"A guide" offers ways to practice repentance

“We need to pray and repent together so that the Spirit of Christ might change our hearts and minds to seek His will, leading us toward resolution and reconciliation as we approach the July 10-15, 2004 synodical convention.”

So states a twelve-page “Guide for a Day of Prayer, Repentance and Spiritual Renewal” available on the web site of the upcoming synodical convention.  The Guide is in circulation among District Presidents for their encouragement of its use by pastors and leaders of Synod.

The Guide lays out a plan for spending six hours together in reflection and prayer, both personal and shared.  The plan is organized around small groups of twelve or so participants.

It starts with the observation, “Because of the public dissension in our Synod over the last several years, we need to seek the Spirit’s guidance with others who represent a wide spectrum of opinions.  This is not to be a debate over who is right or wrong, nor an effort to convince each other what the issues and problems are.”

A Time of Repentance

A time of repentance is basic.  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience (1Timothy 1:15-17).

Psalm 139 offers the invitation:  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (23-24).

The constant question is: Whom or how have I offended based on:

·   the Eighth Commandment and Luther’s explanation to put the best construction on everything

·   Paul’s teaching to “speak the truth in love”

·   showing evidence of the fruits of the Spirit

The way to church repentance is through consideration of Jesus’ call for four of the churches in Revelation to repent—of forsaking their first love, of tolerating certain false teachings, of being dead, of being lukewarm.

Prayer for Spiritual Renewal

Prayer for spiritual renewal is guided by passages and Luther quotes that stimulate reflection on renewal of your spirit, your enthusiasm for your ministry, your attentiveness to your congregation, and renewal of your passion for the lost and church vitality.

The Guide states the intent that what God does at each of these times of prayer, repentance and spiritual renewal will be replicated hundreds of times until the July 10-15 convention.

Individual pastors are encouraged to invite about twenty fellow pastors and leaders for a day of this prayer.  The goal is to have twelve actually participate—in whatever configuration seems doable.

The Guide for a Day of Prayer, Repentance and Spiritual Renewal can be downloaded from this web site:  www.lcms.org/convention.  Click on “Resources," then click on "A Day of Prayer."

Let’s see what the Holy Spirit can do when we as a church body through repentance and prayer ask for and open ourselves to his fresh movement. 

Editors