Verse for the week: He will not break a bruised reed or quench a
smoldering wick. Matthew 12.20
Prayer for the week: “Lord God, heavenly Father, you desire not the death
of sinners, but rather that they should turn from sin and live. Mercifully turn away the punishment of our
iniquities and, that we may be edified, grant us your Spirit and your power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirched, 2nd
ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.
197).
Bible reading for the day: John 6.56-71
18 Whoever
feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As
the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds
on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that
came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever
feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things
in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
60 When
many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can
listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples
were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then
what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words
that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some
of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were
who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he
said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted
him by the Father.”
66 After
this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So
Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon
Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal
life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are
the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you,
the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the
son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, we can’t see, but you can…we don’t know, but you do; we cannot come,
but you draw us to Jesus. Thank you! Guard me and my brothers and sisters from
turning away from you. Pour yourself afresh into our ears, that together with
our brother Peter we may be brought past our doubt, our blindness and our pride
to you…the one who has and is the
word of eternal life for us. I ask it in
Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn: follow
this link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation
with our Lord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o
“Thy will be done…”
What
does this mean?
The good and gracious will of
God is done indeed without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it
will also be done among us.
How is this done?
God's will is done when he
hinders and defeats every evil design and purpose of the devil, the world, and
our sinful nature that would keep us from hallowing his name and prevent the
coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens us and keeps
us steadfast in his Word and in faith to the end of our earthly lives. This is
his good and gracious will.
(from The Small Catechism,
by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
benediction (1 Pet 5:10) And
after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who
has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support,
strengthen, and establish you this day.
To him be the power forever and ever.
Amen.
*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
T:
thanksgiving
R:
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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