Praying Towards Reformation
For the past many years, I have intentionally tried to shift the focus of Reformation Sunday away from the historical Reformation and instead to the concept of reformation, in general. In other words, I’ve really tried to stress the idea that Reformation Sunday is a day to celebrate how God is still re-forming the church in this time and place. This, I think, was the whole point of Martin Luther’s movement. It was to make people see that God is alive and active, and the church is always being transformed to be the hands, feet, and voice of God in the world.
This year, in the midst of a convergence of multiple theological, civic and political “storms,” I find myself longing for Reformation Sunday. I find myself aching to see and experience God’s re-formation of our world, of our leaders, of our sense of value and justice for all people regardless of skin color, race, sexual orientation or creed. I am thirsting for re-formation of myself, to be able to once again see and celebrate God’s actions in a world where I struggle day-to-day to perceive such actions. I guess what I’m saying is this: this year, I am approaching Reformation Sunday less as a chance to celebrate a historical event and more as a hope and a fervent prayer.
So, I’m taking that as a cue for what I should be doing in this month leading up to Reformation Sunday (which is October 25th this year, by the way). Each day this month, I will be praying for Re-formation to be active, and for me to do what I can to see and be a part of it.
1 A prayer to re-form creation
2 A prayer to re-form attitudes towards those whom I see as “other”
3 A prayer to re-form my friendships
4 A prayer to re-form broken relationships
5 A prayer to re-form the way I see and respond to hunger
6 A prayer to re-form the way I see and respond to homelessness
7 A prayer to re-form the way I see and respond to race relations
8 A prayer to re-form the way I see and respond to economic disparity
9 A prayer to re-form the way I see and respond to those with mental health disabilities
10 A prayer to re-form the way I see and respond to suffering
11 A prayer to re-form the way I participate in civic society
12 A prayer to re-form global partnerships and relations
13 A prayer to re-form my elected political leaders
14 A prayer to re-form those who are running for political office
15 A prayer to re-form political dialogue and debate
16 A prayer to re-form the criminal justice system
17 A prayer to re-form the education system
18 A prayer to re-form CtK’s ministries to children, youth and families
19 A prayer to re-form CtK’s ministries to the elderly and homebound
20 A prayer to re-form CtK’s ministries to those who suffer in mind, body or spirit
21 A prayer to re-form CtK’s leadership
22 A prayer to re-form Christ the King Lutheran Church
23 A prayer to re-form the ELCA
24 A prayer to re-form the church universal
25 A prayer to re-form myself
Join me in praying for reformation to become a reality this year. Let it be so. Amen.
Pastor Tim