Whatever This Day May Bring

Greetings in the Name of our Lord,

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor, teacher, and writer before and during World War II. He was one of the founders of the “illegal” Confessing Church in Germany that opposed Hitler during the war. He was imprisoned and eventually executed at the Nazi concentration camp at Flossenburg, Germany on April 9, 1945. His writings still have great influence on Christians of every denomination.  

In a letter written barely a month before his execution, he includes this prayer, “Lord, whatever this day may bring, Thy Name be praised.” Bonhoeffer knows he has been condemned to death. As he waits for the day of execution to come, he writes, “Thy Name be praised.”

Instead of asking for something of God, Bonhoeffer offers the day and whatever it brings as praise to God. Most of us, if we were in the same situation would ask for deliverance and freedom. We might ask for some bread or rest – something. Maybe our prayer of praise would be in the imperative, “Lord, make this day one to be praised.”  

Few, if any of us, can relate to the desperate situation of Nazi Germany during World War II. Bonhoeffer did not deserve the imprisonment and eventual execution he would suffer. Our lives, though complicated at times, are pretty easy in comparison. We live in a free country, in relative comfort and ease. Our churches face no threats of arrest, persecution, or execution. Schools are readily available for our children. With a phone call, emergency aid, police, and fire are at our disposal. Our lives are blessed. 

I am reminded to joyfully say thanks for all God’s goodness. We have been so richly blessed. I pray that all of us might start our days with such an affirmation. “Lord, whatever this day may bring, Thy Name be praised.” Joy, sadness, success, failure, pain, satisfaction, acceptance, or rejection… whatever this day may bring, may the holy Name of the Lord be praised.  

This Sunday we continue our study of the Lord’s Prayer by examining “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Most of us find forgiveness a challenge – both in offering and receiving forgiveness. 

I believe this is the reason that the heart of Jesus’ ministry is forgiveness. Forgiveness rebuilds lives and relationships. This is why we see Jesus offering forgiveness to those who the religious leaders had condemned. This is why Jesus suffered on the cross. This is why Jesus died. Jesus came to forgive and to show us the power and restoration of forgiveness. 

Join us in worship this Sunday and let’s take a new look at forgiveness. 

See you Sunday.

Pastor John Allen