SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
NEWS: Wine on the Patio is tomorrow evening, 6:30-8:00, at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman (710 Fredricks Ave, OS). ALL ARE WELCOME. Please bring a beverage to share plus also an appetizer, hors d’oeuvres or snack to share. Questions? Contact Allen or Debbie.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Ian Andrews. Ian requests prayers for his workplace, that he doesn’t become overwhelmed with expectations for him and the staff.
READINGS: Psalm 111; Psalm 115’ Deuteronomy 11:26-12:12; Matthew 12:22-27
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Asking for Help”
Luke 18:1-8 – And He [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
I love this story, because the woman is so persistent. Somebody is treating her badly, and she knows she has an absolutely iron-clad legal case against him. If she can just get the judge to schedule her case, she will win!
But that’s the problem. The judge isn’t interested. He’s a corrupt judge, and he sees no benefit to himself in dealing with the situation. So he won’t listen—until she harasses him so much that he decides to hear the case, just to get rid of her!
And then the punchline—if an evil judge can get worn down like that, just because someone keeps asking—won’t God do much better when the people He loves cry out to Him? Of course the answer is yes. Obviously it’s yes! We should pray, and we should expect God to hear us. This is a no-brainer.
And yet … Jesus sounds a bit frustrated when He says, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” In other words, “Why aren’t you asking Me for help? Why aren’t you praying? Wake up, people!”
I think we can all relate to that. After all, is there anyone who hasn’t had the experience of finding out that someone you love was in trouble and didn’t come to you for help? They are telling you the story, and inside your head, you are screaming, “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve done this and that to help you!”
We forget to ask for help sometimes. We’re used to being independent, self-reliant—and so we soldier on all alone for too long, even to the point of breakdown. Sometimes there are darker reasons why we don’t ask—for example, we’ve learned that we can’t trust people to help us, and we extend this lack of trust to God.
Against all of this, Jesus stretches out His arms to us and He says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
He doesn’t care about your failures in the past. He wants you now. And so He says, “pray.” Ask for help. Call on God, and wait for Him to answer. After all, this is the God who cared so much about you He came into this world, to live, to suffer, and to die, in order to make you His own child. He rose from the dead to give you everlasting life—because He wants you with Him forever. He will hear you. Trust in Him.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, help me turn to You and pray, not just when I’m in deep trouble, but throughout my life—because You love me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Is it easy for you to ask for help? Why or why not?
2. Tell a story about a time when you prayed and God helped you.
3. What do you do when you pray and the answer is either “No” or “Wait”? How do you deal with that?
Today’s Bible Readings: Micah 6-7 Acts 22
Luther’s Morning Prayer
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
After singing a hymn or whatever else may serve your devotion, you can go about your day joyfully!
Luther’s Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
You can now go to bed quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Our church website is: https://www.svlchurch.org/
Below is our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Thursday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
