Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. – Romans 8:26-27
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Dear Disciple of Christ,
I expect you recognize the fact that, though the lesson above is “Pentecostal” in perspective (with the crucial focus on the Spirit serving us), it was not the lesson from last week. But there are times when parts of our worship just strike a chord in my heart, and I expect in yours. This coming weekend the lectionary lessons are looking at the power expressed in the Holy Trinity. I would like to look back on Trinity itself next Friday while this Friday we look back at that Pentecost event. It is an essential part of God’s plan to give power to human beings, filled as we are with weakness, so weak, in fact, that we struggle even to know how to pray. Thanks be to God for His work in us, praying for us when we don’t know how. The plan of the Father was to bring grace for the whole world through Jesus and give the Spirit to all so we can believe!
What a gift that God has sent in His Spirit who prays for us and on our behalf brings forward the needs (not just desires) of our hearts. It is the mind of God and His will that the Spirit knows and, in us, connects our will to God’s will. That is what faith does for us and it is the Spirit who “works” that faith within us. We read the Word and faith comes from that Word and from the work of the Spirit in our hearts. As Luther shared in his explanation to the third article of the Apostles’ creed (about our belief in the Holy Spirit), “I believe that I cannot, by my own reason or strength believe. But the Holy Spirit calls me by gospel, enlightens me with His gifts, sanctifies and keeps me in the one true faith.
The faith moves us from our hearts. It brings about psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, just as it did in the first disciples. Paul wrote to the Colossians (3:16) putting it this way; “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Every once in a while (pretty often, actually), phrases of the liturgy and verses of hymns touch my heart. They were written by men and women of faith who were moved by the same Spirit that moved Paul and the first disciples and me (and you).
What especially struck me this past week in worship, was our sending hymn (God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind) specifically chosen for Pentecost and the coming of that Spirit. Its words lifted me up at all the services, as we used that sending hymn at each. I’d like to consider those verses once more here. Do they move you as they do me?
Verse 1: God of tempest, God of whirlwind, as on Pentecost descend!
Drive us out from sheltered comfort; past these walls your people send!
Sweep us into costly service, there with Christ to bear the cross!
Let us pray: Yes, Lord, just like on Pentecost, we pray your Spirit descend on us, when we gather in church and go in peace. Like the rushing wind pushed the disciples out of the room, push us from the shelter of our homes and churches and walls into the world for which your Son died. We know it will be costly to bear the cross of Christ, to suggest and do His will. But sweep us out into the streets of the world with that very good news. Amen.
Verse 2: God of blazing, God of burning, all that blocks your purpose purge!
Through your church, Christ’s living Body, let your flaming Spirit surge!
Where deceit conceals injustice, kindle us to speak your truth!
Let us pray: As the tongues of fire set the disciples on fire for you, blaze within us Lord. Have your Word burn in our hearts so that we bear it in what we say and do. May we and our churches surge into the world bearing the light of your Son, just as we made commitment to do at our baptisms (Let your light so shine before others that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven). No deceit or injustice should limit the proclamation of your Word. Amen.
Verse 3: God of earthquake, God of thunder, shake us loose from lethargy!
Break the chains of sin asunder, for earth’s healing set us free!
Crumble walls that still divide us; make us one in Christ our Lord!
Let us pray: Shake us up, Lord. We don’t even like the word, “lethargy” and you surely don’t like to see it work its way into our hearts or churches. Let us not weary of doing good (Galatians 4:9-10- And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”) Lord, you can and you will, knock down the walls we have constructed that divide us from other disciples in the household of faith. Amen.
Verse 4: God of passion, God unsleeping, stir in us love’s restlessness!
Where the people cry in anguish, may we share your heart’s distress. Rouse us from content with evil; claim us for your kingdom’s work!
Let us pray: Yes, Lord. We want to be restless, not for the things of the world and the satisfaction of our own desires but that your love make us restless until it is expressed. So fill us with your love that flows from us to all we meet (Romans 5:3-5). We want your heart to be our hearts and where you are distressed let us be distressed until your love is brought to bear everywhere. Help us to be “discontented with evil” and be only contented when we are living in your righteousness. Help us remember the mark that was placed on our foreheads as we were sealed with the Holy Spirit (at our baptisms). Amen.
1) Have you ever found a hymn (unfamiliar in tune) and simply closed the book rather than read along and let your heart sing the words?
2) Have you found yourself “drifting off” (from attention) during familiar parts of the liturgy? Have you ever taken the hymnal home to “study the heart of another who composed that liturgy)?
3) Will you join me in hymns and psalms and spiritual songs this next week (you in your church and me in mine but joined as one by the Spirit)?
May the Spirit empower our hearts to love and our voices to praise.
Peace in Him,
Pastor Johnson