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I pray — but only God can make it happen!

In the Word

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31).

Of the Word

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors few open, and everybody’s chains came loose (Acts 16:25–26).

Can you imagine the reactions of the other prisoners when the chains fell off and the doors flew open? Shock, elation, puzzlement would be a few — but Paul and Silas had a different response. They didn’t move. They had prayed boldly, and they knew God would handle the situation. It wasn’t their place to break the chains and run for it. They had done all that was necessary by praying boldly. Now they awaited God’s magnificent answer and continued their work of telling others of Christ’s love.

Why does an answered prayer surprise us? God does answer prayer! That shouldn’t surprise us. Rather, it should give us courage to continue to pray boldly. 

Walking with my Lord

Lord, You are a faithful God. What You promise You deliver. Make us bold to bring before You our petitions, thanksgivings and pleadings. Then help us to listen to Your will and direction for our lives. In Your holy name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003-2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 20/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

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Ask! Seek! Knock!

In the Word

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).

Of the Word

Ask … seek … knock … it all sounds simple. Bringing our prayers before our good and gracious Lord is just that simple. Have you ever listened to the sincere prayers of a child? For a child, praying to God is like asking for help from a friend in the next room. We could learn the fine art of “simply praying” from a child. The psalmist knew the importance of praying earnestly when he wrote: In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation (Psalm 5:3).

When we turn to the Lord in prayer, He promises to respond. His answer may not be what we were expecting, but we know that His good and perfect will is being worked out in us daily.

Walking with my Lord

Father, help me lift my eyes to heaven each day as I lay my requests before You. Help me also to be open to Your leading so that I may live my life in accordance with Your will. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Prayer. Written by 2003-2005 LWML Christian Life Committee. 18/31 ©2005 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

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

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When Peace, Like a River

In the Word

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ … (Romans 5:1).

Of the Word

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows, like sea billows, roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul.

At times life can be calm and peaceful, but at other times trials and tribulations may come our way. No matter what happens, Christ gives us the ability to say, “It is well with my soul.”

Satan wants to disrupt our peace, ruin our calm. God the Father sent His Son Jesus to be our Savior from all sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus gave His life so that our sins are forgiven. By His resurrection He conquered death and defeated Satan. “He lives — oh, the bliss of this glorious thought; My sin, not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

The Lord will return at the trumpet’s sound, and the resounding refrain will continue for us: “It is well with my soul.”

Walking with my Lord

I praise You, my Savior. All that You have done for me makes me shout joyfully, “It is well, it is well with my soul.” In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Joyful, Joyful. Rev. Larry and Shari Miller, authors. 31/31. Hymn Text: LSB 763. ©2011  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.

All hymns are public domain with the text reprinted from Lutheran Service Book, ©2006, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.

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Worshipful Praise

In the Word

Praise God in his sanctuary … (Psalm 150:1b).

Of the Word

What can you expect when you enter church for worship? It’s a fair question, and God answers it.

In God’s House, you can expect God to minister to your deepest needs. In the reading of His Word, He speaks to you of His Law and His Gospel. In the preaching of His Word, He instructs, inspires, and encourages you in your Christian walk. In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, you witness another person whose name is added to the Book of Life. In the Sacrament of Holy Communion, you touch and taste His presence and grace.

In God’s house, you can expect other believers to minister to you. One look tells you you’re not alone in discipleship. The sound of voices raised in song proclaims that you’re part of a living, joyful, and worshipful community. Hands reaching out to you in times of sorrow and in times of celebration express the unity of faith and oneness in the hearts of all believers.

Yes, God expects to see you in His house … and you can expect with certainty to find Him and His people there.

Walking with my Lord

Lord, thank You for the gift of worship and community;
Accept my praises, Lord, both here and in eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Living in Praise. Author: Patricia Mitchell. 1/32 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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How, Lord … can I follow Jesus’ example of forgiveness?

In the Word

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37c).

Of the Word

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered (Psalm 32:1).

The movie, The Passion of the Christ, has been viewed by millions of people. The arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death of Jesus were portrayed in utmost reality on the screen. Some people were unable to watch the movie in its entirety because every piercing of the thorns, every stroke of the whip, every blow of the hammer was too graphic.

 Perhaps that gruesome reality, however, helps us to understand the magnitude of Jesus’ suffering and the wonder of His words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34a).

Let yourself think for a moment about what He endured: lies, ridicule, pain, abandonment by friends and even His Father. Yet He asked God to forgive.

What a model of forgiveness our Savior is! Let us remember His words when we pray, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us” (Luke 11:4a).

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for forgiving my sins. Make my heart like Your heart, filled with forgiveness. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 31/32 ©2011 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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How, Lord … can my broken heart be healed?

In the Word

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).

Of the Word

Broken bones require a doctor’s care, medication, a cast, and a time of healing. But how do you heal a broken heart? What words can help? What acts of love can ease the pain? How much time will it take?

God has healing words for His people. The psalmist writes, Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life (Psalm 138:7a). Proverbs 30:5b tells us “ … he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” And our loving Savior invites and promises, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Jesus took our burdens, our pains, and our broken hearts to the cross. He experienced our deepest hurts, and He understands heartbreak. He is the Great Healer for time and for eternity.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Jesus, my heart is hurting as I come to You. Shelter me with Your love, and give me peace and rest. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 30/32 ©2011 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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His Name is My Name, Too

In the Word

Sing to the LORD; praise his name … (Psalm 96:2a).

Of the Word

What little jingle is sung repetitiously about no one?
“John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, His name is my name, too!”

This jingle, which goes on and on, has been sung by children since the early 1900’s — often when traveling in a car. The endless singing continues until the car stops or the singers are told to stop. It’s amazing that all this time is spent singing about someone who doesn’t even exist.

But Jesus Christ does exist. His name is our name, too. That is why those who travel through life trusting in Him are called Christians.

While silly songs can be annoying, our Heavenly Father is not annoyed but is delighted when we sing words of praise to Him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song … (Psalm 33:2–3a). Sing to the LORD; praise his name … (Psalm 96:2a).

Enjoy the ride! Sing constantly. Even if no one else hears our songs, God will. He hears our hearts and our hearts’ songs.

Walking with my Lord

Dear Lord, You have put a song in my heart and on my lips. May I always use beautiful words to praise You before others. In Your holy name I give thanks for my joy. Amen.

Mustard Seed: Simple Trust. Elaine Bickel, author. 29/29 ©2011 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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