May 13, 2026
Pray - Part 3
John 16:28,33
05/13/2026
28 I came from the Father and have come into the
world, and now I am leaving the world and going to
the Father. ...
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you
may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the
world. (ESV)
On the night Jesus was betrayed told His disciples:
I came from the Father and have come into the world,
and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.
... I have said these things to you, that in me you
may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.
We believe, teach, and confess that God is present in all
places. As we pray, as we speak in faith to God, we know He is
beside us, hearing our petitions, accepting our praise and
thanksgiving. Thus we pray at all times, both in word and
action, for both words and actions are a response of faith. This
last Sunday's prayer of the Church is a reflection of this truth,
even as we ask God to guide and direct us in all things.
O God, the giver of all that is good, by Your holy
inspiration grant that we may think those things that
are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them.
On the night He was betrayed, Jesus prepared His disciples
both for His coming death, but also for His ascension. Because
Jesus was returning to His Father, the disciples came to know
that He stands for us as our own High Priest, our advocate.
Jesus prepared His disciples for the final days, the days
when the Church proclaims the message of salvation by grace
through faith for Christ's sake to a world which does not desire
to listen to God's Word. Yet the Church remains faithful,
bringing hope to those who do not reject God's love.
May our Lord grant us faith which holds to God's promises of
forgiveness for the sake of Christ, of life everlasting in His
mansions. Amen.