HOPE 365 Toolbox - Weekly Devotion - Giving Our All

Giving Our All

Loren Sommer

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” 
Ephesians 6:18-20 (NASB)

Here in the book of Ephesians Paul has just finished describing the spiritual armor of God. Paul follows it up with this super-inclusive exhortation to prayer. Note how often he uses the word “all”. What would all prayer be? Prayers at corporate worship, small group prayer, family prayer, prayers where two or three are gathered, individual prayer, prayers in church, prayers at home, prayers while driving, prayers in a closet, prayers while kneeling, prayers while jogging, silent prayers, eloquent prayers, groaning prayers, fervent prayer. When? At all times, just as if your dad was standing next to you. When do we let up? Well, an athlete that competes with all perseverance would never quit, so never.  And then note the last all. For whom? For all the saints, not just the ones in Ephesus, or Corinth, or at Hope Lutheran. Certainly we pray especially for our family here at Hope, but we are taught to pray for all the Saints, or believers in Jesus. And then finally Paul asks for prayers for himself, that he will proclaim the Gospel boldly. Certainly we are to pray earnestly and specifically for our pastors. I’ve worked with Pastors for decades now, and have a brother who is a pastor. I’ve said this before, but you have no idea how much they agonize for their flock. It is an occupation does a lot of taking and has a very high burnout rate.  And that was before Covid! So, Paul urges us to pray. And, by the way, October is pastor appreciation month. It would be good for you to encourage Pastor Peter in some way.

As we look forward to the sermon series Pastor Peter is preparing for us on prayer, Larry Koltz and I were talking about how we might be able to encourage the church at large. Larry had researched some Church names and addresses, as well as the name of the Pastor serving there. He had also purchased cards that our Sunday Bible class signed and then sent to their church. We agreed to lift up these churches in prayer. Will you help us by praying for them also? Pray as you are lead, but please include that the gospel will be boldly and clearly preached, that the Holy Spirit will empower and uplift the pastors and church leaders, that that power of Satan will be blocked, and that souls are added to Christ’s church. Here are the names:

Pastor Peter Mueller – Hope Lutheran Church
Missionary Pastor Gil Gilbert – The Junction Church
Pastor Worth Wheeler – West Seattle Christian Church
Pastor Randy Leskover – Calvary Chapel West Seattle
Pastor Steve and Cheryl Jamison – Eastridge Church West Seattle
Pastor Joel Brown and Pastor David Lee – Trinity West Seattle
Pastor Marshall – First Lutheran Church of West Seattle
Pastor Laurie Brenner – West Side Presbyterian
Pastor Christopher Howell – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
Pastor Brad Malone – Lamb of God Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pastor Jason Swan – Lutheran Church of the Atonement
Pastor Trevor Mankin – Messiah Lutheran Church
Pastor Matthew Mantey – Resurrection Lutheran Church
Pastor Jonathan Priest – Trinity Lutheran Church
Pastors Ryan Faust and Wade Buzzard – Grace Church West Seattle
Pastor John Lindow – Arbor Heights Community Church
 
Prayer: Our Father, today we specifically thank you for the ministry of Pastor Peter and Patra, as well as Deacon Dan, who serve Hope so faithfully and lovingly.  Empower them by your Spirit and bring them joy in serving you and others.  Help us to pray faithfully for them, to encourage them, and to serve and worship together as one body, the church.  We also pray for all the saints throughout your world, especially in areas of persecution and lack of resources. We look forward to the day when we will worship as one, together with you!  Amen.
 
Blessings on the rest of your week.  Don’t miss church this Sunday!