Praying for Jesus' Return

In this season of Advent we are especially mindful of Jesus coming again. Jesus himself told us that he would return and we are to all to be watchful and pray.  I think of the words, too, at the end of Revelation:  "Come, Lord Jesus."   (Revelation 22:20)

Yes, the readers of this last book in the New Testament were those undergoing persecution and perhaps they longed quickly for Jesus' return.  While we might not be living in the same environment of persecution for our faith, we might also long for Jesus' coming.  We can look at the condition of our world with wars, violence, and disparity with income.  You might be undergoing a tremendous struggle in your own life with illness or finances.  As such, you long for the kingdom of God to be fully present.

I believe these words from Revelation can also be our prayer at this time of year.  It helps us to focus on the one who is tied into all of history.  As time marches on, it does so knowing that it will eventually lead to our Lord's return.

May Advent strengthen your belief in our Lord's return through this prayer!

Counting Your Blessings

This time of the year with Thanksgiving approaching makes me as a pastor want to offer up thanks to God for the blessings that have transpired through the year.  Yes, as a pastor I do have my ups and downs in ministry.  Not everything turns out as I would like.   However, I realize that my ministry "runs" on God's grace and know that my own strength will not always carry the day.

Here is a list to what I offer up to God in prayer for what I am thankful at this time:

1.  Thank you for another year of ministry in Word and Sacrament.
2.  Thank you for the visitors who have come to explore ministry at Savior Divine.
3.  Thank you for helping us to get the financing for our bus ministry for this year.
4.  Thank you for some new riders on the bus.
5.  Thank you that we were able to repave our parking lot (and for the generosity of Moraine Valley Community Church)
6.  Thank you for the many people in the congregation who have helped in the different aspects of worship.
7   Thank you for the many people we have been able to serve through Elsie's Pantry and for the many vendors and individuals who have donated food.
8.  Thank you we were able to do a special concert in the summer to help us raise money for our ministry.

I feel that we have been blessed in many ways to carry out our ministry!

For what are you offering up thanks in prayer to God at this time of the year?  Is any of it connected to your experience at church?

The Ebola Virus Calls for Our Prayers

Last Sunday I prayed in worship that the Ebola virus would be contained and not spread.  I realize that it is not just the churches in Liberia and the other countries nearby that need to do the praying, but that this must be an international effort.  Just as various nations are going to help with dealing with this outbreak, there must be the prayers from folks throughout the world to deal with this devastating disease.

Now, it is reported that for the first time a patient in the United States has been identified with this disease.

We need to pray for the those afflicted.
We need to pray for the medical staff helping those who are afflicted.
We need to pray for other resources that are needed and are being provided.
We need to pray that this virus would not spread widely to other places.

Here is where you can come with prayer.  You may be one among many people praying.  Yet, I believe each person's prayer is respected by God.  I invite you to pray for the many different ways that help is needed.  It is a risk for the healthcare workers involved.  They are willing to help tackle this virus.  Hopefully, in short time the illness and death caused by this virus will disappear.

Praying to Determine What Is Best

I begin a sermon series on the apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians this coming Sunday.  As I was reading through the first chapter, I came across these words:

"And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless,...."
Philippians 1:9-10.

Paul would pray for those in Philippi in order that they would make the best decisions possible in living the Christian life and therefore stand well when Christ returns.  I noticed how Paul connects love with knowledge and insight.  Even in loving others, we might need some help.  For instance, if I am to love someone with whom I am on bad terms, I know it won't be easy. I might be unwilling do it.  However, if I am informed through what the Gospel means and Jesus words, I might reflect on "loving your enemy" and come to the conclusion that my love is to extend to this person.  If I then go ahead and show love in a tangible way, I might win this person over in my relationship (even for Christ).

Have you ever found yourself in a situation of not really knowing what to do?  This is why we might need to pray even for ourselves in loving others.  We would want to know how to respond properly so that we will be well-pleasing to Christ.

Praying for the Right Persons

Oftentimes, we find there are positions that need filling in the church or we are seeking volunteers for a special project.  My question is:  Is prayer a component in your decision making?

We can take our cue from Jesus himself...

"Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles:..."  Luke 6:12-13

You would notice here that it wasn't a quick one minute prayer on the run; rather, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer.  He realized the importance of selecting those who would help to launch his ministry to the world.

What we would also learn is that the disciples he chose may not have met our standards, whether it was an impetuous Peter or a sly tax collector by the name of Matthew.  We might have really questioned Jesus' choices.  On the other hand, because he was in prayer, he was led to select these specific individuals.  There was something special about each of those twelve in what they would contribute.

Our prayers for working with certain individuals in the church ought also to be as discerning.  From their appearance, we might not feel they are qualified.  However, we may be led by the Spirit to these individuals because of how God can use them.

Are you willing to pray for the important people you need to work with in your ministry?

Do You Have the Time to Pray?

Each of us has only so many minutes each day.  We need to eat; we need to sleep; we need to get our work done - whatever that means for us.  The question is: How am I using my time?  

It's been said that if you want to get something done, you make the time for it!  It doesn't take much in our fast pace way of living to get caught up in so many non-essentials.  Okay, so what about texting?  I certainly realize that there are times when texting is important to us.  We need to convey an important short message to a family member that we have arrived safely while on a trip.  But there are other times when texting is done just for the enjoyment of saying a few words to someone else.

Of course, texting takes some time whether it is a minute or two minutes.  But do you find at least that amount of time for prayer each day?  Do you become so burdened with the trivial things (read non-essentials) that your schedule crowds out prayer?

I invite you to take the time to consider what time you do give to prayer each day?  How do you value your relationship with God?

A Great Day for a Prayer Walk

I usually try to get more and more walking in each day.  I feel it is not only good for my health but also good for my mind.  It gives me thinking time.

Today, I decided to use my mind but in the form of a prayer walk down the streets around the church. As I passed by houses, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of those who live there.  I am not sure how many people don't know Christ as Savior and I don't know how many people are unchurched.  I feel I can always pray that the Spirit would work in those whom I passed by and they would be stirred to greater searching in their lives for having a closer relationship with God.

Sometimes, we wonder what can we all do for the kingdom of God.  It doesn't always have to be something of a great magnitude like an extensive service project.  It can simply be offering our prayers up to God to pray for those to grow in their faith.

If you have the time, I would encourage you to do such a walk!  It will be good for your health and also for the kingdom of God.

Jesus Praying for Your Faith

Certainly in the life of Jesus, we discover how much he is concerned about our physical needs.  We find him feeding the multitude and healing the sick.  Jesus also has a concern for our spiritual needs - as in our faith.  I recall the words of Jesus to Peter:

"Simon, Simon, listen!  Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."  Luke 22:31-32.

Jesus saw the power of Satan in the life of Peter and still wants Peter to remain strong.  I would believe that Jesus has the same concern for you and me.  He is continually praying that our faith would not depart from him.  He realizes the many temptations that come our way.  Satan is continually on the prowl to make us doubt God's promises and perhaps even God's existence and not to trust Jesus for our living.

In our own struggles with faith, we can rest assure that Jesus is praying to God that we will keep the faith until the end.  Do you believe this will strengthen your own faith?

A Healing Prayer from the Apostle Paul

This coming Sunday is the Day of St. Peter and St. Paul.   We honor their faithfulness and witness for the Lord.  In this post, I would like to emphasize one particular time of praying that came in the life of Paul.

In Acts 28 we read how Paul and others on the boat become shipwrecked on the island of Malta.  Paul is on a voyage, along with other prisoners, to be taken to Rome in order for him to defend himself.  When Paul and the others set foot on this island, they learn that the island is under the leadership of a man named Publius.  Paul also learns that this man's father had become sick.  We read here that Paul "visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him."  (verse 8).

I wonder here what Publius and his family thought about Paul after this healing? Did Publius or anyone in his family come to faith in Christ?

Imagine now that you are praying for a public official, whether for healing or for some other need. Might this not help in bringing about the welfare of your town?  Might this not also make an impact on this person in government?  As the church we are called to be an influence and be the light and salt of the earth.  Yes, there is much that we have to offer.  Pray might be one thing that you CAN do!

Pentecost Praying

The great event of Pentecost happened shortly after Jesus' ascension.  Before he had ascended, Jesus mentioned that the Holy Spirit would be coming and that his followers were to be in a waiting mode. Here is how Luke describes this time of waiting:

"All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers." Acts 1:14

Do you see that this period was not just idle waiting.  Jesus' followers were actively engaged in PRAYING.   I would think that praying not only displays our confidence about what our Lord promises, but also helps us to have the patience.  For those disciples, it was for a period of 10 days.  For us the length of time for praying for our desires might be longer!

Here is the other thing about this experience for those followers.  The result, I'm sure, was greater than what they had expected.  They had no idea the manner in which the Spirit would come as well as the number of people coming to faith as a result of the Pentecost event.  In our own praying for what God promises in Scripture, it is possible that God will deliver in a way beyond what we ever imagined. Has this ever happened to you?  Might it not be encouragement to keep on praying for what you desire in life?

Congregational Prayer for Savior Divine

Although I have touched on this prayer before, it is one that seems to fit our context well.   It was written by a member of the congregation for us to use in our worship each Sunday.  I feel it is a very bold and dynamic prayer for our congregation. Here it is:

"Dear Lord, bless us with your love and help us to do your will.  
Give us the ability to spread your word, 
to help our congregation to grow,
to maintain our building as a place of worship open to all,
to understand your plan for our mission and ministry.
We thank you for the financing of our bus ministry,
in your name we trust.  Amen."

I notice the discipleship emphasis here.  It is a plea that we would do God's will. It is a prayer of surrender just as we pray likewise in The Lord's Prayer.  Then, too, notice that it asks for us to have the ability to spread God's word.  This would entail learning about witnessing as well as having the courage to witness.

There is also the request that we would understand God's plan for our mission and ministry.  I believe this is ever evolving for us as we learn more about our neighboring communities, their needs and also what we might have to offer.  In addition, we are seeking to focus our mission and also to work hand-in-hand with Moraine Valley Community Church, also worshiping in this building and discovering what we can do in joint ministry.

The prayer concludes with a word of thanks.  We have been very grateful to receive a couple of grants to keep our bus ministry going this year.  This transportation has been very important for us as we bring folks to worship who otherwise might not be part of a worshiping community.

All in all, I realize we are taking the long view with this prayer.  It is prayed not just once, but on a weekly basis.  I hope that with some of your prayers, you also take the long view.

Knee Deep in Prayer

As I have been reading through the book of Acts and following the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul along with his co-workers, I was struck by this incident where Paul meets up with the elders from Ephesus in Miletus.  He had formerly been in Ephesus, spent some three years there, and now on his way to Jerusalem meets up with them in Miletus.

Paul has a rather lengthy discussion with them and mentions that he had spoke the whole purpose of God to them.  He held nothing back.  He realized that he had suffered persecution and imprisonment and acknowledges that it might happen again.  He also acknowledges that he wants to finish the ministry to which he had been called!

We read here in regard to Paul:  "When he had finished speaking, he knelt down with them all and prayed.  There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again.  Then they brought him to the ship."  Acts 20:36-38

Can you begin to capture the scene and what an emotional time it must have been?

I believe we in the church need to realize that if we want to do faithful witnessing there will be hard times ahead for us.  There will be rejection and obstacles.  Are we ready to endure?  Yes, it comes with the territory.  When we do get down on our knees in prayer, it indicates that we take our calling seriously.  It also shows that we are willing to depend on God's power to work through us.

Praying as a Component of Reading Scripture

Reading the Bible is different from reading a novel or from reading the newspaper.  The Bible demands that we become engaged with it.  Therefore, any kind of speed reading is out of the question.  We must read Scripture so that it will make a difference in our lives.  Therefore, it is important how we read Scripture.

There is an ancient practice that was developed called Lectio Divina, which is a way of reading Scripture that incorporates prayer.   Lectio Divina, which means "divine reading," has four components:

1.  Reading
2.  Meditating
3.  Praying
4.  Contemplation

After reading a selection of Scripture (the first component), you would then meditate to consider key words, key metaphors, key thoughts, and this would be followed with prayer.  You can pray for how the Holy Spirit will continue to enlighten you in regard to the passage.  You pray also for obedience in living out this section of Scripture.  After all, Scripture is not just to inform us but to transform us.  The last component is to contemplate your experience with the passage of Scripture.

You might want to check out this video on Lectio Divina from the St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, IL. The abbot there explains this process in detail.  I came across this video as a result of my retreat recently at the Abbey.

I hope that prayer will become a part of your reading Scripture.  Make your reading engaging and let prayer help you to connect better with what God wants to do through you from what you have read.

Jesus Prays from the Cross

As we come to the end of Holy Week, we would remember how much prayer was a part of Jesus' life. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.    He also prayed from the cross.

It's good for us to pause and note for what he prayed.  He prayed for forgiveness upon those who had condemned him and also nailed him to the cross.  Can you imagine someone being put to death and then being concerned about the well-being of one's executioners?  Apparently, Jesus did.  That was what his whole life was about.  It was about the well-being of all people and their salvation. Forgiveness was the powerful force for which he came.

How would you face a difficult time?  Would you be all caught up in yourself - especially if someone had done you wrong?  Or could you be praying for another person's well-being?

On Good Friday, we remember the spirit in which Jesus died. Even in his time of suffering, he did not give up on God, but conversed with God.  That is why pray is appropriate in such trying times.  For what will you pray?

Praying for Peace in Ukraine

Recently, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America along with three other church bodies put together a document entitled, "A call to peace and prayer for Ukraine."   The document states,"We cannot remain indifferent in the face of the injustice befalling the people of Ukraine, nor toward the potential suffering and cruelty further military intervention might bring." 

My sermon this coming Sunday focuses on striving for justice and peace in all the earth that is tied in with our baptism. Certainly, as much as seek to do what we can locally, we also are to have a global consciousness and concern.   Maybe it is that we take the time to keep ourselves informed of current events throughout the world; maybe it is that we need to make others aware of what we see happening, especially injustice.

So, what can you then do?

I believe as this document states, we can pray for peace.  Your prayer can be powerful when united with the prayers of many others.   The result certainly is left in God's hands, but we realize that God has the power to change the hearts of people, especially in high positions.  What might come may dramatically surprise the world and those affected!

I would invite you to spend some time praying for this troubled spot in the world, not only as it will mean stability, but also in the hope that it will mean a better quality of life for all.

Holistic Healing Prayer Being Offered on Sunday

This coming Sunday I will be offering the prayer to worshipers for the healing of body, mind, and spirit.  I know that many "healing" prayers just focus on the physical side.  We may be apt in our prayers during worship to include mainly those who are physically ill.  It is good that we do remember those who are in such condition.

However, I believe that we also at times need healing for dealing with stressful occurrences in our lives.  We might feel overwhelmed with a loss of job or a friendship.

Or it might be we are still dealing with unresolved issues in our relationship with God.  We might feel that we have drifted away from God and no longer feel the closeness we once had.  We might even feel estranged. We want to return and have a feeling of wholeness with our creator.

It is important to recognize that Jesus came to heal in a holistic way in his ministry.  He healed those who were physically ill, those who were possessed by demons, and he sought to make peace between us and God.  The apostles whom Jesus had were empowered to go out and they did "signs and wonders," which included healings.

This Sunday will be an opportunity to receive healing for yourself and also to reflect on how you might be an instrument of healing for someone else.

Church Staff also Need Your Prayers

Those who are on staff at churches certainly do need to be included in the members' prayers; and if possible, the prayers of others.  Those who are on staff do appreciate the help in difficult times to find the strength for ministry.

I came across this prayer of the apostle Paul who felt this need as he wrote to the Christians in Rome.
"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf, that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company."  Romans 15:30-32

I hope you would be praying for the staff of your church.  We surely need it with the challenges that are before us.  Every so many years I receive a postcard from the seminary I graduated from saying that the students there are praying for my class during the week.  It's been refreshing to have that knowledge.

When we get into a routine of praying for each other, we recognize the partnership that we share in doing God's work - regardless of our status at church.  It also says that none of us is beneath the need and encouragement that prayer can bring.  So, will you please keep up those prayers, including praying for those of us on staff!

Praying in Lent

The season of Lent is upon us.  It is a time for examination and for renewal as we look at our relationship with God.  How confident are you in the relationship you have?  Are you confident enough about your living that you could call on God to examine you inside and out?  This is what David did as we read in one of his psalms.

He wrote:  "Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.  Prove me O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind."   Psalm 26:1-2

Frankly, I don't know if I could be so positive about my life that I could call on God to examine me and thinking that all is okay between me and my Creator.

Maybe, though, the words of David invite us really to analyze our relationship with God and our living. Do you have the confidence to offer up such a prayer to God?  Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt so confident?

Even amid recognizing all of our faults before God, we still can come to God and seek renewal.  I believe this is what Lent is all about.  I hope Lent will be a meaningful time for you and that your prayer life will be enriched.

Prayer as a Mark of Discipleship

I have often thought about what would be the "marks" of discipleship.  Among those that come to mind is that a disciple of Jesus is characterized as one who prays.  I recall reading the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 12 and noticed that prayer is mentioned.  Paul wrote:  "Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer."  Romans 12:12  (you might want to read this chapter to find other marks of a disciple)

Prayer has been given to us as a privilege.  I believe that prayer is not to be used only in times of emergency, but is to be part and parcel of the ongoing life of the Christian.  It is giving thanks, lifting up praise, as well as bringing your concerns about yourself and others to God.  It's above all staying in communion with God.

I noticed that the word "persevere" is used.  What might prevent us from such endurance?  It might be that we simply grow weary in praying, or we believe that we cannot make a difference, or too many days, weeks, years have passed with no results.  Yes, Paul's encouragement is also to us, that we would not give up on this important part of our lives. 

May you persevere in your praying!

Praying for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christianity Unity is being observed January 18-25.  The theme is "Has Christ Been Divided?"  The theme is taken from the apostle Paul's words to the Corinthian Christians as found in 1 Cor. 1:1-17. Here, the apostle recognizes already that the Christians have become splintered:  there are some who claim allegiance to Paul, some to Apollos, some to Cephas, and some who hold faithfully to Christ.

As we look about Christendom, we do recognize the many different groups (e.g. denominations) that make up the body of Christ.  At times, there has been fierce dissension.  At other times, there has been cooperation and great times of fellowship.

I believe we do have the responsibility to pray for one another in the body of Christ.  We all want to seek to help bring God's kingdom to this world.  We would want to provide most of all a good witness to an unbelieving world.

Our prayers can help us move toward this goal.  Will you take the time this week to pray for unity among all believers in Christ?

Praying for Saving All Nations

We have been given a huge task in being disciples of Jesus.  We are to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations and baptize in the name of the triune God.  I like how a similar desire for God's work was expressed centuries before Jesus' time.  It is in the prayer by the psalmist.....

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.  Ps. 67:1-2

Bringing God to all nations...it's a prayer that you and I can continue to pray today.  We realize certainly the missionary work that has been done over the last 100 years.  Think of how many places the gospel has now reached, how many nations now have had the saving news proclaimed to them. Yet, there are still those in need.

We think of America and how we have become very diverse, multicultural.  God's word needs to reach all kinds of folks.  There probably are many different expressions of worship that are needed and many different ways of communicating the message to people in this land.

Still, we need to pray even in our day that God would use you and me to reach those who are different from us....all so that God's way might be known upon the earth!

A New Year's Prayer

Eternal God,  thank you for bringing me into this new year.  You have helped me to cross the threshold into 2014.  While I don't know what this year will bring, I do know that my time is in your hands.  May I look to you for guidance every step of the way. May I be able to experience the joy that comes from you as well as knowing peace in troubled times.  Help me to see ways I can grow in my discipleship and be a manifestation of Jesus to those who will cross my path this year.  May I offer my whole life as a gift to you and discover how I can be a blessing to others.  Amen.