Verse for the week: “I will pour out a spirit of
compassion and supplication, so that, when they look on me, on him whom
they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child,
and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” Zechariah 12.10
Prayer for the week:
God, our heavenly Father, through your Son you have promised us the
Holy Spirit. Send down upon us that
Spirit, that he may teach us to show forth your praise, not only here on earth
in weakness, since we know your power and glory only from afar, but also in
power and glory on that day when, united with the choir of angels, we shall see
you face to face; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirche,2nd
ed. Kassel: Johannes Stauda-Verlag, 1948, p.150)
Bible reading for the day: John 14.25-30 (note: Today’s reading picks up
where yesterday’s left off. It is Maundy Thursday evening. They will all betray
him. Jesus has just told them that “If
anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we
will come to him and make our home with him.” And now he says…)
“These things I
have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But
the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he
will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have
said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your
hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You
heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you
loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now
I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may
believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you,
for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but
I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that
I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, alleluia for
your Son’s reunion with you: it verifies that Satan has no claim on him… and
therefore no claim on us. Thank you!
Deliver me and my congregation from our own troubled, fearful hearts… teach
us to see them as sign that Satan is trying to jump your claim. By your Holy
Spirit, give us ears that hear and remember all that you have said and done…
that we may rise and head right into it. In your name I pray, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation
with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6k8DFb8fWs
“Thy kingdom come…”
What does this
mean?
The kingdom of God comes indeed by itself, without our
prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may also come to us.
How is this done?
God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his
Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and live a godly
life now and in eternity. (from The
Small Catechism, by Martin Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing,
2011)
Benediction: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*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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