BQ 904 – 9/2026
God’s covenant and oath establish his absolute reliability

17. February 2026

Schirrmacher preaches on “God is faithful” at the closing service of the Alliance Prayer Week in Lahr, and Hans-Werner Erb hands over the chairmanship of the Evangelical Alliance Lahr after a quarter of a century

(Bonn, 17.02.2026) The closing service of the 2026 Alliance Prayer Week took place in the Bürgerparkhalle Lahr. It was attended by almost 500 Christians from the church communities of the city of Lahr (Black Forest), and extensive childcare was provided. In addition, tables were set up in the Bürgerparkhalle for a joint lunch of potato soup and sausages.

During the service, the baton was also passed on in the office of chairman of the Evangelical Alliance Lahr. Hans-Werner Erb from the Liebenzeller Community was honored for over a quarter of a century in this office and handed over the office to his elected successor Walter Rudolph, founder and 28-year headmaster of the Free Evangelical School Lahr (FES Lahr).

Thomas Schirrmacher spoke on the theme of the 2026 Alliance Prayer Week, “God is faithful,” based on the Bible verse, “When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself” (Hebrews 6:13).

Thomas Schirrmacher during his sermon in Lahr © IIRF/Martin Warnecke

According to Schirrmacher, the Bible centers on the conviction that “faith” is a firm trust in God and an expression of man’s personal relationship with God, which is possible because God enters into a covenant with us through His oath. The Bible tells us of 82 oaths of God and 40 covenants. “God’s self-commitment in an oath is at the core of the Christian faith,” Schirrmacher says.

The Bible proclaims a God who is absolute, sove­reign, and independent as Lord and Creator. No one could prevent him from changing his plans and breaking his pro­mises. Neither man nor creation can bind or compel God. But God binds himself to his own word and swears by him­self. God is “faithful” and absolutely “reliable.” His sovereignty is ex­pressed precisely in the fact that no one can prevent him from fulfilling and keeping his plans, promises, and oaths.

Other religions know absolutely sovereign gods or gods who can be judged or even defeated, but only the Bible knows the Creator God who is completely free and almighty and can do whatever he decides, and yet commits and binds himself in ever new covenants of love.

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