Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 14, Number 19, DeMotte, Jasper County, 24 March 1944 — THE PASTOR’S COLUMN [ARTICLE]

THE PASTOR’S COLUMN

by REV. GEO. GOTSCH

Pastor of the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Union Township

We have two more questions concerning Prayer in General to ask and to answer, before we consider the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer separately. For what should we pray ? There are two classes of needs, spiritual and material, needs of the soul and needs of the body. Whatever moves the heart of the child of God, whatever burdens him or makes him sorrowful, he may bring before God. The publicans in the temple asked for mercy and forgiveness; the Canaanitish woman asked for the health of her daughter. But we should ask for such things only which are according to the will of God. They should tend to God’s glory and to our and our neighbor’s welfare. However, there is a marked distinction in our prayers. For those spiritual things, necessary for our salvation, we should ask unqualifiedly, without any condition or reservation. Such are, for the Word of God, the help of the Holy Spirit, for faith, for forgiveness, etc. Then there are spiritual things not absolutely necssary for our salavation, I such as deliverance from spiritual trials and temptations through which God tests and strengthens our faith. For them and for all material things, the things for this body and life, we ask conditionally, that is, He should grant them to us, if they are in accordance with His good gracious will and wisdom.

How should we pray? If you seek a position, or ask for a favor, and you an influential friend to speak for you, your chances are very good. Bjut what chance have we poor, unxyorthy sinners before God ? Indeed, we have an influential friend, in great favor with God, His beloved son, our blessed Savior. We iray in His name; God should hear our prayers for Jesus sake. This prayer in the name of we should bring with firm confidence, not doubting that He will hear according to His good and gracious will. But we must not prescribe time and manner of hearing our prayer. Let us firmly believe that God hears every proper prayer, but in His own way and at His own time. Sunday School at 10:00, service at 10:45 a.m. A collection for the Red Cross will be lifted in this service.