pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Monthly Archives: May 2025


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Be Faithful

Reading: Luke 18:1-8

Luke 18:7 – “Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night?”

In today’s passage Jesus teaches about persistent prayer and staying encouraged. He uses the story of a widow who has suffered an injustice as the teaching tool. The widow has only herself. She is alone in her quest for justice. We too can feel this way at times.

The other character in the story is the unjust judge. This judge “neither feared God nor respected people.” Likely justice in his court came only after a nice bribe. The widow would be without this resource. Instead, she comes to him relentlessly, asking for justice. This is how we are to lift our needs and petitions to God.

Jesus then contrasts the unjust judge with our just God. The unjust judge finally decided to give the widow her justice because she keeps “bothering” him and is “embarrassing” him. Her persistence is the driving force. God is much different. In verse 7 Jesus points out, “Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night?” God will not be slow to respond. God will grant justice quickly. (Word of caution: Jesus understands God’s time. It is not the same as our ‘slow’ and ‘quick.’ The lesson, after all, is about persistent prayer.)

Jesus closes with a question about finding faithfulness when he returns one day in glory. Will we be faithful to fighting for and persistently praying for justice? Or will we surrender to the unrelenting injustices of this world? You and I are the answers to these questions.

Prayer: Lord God, first, empower and strengthen our prayer life. Bring us always to our knees in your presence, persistently offering our petitions. Second, Lord, fill us with compassion and empathy for the marginalized, the oppressed, the abused, the downtrodden, and all others suffering injustice. May we ever pray for and stand in solidarity with such as these. Amen.


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May the God of…

Reading: 1st Samuel 1:9-17

1st Samuel 1:16b – “This whole time I’ve been praying out of my great worry and trouble.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Today’s scene is located in a place of worship in Shiloh. Elkanah, the husband of Hannah and Peninnah, takes his family here once a year to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Hannah’s life is very hard emotionally. Peninnah would “make fun of her mercilessly” because Hannah was unable to conceive children. Children, especially male children, were highly valued in that culture. If Elkanah died, for example, Hannah’s survival would depend on her offspring. Bearing and raising children was Hannah’s main responsibility in life and she was unable to meet this expectation.

It is with heaviness of heart and soul that Hannah goes to the place of worship. She is “very upset” and she “couldn’t stop crying.” She pours our her heart to God, begging for a son, promising to “give him to the Lord for his entire life.” This willingness to give up a son reveals the depth of her pain and shame over being childless. While our society today doesn’t place the same premium on bearing children, what does bring shame in our culture? If you are without ____, what marginalizes people today?

Eli sees Hannah praying. The priest assumes that she is drunk. She is not. She says to Eli, “This whole time I’ve been praying out of my great worry and trouble.” She has almost assuredly prayer for a child ever since marrying Elkanah. The desperation has risen with each child Peninnah bore to him. Understanding the depth of her pain, sorrow, and shame, Eli blesses her, saying, “May the God of Israel give you what you’ve asked from him.” In our moments of great need, may it be so for us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes we feel like Hannah. Sometimes we feel marginalized and less than. For some folks, though, that is their “normal.” Lord, open our eyes and awaken our hearts to those who exist on the edges today. With your love and compassion, guide us to draw them into community, into a place where they can find meaning and worth. Through the sharing of our blessings, use us to meet their needs. Amen.


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Walking Closer

Reading: Psalm 51:1-13

Psalm 51:12 – “Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.”

In this Psalm David circles his need for forgiveness and cleansing. This need has been brought on by Nathan’s confrontation around David’s sins with Bathsheba. Many were his sins: lust, deceit, adultery, conspiracy, murder… It is the realization of and the weight of these sins that are driving the depth of David’s pleas for mercy…

We also circle our need for forgiveness and cleansing – often. Our sin is like David’s in that it separates us from God. Whether lust or gossip, deceit or a little white lie, adultery or pornography… all sin separates us from God. No matter the sin, to be made right with God, we too must seek mercy, compassion, cleansing, and forgiveness.

To receive these graces of God we must begin where David began: confession. He admits his sin and acknowledges that God is justified in seeing him as guilty, as unclean. David then longs to be cleansed and purified, to be made whole again. Then he can rejoice in God’s presence. David knows, as we do, that God alone is capable of this restoration and redemption.

David also pledges repentance. This is the necessary second step if being made right with God. Confession is not worth much at all if not accompanied by a commitment to walking in a new way. David longs to know God’s truth and wisdom. He wants to have a willing heart. In verse 12 David asks this if God: “Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.” From this place of contrition and commitment, David will help others to walk closer with God. May this be the path that we seek to walk daily.

Prayer: Lord God, lead us to a time each day when we can reflect on our lives and the heart within. By the power of your Holy Spirit reveal our sins and failures. Guide us to a place of humble confession and genuine repentance. In that place, cleanse us and restore us, equip and encourage us to walk closer with you. Amen.


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Do We Pray… and Listen?

Reading: Matthew 26:36-44

Matthew 26:41 – “Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.”

Today we enter a familiar scene: Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. The cross looms large. He is moving steadily towards his death. The arrest follows this passage. Jesus feels a great need to pray. He knows that what lies ahead will be a cruel and physically punishing death. The human part of Jesus and the divine part reveal themselves in his prayers.We too find ourselves in this place, wrestling with the promises we know to be true set against the fears within and the lies of the world.

Most of the disciples remain at the entrance to the Garden, but Jesus takes Peter, James, and John a bit deeper in..Jesus shares his inner struggles with these three: “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying.” He then asks them to “keep alert with me.” Jesus is asking his friends to pray with him. Going a bit deeper into the Garden, the human side of Jesus prays that this task of dying be taken from him. Then, fully aware of God’s plan, the divine part prays, “Not what I want but what you want.” There is surrender to and worship of God in these words that are prayed three times.

Returning to Peter, James, and John he finds them asleep. Waking them he offers them encouragement, saying, “Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.” Jesus knows the trials coming for them and the rest of the disciples. He’s been modeling how to face these trials, but they’ve been sleeping. Soon they too will have to decide between God’s will and their own will. We face these same trials. Do we walk in faith and trust or do we allow fear, worry, doubt… to guide us? Do we pray and receive guidance and strength from the Spirit, or do we listen to another voice?

Prayer: Lord God, how often we hear more than one voice. The voice of your Spirit is always there but so is our own voice. The noise of the world clamors often too. In moments of trial and temptation, in times of struggle and hardship, whisper your promises and your love into our hearts. May that whisper garner all of our attention. May the voice that always rings true show us the way to surrender to your will and ways. Amen.


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Praying and Sharing

Reading: Ephesians 6:18-20

Ephesians 6:18b – “Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers.”

Today’s verses follow Paul’s famous “Armor of God” passage. In this passage Paul writes about God’s protection against the “tricks of the devil.” This battle is won by holding fast to truth, justice, faith, and salvation. One holds fast by and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As our verses for today begin, it is the same Holy Spirit that guides and empowers our prayers. Just as the Spirit is God’s constant presence in the hearts of believers, so too are our prayers to be offered “all the time.” For Paul, we are to live a life of prayer, both for ourselves and for one another. For Paul, praying should be as natural and regular as breathing. As the verse continues, Paul encourages us to “Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers.” Here he is connecting back to his previous thoughts on the battle with the “spiritual powers of evil.” It is a battle that impacts all believers so we are to pray for one another. Always.

Paul models the life of prayers, asking for prayers for himself. As he sits in chains, he desires to continue spreading the good news – this “secret plan” or mystery that invites all people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Even in his difficult circumstances Paul wants to make the gospel known to as many people as possible. So he asks the Ephesians to pray for him to have “the confidence to say what I have to say.” Although we cannot pray this for Paul, we certainly can pray this for all who seek to share Jesus with others today. May this be both our prayer and our action.

Prayer: Lord God, as the battle is constant, help us to lift our prayers constantly. Whisper, nudge, and otherwise remind us of the need for and of the power of prayer. Place prayer ever in our hearts and on our lips. Open our eyes to the opportunities to share our faith today. Fill us with a holy confidence to step forward in faith. Amen.


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Powerful Prayer

Reading: James 5:13-18

James 5:16b – “The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.”

Today’s verses from James 5 fall under the heading “Final Instructions.” These words are a reminder to keep prayer at the center of our faith. James begins with two extremes. If we are suffering, then pray. If we are happy, then pray. Implied is this: If we are anywhere in between these extremes, then pray. God desires that our prayers are a constant conversation with God. This desire is not for God’s benefit but for ours.

James then turns to the power of corporate or intercessory prayer. When we are sick or when one we love is sick, we are to gather the elders or leaders of the church (by example not by virtue of title) to pray over the one who is sick and to anoint them with the oil of God’s blessing. James tells us, done from a place of sincere faith, this will lead to restoration of health.

The idea of living our faith together extends into the confession of our sins. James connects this practice to healing. When we harbor sin in our lives or when we are holding onto anger or hurt because of someone else’s sins against us, then we are not coming to pray in faith. This echoes Jesus’ words about being reconciled to one another before approaching the altar of God (Matthew 5:23-24.)

Connecting into the miracle of rain through Elijah’s faithful prayer, James writes, “The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.” May this be true if us and of our prayers to God on high.

Prayer: Lord God, lead and guide us to be people of prayer. Draw us deep into regular time with you, sharing our joys and concerns, our sins and our thanksgiving. Through shared prayer draw us closer to one another, deepening and strengthening the bond of love. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Praying Through

Reading: 1st Kings 18:41-46

1st Kings 18:43c – “Seven times Elijah said, ‘Do it again.'”

Today’s reading follows last week’s reading about the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. As our reading ended last week, the people of God declared that God was the “real Lord.” In our reading today Elijah demonstrates faith and trust in God once again. As the passage begins, Elijah tells Ahab to celebrate “because I hear the sound of a rainstorm coming.” It has not rained in Israel for three years.

Elijah then climbs to the top of the mountain. He kneels, bows low, and prays to God. He asks his servant to go and look to the sea. This is where rain almost always comes from in Israel. The servant returns and says, “I don’t see anything.” Elijah continues to pray for rain. At the end of verse 43 we read, “Seven times Elijah said, ‘Do it again.'” This time the servant sees a small cloud forming. God has answered Elijah’s prayers. The prophet circled the promise, knelt, and prayed. He prayed through, praying until he received God’s response.

Elijah demonstrates tenacity and perseverance. Imagine, though, if he had quit praying after a few prayers. The rain that ended the three year drought would not have come. This makes me wonder: When have I given up on a prayer just before the answer was to come? While God can certainly answer a prayer 400 years later like God did at Jericho, we are called to pray through until God does answer. When we are ready to give up, may we remember both Elijah’s persistence and God’s faithfulness, leading us to pray through.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the example of Elijah. He claimed the promise you made three years before and he prayed through until the rain came. Strengthen and encourage us to pray with such faith and trust, with such persistence and grit. Help us to pray through to you, the God who loves to keep promises. Amen.


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Love and Care, Provision and Protection

Reading: Numbers 11:16-34

Numbers 11:29b – “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets with the Lord placing his Spirit on them!”

After hearing the complaints and grumblings, God first deals with Moses. In response to Moses feeling overwhelmed, God has him call 70 elders and God places some of the Spirit that is upon Moses on these men. They will help Moses bear the burden of leadership. God also allows the Spirit to fall upon two who were called but weren’t at the tent of meeting. Joshua asks Moses about stopping these men from prophesying. Moses, instead of being jealous, is generous. His reply to Joshua: “If only all the Lord’s people were prophets with the Lord placing his Spirit on them!” Yes indeed! Imagine if all of God’s people were filled with the Holy Spirit!

God next turns to the peoples’ complaints and grumblings. God addresses their physical grumbling first. God, through Moses, invites the people to make themselves holy – because it is about to rain down quail. Moses does question this promise of God at first. He cannot wrap his mind around what God is promising. Some of the time we can struggle with this too. It is God’s turn to be generous. With great grace God simply asks Moses, “Is the Lord’s power too weak?” Well, no. Not ever. Reminded of who and what God is, Moses shared the promise with the people.

God also reminds the people of who and what God is. They don’t just receive quail like they received manna. It is not just enough for the day ahead. It is quail upon quail upon quail upon… This is God’s way of demonstrating God’s power and strength. Addressing their spiritual grumbling next, God deals with those who questioned God and God’s plans. Those called ‘riffraff’ were buried that day. This too is part of God’s love and care for God’s people. Provision and protection are part of loving and caring for the family of God.

Prayer: Lord God, it is important to remember from time to time all of who and what you are. Thank you, God, for being a loving God, first and foremost. Thank you for being a God who cares for and provides for us. And, also God, thank you for being a God who protects us, sometimes even from ourselves or those who draw us away from our faith and trust in you. Amen.


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Almost Ready

Reading: Numbers 11:1-15

Numbers 11:10b – “The Lord was outraged, and Moses was upset.”

Have you ever been around a complainer? Even on the best of days they find something to grumble about. Now, imagine being around (and trying to lead!) a group of about a million complainers. Welcome to Moses’ reality as he led the Israelites in the wilderness.

Our passage begins with the people complaining intensely. This angers God and fire falls from heaven, burning the “edges of camp.” This is like a warning shot. Moses prays for the people and God’s anger subsides. Next the “riffraff” crave meat and they apparently stir up the whole camp. The people long for the food they had in Egypt. Now all they eat is manna, God’s gift from heaven. Soon there is complaining at all of their tents. Everyone longs for meat.

As Moses (and God) hear this crying out, “The Lord was outraged, and Moses was upset.” But Moses does not pray for the people now. Moses is done. We’re familiar with how Moses feels. We’ve all avoided complainers. Moses questions why God is treating him this way. He questions his ability to bear the “burden” of leading these people. Moses even reminds God that God is really the parent of these people. At his wits’ end, Moses tells God, “If you’re going to treat me like this, just kill me.”

God has Moses close to where Moses needs to be. He is bearing the end of self. Moses is almost ready once again to fully depend on God. God will respond to Moses’ pleas and to the peoples’ complaining, bringing provision, love, and care.

Prayer: Lord God, we feel for Moses and we feel for you. Getting honest, though, we must admit that we too complain and grumble. At times we must try you. Lord, build up in us the ability to encourage those who complain. And, Lord, build up in us our gratitude for you and for your provision, love, and care. From this place of gratefulness, we can truly thank you for who and what you are, O great God of love and care. Amen.


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More Then Enough

Reading: 2nd Kings 2:38-44

2nd Kings 4:43c – “This is what the Lord says, ‘Eat and there will be leftovers.'”

Today we read about God again being faithful, about God again keeping a promise. These two feeding miracles demonstrate God at work in partnership with a faithful believer. As we consider our big prayers and our God opportunities this week, may we trust in this same God who loves and cares for us.

A severe famine has struck the land. In our story Elisha returns to Gilgal, one of three centers where prophets gathered. As the leading prophet in Israel, he also oversaw the centers at Bethel and Jericho. Elisha gives instructions to make stew. Another prophet gathers what he can find, which includes some inedible gourds. In response and in alignment with God’s nudge to feed these prophets, Elisha calls for flour to be added, miraculously making the stew edible.

At this point a man arrives with some bread and grain, likely a first fruits or thank offering. Instead of keeping this for himself, Elisha is moved to use this gift to feed his fellow prophets. The giver questions how this meager offering could feed 100 men. Elisha shares the “how” with him, saying, “This is what the Lord says, ‘Eat and there will be leftovers.'” God has moved Elisha to share his bread. God will see that there is more than enough. Healthy stew is augmented by bread, sent from God.

Over the next few days may we be sensitive to the ways that God nudges us. It might be to share food or it might be to share some other resource. Instead of being selfish or keeping it “for a rainy day” or worrying about our own needs, may we trust the nudge from our God of more than enough.

Prayer: Lord God, open our hearts to be responsive to and generous with that person that you place in our lives. Break our tendencies to hold onto and to store up and up and up. Bend our heart towards your heart of abundant generosity. Use us to be your love and care. Amen.