II Easter

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

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

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

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

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

Holy Week

Let us pray for
Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)
The Rt. Rev. Donald Harvey (Moderator and Chair)
Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

Prayer and praise items for Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC)

· Praise God for the 15 churches now under the episcopal oversight of Bishop Donald Harvey and the jurisdiction of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone

· Pray for the clergy of those parishes who are now facing various canonical charges – this includes charges of Abandonment of Ministry for a number of clergy, including the Rev Dr J I Packer.

· Pray for those 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 specifically for a court case on March 20 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.

· Praise God for a favourable earlier interim court decision on February 29 that allowed these two parishes to remain in their buildings until March 20.

· Praise God for a more amicable approach to ANiC parishes in one diocese.

· Despite the numerous legal and canonical attacks, the real battle is spiritual, so please pray for spiritual protection for our clergy and leadership and their families – as well as for good health. Pray specifically for our bishops, Bishop Don Harvey and Bishop Malcolm Harding.

· Pray for unity in the parishes; pray that satan will not be able to drive in any wedges.

· Finally, please pray for orthodox Canadian Anglicans who remain in the Anglican Church of Canada. Pray for wisdom and courage as they continue to stand for Truth and against the moral and theological decay of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Scripture

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:18

Tradition

'Twas I that shed that sacred Blood,I nailed him to the Tree,I crucified the Christ of God,I joined the mockery.Yet not the less that Blood avails to cleanse me from sin,and not the less that Cross prevails to give me peace within. Horatius Bonar, 1856. #135 in The Book of Common Praise, 1938 (Canada)

Reason

...what Christ bore on the cross was the Godforsakenness of penal judgment, which we shall never have to bear because he accepted it in our place. The appropriate formulation is that on the cross Jesus’ representative relation to us, as the last Adam whose image we are to bear, took the form of substituting for us under judgment, as the suffering servant of God on whom the Lord ‘laid the iniquity of us all’. The two ideas, representation and substitution, are complementary, not alternatives, and both are needed here. J.I. Packer, What Did the Cross Achieve?

Week of V Lent

Let us continue in prayer for
The Anglican Mission in America (AMiA)
The reclamation of Anglicanism's missionary heritage

The Venerable Bede: The Arrival in Kent of the missionaries sent By Gregory the Great (597)
As soon as they entered the dwelling place assigned them, they began to imitate the course of life practiced in the primitive church : applying themselves to frequent prayer, watching, and fasting; preaching the word of life to as many as they could; despising all worldly things, as not belonging to them; receiving only their necessary food from those they taught; living in all respects conformably to what they prescribed to others, and being always disposed to suffer any adversity, and even to die for that truth which they preached. In short, several believed and were baptized, admiring the simplicity of their innocent life and the sweetness of their heavenly doctrine.
There was on the east side of the city a church dedicated to St. Martin, built whilst the Romans were still in the island, wherein the queen, who, as has been said before, was a Christian, used to pray. In this they first began to meet, to sing, to pray, to say mass, to preach and to baptize, till the king, being converted to the faith, allowed them to preach openly and to build or repair churches in all places.
When he among the rest, induced by the unspotted life of these holy men and their delightful promises, which, by many miracles, they proved to be most certain, believed and was baptized, greater numbers began daily to flock together to hear the word and, forsaking their heathen rites. to associate themselves, by believing, to the unity of the Church of Christ.

V Lent

Let us pray for...
Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA)
The Rt. Rev. Charles Murphy (Senior Bishop)

Special Prayer Petitions
The Rt. Rev. Charles Murphy, Senior Bishop
The Mission Networks and their leaders: Lord of the Nations, The Rev. Dr. M. Keith Andrews; Mid West Regional, The Rev. William Beasley; Northeast, The Rev. Mark Booker; Mid Atlantic, The Rev. Dr. Steven Breedlove; Rocky Mountain, The Rev. Phil Eberhart; Gulf Coast, The Rev. Canon Michael Hesse; Heart of North America, The Rev. Canon Doc Loomis; Emmaus, The Rev. Carl Buffington, Jr.; Miletus, The Rev. Dr. Victor Oliver; St. Louis, The Rev. Dr. Paul Walter; Little Rock, The Honorable David Young; Eastern North Carolina, The Rev. H.G. Miller, III; Kings Mission, The Rev. Alan Hawkins; Living Waters, The Rev. Canon Michael Murphy; Michigan, The Rev. Allen Kannapell; First Coast, The Rev. Mark Eldridge; ACiC, The Rev. Barclay Mayo

The Youth Ministry Initiative and the Rev. Christopher Zoephel, National Coordinator of Anglican Mission Student Ministry Initiatives

The Anglican Initiative for Mission and its 2008 Anglican School of Church Planting to be held May 24-June 1, 2008, at Christ Church in Plano, TX


From the Scriptures
"For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"

Romans 10:12-15 (NIV)

A Guiding Prayer
O God, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to those who are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"For Missions," The Book of Common Prayer (1928, USA)

A Heritage Reflection

"For the right and true Christian faith is, not only to believe that holy Scripture and all the foresaid articles of our faith are true, but also to have a sure trust and confidence in God's merciful promises to be saved from everlasting damnation by Christ; whereof doth follow a loving heart to obey his commandments."

"Of the Salvation of All Mankind," The First Book of Homilies (1547)

Week of Lent IV

Let us continue in prayer for...
The Anglican Communion Network (ACN)'s efforts to make disciples.

From the Bible:
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13

Father, we thank you that Jesus Christ gives us gifts to do his work, through the Holy Spirit living in us. We ask you, in Jesus' Name, to make abundant the spiritual gifts and work of the ACN.

We thank you for gathering a variety of gifted ministers to work on the Anglican Catechism, and ask your blessing on their effort.

We thank you for the coming conferences and retreats to build spiritual unity and maturity among your people. Sanctify the hearts of those teaching and learning, and the meeting places they will use.

Praise and honor to you, our Father, who with the Son and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns in glory everlasting. Amen.

IV Lent

Let us pray for...
Anglican Communion Network (ACN)
The Rt. Rev. Robert Wm. Duncan (Moderator)

Special Prayer Petitions
The Ministry Development Program
Anglican Relief and Development Fund
The Titus Institute for Church Planting and the Rev. Tom Herrick, Executive Director

Anglican Global Mission Partners
The Regional Anglican Women's Council Retreat, to be attended by about 150 women, April 11-13, In Costa Mesa, CA

Southeastern Convocation Conference: Common Cause--Working Together in Mission and Ministry, April 17-19, Loganville, GA

Anglican Men's Retreat, to be attended by as many as 300 men, May 16-18, in Newport Beach, CA

The Young Anglicans Project and the Young Anglicans Summit, June 11-13 in Pittsburgh, PA

The Good News Initiative and the Sharing Our Faith event, April 11-13 in Bakersfield, CA, and Jenny Noyes, Director of Evangelism

Please pray for the three-day catechism symposium June 10-12 at Trinity School for Ministry. Clergy, academics, and Christian educators will discuss various aspects related to the historic Anglican Catechism as well as the the new Anglican Catechism in Outline (ACIO) recently released Ash Wednesday by the Global South Primates. The event will provide a foundation to better enable contemporary transmission of the historic Christian faith to future generations. The gathering will consist of position papers, seminars, working groups and panel discussions. It will host a variety of Anglican scholars from Nashotah House Seminary, Trinity School for Ministry, and elsewhere.

Objectives
* To relaunch formal discussions between the academy and the church on the Anglican Catechism involving clergy, scholars, and practitioners together, in order to avail more effective faith transmission

* To present the new Anglican Catechism in Outline created under the auspices of the Global South Primates

* To garner feedback on the ACIO with respect to its potential usability at the parish level

* To encourage clergy, scholars, and Christian educators to work to support and equip families as the primary vehicles of faith formation


From the Scriptures
"Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of all lords."

I Timothy 6:11b-15 (NLT)

A Guiding Prayer
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doing, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1928, USA)

A Heritage Reflection
Christian! dost thou see them
On the holy ground,
How the powers of darkness
Rage thy steps around?
Christian! up and smite them,
Counting gain but loss;
In the strength that cometh
By the holy cross.

Christian! dost thou feel them,
How they work within,
Striving, tempting, luring,
Goading into sin?
Christian! never tremble;
Never be downcast;
Gird thee for the battle,
Watch and pray and fast.

Christian! dost thou hear them,
How they speak thee fair?
"Always fast and vigil?
Always watch and prayer?"
Christian! answer boldly:
"While I breathe I pray!"
Peace shall follow battle,
Night shall end in day.

"Well I know thy trouble,
O My servant true;
Thou art very weary,
I was weary too;
But that toil shall make thee
Some day all Mine own,
And the end of sorrow
Shall be near My throne."

The Hymnal (1892, The Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA)