Verse for the week: 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: Acts 16.16-24
16 As
we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a
spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17
She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most
High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she
kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said
to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
And it came out that very hour.
19 But
when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and
Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And
when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews,
and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are
not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd
joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and
gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted
many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep
them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the
inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for sending
preachers – from Paul in the 1st century to my parents and friends
in this century – thank you for sending preachers to disrupt Satan’s economy
and free bound sinners like this slave girl and me. Thank you! Deliver me and
my congregation from the puny, selfish fear of rejection or discomfort. Our
faith would be so much greater Lord, if we would suffer for it. So, send us… to
the place of prayer and to the people we meet along the way… in the name of
Jesus’ Christ. 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=1b5udsAdxoY
“Hallowed be thy name…”
What does this mean?
God's name is indeed 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: (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 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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