SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023
Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Psalm 143:1 ESV
NEWS: Today is EAT-O-VISION at 4 PM in our church! The movie, “The Sandlot” is being shown. It’s not JUST the movie though: food and treats will be served at various points, corresponding to scenes in the flick. It’s for kids, adults, friends, family and neighbors…all are invited to share this fun time at SVLC!
PRAYERS: Today we remember Suzette and Leonard Prokopin in prayer. In the fourth day in our Summer of Prayer, we ask that God would grant Shepherd of The Valley a vision for mission and serving our community.
READINGS: Jeremiah 22:11-30; Psalm 143; Acts 13:13-41
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Keep on Praying”
James 5:16b – The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James tells us that the earnest prayer of a righteous man is tremendously effective. That simple statement came from the mature experience of a man who knew what he was talking about. He had seen people kicked around by life. He may have been kicked around by life himself. He knew that it was prayer, speaking to and leaning on God in a sincere faith, that produced wonderful results—results that were best understood by faith in God “who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11b).
Have faith in God, my friend, and do not hesitate to pray to Him. Give Him thanks for His uncountable blessings. Praise Him for speaking the universe into existence yet not forgetting your smallest need and rambling petition. Call on Him for all things, at all times, in all places. This is God’s will for us. As the apostle Paul joyfully tells us, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Commit your life to God in prayer. The righteous man has no intention of being his own god. He knows God too well for that. He only asks that God show Himself to be God in His own way, on His own terms. The righteous man lines up with God, with His will and His purpose. It is enough for him, to know that he is with God and God is with him.
The righteous man also lives by his prayers. He prays to God to heal the sick, and then he steps outside his comfort zone to aid the sick and to help those in trouble. He prays to God for peace in the world, and then he goes out to make peace where he lives: his home, his neighborhood, his workplace. He prays to God for people that they may come to know their Savior Jesus Christ, and then he shares the Good News with others, so they too may become forgiven sons and daughters of God Almighty.
Remember, too, that God often answers prayers in subtle not splashy ways. Keep your eyes open to His unending goodness and genuine concern for you. Increase your understanding of God by spending time in His Word. As you do, you redeem valuable time often tossed aside in trivial pursuits. Also, pray to Him in full confidence, eager to be guided by the Holy Spirit’s prompting in your life—and then follow His leading!
I can tell you, as did St. James: praying to God is not phony. Your sincerity will be respected and rewarded by God who wants you to come to Him. Truly, the prayer of a righteous man is God pleasing and “has great power as it is working.”
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for listening to us when we pray. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
From “Prayer Is Phony,” a sermon excerpt from Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you have a regular time of prayer with God? When works best for you?
2. Why would God want us to pray to Him? What’s the benefit to us?
3. Do you encourage others to pray to God for their needs?
Today’s Bible Readings: Song 6-8 Acts 7:22-43
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 Saturday and weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org
