Calvin Synod Herald, 2008 (109. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
2008-03-01 / 3-4. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD A Prayer for Life At its meeting last year, the Hungarian Reformed ministerium urged our churches, ministers and members to commit themselves to be pro-life, joining with the well-known opposition to abortion of the Reformed Church of Hungary and neighboring countries, in the footsteps of the reformers Calvin and Luther. On January 22nd, a pro-life rally was held at the New Jersey State Capitol, Trenton, New Jersey. It coincided with the March for Life in Washington, DC, marking the anniversary of the Roe- Wade decision by the U. S. Supreme Court, which allows abortion on demand. Over 40 million infants have been killed in America since the 1972 decree. Rev. Albert W. Kovács offered the closing prayer in Trenton. He is a past-president of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, a board member of the New Jersey Pro-life Prayer Breakfast, and pastor of Calvin Synod churches in Woodbridge and Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Closing Prayer - New Jersey Right to Life Rally 22 January 2008 The State Capitol - Trenton, New Jersey Rev. Albert W. Kovács, Minister Hungarian Reformed Church - Woodbridge, NJ Dean of Eastern Classis + Calvin Synod + United Church of Christ God of Love - The Lifegiver Of the Father’s love created, Fearfully and wonderfully; His design a unique being, Woven O so intricately. I praise You who are so awesome, For Your grace and for mercy, Prepare Your Hearts for the Lord continued from page 5 Baptist preached: “A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the lord, make straight paths for him.” (Luke 3:4) We are expected to prepare ourselves to attend the Lord’s Table as penitent and contrite children of God, remembering apostle Paul words: “A man ought to examine himself before he/she eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself-herself.” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29) We should not forget the admonition of prophet Amos: “Prepare to meet your God.” (Amos 4:12) This warning is timely because as our Lord said: “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:20) As our Lord instituted the Holy Communion he prepared spiritual nourishment for all the believers as he had said: “For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” (John 6:55) We should interpret his statement symbolically and spiritually. Rev. Alexander Jalso First Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead Munhall, Pennsylvania God of the love, the Lifegiver. You beheld my unformed substance, ere my days began to be; Inward parts and outward features, In the womb You knitted me. I was being made in secret, Now I praise You in the day, God of love, the Lifegiver. O that You would stay the wicked, Who malisciously oppose You; Men of blood would dare to slay us, Even God’s work to undo. O God, search me, know my heart, Try me and me and know my thoughts, God of love, the Lifegiver. Almighty God, Lord of the universe, without whose will there is nothing and no life, we who gathered here today stand in awe of Your wondrous creation in all its forms and diversity; and we reflect upon Your most magnificent creation of human life, in blessing us again and again with your glorious handiwork as each new life is given birth. We lift up our hearts with thanksgiving for many lives other than our own - for parents who blessed us with their love in all its daily expressions; for the families who embraced us as their new grandchild, niece or nephew, or cousin, and thrilled us every year with gifts for birthdays, holidays and graduations; for school teachers and community leaders - indeed, for all who saw the worth of each of us as individuals in our maturing years, and who brought exciting discoveries, new experiences and wise insights to enrich us. As we have learned from them to value other lives ourselves, we came here today to give back with gratitude, so others yet unborn may enjoy the same blessings we have been given by the unselfish, who in their lives reflected Your love for every person. We pray that You will be pleased with all who united today for humanity’s sake - here in Trenton, in other states across the land, and in our nation’s capitol - that in this land of the free, infants saved from abortion and given life might share with us the joys of liberty and the pursuit of happiness guaranteed in our Constitution. We ask, O Lord, by Your might and the power of Your Spirit: As this state has moved with compassion to save the lives even of the guilty from execution, refraining from killing our enemies, who have murdered our families, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens: + Grant that this state might more eagerly extend to the guiltless that same compassionate protection as well - to the innocent unborn lives of Your own creation, the handicapped, the ill, and the elderly; + Grant that our governor, legislature and judiciary might gain a new spirit, repent of their actions that have opened the doors for the slaughter of millions of unborn babes in their mothers’ wombs, and become instead the honored defenders of life; + Grant that those who promote a culture of death, from ignorance and immorality, or for monetary gain, may fear Your judgment and gain instead a respect for life; and + Grant that we, who proudly stand pro-life, may love and teach all these, and be committed anew today to victoriously overcome the challenges before us; that through Your amazing grace, our only Savior and the Lord of life, we may give You praise on earth and glory in heaven above. Amen.
