The Pastor's Windshield - February 2023

This Lent, we are focusing on God’s gift of prayer and especially the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer both so that we can pray it precisely as He taught it and to use as a springboard for our prayers. What followers are some prayers inspired by the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer (from the 2017 edition of Luther’s Small Catechism). Additionally, some suggestions for prayer topics are offered according to each petition. This Lent, you might consider using the seven petitions of the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern for daily prayer, focusing on one petition each day of the week. If you try using the petitions for daily prayer, you don’t have to fit in all the suggested prayer topics all the time. Chose some of them that are the most pertinent or add some topics of your own.

Introduction: Our Father who art in heaven.

Heavenly Father, Your words give us boldness and confidence to acknowledge You as our true Father and ourselves as Your true children. May Your Holy Spirit lead us to trust in Your fatherly goodness, call upon Your name in every need, and glorify You as the author and giver of every good and perfect gift; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Suggestions: Talk to your heavenly Father daily about your family, church, community, and nation. Pray for the Holy Spirit. Pray about your plans and commitments for the day. Pray about whatever concerns you currently.

The First Petition: Hallowed be Thy name.

Holy Father, Your name is holy in itself. We pray that through the words we speak about You and through the lives we live as those marked by Your sacred name in Baptism, we may never profane Your name but honor it in all that we say and do; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Suggestions: Give thanks for your Baptism into God’s holy name. Pray for your godchildren, and for catechism students and Christian youth. Pray for Christian parents. Pray for the faithful preaching and teaching of God’s Word.

The Second Petition: Thy kingdom come.

Father in heaven, give us Your Holy Spirit so that we believe Your Holy Word and live as members of Your gracious kingdom here in time and finally, by Your mercy, be brought to live as partakers of Your everlasting reign; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Suggestions: Pray for the pastors and leaders of your congregation, district, and synod. Pray for seminary students and missionaries. Pray about specific ministry initiatives or for Christian organizations. Pray for the witness of the church and for those not yet in Christ’s kingdom.

The Third Petition: Thy will be done …

Merciful Father, ruler of all things in heaven and on earth, we acknowledge that Your good and gracious will is done without our prayer. We pray that You would defeat all that opposes Your will: the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature. In Your mercy, we implore You to strengthen and keep us firm in Your Word and faith all the days of our lives and bring us at last the inheritance You have prepared for us in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Suggestions: Pray about any projects, goals, or deadlines you have. Pray for those who are enduring persecution or suffering. Pray for those who’ve received a recent medical diagnosis and for their care. Pray for those who are facing difficult decisions (including yourself).

The Fourth Petition: Give us our daily bread.

Gracious Father, You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living creature. Teach us to acknowledge You as the Lord who provides for all of our needs in body and soul and so give thanks to You for all of Your bountiful gifts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Suggestions: Pray for godliness in societal vocations. Pray for both national and local leaders in government. Pray for those serving in the armed forces. Pray for favorable weather. Pray for those who are hungry, homeless, unemployed/underemployed or facing other hardships.

The Fifth Petition: Forgive us our trespasses ...

Most merciful Father, our sins make us unworthy to ask anything of You. For the sake of Your dear Son, do not condemn us for our sins, but hear our cries for mercy and forgive us our trespasses. Enlivened by Your forgiveness, we, too, pledge to sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Suggestions: Pray for your neighbors (those next door or nearby). Pray for your enemies or those with whom you are having conflict. Pray for forgiveness wherever you have failed in your vocations or in living according to the Ten Commandments.

The Sixth Petition: Lead us not into temptation.

Heavenly Father, guard and keep us from the assaults of the devil, the deception of the world, and the desires of our sinful nature. Protect us that we may not be deceived or misled by lies about You, be overcome by despair of Your mercy, or be seduced into a way of life that leads only to death. Shield us by Your grace and strengthen us by Your Word and Spirit that we may withstand every attack and finally win the victory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Suggestions: Pray for those in spiritual distress. Pray for specific unbelievers whom you know, that they would be led to repentance and faith. Pray that the Lord would help you overcome the temptations that are troubling you.

The Seventh Petition: Deliver us from evil.

Father in heaven, look on our neediness with the eyes of Your mercy and compassion. Rescue us from everything that would cause harm and destruction to us both physically and spiritually. Keep us in the true faith and finally bring us through the disappointments and sorrows of this life to live with You forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Suggestions: Pray for those who are elderly, homebound, chronically ill, receiving hospice care, or near death. Pray for those who are grieving. Pray for those who are in danger. Pray for Christ’s return and for faithfulness and endurance as Christians.

“There is no nobler prayer to be found upon earth than the Lord’s Prayer. We pray it daily, because it has this excellent testimony, that God loves to hear it. We ought not to surrender this for all the riches of the world.”  – Martin Luther’s Large Catechism

God bless you as you speak with Him in prayer this Lent and beyond.  

Peace in Christ,

            Pastor Kory Janneke

The Pastor's Windshield for February 2023

Lent is almost here! Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, marks the beginning of Lent. Christians have been observing this season for around 1,700 years!  The word “Lent” means spring. As the natural world revives each spring, in Lent we remember the new life which Christ won for us through His suffering, death, and resurrection. In remembrance of Christ’s 40 days of fasting and facing temptation in the wilderness, the season is 40 days long (not including Sundays). Lent is a time of preparation for Holy Week and Easter. With its focus on the cross, Lent can also be a more somber and penitential time of the Church Year. 

I’d like to share some Lenten encouragements with you based on the Apostle Peter’s words in Acts chapter 3. In the second recorded sermon from early Christianity, Peter preaches, “But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago.” (Acts 3:18-21)

Peter tells us that God kept His promise in sending Christ to suffer as our Savior. As we prepare for Lent, let’s focus on three of the things that Peter also highlights in this passage:  Repentance, Refreshment, and Restoration. 

Lent is a time to turn to the Lord in repentance. Biblically, repentance means a change of heart. God creates such a change in our hearts when He leads us to turn from our sin and turn toward Him for mercy and forgiveness. To use Peter’s expression, the Lord blots out our sins (Acts 3:19) because Jesus died for those sins at the cross.

Repentance is a gift from God, worked through His Word and Holy Spirit as He leads us to recognize and experience contrition over our sin (both our sinful condition as well as specific sins we’ve committed).

Lent reminds us of the great price that Christ paid to take away our sins: giving His life and shedding His blood for us. The hymn “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted” reminds us that if we “think of sin but lightly nor suppose the evil great” that at the cross we “may view its nature rightly, Here its guilt may estimate. Mark the sacrifice appointed, See who bears the awful load..." And praise God that Christ has borne the heavy load of our sin!

Lent is also a time to be refreshed in our Christian faith. Peter uses the expression “times of refreshing” in Acts 3:20. This is the only time the Bible uses this phrase, but it seems to refer to the New Testament in which we are living. We also note that this refreshment follows the Lord’s forgiveness. What could be more “refreshing” than the assurance that Christ has removed your sins and paved the path to eternal life for you?

Our Lord continues to refresh us as we receive His Absolution, remember our Baptism, and receive His gifts in the Lord’s Supper. God also offers us refreshment through His people and the encouragement of walking with one another in our common faith and life in Christ Jesus. 

He refreshes us as we grow in His Word, and Lent is an especially great time to begin, renew, or add to your prayer and devotional practices. (Please let me know if you’d like any ideas!) The additional worship services on Wednesdays and during Holy Week also provide opportunities to be refreshed in the Word of our Lord. 

Finally, Lent reminds us of how Christ has restored our relationship with God through His cross. Even in the midst of Lent, we also look forward to celebrating Easter. We celebrate the fact that God raised Jesus from the tomb and restored Him to life. But Peter’s words in Acts 3:21 point us ahead to a greater restoration that is still to come, but which is previewed for us by Jesus’ resurrection. When Christ returns on the Last Day, God will restore all things – both His creation and you and me. He will raise us from our graves and restore us in body and soul to enjoy everlasting life with Him!

Lastly, here’s a little detail that’s worth noting: the upcoming Sundays are described as “in” Lent rather than “of” Lent. Even while we focus on Christ’s suffering and cross for our sins, we continue to give thanks for His Easter triumph and the restoration that is ours because of it.  I look forward to sharing this Lenten journey with you this year!

Peace in Christ,

                        Pastor Kory Janneke

The Pastor's Windshield for Sunday, January 15, 2023

You may remember the fictional dog, Lassie, from the shows, movies, or books that featured her. Lassie was portrayed as a beautiful Collie, a dog breed that’s known for friendliness and affection.

Those positive characteristics of Collies makes “LASSIE” an appropriate acronym for some basic points about Christian outreach. In your witness of Christ in your daily life, the six elements of “LASSIE” would be helpful for you to remember and to practice. “LASSIE” stands for Listen, Ask, Seek, Share, Invite, and Encourage. These elements of relational evangelism are not necessarily sequential but are all positive things to keep in mind as you reach out to loved ones and neighbors with the Gospel. Here are some more thoughts:

Listen – The book of Proverbs emphasizes listening. Proverbs 17:27 says, “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” You might think that the first step in witnessing would be opening your mouth to talk about Jesus. Hopefully you get to that point, but first, be a listener. Get to know the unique person in front of you.

Ask – Jesus loved to ask questions. For example, He asked His disciples questions like, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And, “who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-14) You don’t have to start with Jesus’ very direct questions, but as part of your listening, try asking open-ended questions that will help you learn more about the other person and encourage further discussion.

Seek – When Paul was in the city of Athens, he sought a point of connection between the local people and their beliefs and the Christian Gospel. He began his message by referring to an altar in Athens which was inscribed “To the unknown god” (Acts 17:23). As you seek a point of connection for beginning to share the Gospel, perhaps it will be something the person has said in your conversations, something they experienced previously in life, a struggle they’re having, some change in their life, etc.

Share – Peter tells us to “always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Sharing your Christian faith means telling someone why you have hope. Perhaps you might say, “I have hope because of God’s promises” or “What gives me hope is that Jesus died and rose again for me.” You might also share a specific verse from God’s Word which is a source of hope to you. After all, only our Lord’s Word can truly be called “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Invite – As Jesus was beginning to gather His disciples, Philip appealed to a skeptical Nathaniel with a simple invitation: “Come and see” (John 1:46). We can invite others to “come and see” as well. Perhaps you invite someone to share a meal with you and you witness by offering a meal prayer beforehand. Perhaps you invite someone to attend a church function such as a meal or Bible study. If you think they’re ready to do so, you can invite them to come meet your pastor or to attend a worship service with you.

Encourage – Paul writes to the Thessalonian Christians, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11). You might encourage this person to continue thinking about something you’ve said or written to them. You’ll be an encouragement by doing such things as following up with them, checking in, sending them a card, emailing them a devotion, letting them know you’re praying for them, or by personally praying with them.

Each of us has room to grow in reaching out to our loved ones and neighbors with the love of Jesus, but keeping in mind these simple ideas gives us a good place to start!

I’d also like to invite and encourage you to attend the “Each One Reach One” Workshop at St. Matthew on Sat, Feb. 11, 2023 from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Rev. Bill Zwick will be with us to lead us in Bible study and discussion while sharing more practical ideas about sharing your faith. Please RSVP to the church office and mark your calendars for this helpful event.

Peace in Christ,

                  Pastor Kory Janneke