Making Mention

Prayer & Intercessions

“...making mention of you in my prayers…”

                 In three letters—to the church in Ephesus, the church in Thessaloniki and to his friend Philemon—Paul uses the above phrase, “making mention of you in my prayers.” 

                 Besides making connection with God, prayer also connects us with those whom we love. 

Because faith and sharing communion makes us one, we can also love those people we have never met—like the Persecuted Church in Syria, Egypt, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc. 

In Revelation St. John the Beloved writes that our prayers are as sweet incense to God.  Remembering to pray for missionaries might seem insignificant.  But when we pray it:

· Releases grace to those for whom we pray

· Opens our minds to hear God’s voice and hear answers to our problems

· Moves us from the natural to the supernatural

· Disarms the works of Satan

· Can lead us into worship, where God lives

· Allows us to access God’s strength, to compensate for our weaknesses

· Provides an opportunity to forgive those who have hurt us

· Is like rain that saturates our soul, and allows affection to grow

There are lots of ways to remember to pray for others.  Photos of my friends who are serving as missionaries are hanging up in my lounge and office (at home).  Some friends have a list of names written down and use it as a book mark in their Bibles.  When they do their daily devotionals, they pray for family, friends, missionaries and Christian organisations.  Some people use diaries to pray for certain people on their birthdays and/or anniversaries.

Lets be like Paul, remembering to pray for the missionaries and the missions organisations we know about. 

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

"Lady Helene "

Prayer of Intercessions for 11 August 2013

The Prayer I wrote for today's intercessions.

Psalm 4:3

Amplified Bible (AMP)

³ But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself [and given distinction to] him who is godly [the man of loving-kindness]. The Lord listens and heeds when I call to Him.

Reader:  The Lord listens

Response: and heeds when I call to Him.

Leaders/Government:  Most Righteous Creator God, who invites us to call You Father, thank you for setting us apart through your grace.  You are a God of order; we know that all authority and government exists by your design.  We pray for world leaders—presidents, kings and royal families—who are appointed to establish and maintain justice and laws for the benefit of the country’s citizens.  We pray that those who know You will seek your wisdom, counsel, and rule with skill, integrity and courage.  We pray the Holy Spirit will bring conviction to rulers who do not know you; that they will come to know you.  We pray all leaders will seek to be servants, doing what is best for their countries as a whole.

Reader:  The Lord listens

Response: and heeds when I call to Him.

The Church: Jesus Christ, Lover of your Bride, the church, we seek for unity in purpose and communion—just as you and the Father with the Holy Spirit are one.  David wrote “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity! ...for there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.”  We pray for church leaders : Our Queen who is Head of the Church of England, Archbishops—specifically Justin Welby—Bishops, and all clergy worldwide—Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic.  May they have your word written in their hearts and not just their minds.  We pray for Robin, Colin and Bruce as they work together to bring the message of Jesus Christ to our parish.  Continue to give vision, wisdom, courage to them; and bless them with health and strength.

Reader:  The Lord listens

Response: and heeds when I call to Him.

World and Missions:  All-seeing, All-knowing God, the world is full of sorrow, pain, war, sickness—most of which is caused by the selfishness of mankind.  We thank you for visionaries, prophets and people who are passionate about bringing your righteousness and justice into a broken world.  Relief workers, community development designers, medical and community health instructors work daily to minister to the poor, widows, orphans and elderly—both here in the United Kingdom and around the world.  We pray for these peace-makers, teachers, doctors and nurses who seek to further your Kingdom by serving with compassion.  Please provide all they need—spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.  We pray for the Persecuted Church.  Pour out grace, courage, and provision to all who suffer.

Reader:  The Lord listens

Response: and heeds when I call to Him.

Local Community:  Loving Father, you see our local community, and compared to the world, our needs might seem little.  But we know that there are families who are affected by poverty, sickness and even hopelessness.  Guide us, by the Holy Spirit, to be your hands and feet, to bring hope, encouragement, and the resources to broaden your Kingdom.  We pray for those who are recently married or have become parents.  Help your Church to make connections with these families to be a resource for stability, counsel and practical help during these life-changing events. 

Reader:  The Lord listens

Response: and heeds when I call to Him.

The Sick and Bereaved:  Teacher, Friend, Healer—Jesus Christ, as the four men brought the man on his pallet to you, being persistent enough to dig through the ceiling and lower him into your presence for healing, so we bring our friends and loved ones to you for your touch.  Impart your peace to them, help hope to grow and ease their suffering.  We specifically bring to you:  Robert Sharp, Ruby Trotter, Simon …see page

Father of Compassion, let those who have experienced the loss of a dear one, find consolation in faith.  Help them walk through the shadows of grief, knowing that although away from us physically, they live on in us—in our memory—and for some of us—through our DNA. 

Reader:  The Lord listens

Response: and heeds when I call to Him.

Merciful Father, Accept these prayers for the sake of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Pentecost Sunday 2013

Bishop Alan "Buckingham"--in a red robe for Penecost

                        Some of you may have been waiting since Monday to read more about the photos I posted on Monday.  Thursday has finally come and I have time to write about Pentecost Sunday 2013. 

                        This Spring has been the coolest in 35 years...and it has been grey, overcast or rainy most of the Spring.  The three churches in the parish were holding a joint service, to be followed by a barbeque in St. Mary’s Vicarage back garden.  The weatherman predicted a day of showers and chilly temperatures.  The Maverick and I prayed for a clear day, or at least for the rain to hold off.  As it turned out, the Great and Loving Father blessed the day with the only partly cloudy skies and very comfortable temperatures. 

                        The Maverick started his “church” day by going to the 9.30 am Family Worship.  This is a once-a-month service for families with young children.  The Maverick goes when he isn’t working and participates with the activities. 

                        As mentioned above, St. Marys’ church was full, as members from the congregations of St. Francis and Christ the Worker joined us to celebrate the “Birthday of the Church”—the day of Pentecost.                                The three vicars share the service as well.  The sermon included a black bin liner (trash bag), a glove and an orange.  The vicar giving the sermon equated our lives to each of these items.

·         The bin liner—without air in the bag, it is empty, shapeless and has no substance to it.  But, fill the black bag with air, and it takes shape.  Without the Holy Spirit, we are spiritually empty, without breath or life and unproductive for the Kingdom of God.  But we were created to be fill with the Holy Spirit—full, His Presence giving our lives shape and purpose.

·         The glove—apart from a hand, a glove can not perform any kind of task.  But once the person puts his/her hand in the glove, the glove fulfils it’s purpose.  We need the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell in us in order for us to be directed and equipped to fulfil the destiny God has created us for.

·         The Orange—it has sections, but is a whole.  The Fruit of the Spirit has different facets—love, joy peace, patience, long-suffering, kindness, goodness—and theses attributes complete the whole of the Holy Spirit’s fruit in our lives.  We need the Holy Spirit to work in us the character of Jesus, but to produce the seed, which is the Word of God, that we plant in the hearts and mind of others.

For the Maverick, this was the second worship service of the day.  We agreed that the sermon was not only clever, but profound in it’s application. 

                                Directly after church, we made our way over to the barbeque.  Since I’d been providing prayer ministry, I was one of the last to arrive.  Several people wondered if I was even coming.  The scent of burgers and sausages cooking on charcoal grills filled the air as I made my way to the garden.  Clusters of people sat with white paper plates filled with rolls, salad and crisps, eating and chatting in the afternoon sun.  After eating, I had a little wonder-round and enjoyed holding 14-week-old Millie, whilst chatting with her parents.  After the raffle numbers were called and the prizes collected, people began to drift away.  It was about 3.00pm; children needed naps, or had homework to do. 

Knowing there was to be yet another church service, I made my way home to rest and hopefully use the interim time wisely.  (I rang my sister and chatted for a while!)

      

When I was received into the CoE in 2009

          It is usually in May each year that our area of the Oxford Diocese has it’s confirmation service.  A few weeks ago I said to John that I wanted to attend.  When he asked me why, it was because I like to go and encourage and support the candidates who are making this step of commitment to Christ and to the church.  Then week before last, our Vicar asked me if I would be the sponsor of one of the candidates who recently finished the Alpha Course.  Feeling honoured to be asked to take on this privilege, I said yes. 

                                At 5.30 pm, “Jay & Joans” picked me up and off we went to St. Mary’s church in Datchet.  Once inside the church, I looked for “The Maverick” as he had gotten a lift from the Vicar and his wife.  My idea was to find my seat and get settled, taking time to focus and mentally prepare for the service; a sponsor must stand and present the candidate to the Bishop.  I wanted to make sure I knew just when in the order of service I was supposed to do that. 

                                I walked up the centre aisle, making my way towards where John was standing by the seats.  Vicar “R” came up and said: “Do you have your programme?” 

                                “Yes.”  I said, holding it up.  I’d not yet had a chance to look at it.

                                “I’m sorry, but you can’t sit next to John—he’s in reserved seating.”  Vicar “R”  said.

                                Thinking that sponsor sit in reserved seating, and that John was a sponsor for someone else, I couldn’t understand the significance of Vicar “R’s” statement. 

                                Puzzlement must have shown on my face, as Vicar “R” said, “Look on the first page of your programme.”

                                What I read left me standing with my jaw on the floor, my mouth so wide open a freight train could have rolled through.  When had this been arranged?  Who else knew? 

                                Vicar “R” stood there, laughing at my wide-open eyes, and gaping mouth.  He was enjoying himself entirely too much. 

                                I looked at John and registered that he had changed from his jeans and polo shirt into suit and tie.  Finally, I found words—although I’m not sure if they were really the ones I wanted.

                                “You stinker!!”  I exclaimed to The Maverick.  “When did you arrange this?”

                                “It’s been a while in the making.  I’ve been wanting to do this for a couple of years and it just worked out to do it now.”

                                The Maverick’s grand surprise left me bedazzled and I really had to concentrate to make sure I didn’t miss my cue in presenting “Joans” to the Bishop.  At sporadic moments during the service tears would fill my eyes, as joy and love filled my heart.  I knew this was not something my husband had done flippantly or to please me.  Knowing he isn’t one to stand on pomp or formality, for him to want to participate with this service and be officially received into the Church of England, my esteem and respect for him grew exponentially.  It was truly a beautiful thing.

                                So, that’s the story that goes with the photo of “The Maverick” 

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene”

                               

                   

Photo diary

Quilt top organised so far.

John being received into the Church of England...story to follow

"How's Your Mom?"

        I often get asked, “How is your Mum?”  People ask because they care, because I’ve asked for prayer for her and my sister many tim

Mom on a good day, 23 March 2012

es. 

        I can honestly say, “It is well with her soul.”  That is because since she committed her life to Christ when she was 17 years old, she has done her best to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and live for him. 

        On the physical side, the answer to how she is presents a different story.  On 31^st May, Mom will be 87 years old.  Seeing as I have her genetics, my life expectancy is good. 

Frankly, Mom’s body is worn out.  Over eleven years ago, tiny bleeds in the back of Mom’s eyes began stealing her sight.  The doctors called this Macular Degeneration.  As a way to treat the bleeds and hopefully stop further loss of sight, the doctors prescribed injections into the eye.  So anxious about these injections, Mom’s blood pressure would rise to unhealthy levels.  Sissy finally told Mom that she didn’t have to take the shots—especially since it didn’t improve Mom’s vision. 

To begin with Mom could use a magnifying glass to see a page and perhaps read large print.  Her vision faded, until she could see forms, occasionally colours and shadows.  She was declared legally blind about seven years ago.  So, basically, she sees very little these days.

Ears are a blessing when they work properly.  Mom’s ears have given her trouble most of her life.  Narrow ear canals caused Mom a lot of discomfort over the years, as she had lots of drainage from her ears.  Often it couldn’t drain properly.  When in her late thirties, she had tubes put into her ears.  By then, the damage had already started—her hearing was impaired.  In the 1980’s, she was fitted with a hearing aid.  It wasn’t until the late 1990’s that she was fitted for hearing aids in both ears. 

Most hearing aids last, at the most, about 10 years.  With insurance to replace the hearing aids unavailable, Mom’s tiny equipment was getting fragile.  She’d had them cleaned and maintenance provided by hearing aid centres.  In truth, they needed replacing.  In 2011, whilst she was in a rehabilitation centre, one of the Certified Nursing Assistants forgot to take Mom hearing aids out, so they got wet.  That was the finish of them.  So, now Mom is deaf. 

In November 2011, Mom fell ill with pneumonia and a urinary tract infection.  This caused havoc with her blood sugar; it dropped so low that she became unresponsive.  My sister was frightened, as she thought Mom was on the point of death.  Taken to the hospital by ambulance, Mom’s fighting spirit brought her back.  But when Mom woke up, she wasn’t the same.  A form of onset dementia had developed.  Her sweet-natured, compliant personality became unpredictable; some days she was cooperative, happy, other days argumentative and mean.  Dementia robs an individual of memory and personality.  Family members have to adjust and accept this new person—and it is an emotional, physical, and spiritual battle. 

Now days, Mom is stable, with the usual aches and pains of arthritis.  She might eat well one day, but not the next.  She usually takes her medicine without a fuss.  But if Mom isn’t in the mood to take it, Sissy leaves it off.  One day doesn’t seem to make much difference at this point. 

No longer able to follow a story line, Mom isn’t interested in listening to books on tape or what is on television.  She is content to be close to my sister and naps off-and-on. 

Marginally sighted, deaf, and physically fragile, the overall story is that she is stable these days.  I miss the Mom I knew before dementia changed her; the chats over the phone, those secret little jokes, talking about sewing, cooking and God.  Yet, I sense that she does pray when her mind is clear enough.  Above all else, God holds Mom in His hands, and whether this side of heaven or in His Presence, she is in a good place.

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene.”