Verse for the week: “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth
came through Jesus Christ.” John 1.17
Morning prayer: “Almighty God, loving Father, you govern all things
in heaven and earth and make all things new through your almighty word. Transform our sinful nature and all our
doings by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may please you and attain
perfect joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Otto Schlisske, Christliche
Unterweisung im Jahr der Kirche (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht,
1949), p.99 )
Bible reading for the day: Isaiah 60.1-6
(note: Our forebears had been unfaithful to God and thereby earned themselves a
big “time out” – the Exile in Babylon from 587-539 B.C. Now as he gives
his people a fresh start, the Lord announces that their light has come.)
Arise, shine,
for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Lord, thank you for sending
Jesus Christ, our light… without him I’d be stuck in the darkness of myself.
When people and abundance come to your church and to me because of you, keep us
humble… keep us pointing to and praising you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Hymn: follow
this link to a beloved, classic hymn which gives further voice to today’s
conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDS6oj_X4Hk
Benediction: The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in
believing, that we may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Romans
15.13)
*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:
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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