The Pastor’s Corner

Meditation for the day taken from "Everyday Prayer with John Calvin" written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: Matthew 21:18-22

The passage before us today is an odd narrative of Jesus cursing the fig tree. However, the fundamental issue in the actions of the Savior predicts those events that will soon take place for the temple and the old covenant system. However, the focus for today's meditation is on the words of the Savior in 21:21-22: "And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." These words of the Lord have been often abused by those who seek to advance the "prosperity gospel." They argue that if we have enough faith, we can ask anything, and it will happen. Yet, what is often missing in their argument is that our faith is not in faith but the sovereign will of God. That is, as we pray, we must ask those things that are agreeable to God's will. If it is God's will to toss a mountain into the sea, it will be answered. In cases where we are not sure of God's will, we must lean upon his sovereign providence and trust his answers, even if they are contrary to what we asked. You see, true faith wants what God wants for us. We cannot manipulate God in our prayers, and we must resist the temptation to do so.

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Prayer: Our merciful God, you who are triune, full of loving-kindness and goodness, we praise your name today, seeking to do your holy will in all that we do and in all that you order for us. WE are thankful that you are patient and kind with us as we pilgrim through this life as exiles in a strange land. We are thankful for your Word that declares that you have called us by name and that we belong to you. Though we may struggle through difficult seasons in a fallen world, we know that you have promised that the waters will not overwhelm us, and the fire will not consume us. We are humbled at your infinite love demonstrated in the crushing of your own Son that we might have hope and comfort and your great forgiveness for our many sins. Therefore, we look to you today as our sure hope and help, a mighty refuge in which we find comfort and rest. Please help us, Father. Please grant us a greater measure of your Spirit that we would serve you with great joy and delight all of our days. We pray these things in the name of your Son and our Lord. Amen.

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Meditation for the day taken from Everyday Prayer with John Calvin written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-9

The passage under consideration today is a familiar one. We know the story of what is known as "Palm Sunday." The phrase itself is not used in the Biblical record but derived from the worshipers' actions as Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time during his earthly ministry. In today's mediation, we are going to focus in on the "shouting" of the people found in Matt. 21:9, "and the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest." There are a few items to note in this 'prayer' of the people. First, it is a prayer. The words used by the people are drawn from Ps. 118:25-26:

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Prayer: Almighty and merciful God, you alone are the alone sovereign over all creation, for you have made all things, visible and invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good. Because you are the Creator, you have every right to demand worship and obedience from your creatures. Yet, in our stubborn and stiff-necked ways, we often worship the creature and not the Creator. Too often, we do our own thing and go our own way, offering violence to your just demands and moral law. Sadly, as your redeemed people, we do these things and bring your Fatherly displeasure. Forgive us, Lord. We know of the many examples of your people of old that rebelled against you. We seek to learn from them and their ways. Please help us to learn your Word so that we may not sin against you. Thank you for always being ready to forgive. Please be patient with us, and help us by your Spirit. We pray these things in the name of Christ. Amen.

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NOTE: I am starting a new segment of "The Daily Prayer" each Monday that will reproduce the published prayers of John Calvin. In most cases, the source of the prayer will be given (if available).

Prayer: Grant, Almighty God, that since thou art pleased kindly to invite us to thyself, and hast consecrated thy word for our salvation, O grant that we may willingly, and from the heart, obey thee, and become so teachable, that what thou hast designed for our salvation may not turn to our perdition; but may that incorruptible seed by which thou doest regenerate us into a hope of the celestial life so drive its roots into our hearts, and bring forth fruit, that they name may be glorified; and we may be so planted in the courts of thine house, that we may grow and flourish, and that fruit may appear through the whole course of our life, until we shall at length enjoy that blessed life which is laid up for us in heaven, through Christ our Lord. -- Amen.
(From Everyday Prayer with John Calvin, written by Donald McKim, p, 18)

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Meditation for the day taken from Everyday Prayer with John Calvin, written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: Matthew 9:27-30

The narrative is brief, but the lesson deep. Here in this passage is the encounter of the Savior and two blind men who merely cry out to the Lord for mercy. First, note the simplicity of their faith. They simply cry out for mercy. Is that what all men, everywhere, need? Whatever the circumstance, all men are in dire need of the mercy of the Lord. Because of our miserable and fallen condition, not a single breath can be taken without the condescending love of God the Father upon his creatures. The state of these men is merely highlighted by the gospel writer as those who are blind. We do not know how long they suffered under that malady. We do know it was real -- real enough to cause them to cry for help from the only one who can bring it. Second, note the urgency of their faith. They "came to him." We tend to run to so many things in this life for relief, yet the blind men run to the Lord, and as they did so, crying out to him, they were heard. The Lord did not reject them but listened to their cry for help and saw their faith.

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Prayer: Almighty God, you who are majestic and holy and has spoken in days of old by the prophets and now by your Word, we thank you for condescending to us and revealing yourself to your creatures. Though we are creatures of dust, and though our first parents rebelled against you, you determined to demonstrate your great love for us in giving us the seed of the woman that would crush the head of the serpent and reverse the effects of the Fall. You brought forth your Son through your marvelous work, born in the fullness of time, born to a woman, born under the law. In him, we have redemption and satisfaction for our sins. We praise your name today because you did not leave us in our miserable condition. You have brought us out of darkness to behold you. Freed from our prison, we are now able, by your Spirit, to accomplish our purpose for living: to glorify you in all that we do. Father, we know that we fall short of your glory. We mourn indwelling sin and actually transgressions. Forgive us and renew in us a great love for you. Please grant us a willing spirit that we would watch and pray lest we fall into temptation. We thank you for your kindness in forgiving us through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer: Our Father, too often, our prayers are prayerless. So often, in our prayers, we fail to trust you and believe your promises for us. Therefore, we often go through the motions and check the box indicating that we did pray when, in fact, we didn't. Our hearts wander in our times of prayer. Our minds run to and fro and then ask you things that are not agreeable to your will. We spend too much time asking you for things instead of thanking you and praising you. Forgive us, Father, for being so shallow in those holy moments in your presence. We know that your Word teaches us to pray, and it tells us to pray for things that are agreeable to your will. It also teaches us to cast our burdens and cares before you and ask you what we desire. Please help us to pray with earnest zeal being willing to accept your providence for us. Please grant us a willing mind and heart to receive all that we need and nothing more from your hand. We pray these things in the name of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Prayer: Our most sovereign, holy, and gracious God, we thank you for the enjoyment of another Lord's day with your people in worship to you. We heard your voice through the preaching of your Word, and now, as we reflect on that which we heard, we pray that your Spirit would grant us the mercy and grace we need to do that which we have heard. Too often, we are like the church of old that did not listen to you as you spoke through your prophet to them. They were stiff-necked and rebellious and suffered the due consequence of their error. We do not want to be like them. We desire to hear and do what you have told us because you are worthy of our love and obedience. We long to be as holy as is possible for sinners. Please help us, Lord. Please continue to conform us more and more into the image of your Son. We pray all these things in His name. Amen.

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Prayer: Our God in heaven: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we praise your name and thank you for revealing yourself to your people who you called a holy nation and a people for your own possession. We thank you for helping us with our weaknesses. We are a forgetful people and need to be shown signs and wonders that display your glory and greatness. As your church traversed the wilderness in the days of old, you gave them the pillar of fire and the cloud to guide them. As they crossed the Jordan, you commanded that stones of remembrance be erected on the river's western shore. Through these signs, you remind your people of your kindness to deliver them from sin and misery and bring them to a safe and prosperous land. Today, you give us the sign of your sacraments, and through them, we are again reminded of your love and covenant faithfulness as you exalted your Son and through him secured a people and gave great promises to them. Please help us, Father, to remember and to lay hold of these gifts that we might glory in you and praise you and walk with you. Forgive us for going astray and grant us more of your Spirit to live and serve you. We pray these things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the exalted One. Amen.

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Prayer: Almighty God, grant to your people a willing spirit to bless and love you and to live lives fulfilling the purpose for which you made us. We know that we are your redeemed people, and the work of the Lord Jesus has reconciled us as your chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for your own possession. You have called us out of darkness into your marvelous light that we would live lives holy and consecrated before you. Forgive us for our transgressions and sins. Forgive us for the many ways in which we go astray. Like sheep, we often wander and stray from your commands. Thank you for your patience with us and for forgiving us through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Meditation for the day taken from Everyday Prayer with John Calvin written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-14

The Savior graciously gave us the Lord's Prayer as a model of prayer and as one that teaches us how to pray. This prayer is used by many in various circumstances. It is often used in corporate worship as a prayer of the gathered people of God. Yet, many offer this prayer with very little thought as to what they are praying. When we pray mindlessly before our God, we treat him as common and not offering him our heart, soul, mind, and strength in worship.

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