… pray without ceasing … (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
I think it’s safe to say that babies are born with little patience. They want to eat … NOW. They need a diaper change … NOW. They want to be picked up … NOW. And when they don’t get what they want NOW, they are very persistent in letting you know about it.
Jesus approves of persistence. In his Gospel, Luke recorded a parable Jesus told His disciples about always praying and not giving up. In the parable, a widow kept approaching an unrighteous judge to demand justice against her adversary. Because of her persistence, the judge granted her the justice she was seeking. (Luke 18:1–8.)
The lesson of Jesus’ parable is this: if an unrighteous judge will listen to the persistent cries of a widow and give to her what she asks, how much more will our loving, righteous God listen to the persistent prayers of His people? The apostle Paul encourages us to be persistent as we learn to pray without ceasing. We have God’s assurance that He will hear us and He will answer us.
- We ask your grace and blessing as Dorothy Bladow’s sister, Judy, passed away last week. Thank you for allowing Dorothy to be by her side and care for her right up until her end. We pray now for the assurance of Your presence and promises; and for the confidence that You will remain at her side through all the changes and challenges of life.
- Our hearts ache alongside Joe & Kim Sanfilippo at the news that Joe’s best friend was killed in a snowmobile accident. We ask the Lord’s gracious hand to guide the family of Jeff Schultz as they begin to deal with the implications of this loss. Let them know the comfort and the power of the Easter promise.
- We thank the Lord for the consideration given by Ryan Loberger to our call to serve as 3-5th grade teacher and athletic director. We know that the Holy Spirit is the one who guides and directs. We respect that especially when he asks us to wait. In faith we ask him simply to grant us a faithful replacement for Mr. Raddatz.
- We rejoice with Hal & Erlene Klug at the celebration of their 40th Wedding Anniversary. It is your constant and consistent love, dear Lord, which has kept them secure. Now we ask you to bless them and their children and their families in the coming years with faith and hope and more love.
- We include Annette’s son Jacob, who has entered Army basic training. Keep him safe and strong that he may represent our country well.
- Ed Kraft’s mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Initial treatments did not go as expected. We ask for your grace and mercy to her and to her family as she embraces the approach of eternity. Let faith in Jesus and his resurrection give them courage.
- For rehabilitation and re-integration for Ron Telega, at the VA Spine Center.
- Tom & Sarah Grisar – close friends of the Gahan family, with three daughters. She has stage 4 colon cancer, which has spread to other internal organs. We ask for a good treatment program with positive results and strength for the road ahead.
- A friend of Pete Sueflow’s, Dwane Kassens, was diagnosed with cancer; we seek the Lord for his concern and cure, as he is willing.
Missions:
Lord Jesus, after you rose victoriously from death you told your disciples to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Not only do you equip us to preach, you also surround us with opportunities to do so. You have lately given us opportunities we never expected. Through our mission work at home, you have given your Spirit to immigrants who are leading us to people in their home countries who hunger for your peace. We pray that you go with them back to their homelands and bless their collaboration with WELS Missions in places like Kenya, Liberia, and Vietnam. Continue to pour out your Spirit in abundance as we train and proclaim in all the world, that your kingdom may continue to come among us and many others. Amen.