirit, fill all those who have never know you.

Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17)
      Jesus, as your people lay hands on one another in prayer, please minister the full power of your Holy Spirit.

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:18-19)
      Holy Spirit, you search our hearts; purge away every impure motive in our hearts. We pray for all those in ministry whose hearts have been corrupted by the love of position and power that you will refine their hearts by the fire of your love.

But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!” (Acts 8:20)
      Father, please help us all come before you with open hands, knowing that everything we will receive from you is your free gift, given at the cost of your son’s cross and blood.

“You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.” (Acts 8:21-22)
      Jesus, we pray for all those leaders and teachers of the Episcopal Church whose hearts are not right before you — please quickly bring them to repentance or get them out of office.

“For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (Acts 8:23)
      Jesus, you know what is inside us and our thoughts, purify our hearts with the fire of your love.

Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” (Acts 8:24)
      Holy Spirit, help us respond in prayer for who are captive to sin. As with your servant Samuel, help each of us to say, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to prayer for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23)

***** Readings for Thursday: Psalms 131, 132, 133; 1 Samuel 13:5-18; Acts 8:26-40; Luke 23:13-25

      Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

      Lift every voice and sing

Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears have been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, Our God, where we met Thee;
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand.
True to our GOD,
True to our native land.

James Weldon Johnson
June 17, 1871 - June 26, 1938
Originally written by Johnson for a presentation in celebration of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. This was originally performed in Jacksonville, Florida, by children. The popular title for this work is: “THE NEGRO NATIONAL ANTHEM”

You can hear this sung at http://www.afroamericanflag.com/music.htm.

Albany Intercessor