Praying for Freedom from Trials

In this season of Lent, I have been going through St. Luke's Passion narrative.  As Jesus leaves the Passover meal he goes out with his disciples in order for him to pray on the Mt. of Olives.  He knew the tension was rising within him and he needed the time to pray.  We have these words of our Lord to his disciples:  "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial."  Luke 22:40.

It is interesting here that Jesus himself is facing a time of trial as he knew what lay ahead; yet, he was willing to offer prayer on behalf of those closest to him!  This same thought of Jesus' direction in prayer for us comes as we pray what we call the Lord's Prayer.  In one version of that prayer we have the words: "Save us from the time of trial."  

Yes, we are asking God that we would not even encounter a trial of any kind. Trials can come that would cause us much tribulation, stress, and grief.  We are praying to God that we would be spared such times.  Certainly, God knows what we can handle.

I would encourage you to reflect on this petition more deeply as you pray the Lord's Prayer in this season of Lent.

Pastor Marty

Budget Cuts Result in Layoffs - Please Pray

Due to budget cuts, some 750 employees at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois are losing their jobs. The state of Illinois has failed to pay some $6 million that it would contribute to Lutheran Social Services.  You can read more in this news release.

I would ask you to pray for the staff members who have lost their jobs as well as praying for an end to the stalemate that exists for adopting a budget in the General Assembly in Illinois. 

I believe our prayers can help!

Pastor Marty

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

We are now in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  The theme for this year is "Called to Proclaim the Mighty Acts of the Lord."

Although the Christian Church has had its divisions over doctrine as well as practice, we still need to pray for us to be able work together in order to fulfill Christ's mission.   Jesus did pray that we might be one.  Our witness will be stronger as we exhibit a sense of oneness that we all have in Christ.

Yes, we in the church are called to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord.  Churches and individual Christians need to be telling not only the greatness of God but also our own stories of God active in our lives.  This is not always easy in our culture.  We in America have become more diverse and wonder how we will be received.  May we have the courage to speak out on God at work.

Therefore, I would encourage you to pray for your church as well as for your own individual life that you might give testimony to the "mighty acts" of the Lord!

Pastor Marty

The Answer Is on Its Way

For my devotions this morning I read an interesting piece in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  I like how she has written from the perspective of Jesus talking directly to you.  For January 11, the topic was about bringing our prayer requests before Jesus.  We read here:  "Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results."

I am sure that the natural tendency is to focus on the time of actually saying the prayer and then the time when the answer is visible.  Have we ever thought that the prayer has been "set in motion" and that God's work is going on behind the scenes.  I believe it is good to be reminded of this and to give thanks to God that we believe that the divine power is at work in what we perceive as the in-between time.

The next time you pray for something, in the days thereafter you can give thanks that your request has been set in motion.  It will remind you that the answer is on its way.

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

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

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