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Prayer

In the Word

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer (Psalm 6:9).

Of the Word

I stayed by his side. Many tubes snaked from the still figure on the bed. Machines beeped and hummed. He barely looked alive now, his face slack, his body so still except for the breath of life being pumped from the machines into his chest.

The hours passed in that dream state so common in hospitals. People came and went as I sat there, thinking and praying. What should I pray for? For life? What kind of life would we have?

Did I dare ask God to relieve him from his pain and suffering? Was I ready to let go of him? … the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26b).

Even when we don’t know what to pray for, God knows our thoughts and our unspoken prayers. The Holy Spirit guides our hearts and minds even when we aren’t sure of what to ask of God.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Father in heaven, my life is in Your hands. Please help me in my hour of uncertainty and give me the strength to deal with the answer to my unspoken prayer. May the Holy Spirit continue to reside in me and guide my ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Dianna Jenkins. 19/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Joy in God’s protection

In the Word

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:2).

Of the Word

The deer dashed headlong into the path of the car. But God was there. The machines blinked and beeped beside the hospital bed. But God was there. A narrow escape; a long wait. Almost everyone has a story to tell, a story that can end with thanks for God’s presence and protection.

The scriptures are filled with stories of narrow escapes, long waits, and God’s protection. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a fiery death with the certainty that God could save them. They added, “But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:18). God did choose to save them in a miraculous way.

Does God always rescue in such amazing ways? No. He may have another plan, a better plan. But no matter what the outcome, His presence is just as sure. We can trust Him to provide love, mercy and grace exactly as His people need them.

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for being my refuge and fortress. Help me to remember that, no matter what I face in life, You are beside me. Help me to trust in You completely. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 21/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Joy in God’s omnipotence

In the Word

Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14a).

For nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

Of the Word

How do you face your problems? Because we are human, we are tempted to dwell on them, wallow in self-pity, and blame others for them. Guilt, revenge, anger and despair can result.

The Bible gives us some examples of people who chose better ways to handle their problems. Hannah took her biggest problem, barrenness, to the Lord in prayer. (1 Samuel 1:10–12) Elijah asked God to send fire to consume the waterlogged sacrifice. (1 Kings 18:36–38) Gideon trusted that the small army of God could defeat the enemies. (Judges 7:15–22) Mary simply accepted the angel’s amazing message that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. (Luke 1:38)

In these and many other instances, God has proved that what seems impossible to us is entirely possible for Him. Our God is able to handle any problem because He is God!

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, You know about all the “impossibles” in my life. Help me to turn them over to You, knowing with faith-filled certainty that You can and will turn them into “possibles.” When I weaken, help me cling tightly to Your promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 20/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Joy in our heavenly reservation

In the Word

In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).

Of the Word

The tired family entered the city after a long drive. Cranky children cried to get out of the car. Weary parents watched for a motel advertising a vacancy. But red letters flashed only the “No Vacancy” message. The next city was an hour away. Why, oh why, had they failed to reserve a room?

Jesus’ beautiful promise brings comfort and joy to our hearts: In my Father’s house are many rooms (John 14:2a). But how can we be absolutely certain that the reservation has been made? Will the “Vacancy” sign be shining for us? Jesus Himself has made the reservation. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6b). He paid the price for that reserved room, not with Visa or MasterCard, but with His own blood on Calvary’s cross. Faith in Him guarantees the reservation. Never fear that a “No Vacancy” sign will appear at heaven’s gate. Instead, Jesus will be there to welcome all who trust in Him. He has the place prepared, not for a night or two but for all eternity.

Walking with my Lord

Lord Jesus, thank You for reserving my room in heaven. Thank You for preparing my eternal home and for giving it to me by grace. I can hardly wait to see You! Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Joy. Authors: Dcs. Betty Knapp, Irene Mensing, Myrna Lou Meyer, Margaret White. 19/30 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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God’s Forgiveness

In the Word

Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! Wash away all my evil and make me clean from my sin! (Psalm 51:1–2 GNT).

Of the Word

The great King David of the Old Testament wrote Psalm 51 after he had committed adultery with the beautiful, married Bathsheba. She became pregnant and David gave orders Uriah, her husband, was to be killed in battle (2 Samuel 11–12).

When we read David’s story we see that people caught in the grasp of sin are able to do deplorable things.

But wait! That’s not the end of the story. Was David punished? Yes. The sin he tried to cover up was made known to the nation, and the baby died. But David admitted his sin to God, asked for God’s forgiveness, and received it.

Did God forgive David because He loved him more than He loves us? No! Is our sin so gross that Jesus will turn away from us? No! Does Jesus even want us to bring our sin to Him? Yes! Will the Spirit forgive us and make us clean? Yes! How can this be? … if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing (1 John 1:9 GNT).

Walking with my Lord

Father, I thank You for allowing me to lay my sins before You. I ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to be what You would have me be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 21/30 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION – Second Edition, American Bible Society, New York, NY. Copyright © 1992.

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God’s Healing and Forgiveness

In the Word

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18b).

Of the Word

The teenage victim of an illegal abortion lay in the ICU. She was not expected to survive. My heart ached to tell her of God’s love and mercy, but no visitors were allowed.

I decided to write a letter. I told her that God loved her and that through Jesus our scarlet sins would be washed as white as snow. I assured her that the members of the church were praying for her.

That night, a Christian nurse read my letter to her and prayed with her. By morning her condition had improved. During her long recovery, prayers continued. Some weeks later, she, her mother, and her brother were baptized.

No matter how severe the ailment or how great the sin, God offers His love, forgiveness, and comfort to all. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 1:7–8).

Walking with my Lord

Thank You, Lord, for dying on the cross to save me from my sins. Forgive my sins and empower me with Your love to share the Good News with all I meet. In Your saving name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living as a Woman in Mission. Author: Marilyn McClure. 27/32 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Rock Solid

In the Word

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation (Psalm 95:1).

Of the Word

Jesus ends His Sermon on the Mount with the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24–29). He likens those who hear His Word and obey it to the man who built his house on the rock. When battered by wind and rain, it stood firm because it had a solid foundation.

The foolish man was compared to those who hear Christ’s Words and choose not to obey them. This man’s house, built on the sand, was also battered by wind and rain. Having no foundation, it fell flat!

We, like the houses in Christ’s parable, also need a strong foundation. Learning, believing, and putting into practice the message of the Bible gives us the substance we need to withstand the storms of life. Through God’s gift of His Holy Spirit, we are able to put our full confidence in Jesus Christ, our Rock, our Lord, and our Savior. When the winds and rains of life come our way — as surely they will — we will still be standing solid. God will see to that! 

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, may I forever boldly proclaim “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” In His redeeming name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Comfort from the Psalms. Authors: Marcia Gomulka & Myrna Lou Meyer. 20/30 ©2009 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” words by Edward Mote, music by John Stainer. Public domain.

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