Heads-up that the schedule is normal for this week, but there will be no Wednesday service or Bible Studies next Wednesday, February 26!
February 18, 2025
Friends,
St. Paul says, “Pray without ceasing.” Here’s the whole passage: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
To be sure, he doesn’t mean that you should go around reciting the Lord’s Prayer over and over again, although I think there are worse things you could do. He does mean, however, that all that you think and say and do should be accompanied by prayer.
That’s because prayer goes with faith. If there’s any portion of your life that doesn’t require faith, then sure, you can leave prayer out. But is there? Is there anything that you think, say, or do that does not call for trust in God’s promises? Certainly not! And if that’s the case, then there’s nothing that doesn’t also call for prayer.
How can you do that? How can you learn to pray without ceasing?
Here are two simple things you can do to work on it: Repent & Plan.
Repent when you realize where you’ve been busy in life without prayer, where you’ve been taking matters into your own hands, or acting not in faith but in pride. Repent and be forgiven!
Plan specific times to pray. There’s no substitute for building prayer into your day. Don’t wait to pray until you feel like it. Pray especially when you don’t feel like it. That’s probably when you need to pray the most. Pray that you would feel like it.
Keep your prayers simple by thinking about what needs there are and just ask.
What do you need? You could start with the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).
What do your neighbors need? Your kids, your spouse, your parents, your friends, your boss, your co-workers.
Get busy! God loves your prayers, and he has promised to hear them!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
COMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, February 19
9:30 am – Chapel
10:00 am – Bible Study
6:00 pm – Bible Study
7:00 pm – Vespers
Sunday, February 23
9:00 am – Divine Service
10:30 am – Bible Study/Sunday School
Monday-Thursday, Feb. 24-27
Pastor out of the office