A House of Prayer for All Nations
And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,
and holds fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:6-7
Throughout Isaiah’s prophecy, the Lord assures His people that the promised Messiah would come to be a source of hope and salvation for the nations. In Revelation, John beholds an angel “with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.” (14:6) The great multitude of heaven that he sees in his vision are drawn from every nation. The season of Epiphany emphasizes the universality of God’s grace for all people.
While the roots of our church body are among German immigrants, we also see how the eternal Gospel has been proclaimed among the nations throughout history. The first Chinese mission in Missouri began in St. Louis in 1874. The first service for the deaf was held in Missouri in 1894. Today, the Gospel is proclaimed in a dozen different languages every weekend. African immigrants gather in Kansas City and St. Louis. There are two Spanish speaking congregations on the West side of the state. Currently, Hispanics are gathering for worship with our Chinese congregation in suburban St. Louis. In campus ministries and in congregations, people gather for prayer from across the globe. God’s promise through Isaiah the prophet is being fulfilled today.
Our Epiphany prayer is that Jesus Christ would be revealed to people from every nation, tribe, and language. May our congregations be houses of prayer for everyone in our communities. Lastly, we pray that God would bless the work of our missionaries across the globe as they proclaim the Gospel in many different languages and the work of our congregations here in Missouri in reaching all peoples with the eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Prayer – Almighty and gracious God, You want all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Magnify the power of the Gospel in the hearts of Your faithful people that Your Church may spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan