Category: Church

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22

A few essentials are needed to run: water, food, clothes, shoes, and, of course, breath. Seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? You need to breathe when running. If you don’t breathe, you won’t go far. After Jesus’ resurrection from the grave and before His ascension into heaven, His disciples learned that a few essentials were also needed to proclaim the Good News of salvation to the world. They needed living water (John 4:10), the bread of life (John 6:51), clothes of righteousness (Galatians 3:27), shoes (Ephesians 6:15), and breath.

But this breath is different than the breath needed by a runner. Jesus breathed on them the breath of life, the Holy Spirit. As the One who calls, gathers, and enlightens, the Holy Spirit was essential for the disciples to be able to complete the work Christ gave to them. This life-giving breath is also essential for us. The Holy Spirit called us by the Gospel, gathered us into God’s kingdom, and enlightened us with His gifts. Only He can begin faith in one’s heart, and only He can equip us to share that faith with others.

Welcome Home effort – Jesus, our loving Shepherd, “we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way,” but you have sought us out and brought us into your fold. May our thanks for your mercy drive us to show the same love to and patience with our fellow members. Help us to invite them to worship and Bible study, to grow in your Word and through the Lord’s Supper, because we know the joy and confidence this brings. Bless our synod’s “Welcome Home” efforts to bring us all closer to you. Amen.

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Lord, on this Memorial Day weekend, we honor those men and women who died while serving in the United States military. Help us to never take their sacrifice for granted. We thank the Lord for the blessing of religious freedom as we live in a free and bountiful country. We seek your ongoing care for those who continue to serve our nation, securing peace for our citizenry. in our nation.  We pray that Christians will use this freedom to worship God and share the good news with others.

WELS Multi-Language Publications – Dear Lord, more than 2.9 million print items, audio and video resources, and online training resources have been produced to date in more than 52 languages—all through WELS Multi-Language Publications. Thank you for this blessing, which has assisted and enhanced outreach opportunities for so many churches, especially in places where our synod does not have resident missionaries. May those who work in this division of WELS World Missions continue to find strength and confidence in your promise that your Word does not return to you empty, but always accomplishes what you desire and achieves the purpose for which you sent it.

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“[Judah’s] nobles send their servants for water; they come to the cisterns; they find no water; they return with their vessels empty; they are ashamed and confounded and cover their heads.”  Jeremiah 14:3

“Give it all you’ve got!” We’ve heard this saying at a sporting event, during a work project, or when we were about to take a test. It encourages us to put forth our best effort. Jeremiah wrote about servants who went to look for water, did their best, and found nothing. Their jars were empty, and they were ashamed. What happens when our best isn’t good enough? What happens when we have nothing left to give or when we give it all and get nothing in return? It is in these times that it is extremely easy to get down and discouraged and eventually just give up all hope of succeeding.

When we are discouraged, worn down, and weary, Jesus comes to us with the promise that we don’t have to give anything. By His death and resurrection, He gives us forgiveness and the assurance of eternal life. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).

Ministerial Education – Father in heaven, today we ask your blessing upon all those who graduate this month from our ministerial education schools: Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Luther Preparatory School, and Michigan Lutheran Seminary. Bless these graduates as they enter a new phase of their lives as your witnesses, especially those receiving divine calls into the public ministry.  May your wisdom and strength be with them in all that they do for the glory of your name. Amen.

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