“Prayer: As Simple As…”
NOTE TO READER: Sundays (at least for a while) I will be posting a one hour video in two parts: Part One will be a worship service, and Part Two will be something else. The video is directly below this text. Below the video on this page is the Order of Service for the worship. And below that is the text of this video (but not the music), in case you would rather read than watch.
———————————————
ORDER OF SERVICE
Bell/Invocation
Confession of Sin and Forgiveness
Kyrie
Opening Prayer
Hymn “How Great Thou Art”
Prayer of the Day
Scripture Readings: Psalm 62:1-8 / I Peter 5:6-10
Gospel reading: Matthew 26:36-46
Sermon: “Prayer, As Simple As…”
Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
Offering
Apostles’ Creed
Prayer of the Church
Lord’s Prayer
Benediction/Bell
PART TWO:
“Lord, Get a Hold of Elmer”
———————————————–
INVOCATION / CONFESSION OF SIN AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us confess our sins unto the Lord: Dear Lord God, I cannot count the sins that I have done and still do. I have forgotten most of them and no longer even feel any guilt for that which has been forgotten. But all that is in me that is not by your grace is sin, and is condemned. Therefore, my works and all my efforts only make me despondent. I do not know what else to do but to hope and pray for your mercy. By grace I am saved only through Jesus, and apart from Him, I know and confess that nothing good is in me. No matter how long I live, it will never be different. If I had all the holiness of all the saints, there would still be nothing in what I think, speak, or do that could ever save me. But all my sins are forgiven by your grace alone, through the sufferings and death of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is the joy and comfort which you gladly grant to me, a poor sinner, for which I give you thanks and praise. Amen. (by Martin Luther/paraphrased)
Pastor: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER:
Let us pray: O God, my Creator and Redeemer, I am not able to go forth today except that you accompany me with your blessing. Let not the freshness of the morning, or the vigor of good health, or the prosperity of my undertakings, deceive me into a false reliance upon my own strength. All these good gifts have come to me from you. They were yours to give and they are yours also to take away. They are not mine to keep; I do but hold them in trust; and only in continued dependence upon you, the Giver, can they be worthily enjoyed.
Let me then put back into your hand all that you have given me, rededicating to your service all the powers of my mind and body, all my worldly goods, and all my influence with others. All these, O Lord, are yours to use as you will. Speak your words through me today, guide my thoughts, and work in all my deeds. It is your gracious will to make use even of such small and weak humans as myself, so let my life be the channel through which some little portion of your divine love and pity may reach the lives of those that are nearest to my own.
I remember before you, O God, my family and all my friends and neighbors, those with whom I work, and especially the poor in our midst, asking that you would give me the grace to serve them in your name.
O blessed Jesus, who used your own most precious life for the redemption of your human family, giving no thought to ease or pleasure or worldly enrichment, but filling all your hours and days with deeds of self-denying love; give me grace to follow you in such a life of service to others. To your name be all glory and praise, now and forever. Amen.
–John Baillie, Diary of Private Prayer, Morning Prayer, Second day.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: O Lord, our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter, we come into your presence to hear your holy word. We pray that you so open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may be taught to repent of our sins, to believe in Jesus in life and in death, and to grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Christ’s sake. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Psalm 62:1-8
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.[b]
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
I Peter 5:6-10 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
GOSPEL: Matthew 26:36-46 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
SERMON:
Vending machines are simple. You view the choices, decide what you want, put your money in the slot, press the button, and, immediately, you get just what you ordered. And it almost always works, just that way. Simple.
Prayer is usually more complicated. Usually. But not always. Sometimes; every once in a while— prayer works just that simple. I was talking with a friend about prayers, answered and unanswered. He asked me if I ever had an experience of an immediate, direct, and unmistakable answer to a prayer; you know, like a vending machine. I said “Yes, I think so;” and he said he did too.
Here is his story. He was in the middle of one of those crazy busy days when you don’t know how you are going to get it all done. He had to do this and do that, drive here and there, meet this one and that one. He was racing to his car to get to his next obligation in time, reached in his pocket, and his car keys were not there. He couldn’t believe it. He had them just a little while ago, so he knew they weren’t in the car. He frantically checked all his pockets, looked through his briefcase, went and checked the room where he just had a meeting, and came back out to the car. The keys were nowhere to be found. He again walked all around the car, and this time even got down on his knees and looked around and under the car. No keys. He did not know what to do next. He was still on his hands and knees, and there, he closed his eyes for a silent desperate prayer: “Lord,” he said, “You know what I all have to get done today. I need those keys. Please, help me find them so I can get going.” He opened his eyes, and there were the keys, right ahead of him, right where he had just been looking before he closed his eyes for that prayer. Simple, right? Is that how prayer usually works for you? Probably not. Not for me either, usually. But one time it did. So, next I told my friend my story.
For about a five-year period when I was in my 40’s I was afflicted by severe migraine headaches. On the average, I would get about one a month, and they always followed the exact, same pattern. I would be awakened by the beginning of the headache pain at 3:30 in the morning—they always came at night, and always started at 3:30 a.m. Within a half hour, my head was pounding, the pain was at about a level nine or ten, and I had three hours to go, all the while wishing I could just die. Sleep was impossible, and I could not even lay down. So, I would sit in a chair, try to get comfortable, and wait for it to pass. By the chair I had a pail, because I knew that at about 7:00 I would be nauseous and soon vomiting. Then, I would slowly begin to get better, but then, was always pretty wrung out for the rest of the morning. It was always the same pattern, and no pills or prescriptions gave any relief. It just had to run its course, and when I woke up at 3:30 with that kind of pain, I knew what I was in for—every single time. Except once.
One morning, at 3:30 sharp, I was awakened by the first signs of that usual routine; and as it worsened, I began to panic. I was used to enduring the ordeal, but this day I did not have time for it. I had a mid-morning funeral, I was not yet done with my sermon, and had an important meeting. I had to be there, and I could not call in sick to anyone. I prayed a desperate prayer. I said, “Lord, I cannot be sick today. For whatever reason, you have allowed me to be afflicted by these headaches, and I do accept them as one of my crosses to bear. But not today. I cannot be sick today. You have to take this pain away.” And God did. For the only time in that several year period, the migraine headache did not run its usual, predictable course. The pain decreased, and I went back to sleep, and I was fine for the day. Simple. Just like a vending machine. Right? No.
It is, of course, much more complicated. First of all, that was not the only time I ever prayed to be relieved of the pain of those migraines. It was probably the time I was most desperate, and needed to be well more than any other time. But I prayed during other headaches, and I prayed to be free from them completely. And now I am free. I have had no more of that monthly headache routine for several years. Is that an answer to prayer, or just the result of a change in my body chemistry? I don’t know. And why did God answer my prayer just that one time, and not all those other mornings? I don’t know. Understanding how prayer works is indeed much more complicated than understanding how a vending machine works.
But why should you care about what kind of headaches I had twenty years ago? I don’t expect anyone to care, except that I use this as an example of what I am sure every one of you here have gone through, or are going through right now. You have all had the experience of unanswered prayers. And, I would guess that quite a few of you could also tell stories of answered prayers—perhaps even stories of some pretty direct and unmistakable and miraculous answers.
I am thinking about this because I have just finished reading a powerful book called Miracles by Eric Metaxas. In part one the author defines miracles, and discusses why even in this age of science sophistication, we should not rule them out. He also looks at the miraculous world all around us, and, at the miracles of the Bible. In part two, the author tells stories of miracles that he has heard about– and he limits himself to stories told to him by people he knows personally, and trusts. Many of the miracles have to do with answered prayers. And he tells many stories of such answers—again, all by people he himself knows; including one story very similar to the one my friend tells about lost keys miraculously appearing out of nowhere. And Eric Metaxas is no naïve, illiterate, gullible, backwoods, snake-handler. He is a New York Times best-selling author, a columnist and radio host, and, has a ministry called ‘Socrates in the City,’ that reaches out to many of the high-powered intellectuals and business leaders of Manhattan. And he asks all the tough questions about prayer that you would expect from such an intelligent person.
And one of the tough questions Eric Metaxas asks is, “Why should God care about answering prayers for lost keys and headaches, when God seems to be ignoring prayers about the cruelty in North Korea, the ever increasing arsenals of nuclear warheads, tens of millions of refugees, and ongoing starvation in Africa?”
There are no easy or complete answers to a question like that, but the Bible does give some insights. Psalm 62:8 says: “Trust in God at all times, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” ‘Pour out your heart before Him,’ it says—whatever is on your heart, large or small, world hunger or lost keys. We are God’s children, says the Bible, and just like children, we can bring before God whatever is on our heart, ‘at all times,’ says the verse. All times and all places and all kinds of requests. “God is our refuge,’ says the verse, and therefore, it says, TRUST IN HIM. Trust in God to respond to your request, in whatever way he sees fit, in large things and in small.
God did answer my prayer for healing that one time, but not the others. But then God did take away those headaches completely, or at least I think it was God. And after all, didn’t God give me my head in the first place, and everything in it. And isn’t that in itself quite a miracle?
But what is that compared to the Holocaust, and all the unanswered prayers in those war years that went on and on? But who knows what prayers God did and did not answer during that desperate time? For a while, the Nazis looked unstoppable. What if London would have fallen, and the United States would have had to face the Nazis without them and without that military base of operations. And London may very well have fallen. What if the D-Day invasion had failed? It very well might have. And what if the Nazis would have been the first to develop and use the Atomic Bomb? That also could have happened. Maybe God was answering prayers all over the place, and perhaps if he wasn’t, humankind would already be extinct. God does give us a free will, and evil people will always use that free will to kill and destroy. God also does answer prayers. That too is clear in the Bible and true to many people’s experiences. But why God chooses to act or not act, in situations large and small, is beyond our ability to understand. There is always so much we do not see. And so, says the watchword, “Trust, at all times and in all ways, trust in God, for He is our refuge.”
And then, along with all our prayers, and all our requests for this or that which we so desperately want or need, along with all that, we pray also that pray of Jesus when he was most desperate. On the night of his betrayal, on the night of his arrest, less than 24 hours before his torture and execution, he knew it all was coming, and Jesus desperately prayed, “Lord, may this cup of suffering pass from me.” But then he added “Not my will but, thine be done.” And just in case we might forget to pray in that way, Jesus included that same prayer in the words of the Lord’s Prayer, as we pray there too, “Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.” And it does appear that it is sometimes it is God’s will to intervene and restrict and block our free will; and other times, it is God’s will to let our free will run its course.
And then most of all, we remember that we worship a God who is beyond all time and space, and whose answers to prayers are not limited to this life. A verse I often read to folks I visited in the hospital is I Peter 5:10. It says there, “The God of all grace, who calls you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”
Those words can be understood on two levels. Always, after surgery, the person does suffer for a little while, and then, oftentimes, God restores them and makes them strong, firm, and steadfast, and they go back to living a full life in the here and now. That is one level. But sometimes, during surgery, a person will die. But even if that happens, God will bring the believer into his eternal glory, and it is there that they are put back on our feet again, and are made strong, firm, and steadfast. Either way, the verse applies; as does Romans 14:8, which says, “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord, so whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life, so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.”
I remember a very sad Easter Sunday service many years ago at one of my little churches. Two of our very active, very much involved middle aged men were, in that previous week, diagnosed with terminal cancer. Everyone knew everyone in that little congregation, and these men were much loved, and both had children still at home. It was not a joyful Easter Sunday at all that year; it was a heavy time for the congregation. Many prayers were said over the next months for both men.
And then one man died, as everyone expected. That was the original prognosis. And then, the other man got better, much to everyone’s surprise. That is not what the doctors expected. And we all rejoiced in answered prayers; but the rejoicing was diminished by the very fresh memories of those other unanswered prayers for our other friend. Who can understand how these things work?
But do you know what? The healed man also, eventually died. It was many years later, and he was an old man, and he died of something else. But still, he died. That’s what always happens. His healing was only temporary, as are all earthly healings. But as Christians we can rejoice in the promise of that final and complete healing of the resurrection, where, for those who believe in Jesus, all prayers for help and healing be answered.
Once again, Psalm 62:8: “Trust in God at all times, pour out your heart before Him; for God is a refuge for us.” Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
OFFERING:
Reading from God’s Word, as written in Deuteronomy 16:17;
Each of you shall give as you are able, bringing a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.” Therefore, with gladness, we present the offerings of our life and labor to the Lord.
At this time, if you have not already done so, make a decision about what you will give to the Lord’s work this week. As you think about that, think about this little story I found the other day, and I quote:
“One day, I saw an old man on a sidewalk bench, cold and shivering in a thin coat, with little hope of a decent meal. I became angry and I said to God: ‘Why do you permit this; and why don’t you do something about it?’ For a while, God said nothing. Then, quite suddenly, God interrupted my thoughts with his reply saying, ‘I certainly did do something about it. I made you, and I put that old man right there in front of you today. Why didn’t you do something about it? You could have least bought him a sandwich and a cup of warm coffee. You could even have given him your coat. He was about your size and you have six more coats in your closet at home. I have never seen you wear all six at once. I have blessed you with far more than you need. Why didn’t you do something?’”
You might not very often be faced with a situation like that, but there are, as you well know, many people like that old man who are in desperate need of food and a warm place to stay. Helping is usually more complicated than giving someone a sandwich or the coat off your back, but there are many organizations that have figured out how to do that really well, for many people, every day, year-round. The Salvation Army is one of the best, and local food shelves also are a life-saver for many people in your own community. Throughout the pages of the Bible, God commands us to share what we have been given to feed the hungry. If you are not already doing so, decide now to contribute regularly to the Lord’s work in this way.
OFFERING PRAYER: Let us pray: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—ourselves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of Him who offered Himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LET US PRAY: Lord, it is by your will and command that we come to you in prayer. We begin by asking that you forgive and remove the many sins that weigh heavily upon us. Let them not hinder our prayers. We cannot be without your help, and you have said that you are willing and able to grant such help to them that ask for it. Lord, we are now asking. Look upon our need and our misery, and help us for Jesus’ sake. Lord, in your mercy—HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Lord Jesus, you have said, “Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” In accordance with this promise, we therefore ask that you give us not silver or gold, but a strong and firm faith. As we seek, let us find — not the lusts and pleasures of this world, but comfort and peace in your healing Word. As we knock, may the door be opened unto us. Grant us your Holy Spirit to enlighten our hearts, and, to comfort and strengthen us in our cares and trials. Keep us in the one true faith so that we may trust in your grace until our life’s end. Lord, in your mercy…HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Give grace to all preachers so that they may powerfully and faithfully proclaim Christ and your Word in all the world. Grant that all who hear your Word preached may learn to know Christ and better their lives through him. Exclude from your holy church all strange doctrines and preaching in which Christ is not made known. Be merciful to bishops, ministers, and all in authority, that they may be enlightened by your grace and rightly teach and lead by words and good examples. Lord, in your mercy…HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Lord and King of all creation, we pray for the government under whose care and protection you have placed us. Give our President and all in authority wisdom and understanding that they may rule this nation with quiet grace. Bless our land with peace and prosperity, that the word of God, decency, and honesty may be advanced, and so that the well-being of all people may be properly provided. May we as citizens be respectful, obedient and devout. Lord, in your mercy…HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Guide the rulers of all nations, so that they may lead their land and their people in righteousness and peace. Enlighten all who are in authority and move them to do what is right. Grant blessed unity and peace among all nations. Preserve us from all strife, hatred, and warfare, so that we may eat our daily bread in peace. Lord, in your mercy… HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Teach us by your Spirit to manage our homes in a Christian manner, to your service, praise, and glory. Preserve us, our children, and all we love from sin and shame, as well as from danger to body or soul. Grant us favorable weather and good harvests, so that all may be fed. Lord, in your mercy… HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Heavenly Father, we pray for your blessings upon all who are in special need this day, especially those we now name in our hearts before you…. We commend to you all who must strive against great temptations. Strengthen those who still stand. Restore those who have fallen. Grant to us all your grace in this miserable and uncertain life, that being continually surrounded by so many adversaries, we may persistently fight with a brave and firm faith, and finally obtain the eternal crown… Lord, in your mercy… HEAR OUR PRAY.
Almighty God, by the death of your Son, you have destroyed sin and death, and by his resurrection you have restored innocence and eternal life. Grant that being delivered from the power of the devil, we may live with you in your kingdom. Give us the grace to believe this with our whole heart. Enable us at all times to steadfastly praise and thank you in this faith; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord… AMEN.
LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
BENEDICTION: Numbers 6:24-26 — Now may the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
————————————-
PART TWO:
“Lord, Get a Hold of Elmer” is a story of a long delayed answer to prayer. The story was told by Tom Housholder, pastor/evangelist in the former American Lutheran Church. The story took place in the 1950’s in Housholder’s first congregation in Idaho. I heard him tell this story when I was on internship in Sisseton, South Dakota in 1979.
—————————
Elmer lived the life of a hermit in a remote cabin in a valley in the mountains of Idaho. Elmer had no friends, and no one knew anything about him. His cabin was far from any main road, so people knew of him only because of his occasional trips into town to buy a few things. Elmer did not go to church anywhere and never talked to anyone about anything.
One day Elmer parked his old truck in front of the Lutheran church and went in to talk to Pastor Tom. The pastor was surprised to see Elmer, and invited him to come into his office. Elmer introduced himself and said, “Pastor, I would like to be baptized. Would you do that for me?”
Without hesitating, Pastor Tom said, “Sure, Elmer. But can I ask you what made you decided you wanted to be baptized?”
“Well, pastor,” Elmer said, “it was my wife that got me thinking.”
“Your wife!” said a surprised Pastor Tom. “I didn’t know you had a wife.”
“I don’t anymore,” Elmer said looking down. “She’s been dead for about sixty years.”
The pastor shook his head and said, “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“It’s a long story,” Elmer replied, and then went on to tell the pastor the story of his life, a story no one in town had ever heard.
Elmer was originally from Minnesota. He got married, and he and his wife moved to North Dakota where they homesteaded a farm. There, they had a child, and with tears in his eyes Elmer talked about how happy the three of them were.
One afternoon in their second winter on the farm, Elmer’s wife and baby were visiting at a neighbor’s house. Early in the evening it started to snow, so Elmer’s wife and child left for home. On their way, the gentle snow suddenly turned into a blizzard, with the intense prairie winds blowing the heavy snow so hard that the mother could not see where she was going. They lost their way, and both froze to death that night in the rapidly falling temperature.
Elmer was devastated by the tragedy. He could not get over it. In the long and lonely nights that followed, he came to a decision. He would never love anyone like that again. In fact, for the rest of his life he would not even try to get to know anyone. He did not want to leave himself open to being hurt like that ever again.
The next Spring Elmer packed up a few belongings and headed farther west. He bought a small place in this mountain valley, built a cabin on it, and stayed there. And he kept that promise he made to himself, and never got to know a single person.
One of the few things Elmer brought along from his home in North Dakota was his wife’s Bible. It was important to her, and he had fond memories of her reading it every day. Elmer said he was never interested in religion. His wife would occasionally bring it up to him, but he paid no attention, and she never forced it.
Many thousands of times over the last sixty years, Elmer would sit in his rocking chair and hold that Bible in his hands, thinking of his wife and how happy they were together. He never opened the Bible. He still was not interested in what it had to say. Elmer just held that Bible because it reminded him of his wife.
“Well,” Elmer said as he neared the end of his story, “I have arthritis in my hands now and I have been dropping things. Last night when I reached over to pick up the Bible, it slipped out of my hands. It fell open on the floor, and inside I could see a small piece of paper. I put on my glasses to take a closer look, and I saw it was my wife’s handwriting. It was a prayer. It said, ‘Lord, get a hold of Elmer—he doesn’t know you yet.’ That isn’t much, but it was enough to make me want to do something about it.”
Over the next few weeks Pastor Tom met with Elmer to help him ‘get to know the Lord.’ When baptism day came, everyone in the small congregation gathered around the font to serve as his sponsors. When the baptism was complete, Elmer, who had never again wanted to get close to anyone, looked up and said to everyone, “Hi, family.”
*************************************
I Corinthians 7:13-14a…15b-16 — If a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband… God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
James 5:16b — The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
*************************************
A PRAYER FOR YOUR DAILY PRAYERS:
Lord, get a hold of _______.
He/she doesn’t know you yet. Amen.
Related Posts
