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Today the Church commemorates Mary Magdalene, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry and the first witness of His resurrection. Luke reports that Jesus healed Mary Magdalene from demon possession. She witnessed his death and was the first to bring the news of His resurrection to the apostles. As a result, Bernard of Clairvaux called her “the apostle to the apostles.”

Let us pray: “Almighty God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, restored Mary Magdalene to health and called her to be the first witness of His resurrection. Heal us from all our infirmities and call us to know You in the power of Your Son’s unending life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 549.

Image: “Christ’s Appearance to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection” by Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov. Public domain.

Ezekiel, the priest and prophet called by God to prophesy to the exiles during the Babylonian Captivity is remembered today in the Church Year. Ezekiel was captured and brought with the King of Judah and thousands of other leading citizens from Judah to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. In his prophesies, Ezekiel emphasized the holiness of God and images from the temple. Ezekiel prophesied that Jerusalem would be destroyed, beginning in 593 BC until its fulfillment in 586 BC. He also prophesied that God would bring divine judgment on seven other nations surrounding Israel. These were just punishments for the sins of the Israelites and Judahites, as well as the sins of the nations around them. After the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, Ezekiel’s message turned to comfort and hope. The promise of restoration for God’s people and renewal in the messianic kingdom was given through Ezekiel.

Let us pray: “Lord God, heavenly Father, through the prophet Ezekiel, You continued the prophetic pattern of teaching Your people the true faith and demonstrating through miracles Your presence in creation to heal it of its brokenness. Grant that Your Church may see in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the final end-times prophet whose teaching and miracles continue in Your Church through the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Amen.

Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 546.

Image: Ezekiel by Michelangelo from the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican ca.1508-1512, fresco. Public domain.

Today the Church commemorates the prophet Elijah, whose name means “My God is Yahweh [the LORD].” Elijah was the prophet to the Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Ahab (874-853 BC). King Ahab’s pagan wife Jezebel influenced him to institute the worship of Baal throughout the kingdom, and she sought to squelch the worship of Yahweh. Elijah’s call was to denounce the idolatry of Ahab, Jezebel, and the people of the Northern Kingdom and call them back to the true worship of Yahweh, the one true God. Elijah lived in the wilderness and dressed in camel’s hair. His words were powerful as he performed many miracles. Elijah was taken into heaven by the Lord at the end of his ministry and was succeeded by Elisha, who witnessed his assumption. Later, Malachi prophesied that Elijah would return before the Messiah, which was fulfilled by the ministry of John the Baptist.

Let us pray: “Lord God, heavenly Father, through the prophet Elijah, You continued the prophetic pattern of teaching Your people the true faith and demonstrating through miracles Your presence in creation to heal it of its brokenness. Grant that Your Church may see in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the final end-times prophet whose teaching and miracles continue in Your Church through the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Amen.

Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 542.

Image: Saint Elias in the cave (below) and on a chariot of fire. A fresco from Rila Monastery, Bulgaria.

Today the Church commemorates Ruth the Moabitess of the Biblical Book of Ruth. Ruth was a pagan who married into a Hebrew family. Although she had been raised pagan, her confession of faith in the God of Israel is one of the most striking in the Bible. After the deaths of Elimelech (Naomi’s husband) and their sons, Ruth accompanied her mother-in-law Naomi back to Israel from Moab. Ruth worked tirelessly to provide for herself and her mother-in-law by gleaning in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech. However, the women could not redeem Elimelech’s land on their own. Boaz agreed to be their “redeemer” and redeem the land for them, but also took Ruth as his wife in order to continue Elimelech’s line. After their marriage, Ruth conceived and gave birth to Obed, who continued the line of the Messiah. From Obed’s line were born both King David, and ultimately, Jesus Christ. “Ruth’s kindness and selfless loyalty toward Naomi and her faith in Naomi’s God have long endeared her to the faithful and redounded to God’s praise for His merciful choice of one so unexpected.” (p. 530)

Let us pray: “Faithful God, You promised to preserve Your people and save Your inheritance, using unlikely and unexpected vessels in extending the genealogy that would bring about the birth of Your blessed Son. Give us the loyalty of Ruth and her trust in the one true God, that we, too, might honor You through our submission and respect and be counted among Your chosen people, by the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and the Holy Spirit, who reign together with You, now and forever.” Amen.

Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 530.

Image: “Ruth im Feld des Boaz” by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld. Public Domain.

Short-term mission story 4 of 6 — A labor of love: Czech Republic English Bible Camp sending service LCMS International Mission has compiled a series of six commentaries from short-term missionaries based on their experiences. (Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)

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Isaiah the Prophet is commemorated today in the Church Year. Isaiah, a prophet of the Lord from about 740-700 BC, was sent to both Judah and Jerusalem. He is considered the greatest of the writing prophets. His words are quoted more often in the New Testament than any other prophet. He was a contemporary of Hosea, Amos, and Micah. Isaiah preached the Law of God fiercely, especially with regard to idolatry. However, he also proclaimed God’s Gospel, emphasizing His grace and forgiveness. Isaiah’s prophesies of the coming Messiah are the clearest of all the OT prophets, especially in the Suffering Servant passages in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, and with regard to Jesus’ miraculous birth.

Let us pray: “Lord God, heavenly Father, through the prophet Isaiah, You continued the prophetic pattern of teaching Your people the true faith and demonstrating through miracles Your presence in creation to heal it of its brokenness. Grant that Your Church may see in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the final end-times prophet whose teaching and miracles continue in Your Church through the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Amen.

Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 498-499.

Image: Russian icon of the Prophet Isaiah, 18th century. Public Domain.

Celebrating our dependence – The Lutheran Witness God did not create us for independence or autonomy. He created us to be His people, and this defines us. His freedom is not the same as the world’s “freedom.”

On this day in the Church Year, the Church commemorates the visit of Mary to Elizabeth while both were miraculously pregnant. Elizabeth’s womb was opened by the Lord in her old age in order to bring about the birth of John the Baptizer, the forerunner of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Since Mary was a relative of Elizabeth, Mary went to visit her after her own miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit of the Son of God. When Elizabeth sees Mary, she is filled with the Holy Spirit. John leaps in her womb, recognizing the Mother of his Lord, and Elizabeth proclaims the blessedness of Mary. The response of John and Elizabeth, and Mary’s Magnificat help us to rejoice in the coming of the Christ child and the fulfillment of the promise of the Seed who would crush the head of Satan given to Adam and Even in Genesis 3. We, like Mary, rejoice in the Lord who lifts up the lowly through His Son, making us His children.

Let us pray: “Almighty God, You chose the virgin Mary to be the mother of Your Son and made known through her Your gracious regard for the poor and lowly and despised. Grant that we may receive Your Word in humility and faith, and so be made one with Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Description adapted from and prayer quoted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 486.

Image: "Visitation" by Jacques Daret, c. 1435. Public Domain.

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The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles is observed today in the Church Year and commemorates their deaths. It is likely the oldest of all saints’ observances and dates from about the middle of the third century. The Apostles are celebrated together because early tradition believed that the two were martyred on the same day in Rome under the persecution of Nero. Additionally, they are each celebrated separately in the Church Year, Peter on January 18 and Paul on January 25. Peter was chosen by Jesus at the beginning of His ministry and was a leader among the other disciples. Paul was a devout Jew formerly named Saul who first persecuted the early Christians until his conversion after the encounter on the Road to Damascus. He then became a preacher and missionary and the apostle to the Gentiles.

Let us pray: “Merciful and eternal God, Your holy apostles Peter and Paul received grace and strength to lay down their lives for the sake of Your Son. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that we may confess Your truth and at all times be ready to lay down our lives for Him who laid down His life for us, even Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Description adapted from and prayer quoted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 476.

Image: “St. Peter and St. Paul” by El Greco. Public domain.

Irenaeus, who studied in Rome and became a Pastor in Lyons, France, is believed to have been born in Smyrna (modern-day Iznik, Turkey) in AD 130. The Church commemorates Irenaeus today, who was a pastor and later Bishop in Lyons. While he was away in AD 177, Christians in Lyons faced a severe persecution and the current Bishop was martyred. Irenaeus was made Bishop upon his return. He contributed many writings, including one of his most famous which condemned several heresies, and especially Gnosticism. Gnostics saw creation as bad, and Irenaeus confessed that the creation was redeemed by God through the incarnation of His Son and affirmed all of the teachings of the Scriptures. He died around 200 AD.

Let us pray: “Almighty God, You upheld Your servant Irenaeus with strength to confess the truth against every blast of vain doctrine. By Your mercy, keep us steadfast in the true faith, that in constancy we may walk in peace on the way that leads to life through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Description adapted from and prayer quoted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 472.

Image: “St. Irenaeus” by Lucien Bégule. Public domain.

Cyril of Alexandria became the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt in AD 412. He was born in AD 376 and lived to AD 412. He defended many doctrines of the faith, including the teaching that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is properly to be called the Theotokos, or “Mother of God” (see also the Formula of Concord VIII 12). After his death, in 431 A.D., the Council of Ephesus confirmed this teaching. Cyril’s writings on the Trinity and person of Christ are masterful and reveal him as one of the ablest theologians of his era. His Christology influenced many councils and was also one of the primary sources for Lutheran confessional writings.

Let us pray: “Heavenly Father, Your servant Cyril steadfastly proclaimed Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be one person, fully God and fully man. By Your infinite mercy, keep us constant in faith and worship of Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Description adapted from and prayer quoted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 469.

Image: “St. Cyril of Alexandria”. Public domain.

The Church remembers the prophet Jeremiah today, who was the prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah between 627 to 582 BC. Jeremiah prophesied and then lived through the Babylonian siege and eventual destruction of Jerusalem, which took place in 587 BC. When conveying a prophesy, Jeremiah often used objects and symbols to help the hearer understand the message. He fearlessly called the people of God to repentance from their sins of unbelief and idolatry and faced constant rejection from his fellow countrymen. It is believed that he was taken forcibly to Egypt, and then died there.

Let us pray: “Lord God, heavenly Father, through the prophet Jeremiah, You continued the prophetic pattern of teaching Your people the true faith and demonstrating through miracles Your presence in creation to heal it of its brokenness. Grant that Your Church may see in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the final end-times prophet whose teaching and miracles continue in Your Church through the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Amen.

Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 466.

Image: “Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem” by Rembrandt von Rijn, c. 1630. Public Domain.

Today, we as Lutherans celebrate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession to the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. This statement summarizing the belief and practice of the reformers was based on Martin Luther’s theology and written by Philip Melanchthon. Many of the German princes signed the document, confessing that this, too, was their statement of faith. They presented it to the Holy Roman Emperor at Augsburg on June 25, 1530, where it was read in German so that the German people could understand it. A Latin translation was also part of the document that was presented. Catholic authorities rejected the Confession just a few short weeks later. Melanchthon defended it in the Apology to the Augsburg Confession (1531). The Unaltered Augsburg Confession of 1530, as well as the Apology, were both incorporated into the Book of Concord in 1580. This important document was presented and defended by lay people (the princes and Melanchthon), who demonstrated to Charles V and the pope that they were willing to die for the sake of the Gospel and the confession of the faith contained within the Augsburg Confession.

Let us pray: “Lord God, heavenly Father, You preserved the teaching of the apostolic Church through the confession of the true faith at Augsburg. Continue to cast the bright beams of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed by the doctrine of the blessed apostles, may walk in the light of Your truth and finally attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Description adapted from and prayer quoted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” p. 463

Image: “Diet of Augsburg” by Christian Beyer, woodcarving ca.1500’s. Public domain.

Six months before we celebrate the birth of Jesus, today we remember the nativity of John the Baptist. St. John was born into a priestly family, his parents being Zechariah and Elizabeth. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were in old age, and she was barren, which the annunciation of John’s birth was revealed to Zechariah by an angel of the Lord during Zechariah’s priestly service in the temple. Silent during John’s gestation because of his doubts, Zechariah’s mouth was opened upon his birth, and he sang the great hymn of praise found in Luke 1:67-79. The hymn is called the Benedictus and is sung in the service of Morning Prayer as the Gospel Canticle. John was the forerunner of Christ, whom he baptized in the Jordan River. He was later beheaded by Herod. He pointed toward Jesus as the Lamb of God and directed all people to look upon Christ for their salvation.

Let us pray: “Almighty God, through John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, You once proclaimed salvation. Now grant that we may know this salvation and serve You in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” p. 459-460.

Image: “John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness”, by Anton Raphael Mengs. Public Domain.

Bringing the Gospel Back to the Balkans - Engage A new hub for worship and outreach in Brașov, Romania, is helping to bring together small groups of Lutherans from Romania, Bulgaria and other countries in the area.

The prophet Elisha is remembered today in the Church Year. Elisha was the son of Shaphat and a member of the tribe of Issachar. He was God’s prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel from about 849-786 BC. His predecessor Elijah trained Elisha until Elijah was taken into heaven before his eyes. Elisha was active in political affairs in the kingdom and performed numerous miracles, including healing the Syrian army commander, Naaman, of leprosy. Elisha’s name means “my God is salvation” and he confessed this in his life and words, especially in his opposition to Baal worship.

Let us pray: “Lord God, heavenly Father, through the prophet Elisha, You continued the prophetic pattern of teaching Your people the true faith and demonstrating through miracles Your presence in creation to heal it of its brokenness. Grant that Your Church may see in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the final end-times prophet whose teaching and miracles continue in Your Church through the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Amen.

Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” p. 430-431.

Image: “Elisha Raising the Shunammite’s Son” by Benjamin West, 1766. Public Domain.

Today the Church commemorates the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which took place in AD 325. This was the first Council of Nicaea, and it was convened by the Emperor Constantine. It was held in what is now Iznik, Turkey. Constantine presided over the council, which ruled against the A***ns. The A***ns taught the A***n Heresy, that Jesus was not the eternal Son of God, but was created by the Father and given the title Son of God only because of His righteousness. Against this heresy, the council confessed the eternal divinity of Jesus, led especially by Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, and his deacon, Athanasius. An early version of the Nicene Creed was adopted by this council and later the entirety of the creed, as we now have it, was adopted by the Council of Constance in AD 381.

Let us pray: “Lord God, heavenly Father, at the first ecumenical Council of Nicaea, Your Church boldly confessed that it believed in one Lord Jesus Christ as being of one substance with the Father. Grant us courage to confess this saving faith with Your Church through all the ages; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Amen.

Description adapted from and prayer quoted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” p. 425.

Image: A 16th Century depiction of the Council of Nicaea. Fresco in Capella Sistina, Vatican. Public Domain.

St. Barnabas traveled with the Apostle Paul. Prior to his travels, he sold his land in Cyprus and gave the money to the early Christian community in Jerusalem. He was a Levite and a cousin of John Mark. He was sent to Antioch by the Jerusalem Council in order to oversee the Church there. He went to Tarsus and brought Paul back to Antioch to assist him. The church in Antioch then sent Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey. On the second journey, a disagreement over taking John Mark along led Barnabas to head to Cyprus with Mark while Paul went to Syria and Cilicia with Silas. Tradition holds that Barnabas died as a martyr in Cyprus by stoning. Barnabas is only spoken about in Acts 4, 11, 13 and 15, as well as Colossians 4 and 1 Corinthians 9.

Let us pray: “Almighty God, Your faithful servant Barnabas sought not his own renown but gave generously of his life and substance for the encouragement of the apostles and their ministry. Grant that we may follow his example in lives given to charity and the proclamation of the Gospel; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen.

Description adapted from and prayer quoted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” 422-3.

Image: “St. Barnabas Curing the Sick” by Paolo Veronese. Public Domain

We give thanks for the Domenichelli family who recently deployed to Germany! Please pray for the family as they transition and adjust to life and work in a new place, and pray that Gospel would go forth in this nation. Learn more: lcms.org/domenichelli