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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4: 6 ESV
Welcome to our February 2010 1st Friday Call to Prayer. Our aim is to provide you with teaching that we trust will enhance your prayer experience and will be an encouragement to you. We will also provide you with praise items and prayer requests coming from within ANiC and the Anglican Communion worldwide.
We encourage you to set aside the first Friday, February 5th, as a day of prayer and fasting for the Church in these critical days, ideally gathering with other believers in your parish or region for corporate prayer at some point in the day
Prayer Quotes
Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God. If the Son of God is formed in us by regeneration, He will press forward in front of our common sense and change our attitude to the things about which we pray. Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)
Standing With Our Leaders In Prayer
The Reverend Moses was the rector and pastor of an enormous parish, several million strong. They were a hurting and wounded people, suffering from the results of many generations of harsh servitude to a cruel taskmaster. They distrusted authority of any kind, and were persistently suspicious and critical of the Reverend Moses’ leadership style and decision-making. Many wanted to return to the known hell from whence they had come rather than face the future uncertainty of trusting their rector.
Moses’ seminary had been the pasture fields of Midian where for forty years he had protected and cared for the needs of a flock of sheep – the four legged variety. But now, in response to a dramatic call of God upon his life, he was seeking to provide godly leadership to this vast and most difficult “flock” of men, women and children. The task was daunting to say the least! Despite having seen many miraculous manifestations of the power of God that secured their release from captivity, the people complained at every turn in the road, about lack of food and water, and any incident that seemed to call into question the validity of the decision to leave in the first place.
And now, for the first time, unprovoked warfare is upon them and seems inevitable. This congregation of straw brick-makers must learn the reality of combat if they are to survive, to say nothing of actually possessing the land of promise.
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
Exodus 17: 8-13 ESV
As those who are committed to interceding on behalf of our own rectors, clergy, bishops and lay leaders within ANiC, we will find some helpful insights on standing with our leadership in prayer in this incident in the ministry of the Reverend Moses.
1. Warfare is inevitable. Whereas we will not likely need to learn how to wield a sword or fire arrows from a longbow, the reality of spiritual warfare must be taken seriously. The enemy of our souls, whom Jesus calls Satan, “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5: 8 ESV). He is furious about the stand for the Gospel message that we have taken, and he is desperate to inhibit the growth of this movement. His weapons include accusation, deception, and seduction, often appearing religious, well-meaning and innocent enough “for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (I Cor. 11: 14 ESV).
2. Like any good military tactician, the target he chooses is leadership because if one can paralyze, displace or discredit godly leadership, the “flock” is ripe for the picking – “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt 9: 36 ESV). You may think this radical, but I believe that there are demonic forces arrayed specifically against each of our rectors, pastoral leaders, and our national bishops whose sole purpose is to discourage, immobilize, and bring into disrepute those who are willing to lay aside everything they are and have for the sake of the Gospel. The attack may occur against our clergy, their spouses, their children or their material possessions. Whatever it is, the attack will be relentless, insidious, and completely without mercy.
3. There are specific roles detailed in this story. Joshua, not Moses, leads Israel in the actual battle. He is the military general, making decisions on strategy, tactics and deployment. Moses, on the other hand, climbs a hill where Joshua and all his inexperienced recruits can see him. His focus is pastoral and he raises his arms in intercession, crying out to the Lord on behalf of his people. We see that, as long as his arms and staff are raised heavenward, Joshua’s troops in the valley prevail.
4. Now comes, perhaps, the most important aspect in this account for us who are called to come along side our leaders and uphold them in prayer. The arm of the strongest and most courageous leader cannot hold out forever. Moses’ arms began to droop, and the momentum of the battle in the valley below immediately shifted to the enemy. But Moses is not alone; two others have accompanied him up that hill - Aaron and Hur. While Moses focuses on the welfare of his people in the greatest jeopardy since they left Egypt, Aaron and Hur rivet their attention on their pastor and leader, enabling him to complete his vigil by holding up his arms, one on one side, and one on the other.
Our role as intercessors must be like that of Aaron and Hur, supporting our leaders in prayer as they focus on the needs and welfare of their parishes and diocese. Our intercessions on their behalf must not be perfunctory or anemic; neither can we allow complacency or lack of vigilance to set in. If we do, the tide of the battle will shift against us.
Church, let us ask ourselves this question: If our rector does things with which we may disagree, or our bishops shape policy that is contrary to our personal experience of Anglicanism, do we begin to grumble and to cease praying for them? Does our criticism overcome our willingness to intercede? Do we give the enemy access to our leaders by allowing their arms to droop? I cannot imagine Aaron and Hur having a dialogue about the relative quality of the Reverend Moses’ last sermon and allowing his arms to fall in the heat of the battle while they criticized.
Moses was not a perfect leader. None except King Jesus is. However, we have been charged with both the privilege and responsibility of undergirding our leaders in prayer whether every decision they make pleases us personally or not. I fervently believe that our movement will ultimately die if we fail to embrace this charge with vigor and with great joy. Yes, our arms too may tire, and others may need to step into our place. But if the arms of our leaders are held “steady until the going down of the sun”, victory over the enemy will be ours. Alleluia!
Garth V. Hunt
Praise God …
That He allows us to participate with Him in building His Kingdom.
That He has given us leaders of His choosing for the task to which He has called us.
For our churches, for the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) and for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
For faithful Anglican bishops, clergy and laity – throughout the Communion – who are standing for truth even when their stand for Christ and His Word makes them targets of attack.
For those who are providing leadership to the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans around the globe and for the growing unity of orthodox Anglicans in the Communion.
For the reformation God is working out in global Anglicanism – and Christianity in general. In the midst of chaos, He is building His Kingdom and refining His bride, the Church.
For His blessing on ANiC, for how He has led, and for what He has planned for our future.
For the many ANiC “projects” – the small, but growing congregations of faithful Anglicans He is adding to our number.
For the new church plant – Church of the Epiphany – and the clergy and parishioners He has added to our number this past month.
Confess if needed…
Our critical spirit.
Our prayerlessness.
Our failure to pray for, bless and encourage our leaders.
Our timidity in engaging in the spiritual battle through intercession.
Please pray…
That we would humble ourselves before God and fully support the leaders He has given us.
That we would uphold, bless and encourage our leaders, their spouses, and their families as they are in the crosshairs of the enemy.
For Bishops Donald Harvey, Stephen Leung, Charlie Masters, Trevor Walters, Malcolm Harding and Ronald Ferris, and their families. Pray for spiritual and physical protection, for wisdom, and for a daily closer walk with God.
For our clergy and their family members, especially those who are experiencing spiritual and physical attack.
For those suffering in our congregations who are suffering the attack of the enemy. Pray for victory in Christ and healing where needed.
For new and forming ANiC congregations as they attend to the many details of organizing and launching a parish – and for other congregations considering joining ANiC.
For congregations that have lost their places of worship as well as for those forced to appeal to the courts and facing the possible loss of their buildings. May they make “the Lord their dwelling place” and find refuge under “His wings”.
For the legal team and parish leaders seeking God’s direction for next steps in the legal cases involving church facilities.
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For the Vancouver-area ANiC parishes which are considering appealing the disappointing decision from the BC Supreme Court. Pray for clarity and unity in the Spirit. |
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For the case involving St Aidan’s in Windsor, ON. |
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For St George’s (Lowville, ON), Good Shepherd (St Catharines, ON) and St Hilda’s (Oakville, ON) in their dispute with the Diocese of Niagara. |
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For a change of heart on the part of the dioceses pursuing ANiC parishes. May they relent and agree to negotiate with ANiC parishes to reach amicable, mutually beneficial settlements.
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For the recovery of a lively orthodoxy in the ACoC and for those who feel called to remain in the ACoC to pray and work for reformation and for a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ and His inspired Word.
For the leaders of the Anglican Communion Alliance (formerly Anglican Essentials Federation), Anglican Essentials Network and Anglican Essentials Canada as they provide support for orthodox Anglicans still within the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC).
For Biblically-faithful Anglicans in Canada who feel isolated in liberal churches and dioceses as well as for those who feel they can no longer remain in the Anglican Church of Canada. May they find Christian fellowship and spiritual nourishment.
For Archbishop Gregory Venables (and his wife, Sylvia) who graciously provided a temporary “home” for ANiC members when we needed Primatial oversight.
For our new province, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA):
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For Archbishop Bob Duncan (and wife, Nara) |
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For the other dioceses and the bishops giving leadership, especially those in with parishes in Canada: the Anglican Coalition in Canada and the Reformed Episcopal Church. |
For the Primates and bishops who are courageously standing for the Truth. Pray for spiritual and physical protection and for discernment, grace and strength as they lead in a torn Communion.
For the Covenant process. May the Lord clearly lead and may His will be done.
For the Archbishop of Canterbury. May he pursue God wholeheartedly and seek the wisdom and discernment he needs to fulfill his responsibilities to the glory of God.
For suffering Christians around the world in conditions of persecution, war, drought, earthquake, famine and poverty – especially:
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For those in Haiti. |
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For those facing persecution in Muslim countries hostile to Christianity, such as Pakistan, Iran, northern Nigeria & Iraq |
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For those suffering from famine and drought in Eastern Africa |
For those in authority over us. Pray for wise decisions that honour the Lord and promote the welfare of all Canadian citizens. Pray also for protection for those who are in “harms way” as they serve our country. Specifically, pray:
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For those in government – both for members of Parliament creating laws and for civil servants in positions of responsibility; |
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For judges in our court system who are charged with interpreting and applying laws; |
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For officers of the law who daily risk their lives for our protection; and |
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For those who selflessly serve our country in the military. |
May God revive us, our church and, ultimately, our nation!
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