In the Lutheran calendar today we remember Lars Olsen Skrefsrud (1820-1910) Missionary to India

                                                              Matthew 23:12

All 
who 

exalt them-selves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. 

Lars Skrefsrud was born in Noway where he seemed to be following in his father’s alcoholic footsteps. He got into  trouble with the law - he and his com-panions robbed a bank! - they got away but he spent 4 years in prison. Having hit bottom, he pulled his life together and headed to India as a missionary. WIth his wife, he spent the rest of his life working and preaching among the Santals, an oppressed tribe in northern India who had never seen a Christian 

                                             missionary.  

The New Lutheran Book... suggests prayers:

For those in prison and for those who minister to them. 

For alcoholics, 

For those who are near despair. 

For missionaries to remote places.

 For the Santal Church. 

                                        “Merciful God, you look with compassion on all who by their addictions are in bondage, and you call them to recovery and purpose....Strengthen us by (Lars') example to work for the salvation of all whom the world or the church overlooks or ignores, that your Name may be glorified throughput the earth....