Divine Service in a Time of Pestilence

2 Samuel 24:15–25
Romans 5:15–17
St. Luke 4:38–41

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Why is God doing this? Why is God letting this happen? 

I’m sure the people of Israel were asking the same question. Why did the Lord send a plague on Israel and King David? It was because David decided to take a census of all the fighting men in his kingdom. It’s not that counting people is a sin in itself, but that David wanted to see just how strong his kingdom was. He wanted to rejoice in his own power and victory, and find confidence in the strength of men and of his rule. The sin was pride.

Only after, was David’s conscience stricken and he turned to the Lord in sorrow and repentance. And the Lord sent His prophet Gad to David and gave him a choice of three punishments that David and Israel could receive. You see, just because you say you’re sorry doesn’t mean you get out of the punishment, or that you don’t have to deal with the consequences. Many children say they’re sorry, but still get the spanking. The consequence often still needs to come so that the seriousness of sin sinks in.

David made a wise and faithful choice. He didn’t choose, but said, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man” (2 Sam. 24:14). It’s always right to say, “Thy will be done, O God.” Better to let Him choose how He should discipline His children.

And in that case, God chose to send a plague. The Angel of the Lord brought this judgment and vengeance. He executed God’s punishment. But remember, the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament is almost never a mere angel, not just a created heavenly being. He is the Messenger of Yahweh, God Himself. To be more precise, He is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God, the face and image of the invisible God. So, it’s a bit strange for those of us who know Jesus, to see Him in this avenging angel of wrath. But we know Jesus is the Judge who will come and ultimately condemn unbelievers to hell. And so He came to Jerusalem at that time to give a preview and warning of the wrath to come.

Yet, David stood between the Angel and the people, pleading for them: “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father's house.” He called for the Lord’s fire to fall down on him and spare the people. He interceded for them, acting like a priest and a sacrificial victim.

So, why did God send this plague? In order to bring David and Israel to repentance, and so that He might have mercy on them. So then, David was instructed to build an altar where the Angel’s hand was stopped. This threshing floor on this hill was the very place where the Lord’s Temple would be built by David’s son, King Solomon. And this way, sacrifices were continually offered there, and priests continued to mediate between God and the people, so that they would not be destroyed for their sins, but would be able to dwell with God in peace.

That temple and those sacrifices continued for many centuries, until finally, the true Son of David came. The one who had a better altar and a greater temple. He served as the great high priest, and did indeed offer Himself as the sacrificial victim. The fire of God’s wrath fell on Him. He that once came as the destroying Angel, came in our flesh to bring us healing and salvation.

And of course, Jesus did not bring healing for Israel only, but for the world, for the whole human race. Because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man. Our first father, Adam, brought sin and death to all his children. All who are born from the race of Adam are born with sin which leads to death. But our second Adam, Jesus, became for us the father of a new human race—mankind free from the curse of sin and the punishment of death. So we, who are born again in Jesus, receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness, and so we will reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. This means that this fallen world is not our final home. Suffering or sickness does not define who are. And death is not the end of our story.

However, even though the second Adam has come, and brought life and immortality to light… when bad things happen, we still ask the question: Why is God letting this happen? But be careful how you ask it. It’s not as if God is careless, or that He let something slip through His fingers. Look at the story with David. Look at Egypt. God sends the plague. This does not mean that He creates evil, but He does direct it. Evil is only in the world because of our sin. And God does use it. He sends it where He wants it to go, often using it to punish other evils.

Now with our current crisis, we have no prophet, no message from God telling us what particular sin, if any, God is punishing or working against. And yet, if we believe God is truly all powerful, then we must confess that He is still sending the virus, directing it. And whatever else it is, it is a sign of His judgment against sin, and against us. Whether death comes from disease or murder, old age or tornado, it is always a reminder of the consequences of sin. So, let us repent with David and say, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.” It’s always better to fall into the Lord’s hands. Even if it means the end of earthly life.

Because the other reason God directs the evil is so that it all works for His good purpose—most especially He makes evil work in His plan for the salvation of mankind in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to heal and save. This is why He healed people, why He rescued them from the devil’s clutches, from the chains of sickness, and even rescued them from the grave. Jesus showed God’s mercy to those who are sick and dying, so that when poor sinners cry out: “Lord have mercy!” they will know that He does indeed answer with mercy. God answers with the death of His Son that brings our healing, not only for sickness, but healing for sins, healing for death itself. 

Even in the death of Jesus, God showed that He is in control of all things, even directing all evil things according to His good purpose. Judas, the priests, Herod, the Romans, and the devil… they all conspired against Jesus. They all hated Him from their own sinful hearts. But God used that evil and directed it. He sent it against His Son. He caused Jesus to suffer all wrath, all punishment, so that we can be spared, so that all mankind can receive His mercy, even the evil ones who murdered His Son. No one is excluded from God’s love in Christ, so long as they are found with faith in Christ.

So, let us flee the plague by fleeing to our only deliverance—flee by faith to Jesus. He stands between us and the disaster. He shields us and heals us. And even if we are struck down in our bodies, Jesus’ forgiveness has not failed us. He gives us His own body and blood that suffered on the cross and was raised from the tomb. That’s the real medicine. This holy bread and cup are the medicine of immortality—the medicine that will heal your body, so riddled by the disease sin and death, so that in your flesh, restored and resurrected to be like His, you will live with Him forever.

In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.

Ash Wednesday

Circuit Lent Series: The Words from the Cross
“Behold, your Mother” (St. John 19:25–27)

St. Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I personally think this is one of the most touching scenes in the Gospels. I think it’s also the one time when I actually imagine the scene from Jesus’ perspective. Hanging on the cross, looking down at the people standing by, many are laughing at Him, some are crying. And there, at His feet, eyes looking up at Him, tears running down their faces: Mary, His Mother, and John, His disciple.

Several times, John, the author of this Gospel, identifies himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. This doesn’t mean Jesus loved John more than the others, but that John chose to identify himself based on Jesus’ love for him, rather than his love for Jesus. What a wonderful way for all of us Christians to think: I am someone whom Jesus loves. Although, there may also have been some special bond of brotherly affection between Jesus and John, because Jesus entrusts His Mother to John’s care. Now also imagine how John felt, watching his friend, his teacher, his Lord, dying before his eyes, the life literally draining out of Him as the blood dripped down. Perhaps only a soldier who has held his comrade in his arms while he died, knows what this is really like. 

And then there’s Mary—the most blessed among women (Luke 1:42)—the humble girl chosen by grace to become the Mother of God. She’s older now, and she can barely stand for grief, leaning on John’s arm, looking at the little Boy she bore and nursed; the young Man she taught and watched as He learned from His step-father Joseph; the Man she knew as her King, but still the little Boy who used to sit on her lap. And the forehead she used to kiss is now crowned with thorns. The hands she used to hold are pierced through with nails. Her very soul was run through with a sword, because there was nothing she could do to save her little boy—nothing she could do except trust that He was saving her.

Jesus looked down at these two and loved them. He cared for them so that they could care for each other. He said to Mary, “Woman, behold, your son!—look at John, Mother. He’s your son now.” Then He said to John, “Behold, your mother!—she’s your mother now.” So, John had someone to love him and pray for him as he began his life of service as an apostle. And Mary had someone to look after her, to provide for her and keep her company as she ended her life as a widow. This was definitely true in a physical sense: from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. The histories of the apostles that have been handed down in the church tell us that John eventually settled as bishop in Ephesus, and that Mary lived with him there until she died.

But there is also a spiritual meaning here. God settles the solitary in families (Psalm 68:6). He builds community. And Jesus makes us members of His family. The Son of God gives us His own Father to be our Father. So, it is only natural, and quite a beautiful thought, that He also gives His Mother to be our Mother, like He did for John. Because, in truth, we are the brothers and sisters of Jesus. But also, with Jesus as our Brother and God as our Father, our true spiritual Mother is the Church. St. Paul tells us this is so: The Jerusalem above—the heavenly Jerusalem, the Church—she is free, and she is our mother. (Galatians 4:26).

So, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, has also come to be a symbol of the Church, the Mother of all believers. And this fits well with the relationship between John and Mary. John, the apostle and minister of the Word, is given by the Lord to Mary, representing the Church. Pastors are given to the Church. Pastors are not OVER the church any more than a son is over his mother. And Mary, representing the Church, is given by the Lord to John, the apostle. The Church is given to Pastors. Pastors are to care for the Church and provide for her with God’s Word.

But one other thing we should remember that mothers do, especially during this season of Lent: Mothers discipline their children. And Holy Mother Church lovingly disciplines her children too. Just as a faithful wife takes her cues from her loving husband and father of her children, Mother Church takes her direction from God our loving Father. So, the Church gives us three disciplines for us to practice, to help train us in righteousness and to set our minds on heavenly treasure: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. And just as Mary, the Mother of God, is an image of our Mother the Church, so also, Mary’s life can be taken as an example of these three disciplines. Just as a Mother serves as an example for her children, so Mary is also an example for Christian life. She acts as a Mother to us all as she shows us how Christians should think and live. Mary is the model Christian—not because she is perfect, but because she, a sinner, so clearly lives by faith in Christ and His Word.

So, take fasting—abstaining from food. The point is to direct our minds away from earthly things toward heavenly things. Man shall not live by bread alone,  but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). There is more to real life than the daily bread that keeps this mortal flesh going for a while. The bread that gives nourishment to the soul, the heavenly manna that sustains eternal life is the Word of God. This is the Word Incarnate Himself, and also His Word given to us in the Scriptures.

The idea behind fasting is that we spend a little less time preparing and eating food so that we can spend more time on God’s Word. In our day when it’s so easy and quick to get food, it might be better that we fast from bigger wastes of time—things like TV, movies, Facebook. Instead of watching another show on Netflix, spend twenty minutes reading the Bible. But fasting from food is still a good old custom, and the fact that food is so easy to come by might be reason enough for us to remind ourselves that actually our life is still very fragile. Skip a meal, and the stomach rumbles, and we are quickly reminded that we cannot sustain ourselves physically. We can’t sustain ourselves spiritually either. We must live by every word that comes from the mouth of God. We need to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them. 

In this way, Mary is a beautiful example of how Christians live on the Word of God. Twice, Luke tells us how Mary received the Word of God. On the night her Son was born, she listened to everything the shepherds said, and Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:17–19). Twelve years later, Joseph and Mary found their boy teaching the teachers in the Temple. And He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house?” And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them… But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart (Luke 2:48–51). The Word didn’t just go in one ear and out the other for Mary. She heard it, marked it, and inwardly digested it. The Word was her food.

Jesus even points this out about His Mother. One time when He was teaching a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” But He said, “Yes, but more than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:27–28). Jesus says, “You’re right. My Mother is blessed. But the real reason she is blessed is because she believes and treasures God’s Word.” Jesus Himself holds up His Mother as an example for all Christians.

The second discipline Holy Mother Church has for us children is almsgiving—giving to the poor. And when thinking of the poor and needy and lowly, we should think of Mary’s Song, the Magnificat: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden… He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent empty away (Luke 1:46–55). Mary was a nobody from nowhere. She is the representative of all poor and lowly sinners who are raised up by God to a blessed state.

And that is the key to almsgiving, the thing we have to believe if we are to truly give to others out of love. We have to understand that we are not high or mighty or wealthy or full on our own. Without God, we are empty. So, having been filled by God’s goodness, we can share others. Having received mercy, we show mercy. We know that we are no better than others, no more deserving of good things than anybody else. So, we show charity to others, even to those who may not deserve it. Having been raised up by God we raise up others. Having been fed by God we feed others. Having been loved by God we love others.

The third discipline to learn from our Mother is prayer: simply speaking to God. Prayer comes from simple faith. It’s speaking to God the way family members speak to each other, not rudely, but safely, with love. “I know they love me and I love them so we are free to talk with each other.” And so, look at how Mary talks to her Son. At the wedding at Cana, Mary and Jesus are both invited guests, and when the wine runs out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine” (John 2:1–11). See how she just simply tells Him what’s wrong. She doesn’t tell Him what to do about it, or try to bargain with Him. She just lays out the need. 

And He doesn’t rebuke her with anger. (Sometimes we read it that way, when He says, “Woman, what does this have to do with Me?” But remember, He also calls her “Woman” while dying for the cross and loving her). Jesus gently reminds her that this is not the time for His true glory, the glory of the Savior accomplishing the forgiveness of sins. (Later, she would see that gruesome glory at the foot of the cross). And Mary knows He’s not angry with her because after He says that, with full faith in her Son’s goodness, she says to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” She doesn’t know what He’s going to do, how He will answer the prayer, but she knows whatever He does will be good.

So, when you pray, simply tell God what’s wrong, lay out the need. And then trust that whatever He does will be good. He will either give you what you ask for, or He will give you something better.

Now, prayer is not only asking for things, but it’s also a way of saying your “Amen” to God—committing yourself to Him, submitting to His will. And once again, Mary is a wonderful example, this time right at the very moment that she becomes her God’s Mother. The angel Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit would conceive the Son in her womb, and Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). You don’t have to be the Mother of God to say that. This is the attitude of every believer. Thy will be done, O God, not mine. Amen. I am Yours.

Of course, none of this means Mary is our Savior or the foundation of our faith. Mary herself would be appalled at such an idea. But she is our Lord’s Mother—and that is a staggering thing—the Creator of the Universe has a Mom! But also, you are your God’s true children, brothers and sisters to the Creator of the Universe—and that is an equally staggering thing! Through Mary, your God shares your flesh and blood. The Child of God became a Man so that we might become children of God. Ultimately, Mary is not in a higher state than any other Christian. In fact, we share her blessed position as we share her faith. She remains a humble example for us, representing our Mother the Church, representing all her children, all Christians.

So, we can join our Lord’s Mother, kneeling at the foot of His cross, cleansed and redeemed by His holy blood. There we are comforted and held up by His apostles and ministers who speak God’s Word to fill us, giving us something to treasure. And so we trust Him, no matter how much it might hurt and pierce our soul. We love Him—Mary’s Boy, God’s Son, our Savior. And we pray to Him, Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to Your Word.

In Your Holy + Name, O Jesus. Amen.

Preached at Immanuel, Charlotte, IA, and Trinity, Clinton, IA, and other congregations of the Clinton Circuit

Lent 4 Wednesday Matins

Catechism Series: Holy Baptism

Small Catechism: Holy Baptism

St. Mark 10:13-16

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord loves water. In the beginning of creation the Spirit hovered over the face of the deep waters. Then the waters of the Flood destroyed the sinful world, while Noah and his family were kept safe in the ark. At the Red Sea, the Lord saved His people by bringing them through the water, and drowning Pharaoh and his host. At the Jordan River, God again stopped water and let Israel cross over into the Promised Land. At that same Jordan River, but many years later, the Lord Himself – Jesus – God incarnate, stepped into those waters and was anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our Savior. And finally, the Lord instituted all water to be a washing away of sin. What is Baptism? It is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word. And not just any word, but His Name. “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in THE NAME of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The Lord loves water. And He gives great benefits with His water. And yet, we take it for granted. Or even worse, we despise it.

If you despise Baptism, you despise the Lord who gives it. And if you think people don’t ignore Baptism, think again. Many Christians believe it does nothing at all. For them, it’s just a symbol. For them, Baptism is all about what they do – they dedicate their life, or dedicate their child to God. Of course, we don’t believe that, but what about us in our Lutheran church? How many times do we postpone the baptism of a baby because we’re more about getting all the relatives there? How many bring their children to Baptism and then never bring them back to church or Sunday School? How many go through the steps of getting baptized and then never give it a second thought?

Baptism saves you. Baptism saves because faith saves. But if faith is gone, Baptism can’t do too much. There’s no such thing as “once saved, always saved,” or “once baptized, always saved.” So once again, if we despise Baptism, we despise the Lord.

But the opposite is also true: when we remember Baptism, when we hold on to it, when we continue in it, when we return to Baptism, then we trust in the Lord. Because Baptism is all about what our Lord is all about. Baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe. And whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

As I said before, there are many who ignore or despise Baptism. Because it really doesn’t look all that special. Just some water and some man saying some words. Nothing impressive about it. So people ask: How can water do such great things? Aha! says Martin Luther. You’re missing the best part! Not just water, but the word of God in and with the water. The Name of God joins with the water and makes it Baptism, makes it God’s water, and makes the baptized God’s child.

Where God’s Name is, there He is doing His work, doing the things that only the crucified and risen Lord can do! Forgiving sins. Putting sinners to death, and raising them up again. Where God’s Name is, there is forgiveness, life, and salvation. The Lord loves water. And He uses that water with His Name to deliver His forgiveness. In Baptism, the water and the word always go together. So, when the water got put on you, God’s Name came with it, and His Name got put on you. You are branded, marked, singled out, with the Name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You are His. Bought by His blood. One of His children.

With the Name of God put upon you, there is no part of your life not belonging to God. There is no part where He is not there. Where His Name is, there He is. You belong to Him and He belongs to you and with you. You are His children. He is our Father. And nothing else in this life can change that. Yet, even as Baptism doesn’t look like much, doesn’t look real, the troubles of life look like a lot. They look all too real. But God’s baptized Children shut their eyes to what things look like, and see things as they really are. So here’s a great Baptism word to remember: “Nevertheless!” Whatever you’re facing, say, “Nevertheless, I am baptized!” If the Devil throws your sins in your face and makes you feel your guilt, say “Nevertheless, I am baptized!” If you are worried over finances, or faced with sickness, or faced with death itself, say “Nevertheless, I am baptized!” You have God on your side. You are His.

Notice, it’s in the present tense: “I am baptized.” It’s not just something in your past. God’s Name is put on you and stays with you. And so every time we remember our Baptism, when we say “Nevertheless I am baptized!” we are returning to that water and Name. We are splashing around in it some more. Your baptism won’t dry up. Because when you return to Baptism, you return to the Lord, you trust Him.

This all has to do with the dying and the rising. Baptism is all about dying and rising. It’s all about Good Friday and Easter. Christ bore the sins of the world on the cross and died for them. Those sins, your sins, followed Him into His tomb, and were sealed there. Christ rose from the dead, but your sins stayed in the tomb. Christ rose to new life and now gives that life to you. Where God’s Name is, there He is, doing His dying and rising work. So in Baptism the Lord puts you to death. You are crucified with Christ. You are drowned in the water, and all your sins follow you down into that watery grave. Then the Lord raises you up again to new life.

Martin Luther once said that the Old Adam, our sinful self, is a good swimmer. That means, that as long we live in this life, we won't be fully dead to sin or fully alive to Christ. At least we can’t see it yet. And so throughout our lives we stay swimming in the Baptism pool. Every time we confess our sins, we are dying, drowning again. And every time we hear the pastor pronounce forgiveness, we are raised to new life. Every time we pray to God and fight against temptation, we are drowning our sinful self. And every time we remember our Baptism and the salvation given there, we are raised up again.

This continues daily, for now, but not forever. There will come a day when you die for good. But do not fear. Your death is a good thing, because then you can be raised for good, forever. So, when next you face death, face it as one baptized. God’s Name is on your head, so death cannot keep you. You have already died in Baptism. The worst is behind you. All that remains is for you to be raised up to new and eternal life. When you go to die, go as a little baby in the arms of Jesus. He wants the little children to come to Him and live with Him forever.

In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.

Lent 3 Wednesday Matins

Catechism Series: Lord's Prayer

Large & Small Catechisms: Lord’s Prayer

St. Matthew 6:5-15

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Ten Commandments teach God’s Law. The Apostles’ Creed teaches the Gospel. And so, the Lord’s Prayer teaches Holy Living. Law, Gospel, Holy Living – this is the basic rhythm and pattern of the Christian life. We are convicted of sin, we receive the forgiveness of Christ, and with the help of the Holy Spirit we try to live a holy life. Then we sin, and the pattern starts over.

None of us keep the Ten Commandments perfectly. Yet we know from the Creed that our God is our Helper, our Savior, and our Father. So those two things urge us to pray to this God. Really, the chief way the holy life of the Christian must be put into practice is in prayer. We must pray that He would give, preserve, and increase faith in us, and also help us to keep His Commandments. We must pray that He would remove every obstacle in our way that opposes us in this holy life. And so, because prayer is so necessary for the Christian life, our Lord Jesus Himself has taught us how to pray and even given us the words to use.

But first, before we just jump in and start praying the Lord’s Prayer (or any prayer), we need to know two things about prayer: First, God has commanded us to pray. This is covered in the Second Commandment: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use Satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks. God has given us His name. Of course, He forbids us from misusing it. But He also expects that we actually use it the right way. People get into the habit of not praying for all different reasons. “Who knows whether God will hear my prayer?” “Does God really want to hear from me?” “If I don’t pray, somebody else will.” We should banish these thoughts from our minds. God requires us to pray to Him. He did not leave up to our choice. And know this: not praying is being disobedient to God, and so God is right to be angry and punish all people who do not pray to Him, just as He is right to do so for any other disobedience. But by calling on God’s name you are keeping His command. You are honoring His name and using it well and so God is pleased with that.

If for no other reason, you should pray to Him because you know God has commanded you to do so. And He does not consider prayer because of who the person is, how spiritual or nice or holy they are. He hears prayers because they are based on the command He has given us in His Word. He will never allow our prayers to be in vain or go unheard. If He did not intend to hear your prayer, He would’ve never commanded it.

The second thing we should know about prayer is that God has attached a promise to it. Whenever you’re trying to figure out what you should do, you should always start by finding out, what is God’s command and what is His promise. The same is true for prayer. So we should not only pray because we’re commanded to, but we should be eager and grateful to pray because our God has given us wonderful promises concerning our prayer:

Psalm 50(:15), “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Matthew 7(:7–11), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

John 16(:23–24) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Now whoever does not believe these promises from God will not be heard by Him. To not believe God’s promise is to call God a liar. So, if we do not pray with trust in His promises we will dishonor God and anger Him in this way as well. But here’s how we should approach God in prayer: just like a little child who knows and loves his father, and knows that his father loves him. “Here I come, dear Father, and pray, not because I have my own purposes, and not because I am worthy. But I pray because of Your commandment and promise, which can never fail or deceive me.”

Now, as for the Lord’s Prayer in particular, there is no better prayer to be found on earth. We should pray it daily, we should pray it in times of need and in times of thanksgiving, we should pray it when we don’t know what else to pray. At the beginning of Matins and Vespers we pray the words of Psalm 51(:15), O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. And that is exactly what He does in the Lord’s Prayer. He arranges the words for us. He opens our lips and puts His words on our tongue, so we may learn from Him how to pray aright.

The Lord’s Prayer also teaches us what our greatest needs are. The things we should be concerned about the most are laid out for us in the Lord’s Prayer so we don’t neglect them. It teaches and reminds us what we should really be praying for. So, we’re not only praying for things that we like or things we think we need, but by praying the Lord’s Prayer we’re also praying for the things God wants us to pray about. Let’s face it, most of our prayers probably fall under the Fourth Petition: Give us this day our daily bread. We’re concerned about money and food, family, health, government, mostly earthly stuff. And we should pray for all those things. But maybe the Lord’s Prayer puts first things first. Perhaps God arranged this prayer in this way so that first we would pray for heavenly things, things that selfish, sinful humans neglect: God’s holy name, His kingdom, His good and gracious will.

Finally, we can also take comfort in praying this prayer because it covers everything. Any prayer you can think of is already included in one or more of its seven petitions. In fact, that’s your challenge for the rest of the week: Pray the Lord’s Prayer and as you do it think, is there anything I could ask for that the Lord has not included in this prayer? Then let me know what you think.

Now we’ll go through the parts briefly. The Introduction: Our Father who art in heaven. We can boldly and confidently address God as our true Father because we are His true children. We have been adopted into His family through His true Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The First Petition: Hallowed be Thy name. First, we pray that God’s name would be holy. Of course, we know His name is always holy, but we’re praying that we would keep it holy. Simply put, we’re praying that we would preserve God’s good reputation. As God’s children who bear His name, we dishonor God when we teach lies about Him or live sinful, unrepentant lives. But we bring honor and glory to God when we purely teach His Word and live holy lives according to it.

The Second Petition: Thy kingdom come. We know God’s kingdom comes to earth now and is going to come on the Last Day, whether we like it or not. But we’re praying that His kingdom would come to us, for us, and make us a part of it. We’re asking that God would send His Holy Spirit to us so that we may believe and follow Him. We’re asking to be gathered into His kingdom here on earth in the Church, and be gathered into His kingdom one day in heaven.

The Third Petition: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Again, we know God’s will is always done, even when we’re not praying for it. We’re asking that God’s will would be done for us, for our good, and that we would also work to do His will. God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature. These enemies of God do not want us to keep God’s name holy or let His kingdom come. So we pray that God would fight against them and stop their evil wills. We pray that God would keep us firm in faith, trusting His Word, all lifelong until we die.

The Fourth Petition: Give us this day our daily bread. Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body. And once more, we know that God gives daily bread to everyone, even to those who don’t pray for it, even to those who don’t believe in Him. But we pray for it because it shows that we know where our bread comes from. We need to remember that everything we have in this life comes as a gift from God. And we need to thank Him for it.

The Fifth Petition: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Without the forgiveness of sins we could never hope to come before God or be heard by Him. Without the forgiveness of sins God would answer our prayers with hell. So, we repent, we confess our sins, and we trust in the forgiveness won for us by the Father’s Son, Jesus Christ. And if God loves us and forgives us, who have so terribly wronged Him, so also we must love others and forgive those who have sinned against us. If we refuse God’s gift of forgiveness to others, then we cannot have forgiveness for ourselves. So, let this petition also be a prayer for help, that we would learn to love our enemies, forgive those who have wronged us, and not hold onto any bitterness.

The Sixth Petition: And lead us not into temptation. God does not tempt us to sin. He is our fortress and shield against the attacks of the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature. So, we must constantly call on Him for help and rescue so that we do not give into temptation. Whenever we sense that sin is lurking nearby, we should run to God and ask for strength to resist. We pray that we would stand firm and share in the final victory of Christ.

The Seventh Petition: But deliver us from evil. This last petition really sums up all the others. We’re praying against our chief enemy, the Devil. He is the one who tries to stop everything we pray for: God’s name or honor, God’s kingdom and will, our daily bread, and a good and clean conscience unstained by sin and doubt. One of the best things we can do on earth is pray against this enemy, because if God did not constantly guard and deliver us, we would never be safe. So, we also pray that God would give us that final deliverance. When our last hour comes, we ask Him to give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

Finally, we must learn to say “Amen” to all this. “Amen” means “This is true. I believe. Yes, yes, it shall be so.” We should not doubt that our prayer is heard and that what we pray will be done. If we do not believe, then we cannot truly pray. James 1(:6–7) says, “Ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” So “Amen” is nothing less than the word of undoubting faith, faith which does not pray on a dare or as a gamble, but faith which knows that God does not lie. He has commanded us to pray and He has promised to answer us.

In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.