Hear our prayer…
For 1, 2, and 3 … who are willing to share what is currently challenging in their lives- typically something extreme or sudden or well-wished for the health and well-being of another… but how many more prayer requests go unspoken in our shiny, happy facades… I believe we should broaden this prayer petition on Sundays prior to highlighting those bold enough to share a glimpse into our truly trying struggles and the hard and dark side of life (Psalm 139:11-12)
Today we pray for _________, fill in the blank-honestly- with any name, for Christ’s sake, and pray for their health of body and soul… as we see them here Sunday in bright array, with button down shirt, or even a tie, the flowery dress and hair done just right… we pray for you today on the doubts deep within, the scars and the woundings, from you and others’ sin.
We pray for each family, where Freedom didn’t come free (for Christ), to give up our facades, as we learn from Jesus, washing feet. Being willing to take the grace, with the pain we don’t display, and being willing to give the grace within relationships, as they ebb and flow each day. I believe as we list those who’ve taken time to share- I’ll pray with sincerity, God, Your will be done there, but also with 3 others that I view as I skim through our church too, God’s family, I’ll look to share a moment of silent prayer support for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, because I can only imagine what you’ve been through- So much so often, so many pressures and strains, so many battles, so much harm done, God – there is so much pain.
‘Cause this flawed life is still glowing with His Sovereign Grace, and we grow to resist the futile frantic pace, as we learn to reflect on His peace, neutral and centered within inevitable internal and external conflict and stress. Till we no longer reflect on peace, but He grants discernment to live within It, until we are over ourselves, and overflow with Contentment to filter out distractions, contradictions, condemnations, rationalizations, and freely flow in His love and propel forward fueled by His Spirit to serve and sacrifice in each moment of imperfection in you and I, as saved, slow-learning sinners.
Here’s to you- and all that you’re not, and where you are hurting, and where His grace alone, will the spot. I’m sorry for the pain, the blindness and disdain. Let the Balm of Gilead make you whole within. We pray for the health and healing of those on our short list, +2-3 more seems all that time can fit.
When I have sat with any of you and taken the time to breathe, it is so uplifting to hear the journey you’ve endured- what amazing people God has crafted through His calling for you in your flawed family and circles, human choices and church. The list is endless: nationally (election campaigns anyone, government and church scandals, my brother-in-law posted about a young kid who died in a baseball accident this week,), regionally (tornadoes or hurricanes or drought anyone, anyone else annoyed by the additional 5mn to travel anywhere with all the trucks involved with what I assume is the Eagle Shale craze), locally (a Lutheran Pastor in Austin in his mid-50’s passed away this week from a stroke he suffered on Good Friday, a former student of mine discovers she has Legioners(sp?) disease as her life is altered unbelievably in the period of a week), within this church and school (death of loved ones, cancer, loss of jobs, marriage challenges, children challenges, substance abuse- and if you think I’m talking about you, there’s at least 2 others in this setting who are right there with you, just in the past few months… ), within my family and me (oops we’re getting a little too vulnerable here…please pray for ….our cat urinating on the carpet issue--- it’s been real tough…). So I’ll keep my issues close to vest, and appreciate your best guess, as to my deepest prayer requests. And I couldn’t be happier to be a child of God, learning as I muddle through the pain and lessons and Purpose-Driven Growth of this day in our Salvation parade-I’ve got no complaints (and if I do, just ignore my whining). God’s blessings to you and yours- and thanks for being real with each other as we are comfortable, and praying for the real deep hurts and health needs within each of our souls and families, even beyond our weekly visible church prayer requests. ALLELUIA. He is Risen, and has Paved & Modeled the Way, Indeed. Alleluia.
Kevin Dierks,
Cross Lutheran School Principal
