Scripture Prayer

1Thessalonians 1: 2-5a

We always thank God for all of you as we remember you in our prayers. In the presence of God and Father, we never forget that your faith is active, your love is working hard, and your confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ is enduring. Brothers and sisters, we never forget this because we know that God loves you and has chosen you. We know this because the Good News we brought came to you not only with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with complete certainty.


Father God, Wow! What a prayer Paul has prayed for the Thessalonians, and today we pray this same prayer for the Fr. Shaw and Mother Julie and Lydia Mudge. We always thank You, God, for the ministry of the Mudges which shows so well an active faith, a love that results in action, and an enduring confidence in Your, Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. We know that You love the Mudges and have chosen them for this missionary work in Lima. We thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives and for their complete certainty as they work for the increase of Your Kingdom, in Lima, in all of Peru, in South America and the world.

Father, today we also ask for special prayers for Bishop Mile Chapman and his wife, Linda, and the rest of his team working in the far corners of Peru. And we ask for special blessings for the Mudges as they participate in an on-line planning meeting for an intercontinental seminary program via long-distance teaching capabilities. Please, Lord, make it perfectly clear what You are doing and how to make this project a reality. Give the Mudges and the other planners your guidance and your discernment as we move ahead. Equip Father Shaw and Mother Julie with all the knowledge that they need to implement courses on-line.

And Lord, we pray for the travel arrangements later this month as the Mudges prepare to come back to the Albany area for the ordination to the priesthood of their daughter, Hannah. We ask for travel mercies and safety and a time of relaxation with family and friends. Amen.