Our Savior Lutheran at Prayer
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray…
February 24, AD 2023
Mark 1:29-39
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
In the name of the Father and the +Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The whole world is going out after him. He is healing the sick and casting out the demons. He is in their synagogue teaching and preaching. The people flock to him. We would have gone, too. They wanted more. They wanted to see more signs and wonders, but that is not why he comes. He comes to preach. He comes to proclaim. What is he proclaiming? He proclaims the good news of his cross. He proclaims that all the promises of salvation and the coming Messiah are fulfilled in him. He proclaims to you that the Law is fulfilled in him. They will all fall away. Crucifixion is not the sign they want to see. They’d rather see someone come down from the cross rather than go up on it. However, it is that very act, Jesus dying on the cross, that saves the world. It is Jesus paying the price for sin and rescuing from death and the devil that is the most important thing—for you! Thus, he keeps sending his Word to be preached to you. He keeps sending his Holy Spirit to call you with the Gospel of the Cross and to enlighten you with the gifts that were won there. In the name of +Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Steven Cholak, School Chaplain and Assistant Pastor, Our Savior Lutheran Church and School
You may utilize the Order of Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families (pages 295-298) in Lutheran Service Book for your family prayers.
The Collect of the Week:
Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may, like David before us, receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Prayer for others:
For the pre-born, the weak, the sick, those in hospital, and those who cannot care for themselves;
For the shut-in and those recovering from surgery at home;
For those struggling with sin and those who are sick;
For those undergoing surgery;
For our pastors (Pastor White, Pastor Krieg, and Pastor Cholak);
For pastors and congregations throughout the world as they begin the Lenten season;
For our Lenten journey to the cross;
For the Christian training of the young, especially at Our Savior Lutheran School.
StarboCho 