Monthly Archives: March 2021

A Loving Act

Rev. Frank C. Senn

But as for me, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed on my bosom. (Psalm 35:13)

The psalmist compares his support for others who are afflicted with sickness with the glee his adversaries have over his distress. What is noteworthy is that the psalmist is not fasting for himself but for others. He shares in their afflictions. A contemporary parallel might be friends of a cancer patient who shave their own heads as a sign of solidarity. Fasting for causes, such as world hunger, would be another contemporary parallel. In the ancient church Christians fasted along with those who were preparing for Holy Baptism, showing their support for the candidates. That, in fact, is the origin of this forty day “fasting time” we call Lent. For Christians fasting is not about self-improvement, but expressing devotion to God. We see the psalmist humbling himself before God. We see Jesus in the wilderness clarifying his mission through fasting (Matthew 4:1—11). We discover the meanings of fasting for ourselves when we observe Jesus’s injunction, “Whenever you fast, do not look dismal …” (Matthew 6:16).

Prayer: Lord God, help us by your Holy Spirit to use this time of fasting to show our love for you and our neighbors. Open us by your Holy Spirit to follow Jesus in his forty days of fasting in the wilderness that we may serve you more faithfully; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Purposeful Hunger

This week we explore the discipline of Fasting. Fasting is not a discipline Lutherans have often emphasized, although Luther did recognize its value, cautioning that “one should not fast with a view to meriting something by it as by a good work.” He also said, “It is right to fast frequently in order to subdue and control the body. For when the stomach is full, the body does not serve for preaching, for praying, for studying, or for doing anything else that is good.” Fasting gives us more time for prayer and might even give us the opportunity to donate the cost of the meal we are missing to those less fortunate

Rev. Bruce Modahl

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might deny ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and cavalry to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king that the hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his power and his wrath are against all who forsake him. So we fasted and petitioned our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. (Ezra 8:21-23)

Ezra negotiated with good king Artaxerxes for the return to Jerusalem of another band of exiles. Ezra decided not to include a military escort in his request. Instead, Ezra took his bargaining straight to God. Ezra offered fasting and petitions in return for God’s protection.

Perhaps what Ezra offered up was not as transactional as it sounds. Jesus tells us to petition God in the prayer he taught us. In his Small Catechism Luther explains that when we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we are asking for everything we need to live including food, clothing, homes, good government, and good neighbors.

We often fast from something during Lent. Instead of one thing for the Lenten season, let us, health permitting, try fasting from all food for one day. Throughout the day, let us repeat, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The hunger pangs that develop during the day will quickly focus us on our need. The petition we repeat reminds us upon whom we depend to satisfy all our needs.

The hunger and the petition remind us that we too are exiles on a homeward journey. Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us. And along the way Jesus prepares a place for us in the Eucharistic community where we petition God and find food, rest, and strength to continue the journey.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, give us today our daily bread. Protect us along our way. We give you thanks for making a place for us in your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.

An “always” activity

Brian Becker

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16)

Many connect the 40-days of Lent with giving something up. This entire last year feels like we’ve been giving things up, but not by choice. Connections with family and friends, lost jobs, lost connections with colleagues, birthdays, and holidays have greatly disrupted our lives. Many tragically lost lives. I’ve grieved over many of these losses; not the least is the loss of worship with the Grace community.

According to early New Testament verses we’re told that James, Jesus’ brother, actually doubted that Jesus was the Christ, but something obviously changed, as he now boldly gives us two pieces of advice.

First, regardless of our station in life (suffering, cheerful, sick), he directs us to pray. Second, we are to confess our sins to one another, and in our confession, by God’s might and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made righteous. James ends by assuring us that our prayers are powerful and effective.

So let us confess our sins, and pray with assurance that we are righteous in God’s sight. Be confident that by God’s gift of life and forgiveness our prayers will be heard and answered. There is hope and reason to believe that my grieving will be turned to joy this Easter.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, come to us in the places where we are, whether suffering, cheerful or sick. Sustain us. Encourage us. Embolden us to pray, as we wait expectantly for your resurrection. Savior of the Nations … come. Amen and Amen.

Everything

Rev. Robert Shaner

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7)

“For health and strength, and daily bread, we praise your name, O Lord.” AND, for what else should we pray? St. Paul writes, “in EVERYTHING.” In our liturgy we pray for the world, the church, and our neighbors—first responders, schools and students, un/under-employed, nations and governments, equality and justice, refugees and our sisters/brothers who are homeless, for penal reform, the arts and sciences, “end of life” concerns….Yes, as St. Paul admonishes the Philippians, “IN EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.” Even in pandemics, in death, in the 17th century when the plague left his community with over 50,000 funerals in one year, including the death of his family, Martin Rinkart composed a hymn: “Now thank we all our God with, hearts, and hands, and voices.” In the midst of tremendous loss and grief came the note of thanksgiving.

Fast forward to three years ago:  While within ten minutes of being discharged from the hospital, 97-year-old Victor Brandt (retired pastor, former Grace Visitation Pastor and former bishop of the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, a predecessor of the ELCA) was informed of his beloved wife Irene’s death. From his bed and from memory he prayed all three stanzas of Rinkart’s hymn. Then released from the hospital and within the hour, taken to be with her in her room, he continued his thanksgiving, summing up their 67 years of marriage with three powerful statements from his heart:

        “Irene, you are beautiful. Thank you for our partnership in ministry. I love you!“

Scripture, hymnists, and beloved saints teach and inspire us to pray and offer our supplications for EVERYTHING, in all seasons of life with THANKS.

Prayer: For health and strength, and daily bread, for our loved ones, our neighbors, the lonely and estranged, those suffering and mistreated, for refugees and homeless persons, orphans, widows and widowers, for the cross of Christ, for victory in life and in death, we praise your name, O Lord.  Into your hands we commend our spirits.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Praying what matters

Dr. Stephen Ray
President, Chicago Theological Seminary

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

In his book Jesus and the Disinherited, Howard Thurman reflects upon the times of Jesus and Paul, focusing on what it meant that they were Jews in a time of Roman occupation of Israel. He noted how each came to their end at the hand of the same authority, yet with starkly different regard for the value of their lives. Paul came to his death after a trial in Rome and not as just another Jew on the side of the road. Thurman recalls this to remind us that while there is an equality to death, the inequalities of life persist. In our own survival or loss we can forget the inequity of all and too easily those who have borne its weight.

This Lenten season we come having journeyed through a valley of suffering and death. Many of us have lost friends, family . . . neighbors to Covid-19. At this moment, we could easily thank God for our survival and that of those whom we love. It is in this ease that we need the Spirit to shape our hearts and our prayers with compassion for those who because of zip code, lack of access to health care, or care-less civil authority have perished; and compassion for the web of shattered lives they leave behind. Let whatever gratitude we have be guided by the Spirit, so that our prayers give honor to these lives as we give thanks to God for lives that may yet shape a new world.

Prayer: Merciful and loving God, we offer thanks for the lives of the many gone too soon. We beseech you, that the Spirit would touch our hearts so that our lives will show a gratitude that demonstrates that these lives mattered. Amen.

The Little and the Big

Christine Ebert Nelson

“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11: 9-13)

Prayer. 

A hard thing, prayer. 

In this season of reflection and contemplation that is Lent, I have been tasked to comment on prayer. Luke 11 is about prayer. First, Jesus teaches us his prayer, the Lord’s Prayer. It hits all the bases, and each time we recite it we connect to God and each other pray-er in a deep way that is both current and timeless. 

Then, Jesus writes about persistence in prayer. 

Next, we come to the passage for today. Fish, snakes, eggs, and scorpions. Once again, Jesus brings a human explanation to a very big concept. After all, talking to the Divine is big deal.  Especially during Lent, when we address our own frailty, our status as both saint and sinner. We may feel shy, inadequate, unworthy to approach God with our meager praises and concerns that we perceive are small in God’s eyes. Yet Jesus teaches us again not of the littleness of ourselves, but the greatness of God’s self.  We see the basket of snakes and scorpions and not the huge walk-in coolers of fish and eggs. 

So, for today, think big. As we reflect on our small selves this Lenten season, reflect also on God’s great love. And ask for the big things. 

Prayer: Dear God, as we travel our Lenten journeys, we thank you for the reminder that you wish all good things for us.  Help us to pray with confidence and grow in faith through this season and all the seasons to come. Amen.

How to Pray

Bill Koehne

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)

As I read and contemplate the passage for today, it initially produces more questions than answers. I do not want to be like the hypocrites, but the prayers said aloud in church every Sunday bring me connection and comfort. Is this okay? What reward are these “hypocrites” receiving?  Is this sarcasm from Jesus? Why am I encouraged to go into a room and shut the door to pray in secret? 

While these questions remain, there are also words of comfort. I am comforted to know that my prayer does not need to measure up to the words of biblical scholars. I am comforted to know that God already knows my needs before I begin. And I am comforted to know that I can come to my Father in Heaven in prayer at any time and from any place, even in secret behind closed doors. 

Jesus continues in verse 9 by giving us the Lord’s Prayer, an awesome sample of what to include in prayer.  What an amazing example of how to be succinct and to the point.

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for prayer! Thank you for always hearing us and knowing our needs before we even ask. It is comforting to know that no matter how long or short, how eloquent or simple, whether in a private moment or assembled with others, you hear us. May our conversations with you be life-giving for each of us.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prayer: A Way of Seeing

Rev. Hans Dumpys

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
(Matthew 5:43-47)

When Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said,” he is not quoting scripture, but is likely picking up what was prevalent in his culture. What do we hear said in our society today? Hate black lives matter, hate socialists, hate welfare recipients, hate Republicans, or the opposite.

Jesus challenges what was said then and is being said today: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” We make enemies of others who belong to a different group because of their skin color, social status or political party.

But you can’t love what you haven’t seen and known for yourself. Seeing involves not just perceiving someone as a member of a different group. Rather, seeing the other is seeing with the eyes of your soul, as one created in the image of God and cared for as you are. Seeing breaks down the stereotypes that our experience, imagination, and culture have created. Prayer is the way to seeing the other as our brother and sister in all their complexity, diversity, and giftedness. Prayer transforms our angle of vision.

Therefore, we can overcome the chasm of hatreds which engulfs us and our society. In Christ God has given us his unbounded love and invites us to treat others with the same heavenly love. This is God’s gift of grace in him who came to give his life for the reconciliation of all humanity.

Prayer: O God, grant us courage to behold each other as your gifts whom we are called to love as you love us all. Amen.

Why?

This week we focus on prayer. As the poet George Herbert wrote, prayer is “God’s breath” returning us to our birth that is–that is, it is a life-giving conversation with God, a reminder of our indebtedness and gratitude to God, who is alway eager to hear our prayers.

Rev. Rebekah Costello

I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me; give ear to my voice when I call to you. Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. (Psalm 141:1-2)

Prayer is the church’s way of participating in the divine life and acts of God in our world. The Holy Spirit urges us to call on God the Father, through the Son, bringing our needs, our pains, our thanksgivings, and the world’s injustices into the divine life. Prayer is foremost a discipline of the church, following the pattern of how God has spoken, through the Son, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Lenten discipline of prayer can become hollow to us amid longstanding injustice that breeds cynicism and merciless consumption that creates apathy. The cynical and apathetic parts of our soul question: Why pray to God if God already knows what we need? Why pray to God for anything if we have consumed all we need, and then some? Why pray for God to end the merciless and unjust ways of our world if the divine mind is impassibly determined? Under this weight, prayer becomes for us nothing more than an exercise in self-help overseen by a disinterested God. Imagine, rather, that prayer is a practice through which we actually participate in, contribute to, and argue for God’s acts of mercy and justice in this world! For certain, the Christian practice of prayer is asymmetrical. That is; we pray as creatures to the creator who has freedom and authority over us and all that exists. At the same time, God does seriously consider, in his freedom to act, upon what we have to say. Therefore, pray without ceasing.

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to know and understand the gift you have given us— prayer. Help us to be always mindful of your invitation to be a participant in the life of God and your kingdom here on earth. May our prayers never cease. Amen.

Turning Away and Turning Toward

Jeff Wood

Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. You say, “We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.  Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:1-4)

We are condemned, and yet we are freed. Doom and hope chase us all our lives. As Christians, we live within this great paradox. In Lent especially, we look inside ourselves with disgust, living in self-awareness that we constantly fall short of the glory of God.  Any minimal self-examination reveals it. We are sinners. 

Yet we also have hope.  We always have Easter’s resurrection hope before us.  How do we move from condemnation to hope?  The way to hope is the path of repentance. 

Repentance is turning away from sin. It is one of the very first messages of the New Testament, when John the Baptist appeared, crying:  Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.  Whenever I taught about John the Baptist and repentance in Sunday School, I demonstrated repentance by physically turning around, first facing one way (call that sin), and then turning around the other way (call that Jesus). Repentance not only means turning away from sin; it means turning towards Jesus.  

In his monumental letter to the Roman Christians, Paul makes it clear that none of us is righteous. In Chapter 3, he writes: There is no one who is righteous, not even one (3:10).  Also, in the beginning lines of Chapter 2, he is quite clear that there is no place in Christianity for anyone to be self-righteous or to pass judgment on others.  We all live under God’s righteous judgment. Yet Paul invites all of us to receive God’s kindness and grace, freely given to those who turn towards Jesus and accept it. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, forgive our sins and help us turn towards you.  Amen.