| PENTECOST IX July 21, 2024 “O Lord, Hear Our Prayer” Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. (A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis) It seems there’s no end to the worries, fears, conflicts and problems of all kinds that surround us day and night. The negativity and unhappiness that comes at us from all directions can certainly be overwhelming, and much as we’d love to experience quick and easy fixes to any and all of these anxiety-provoking issues, there simply are none. My random, scattered thoughts at such times aren’t of much help to me, and likely not to anyone, but let’s remember where we can turn for messages of understanding, encouragement, strength and compassion. The Psalms are the voice of King David, a humble shepherd boy who became the king of the people of Israel, and who led them with wisdom and authority. These writings call out to God to hear our prayers, to provide protection from danger and evil, to give help in time of need and hardship. They further praise and thank God for his many blessings, for the beauty of his creation, for showing love and mercy to humans, and for his faithfulness to his people. There may be references to ancient ways of life, but the human emotions and spiritual needs are timeless. People had a deep, to-the-bone need to relate to God, to feel a connection to the power and loving tenderness of their heavenly Father — and we still have that need today! The psalmist puts these needs into words on our behalf: Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call. (Psalm 102:1-2) The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him. (Psalm 103:8, 17a) I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:4, 17) As we wonder (and probably worry) about the uncertainty and instability throughout the world, God’s word brings us hope and assurance that God’s love and understanding are without limits or boundaries. It’s a great blessing that we are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, through our words and deeds, strengthened always by the faith given us by God’s grace. I’d encourage you to read more psalms (there are 150!), and also reflect on the messages of the New Testament. You can follow accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings in the Gospels and more of his teachings through the letters of the Apostles —I especially appreciate the Book of Romans. For music to inspire us, our Lutheran college choirs have concerts, Christmas programs, and individual songs available online. The National Lutheran Choir has a large body of work (much on YouTube), and there are St. Olaf, Luther, Wartburg, Gustavus, Concordia, and Valparaiso colleges all of which have been used to accompany our weekend devotions. Listening, praying, hopeful, Your friend in Christ, Mary Rogers O Lord, Hear My Prayer https://youtu.be/npjgYMt2pHc?si=Ocmep_T90npoTUdJ Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying https://youtu.be/KJ3hARmvSUo?si=DQ4yJ4UfHdMhSTIW What a Friend We Have in Jesus https://youtu.be/0V_nwQWM_6k?si=OUSSWlIY_hOhfoCT |
Weekly Devotion for week of July 21, 2024
2024-07-22