I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) We …
As we walk through this current time in Basel, we don’t face anything like the Black Plague. Yet, there are still voices that would seek to unsettle the masses and stir up people. We should be more enlightened.
There are two kinds of listeners: active and passive.
Several years ago, a church member gave me an old copy of a Lutheran prayer book. I wasn’t used to following written prayers, but I started using it and found that it greatly enriched my prayer life.
What struck me was that the prayer focused on these politicians as individuals before God who needed guidance, encouragement and support to do their jobs.
A couple of weeks ago, a very friendly man, possibly quite intoxicated, engaged me in conversation and wanted to know what I do for a living.
“Would you like some Swiss Cheese?” she was asked. “Sure. What kind?” she replied. “You know,” said her friend, “Swiss cheese, the kind with holes. Is there another kind?”
There is no more difficult prayer than this: dying to our own self-will.
I picked up my iPhone and asked Siri to say a prayer for me.
It’s embarrassing to be the foreigner who can’t speak the language properly.