David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

When and why?

Matthew 6:5-8

5“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Both the live tree and the dead tree trunk stand tall in this photo.
Both the live tree and the dead tree trunk stand tall in this photo.

Jesus’ words lead us to a place we don’t easily go: total trust in the Father. He tells us to pray to our Father in secret so that our reward will come from Him. That’s challenge enough. But Jesus then tells us not to worry about using “many words” to impress or leverage our heavenly Father; but to believe that He knows what we need even before we ask.

That requires faith; total trust in God and His word and promise. While we may give consent to such faith, in reality it’s difficult to keep in mind in the face of urgent need or unanswered prayer. The prophet Habakkuk cries out, “How long, O Lord…” (Habakkuk 1:2). In those moments we are tempted to try to figure out how to get into God’s good graces; how to manipulate Him, or get Him to answer our prayer.

Jesus says we won’t be heard because of our many words. That means religious activity, prosaic petitions, outward godliness, or our attempts to corner God into acting in our behalf will not sustain our prayers before Him.

We simply must believe. Sometimes our prayers will go for hours; and God does not tire of listening. Sometimes we may be moved to eloquent speech; and God is not put off. Sometimes we may nearly badger the Throne of Grace with our prayers; and God welcomes us still. He receives us when we call, however, not because of our eloquence, lengthy prayer time, or badgering. God hears our prayers at the very first and answers them by His grace because of His love for us.

When you pray today, believe that God hears, loves, answers, and delights that you call on Him; only do it for Him alone. He will reward you.

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