PRAY; THY WILL BE DONE

What does it mean when we pray “Thy will be done”? Today many have different views of what prayer is and what we mean by God’s will. Do we change God’s will by our prayer? If we get a lot of people to pray for a person in need, does this convince God to change His mind or will? Do we know God’s will through our prayer?

Perhaps we can respond to these questions by addressing, “What is prayer?” and “What is prayer in relation to God¹s will?” There is one fundamental thing that is important to know about prayer and that is, we do not give meaning, purpose, or shape to prayer but God does. Jesus had to teach His disciples how to pray. In other words, prayer is not to be understood from below as if it is for us to form and give meaning to, but prayer is a confession of the greater life that God has first given to us formally in our Baptism.

In other words, prayer is a confession of a certain life defined by God. This is why Luther speaks of “prayer, praise, and giving thanks” under the second commandment concerning a proper confession of God. Prayer, much like faith, does not spend time looking to itself, but to God and the sure promises of His love and mercy through His Son Jesus Christ. Such promises find their fulfillment in Christ, for in Christ all prayers are answered.

So often our prayers are shaped and more concerned with this life rather than the life we have received in Christ now and forevermore. As an example, we may pray that God would feed the hungry. This is a good thing, of course, but no matter how much food we have we will some day die. The daily food we receive directs the Christian to the everlasting bread of life from heaven. An example of this is found in the following hymn:

Feed Thy children, God most holy, comfort sinners poor and lowly; O Thou Bread of Life from heaven, bless the food Thou here hast given! As these gifts the body nourish, may our souls in graces flourish till with saints in heav¹nly splendor at Thy feast due thanks we render. Amen. (TLH 659) God not only has answered our prayers in His own way and in His own time, but He has answered all our prayers already in the blood of the New Testament, in Christ. This is why the Psalmist may think he does not know the answer to his problem but he does: the answer is in knowing the true God and the life He has given us from above. Our prayer is nothing but a confession of this life from God shaped by God’s will fulfilled in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

REMEMBERING THE FALLEN ON MEMORIAL DAY

REMEMBERING OUR HEROES THIS WEEK END

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died serving our country. This is a great time to honor our veterans and famous Americans by visiting the monuments in Washington, DC. The Memorial Day weekend also marks the beginning of the busy summer season and the Washington, DC region celebrates with family friendly events and special services. Here is the 2009 Memorial Day event schedule:

PBS’ National Memorial Day Concert
Sunday, May 24, 2009, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.
PBS sponsors a FREE concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with conductor Erich Kunzel and the National Symphony Orchestra. See Photos of the performers in the 2009 concert.

National Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 25, 2009, beginning at 2 p.m.
The parade of Marching Bands and Veterans units from all 50 states steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street. The National Memorial Day Parade is sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee and includes patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons. This year’s parade will feature Ernest Borgnine, Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, Admiral Michael Mullen and Bob Feller. See Photos of the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally
Sunday, May 24, 2009. Departure from the Pentagon at 12 p.m. Speaker Program and Musical Tribute 1:30 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool across from The Lincoln Memorial. Thousands of motorcycles ride through Washington in an annual demonstration seeking to improve veteran benefits and resolve POW/MIA issues. See Photos of Rolling Thunder

GI Film Festival
May 13-17, 2009. In its 2nd year, the festival will be held prior to Memorial Day weekend. See classic and premier films celebrating the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces including a variety of films presented by award-winning Hollywood actors and directors. Participate in panel discussions with soldiers, journalists, authors, and filmmakers.

Arlington National Cemetery
Monday, May 25, 2009, 11 a.m.
A wreath-laying ceremony and concert will be held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of Memorial Day.See Photos of Arlington National Cemetery.

Navy Memorial
Saturday, May 23, 2009.
11 a.m. Rolling Thunder visits the Navy Memorial and holds a wreath-laying ceremony featuring a Native American Veterans Honor Guard and P.J. “Gunny” James, the first Navajo Marine Corps drill instructor, as guest speaker.
12:00 p.m. – Live performance by Gaslight Society
2:00 p.m. to sunset – Black Creek Gourd Society Navajo Dance Ceremony.

Monday, May 25, 2009
10:00 a.m. – Fleet Reserve Association wreath laying with guest speaker Ernest Borgnine
11:00 a.m. – Live music: World War II Radio Hour
12:30 p.m. – Navy band concert
1:00 p.m. – Naval District Washington wreath laying

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Monday, May 25, 2009, 1:00 p.m.
This year’s annual Memorial Day ceremony includes Presentation of the Colors, remarks by a special guest and wreath-laying service.

Air Force Memorial
Monday, May 25, 2009, 9 a.m. wreath laying ceremony. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley is the keynote speaker at this ceremony, which is open to the public.

Kennedy Center National Memorial Day Choral Festival
May 24, 2009, 2 p.m. A 90-minute program features American choral classics in honor of those who have fought to preserve our nation’s heritage. Admission: $10.

Hometown Holidays
May 23-25, 2009.
The city of Rockville’s Memorial Day event is a three-day street festival with live music, children’s entertainment, a parade and more.

Viva Vienna
May 23-25, 2009.
Vienna, Virginia celebrates with a community festival including food, crafts, music, carnival rides and a Memorial Day tribute.

Wolf Trap Farm Park
Sunday, May 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
The park for performing arts kicks off the summer season with a free performance by the U.S. Marine Band followed by fireworks. The Filene Center gates open at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the park closes once capacity is reached.

Fort Ward Park, Alexandria, Virginia
Monday, May 25, 2009, 1-7 p.m. The annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival features big band, swing, and contemporary jazz music. Picnics are allowed and food and beverages will also be for sale. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center’s Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St. Admission is free.

Falls Church Memorial Day Parade
May 25, 2009, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City of Falls Church, Virginia celebrates Memorial Day with a festival featuring pony rides, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, food and a community parade.

IF THE WALLS COULD SPEAK

HOLDING TRUE TO THE STANDARD

By Noel Serrano

There was once a moment in the not too distant pass when life seemed simple and less severe. This old but graceful home was filled with sounds of joyous people, a joyous family, well-bred and nurtured with peace, love and with strong spiritual principles. This old home was an

THE SERRANO HOME IN THE 60S AND 70S

impenetrable fortress for the many young, to dwell in and hope, dream and build for a bright new day. it was a place of solace, for the loving parents who planned, prayed and toiled each day, the spiritual upbringing of their large family.

 

The many years of winter never chilled the warmth and the compassion of these two parents who did the very best that they could for their growing offspring. They gave each of their sons and daughters, the very best that they had. This old home witnessed the growth and the many seasons of change that were apparent in each individual child, for they were all, rather unique in their own way. They grew to enjoy many hours of intense reading. Dad had a large library in the basement.There were many hours of music that  was enjoyed and encouraged by our parents. we always had a large piano and all types of instruments. The kids that grew up in the old home were natural born innovators who designed, discovered and often, engineered things that they could not have afforded conventionally. There were vast resources in this solid, colonial-styled home that was built in the 1920s. The times in which we grew up in this beloved home seemed parallel to what we were experiencing. There are many things that can never be outgrown or never forgotten. They are a start for us. They characterize us as a family. They can never be taken away from our lives. We were raised with an invisible code and standard. We were instructed and inspired by a certain way of life. Many of us took very seriously, the spiritual heritage and legacy that we still share. many of us, in the family that were raised in this old home, still hold true, the faith and the steadfast conviction of our fathers and the will never change. we must continue to pray and intercede for some family members who have strayed from the Lord and have lost their way. It is our fervent prayer that they find their way home, soon…..Very Soon!!!