Category: Prayer Circle

And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”  Genesis 1:6

In the beginning God created everything needed for survival including wonderful water. Water makes dirty things clean. Water quenches our thirst on a hot summer day. Water brings life to the seeds planted for our food and the wood used for our shelter. But this once-perfect creation, and all that is in it, is now fallen because of the lies and deceit of the devil and our own sinful ways. Yet this now fallen creation is being redeemed.

Saint Paul writes,

… the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8:19b).

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are made perfect once again. Water gave life to the wood of Jesus’ cross and to the paper on which God’s Word is printed. Water nourishes the grapes and grains of Holy Communion. Most importantly, the wonderful water of Holy Baptism brings life, new life in Christ.

Walking with my Lord All-creating Father, You have redeemed me and all of creation through Your Son’s death and resurrection. In this fallen creation, guard and reassure me of the perfected being I am in Jesus. In His name. Amen.

Philippines – Heavenly Father, we praise you for blessing the gospel proclamation efforts of Pastor Alvien De Guzman and his wife, Marieta, in the Philippines. Enable them to continue your kingdom work. Bless the Philippine men who are seeking additional theological training, so that they may reach many more souls with your gospel. Keep the congregations they have recently established faithful to you and your holy Word. Amen. (more…)

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:32-33).

My daughter frequently begged to drink from my water glass. When I gave it to her, a little of the water found its way into her mouth, but most of it landed on her shirt. I learned quickly why babies need sippy cups: they help regulate the flow of liquid a baby receives when drinking.

When God gave His apostles His Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, He did not use a sippy cup. Nor did He sprinkle, trickle, drip, or dribble parts of the Spirit on them. There was no regulating the flow. God poured the Spirit out on the apostles! As believers, we also have been drenched with this out-pouring of the Spirit. We are dripping with salvation and regeneration along with many other gifts listed in Scripture.

Like the apostles on Pentecost, we have received the Holy Spirit in order to deliver the Good News to all who will listen. The Good News is that God wants all people everywhere to receive the outpouring of His good and gracious gifts through believing in His saving Son Jesus Christ.

District conventions – Lord Jesus, you have redeemed your people by your life, death, and resurrection and have gathered them around your Word and sacraments into congregations and districts of our synod. We ask you to bless the representatives of those congregations as they meet this month at the various district conventions across our synod. Strengthen their faith through your Word, and may your Holy Spirit fill them with wisdom as they make decisions regarding our synod’s kingdom work. Amen.

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Dandelions will never produce roses. A lion will never give birth to a zebra. A salt water fish cannot survive in fresh water, and a fresh water fish will die in salt water. A fig tree will never bear olives, and an olive branch will never produce figs. Jesus asked, “Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles” (Matthew 7:16b)?

Christians were not created for opposing purposes. We were not created to praise God and curse others with the same mouth.

This isn’t to say that Christians won’t sin. But when we do sin, we confess our sins and we receive forgiveness. … if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1b). Jesus speaks for us before the Father.

By His all-atoning sacrifice on the cross, He made payment for our sins. With hearts and minds focused on Christ, our mouths will speak Christ-like words.  God of Creation, You created me to be Your child. Forgive me for all the times I have sinned, and help me to live a life of praise to You.

Missions counselor – Dear Lord, today we include in our prayers Pastor Matthew Vogt, who this past winter accepted the call to serve as a WELS mission counselor. Bless the work of the mission counselor teams as they strive to stay on top of current cultural trends, help district mission boards explore new opportunities, provide training and counsel for new missionaries, and work with mission congregations—all for the good of your kingdom and in praise of your holy name. May Pastor Vogt’s passion for the loss emulate that of our Savior and be visible to all. Amen.

• On this Memorial Day weekend, we also honor the memory of all the men and women who served our country and sacrificed their lives to preserve our precious freedoms, especially the freedom to worship God without fear of persecution.

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The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.  Psalm 37:23-24

One of the lesser-known meanings of the word graduate is “to take a step.” Graduation is a step forward; a step into the unknown. Graduation is a day to celebrate, to look back on where one has been over the past years. It is a day to remember the best of times. It is also a day to look forward and wonder what is ahead.

What is the next step? What will be encountered on that step? While we never know for certain what the future holds, we do have God’s assurance that we can confidently take each step along the path knowing He is with us and in us. It means never stepping out alone. We have God’s promise, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD … the LORD upholds his hand” (Psalm 37:23a, 24b).

So, we pray for all who are beginning a new phase of life, to hold fast to the promise through faith in Jesus Christ. The Triune God goes hand in hand to lead you or your loved one. We pray that you may be confident that as you step out into the world with Him, that He will hold you with His mighty hand.

Ministerial education schools – Father in heaven, today we ask your blessing upon all those who graduate this month from our synodical 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. (more…)

Oh, how the Psalmist longed to worship in the house of God! Some circumstance kept him away for some time and he was even envious of the birds, who nested near his place of worship!

He wrote, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you (Ps. 84).

God grant us the same fervor to regularly worship him and receive the rich blessings of his grace through Word and Sacrament!

Puerto Rico – Gracious God, today we ask your blessing upon the new disaster response coordinator being called to serve and work with the pastors of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Church of Puerto Rico. May this pastor bring the comfort of the gospel to the people of this hurricane-devastated island as he helps identify and prioritize specific needs, plans construction and repair projects, and coordinates volunteer efforts. Bless also his efforts in overseeing the continuing theological training for two men whose training was interrupted by Hurricane Maria last fall. May all he does be done to your praise and to the glory of your name. Amen.

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“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.” Proverbs 8:32

Countless times we have said or heard the words, “Listen to me.” With these words the speakers are indicating they want to say something that, in their opinion, we need to hear.

We also know that sometimes the information is heeded, and other times it falls on deaf ears. In Proverbs 8:22, it is God’s wisdom admonishing us to listen and walk in God’s ways and to be prepared to receive God’s blessings. We can enjoy the happiness of knowing we live in the loving, forgiving hands of the almighty God.

Jesus also tells us to listen …

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28b)

Because Jesus gave His life for us, paid for our sins on the cross, and rose again from the dead, we will one day be with Him in heaven. In Christ we have the words of eternal life. Now that’s a message worth listening to! (more…)

Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.  Matthew 4:10b

As the family was getting ready for a Sunday outing at the lake, the young daughter asked, “Are we going to church first?” “We can worship God at the lake,” Dad replied. After a moment, his daughter questioned, “But will we?”

As Christians, why are we to set aside a special time for worshiping God? Basically, because He directs us to in His Word. Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only (Matthew 4:10b). Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name … (Psalm 96:8a).

Making time to worship God is still our choice, so why bother? Truthfully the question should really be “Why not bother?” How can God’s people help but take time to worship Him? Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you (Psalm 63:3). For the Lord is good and his love endures forever … (Psalm 100:5a). Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalm 100:4).

Worship is more than a Sunday morning duty. It is a daily loving response to our mighty and loving God. (more…)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction … (2 Corinthians 1:3-4a).

It’s amazing how much comfort an infant can get from sucking on a pacifier or a thumb. Crying ceases, calm prevails, and, hopefully, sleep is just around the corner.

God knows it isn’t appropriate for us adults to walk around with a pacifier in order to cope with the daily stresses of home, work, and family so He has given us the Comforter: His Holy Spirit. He provides comfort as we grieve and when we are in distress. His ultimate comfort is the enlightening words of the Gospel: we have been reconciled with God through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Thinking about eternal life with God puts our momentary stresses into perspective! So cling to the Holy Spirit as an infant clings to a pacifier. Remember He is with you wherever you go. When we look to God for comfort, our crying will cease and calm will prevail. (more…)

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God …” Job 19:25-26

Job was in agony. His strength had left him; all hope of recovery was gone. What was left? His only comfort was the living hope of seeing his Redeemer with his own eyes.

Perhaps Job could see himself, clothed with flesh, listening to the invitation of Christ, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world”(Matthew 25:34b).

Nothing helps a Christian through difficult days more than knowing that Jesus lives. Gloom may weigh us down, but glory waits. Job’s faith is the same faith we need when everything seems to fall apart. Can we look beyond our problems? Can we fix our thoughts on the day when we will see the Lord with eyes that see only misery and suffering today? Job looked into the future. We can, too!

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