Psalm 50:15;
1 John 5:14 - This passage is the
inspiration for the hymn “In holy conversation” LSB 772.
The following reflection was written by Rev. Gregory
J. Wismar the author of the hymn.
When so much of communication
in life is done through single sentences and ‘sound bites’ it can be a real blessing to have an extended
conversation with someone else in an unhurried and unimpeded way.
In the ‘What does
this mean’ section responding to the Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer (‘Our Father who art in heaven’) Martin
Luther writes: “With these words God
tenderly invites us to believe that he is our true Father and that we are His
true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear
children ask their dear father.” Prayer is a most special conversation, a
holy and sanctified speaking with God.
n the first stanza
of “In Holy Conversation” we rejoice
in God’s gracious invitation to come to him in prayer. In the words of the
psalmist we hear that invitation fully extended: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall
glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15) In troubled times, in good times, in all times
our heavenly Father is ready to enter into that holy conversation with us. The
stanza also reminds us that our speaking to God is assisted fully and
fervently.
Saint Paul writes: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our
weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought…” (Romans 8:28)
There may be times when words of prayer are hard to come by. Even then we can
be sure that those prayers are in no way defective. The Holy Spirit is with us
and for us in our prayer life with encouragement and support.
The second stanza
the hymn reflects how we grow in our prayers in the different stages of life. A
day begun and ended with prayer is one that is enveloped in the presence of
God. Saint Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi: “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made know to God.” (Philippians
4:6) God is always ready not only to hear but to respond to our prayers as they
come before his throne of grace.
The final stanza of
the hymn affirms that God cherishes our prayers and is ready to attend to our
concerns even before they are completely expressed. Through the prophet Isaiah
the Lord says: “Before they call I will
answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) Prayer is
holy and confident conversation. Summing up that central truth, Saint John
writes: “And this is the confidence that
we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
(I John 5:13) So let us pray securely at all times and in all places in silence
or by word or by song in Jesus’ name.
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