In his article, Pastor Treglown talks about Luther’s Evening Prayer, which is a truly wonderful gift we have as part of our Lutheran heritage. I want to talk about prayer in general, especially asking the question: Why should we pray?

Because we all have busy lives. We all have—or at least it feels like it—one crisis after another, one fire after another that we need to put out. At times, when we’re worn down by the bills and the responsibilities and all the little problems we need to deal with, it can feel like we’re at war—at war against the forces of chaos. And when you’re at war, you don’t have time to waste on things that are unnecessary. So we have to ask: why should we pray?

This month of September in our Gospel readings we’re going to continue to follow Jesus on his ministry, reading Mark chapters 7 and 9. And one common theme throughout these readings is Jesus encountering people who are being oppressed by unclean spirits—demonic forces. In these accounts, we hear Jesus come face to face with the powers of evil and chaos—the very things we struggle with, but on a much more concrete scale

And when Jesus encounters these evil forces, it’s not even a contest who wins. There is no struggle. Jesus gives a command—that’s all it takes!—and immediately the forces of evil are on the run. The winner of the war is a foregone conclusion.

And so in our lives that can sometimes leave us feeling exhausted, as if we too are at war against these forces of chaos and destruction, let us always turn to our Lord in prayer. Because in prayer we give up to God what is his: every care and trouble, knowing that he hears our prayers and has power to handle every evil force that threatens us now, just as he did in his time on this earth.

This doesn’t mean that things will always be easy, nor does it mean that things will always feel in control. When the disciples were in the boat with Jesus (who was then napping) and that great storm passed over the boat, the disciples certainly did not feel in control! Yet even then, despite all appearances, they were safe in the care of their savior. In every care, then, in every trouble, in every moment when it feels like we’re at war against the forces of chaos and evil—and even when it feels like those forces are winning—in every moment let us turn to our savior in prayer, knowing that we are always safe in his care.

-Pastor Duncan