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.”

First Order Priorities and Multi-dimensional Prayers

1 Timothy 2:1-7

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

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When in doubt, pray. When in trouble, pray. When thankful, praise. When you wake up, pray. When you go to bed, pray. Naturally there may be other things we are to do when we are in trouble, facing challenges, or doubts, the end or beginning of the day. But Paul’s words to Timothy, “First of all…” challenge our propensity to use prayer more often as a last resort, than a first response. Then comes the additional challenge of “prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.”

These prayers of various sorts, and the occasions and focus of them are not, however, to be scattered and fragmented. Their focus is toward the ultimate desire and purpose of God: the salvation of his people. In fact God’s desire is for the salvation of all people, and kings and those in authority get special prayer attention because their actions can make a great difference in the advancement of the Gospel. Paul knew this first hand. On more than one occasion he was saved from death, or allowed to continue to proclaim the Gospel because of the laws of the Roman world, the intervention of a Roman governor (Felix or Festus, for example).

All this is predicated on the foundational truth of God’s salvation coming through Jesus Christ, who is the one means by whom we may be saved, and through whom our faith is vindicated.

Thanks be to God for faithful rulers and leaders! Grant wisdom and true knowledge to those who govern. Be with those who seek to do the right thing in the halls of justice. Guide us all to live in peaceful and quite lives, godly and dignified in every way, for this is clearly your will, O God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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