Verse for the week: “For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.. (II Corinthians 4.6) 

Prayer for the week: “Christ our God, you were transfigured on the mountain and manifested your glory to your disciples as they were able to bear it.  Shed your everlasting light upon our darkness, that we may behold your glory and enter into your sufferings, and proclaim you to the world, for you give light in the darkness and are yourself the light, now and forever. Amen.” (Eastern Orthodox, in Frederick B. Macnutt, The Prayer Manual, London: Mowbray, 1951,  pp.121-22)

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 50.1-6

The Mighty One, God the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
² Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.

³ Our God comes; he does not keep silence;
before him is a devouring fire,
around him a mighty tempest.
⁴ He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
⁵ “Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
⁶ The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge!

prayer(based on the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father thank you that you are the righteous judge AND our defense… thank you for issuing your verdict for us in Jesus Christ. All of us will stand before you Lord.  Repent me and my congregation of running from your devouring fire and of trying to ignore or silence you.  Gather us constantly to you and give us the faithful ears that Christ has already procured for us…that we may join the heavens in declaring your righteousness.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a contemporary rendition of a beloved hymn which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Perfect Judge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbe7OruLk8I

benediction:    May the God of peace himself grow you in his will entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.  Amen.  I Thess 5.23

*There are many patterns for devotions.  This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.

**The T.R.I.P. approach to prayer is based on the way Martin Luther prayed and taught others to pray.  It was later developed by Walter and Ingrid Trobisch and then adapted by Mount Carmel Ministries (Alexandria, MN www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:

T: thanksgiving

                                                                R: regret (repentance)

                                                                I: intercession (asking God to take a specific action)

                                                                P: plan or purpose

Reading a biblical text and then applying this method gives one a sound, simple way to form one’s prayers...not to mention that it helps one learn how to faithfully reflect on God’s Word and talk to God.