Dear Partners in the Gospel,

Last weekend, Beth, Sarah, and I were driving through the Hingham area in Sheboygan County, and in addition to all the campaign signs in peoples' yards, we saw quite a few signs that said Don't Stop Praying! I imagine one of the churches in that area may have promoted a sign 'ministry'. And, it did make me think!

And yes, we ought not forget to Keep Praying! There is power in prayer. We express our trust in God when we pray. We open our hearts to the needs of the world when we pray. We humbly remember that we are not in control of everything going on in and around us when we pray. And prayer is also a "2-way street", where God might or might not whisper in our ears, but where we listen for a word from God, and where we learn to wait on God.

Prayer, of course, goes along with action. Praying for the awful conflict in the Middle East to end is not a substitute for petitioning our leaders to pressure all sides to negotiate a cease fire, and it's not a substitute for finding concrete ways to help victims of that conflict. Prayer can unite us with the many people who long for peace and for justice, near and far.

As a nation, we are on the cusp of another divisive election. Even though our system of government, or of choosing a President, leaves much to be desired, Don't Stop Praying! Pray that voters and candidates will think clearly, act civily, and speak truthfully, concerning the common good. (Pope Francis has commented on the U.S. election as a choice of the lesser of two evils; something that is often true!) And continue to pray for God's will to be done, through and even despite the chaotic ways of this world.

And thank you for asking for prayers when you need them! Thank you for offering up prayers for the congregation and our leaders! And thank you for remembering that prayer can be used to praise and thank God for the gifts of life, and grace, and daily bread, and endurance! The short letter of James reminds us: the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective (James 5:16). So, we keep praying!

- Pastor Paul