Remembering Jesus in Hurricane Season

We have already seen the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey and now Hurricane Irma is also on its way to Florida.  These fierce winds can cause much damage as well as loss of life.  This is a time when we can remember Jesus as calming the storm as he was with his disciples in the boat. Even if the storm had continued, Jesus was still with them.  As we pray we know that Jesus has the power to calm the storm as well as protect those who might be affected by the storm - should it continue.

We pray....

Lord, we pray for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and now by Hurricane Irma.  We know you have power over the elements of nature and can even protect those in the midst of the storm.  We pray for your intervention during this time.  May you help those affected by these fierce winds as well as helping those first responders in their work during this critical time.  Amen.

The National Day of Prayer

The first Thursday in May has been designated as the National Day of Prayer.  It is my hope that this day will make us think more deeply about the very power of prayer.  We realize the problems our nation is facing as well as the tensions in the world today.  I would offer this prayer:

"Lord God, our country struggles with many problems, which deal with race, equality, crime, homelessness, and unemployment.  May you help those who are being neglected or discriminated against.  May you help those who find themselves living on the margin to get additional assistance so that they might enjoy a better life.  I pray that you would work in the hearts of those striving through diplomatic means to bring peace to countries in the Middle East.  Help all of us to look to you for guidance and to give us hope."   Amen.

Pastor Marty

For the families of the victims in Egypt

Let us pray for those who lost loved ones recently due to acts of violence in the Coptic Christian Churches in Egypt.

"Lord God, we pray the families of those who lost loved ones in the violence in the Christian churches in Egypt.  May you comfort these families and may they know of your presence in a very special way. May you thwart the efforts of those bent on violence with disregard for property and human life, and especially for places of worship...in Jesus' name.  Amen."

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2017

We are now in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which extends from January 18 - 25. The theme this year is "Reconciliation - the Love of Christ Compels Us."  The Web site for this special week had this comment in regard to the theme:

"Pope Francis’ 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”) which provided the theme for this year, when it used the quote: “The Love of Christ Compels Us” (Paragraph 9). With this scripture (2 Cor 5:14), taken in the context of the entire fifth chapter of the second letter to the Corinthians, the German committee formulated the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2017."

Since the time of the Reformation there has been a deep division within Christendom.  We do need to lift up our prayers for unity.  While actual merger might seem out of our reach, we can be praying for a co-operative spirit.  We in the ELCA have established an agreement (e.g. full communion status) in order to have joint worship, etc. with other church bodies.

I would invite you to be praying for unity (whether merger or co-operative working) this week.  We would remember that Jesus himself had prayed that his followers might be one.

Pastor Marty