Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Praying for Peace

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"   Luke 2:14

An angel of the Lord came to the shepherds who were tending their sheep at night and announced the birth of the Savior.  What great news to convey!  Immediately, there were a host of angels praising God and making a declaration of peace.

Yes, at this time of the year our minds certainly turn to peace.  We see the unrelenting conflict in the Middle East and the rise of terrorism.  We have tried through military efforts and through diplomacy to achieve an end to war and terrorist groups.  However, there is one more weapon in our arsenal - and that is prayer.  The people of God through the years have prayed for peace (e.g. Psalm 122:6) believing in God's power.

I would hope that this Christmas you would also continue to pray for peace in our world.  We have a God who can do more than what we ask or imagine.

Pastor Marty

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

To pray and be prayed for...

I had read through Ephesians Chapter 6 recently for my devotions and felt the strong plea that the apostle Paul placed on prayer as he winds up this letter.  He had written about putting on the whole armor of God and then writes:

"Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.  To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.  Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel...."  Eph. 6:18 - 19.

I like how prayer is not just one-sided, but as God's servant Paul would pray for others and he would also request prays for himself from others.  It reminds me of how Pope Francis in his recent visit to the United States had requested that people pray for him.

Yes, we are all in this together - this mission of the church.  We do need to be praying for one another and those in leadership positions do need prayers for themselves.  So, I would ask that you would pray for me and my ministry at Savior Divine.  I would hope to lead with boldness in the proclaiming the mystery of the gospel.

Pastor Marty

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Prayer for Migrants

"Eternal God,  today more and more people are fleeing to another country in order to find a safe place to live.  There are those fleeing from violence, persecution, and war.   Many people are putting their lives at risk by their mode of travel.  May you help them to have a safe passage as they attempt to move to another country.

We would remember that Jesus himself as an infant became a refugee.  He knew early on of the hardship of travel as he was led by his parents to a safe place.  There were those who had to welcome the holy family.

May you help today the receiving governments and agencies in those countries in dealing with the influx of such individuals.  May people open their hearts to respond in a loving way to help provide resources for them. Amen."

Note:  The world is beholding a huge humanitarian crisis.  If we value the dignity of each person as God values each person, we will do what we can to help and support them.  Above all, we can also pray for them.

Pastor Marty

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

How Often Do You Pray?

Have you ever stop to reflect on how often you pray?  Do you think you do enough praying or too little?  Does it become just a habit or do situations prompt you to pray?

I believe most of us probably have a fairly common routine in praying.  I know I do, which is usually first thing after getting up in the morning and also after breakfast right before I begin work.  Okay that is twice, and it helps me to start the day in a proper manner.

However, I often am moved to pray when something good and unexpected comes along or when I hear about someone who is hurting and needs prayer.  It's these other moments that become engaging and stimulating for me.

I hope that for you, prayer can go beyond a fixed routine and you can feel the spontaneity of praying at special times.  After all, prayer is about our relationship with God.  Just think of your friendships and how stimulating that unexpected phone call can be.  Our prayers are just as welcoming to God.

Therefore, I encourage you as the apostle Paul wrote:  "pray without ceasing."     1 Thessalonians 5:17

Friday, May 8, 2015

A Prayer for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is the occasion for us to express our appreciation to mothers and for all that they have given. Their dedication and loving sacrifice mirrors Jesus' love for us.  I came across this prayer by Claire Schoepp, the youth and family ministry director at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Chicago and administrative assistant at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Logan Square, which I believe you will find meaningful for celebrating this day.

Blessings to all mothers!

Monday, April 27, 2015

For Those Suffering from the Earthquake in Nepal

The death toll keeps climbing in regards to the earthquake that occurred in Nepal.  Buildings have collapsed and many people are in need of medical help and other resources for survival.  I prayed for those suffering in church this past Sunday.  Those in Nepal need all our prayers.

Eternal God, we would bring before you the needs of those who have been affected by the earthquake in Nepal.  May you help the necessary resources to arrive to assist those who are suffering.  May other countries seek to help in providing people who can assist with their labor and also with the medical supplies and other necessary items for survival.  May you bring comfort to the those who have lost loved ones and who have seen their country torn by this natural disaster.  May you open the hearts of others to give aid - financial and otherwise - in order to show their love for these victims.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

An Airplane Tragedy in the Alps

I feel the sadness for the families of the passengers on board the Germanwings plane that crashed in the French Alps.  It's almost impossible to begin to understand the measure of grief that has come to the them.   I invite you to offer prayer for them.

"Eternal God, may you bring comfort to the families who lost a loved one on the plane which crashed in the French Alps. While we may not understand the motive behind the crash, we ask for your loving hand to rest upon these families.  May the families be able to experience your presence in grieving with them.  May you help them in dealing with all the facets of this tragedy.   Thank you for the work of the first responders and may your blessings be upon all others who give assistance at this time.  In Jesus' name. Amen."

Friday, February 27, 2015

Prayer Roulette?

Praying I believe takes courage.  We cannot engage in it lightly.  It is because God has given us this privilege to communicate with our Creator in a meaningful and trusting way.  However, I also believe at times we might offer prayer on a whim. In other words, we view prayer as one of many options.  If what we pray for comes about - well and good.  If not, then nothing is lost.  It can be a form of prayer roulette, where we just take a chance.

As I was reading Chapter 11 in St. Mark's Gospel, I came across these words of Jesus:  "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  Mark 11:24.  Jesus is here saying that we can't view prayer as if we are taking a long shot - no, we must have faith.  It is a faith that what we have prayed for is already ours!

How often have you had this kind of faith in your praying? I would invite you to reflect on these words of Jesus.  I would invite you also to reflect on the confidence you have with your prayers.  We can have such confidence because these words come from the Lord of history.  Pray boldly!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

When Prayer Becomes Only the First Option

This week those reading through St. Mark's Gospel have been spending time digesting the content of Chapter 9.  It's the chapter with the transfiguration - which happens to be the focus for this Sunday - but also contains the story of the father who is disappointed that the disciples of Jesus could not heal his son.  The father decides to talk to Jesus directly and the father says to Jesus: "If you are able....help us."   This must have been a last resort plea.  It's interesting though that the father believed that there was a possibility that Jesus could help.

Jesus issues a stern remark about the "faithless generation" before him.

Jesus then rebukes the unclean spirit in the boy and the boy is healed.The disciples are in a quandary here and can't figure out why they couldn't do the same thing that Jesus did.  Jesus reply to them was:  "This kind can come out only through prayer."  Mark 9:29

One wonders here about what Jesus meant by "this kind?"   The boy had an unclean spirit that had overtaken him.  Does this mean that Satan's influence in one's life can only be overcome by prayer? Whatever it is, Jesus is indicating that connection with God's power is in order.

I wonder if you have tried to correct something in your own life and maybe just through sheer will-power, but couldn't get past first base?  Prayer might be needed.  I believe that our connection with God is vital when we seek to move us toward wholeness. We simply can't go it alone.

I would invite your comments regarding Jesus' words!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity extends from January 18 - 25.  The theme for this year centers around Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well  (John 4:1-42)  We would note that Jesus approached this woman who was a Samaritan, engaged in conversation with her, and offered to her the water of life.

I wonder how approachable we with people in religions different from us?  Do we find we can pray, let alone worship with them?  Are we willing to be in dialogue with them?

Jesus saw value in associating with this woman, who was different from his Jewish background.  It led to a conversation where the woman went to tell others about her experience.

We can always see the things that divide us from one another.  What if we were to see that we have something to gain from talking to each other.  We might feel that we know the other person and his or her beliefs, but it is only when we begin talking that I believe that we reach a better understanding and the barriers can start to come down.

I would invite you to pray for Christian unity and also for yourself that you would have an open spirit in relating to those of other faiths.


Sunday, January 18, 2015

Upholding the Dignity of All People


At this time of remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we remember him as a person of faith and also one striving for equality.  While we still face much racial tension within our land, we would do well to pray for people "to love their neighbor" regardless of one's language, nationality, or color of their skin.  We are to acknowledge the dignity of each person as being created in the image of God.  As we do so, we will be working toward a peace, where all people can live with one another.  I invite you to offer a bold prayer that God would work in the hearts of people to help bring such respect for one another in our land.