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.

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.

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?