kneeling fisherman

kneeling fisherman

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Christ the Intercessor
                                                                                                           
Invitatory: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession of faith.  Hebrews 4.14

Morning prayer: “Eternal God, you commit to us the swift and solemn trust of life; since we know not what the day may bring forth, but only that the hour for serving you is always present, may we wake to the instant claims of your holy will, not waiting for tomorrow, but yielding today.  Consecrate with your presence the way our feet may go, and the humblest work will shine, and the roughest place be made plain.  Lift us above unrighteous anger and mistrust, into faith, and hope, and charity, by a simple and steadfast reliance on your sure will.  In all things draw us to the mind of Christ, that your lost image may be traced again, and you may own us as at one with him and you, to the glory of your great name.  Amen.” (James Martineau, Home Prayers, London: Longmans, Green, 1891)
Bible reading for the day: Psalm 1                                                 
1    Happy are those
    who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
    or take the path that sinners tread,
    or sit in the seat of scoffers;

2    but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
    and on his law they meditate day and night.

3    They are like trees
    planted by streams of water,
    which yield their fruit in its season,
    and their leaves do not wither.
    In all that they do, they prosper.

4    The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5    Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

6    for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for taking a sinner like me and planting me right near the life-giving stream who is Christ…ah the sweet, hearty nourishment he is for a tree like me.  Repent me of betraying these roots and following the path of this world and its scoffers.  Delight me in leading my family in the daily use of your Word and keep your way in the forefront of our thoughts and actions…and the fruit will come right on time.  I ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Hallowed be thy name…
What does this mean?
God’s name certainly is holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy also among us.
How is this done?
God's name is hallowed when his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we, as God's children, lead holy lives in harmony with it. Grant this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives in ways other than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us from doing this, heavenly Father!
 (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)


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. 



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