Monday - 13 September, 2004

This week’s devotions are written by Redeemer member John Caron.



This series of devotions will reflect on the rich material contained in the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW). Some of the texts will be familiar to those in the Lutheran tradition, while others will be from infrequently used liturgies.



Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in need, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son our Savior.

Prayer titled “The Church”

LBW, p45

Every time I hear this prayer, my mind tends to go to thoughts of the institutional church, its bishops, governing bodies, and councils. While I think this is certainly a valid application of this prayer, the primary definition of “Church” for Lutherans is “the gathered people of God” – not institutions or officials but the baptized in this and every age. With this in mind, the prayer becomes one of growth and renewal for ourselves and not so much of an abstract and detached organization. The prayer becomes immediate, specific, and challenging in that it asks us all to examine every aspect of our lives and to participate in a process of continual renewal and growth.



Connection: We are both a work in progress AND the end product. While we dare to acknowledge our failures and limitations, we do so as “the holy catholic Church.” Our membership in God’s family is a gift that can never be taken away from this. We therefore have the freedom to look unflinchingly at our shortcomings and rather than covering up or trying to justify ourselves to God, we can ask our loving parent to work with us to be more than who we are today.



Prayer: Loving Parent of us all, you will always be with us and for us. We acknowledge all those areas in which we fail to be loving and faithful. Work with us to be the reflection of your grace in our broken and divided world. Amen.