Verse for the week: “The Son of Man came to seek
and save the lost.” (Luke 19.10)
Prayer for the week:
“Almighty and merciful God, you are not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Grant that by your word we may again and again be convicted of our sin,
but also fervently grasp anew the comfort of your Spirit and of faith, in order
that we may be justified in your Son and be saved through him, Jesus Christ our
Lord. (Kirchenbuch für die Gemeinde (Isenhagen),
quoted in Orate Fratres, Gebetsordnung für evangelische-lutherische Pfarrer,
Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 1952, p. 76)
Bible reading for the day: Luke 7.36-50
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he
went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 And
behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was
reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of
ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began
to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and
kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the
Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a
prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching
him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One
owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could
not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43
Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger
debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then
turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered
your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her
tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from
the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did
not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she
loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he
said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at
table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even
forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved
you; go in peace.”
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
the witness of this humble sinner woman… and thank you for forgiving me soooo
much. Deliver me from my Simony-self: each day open my eyes and ears to how
much you have forgiven me... that I may love like this woman. In Jesus’ name I
ask this, amen.
Hymn: sing the
third verse of “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (text: Henry Van Dyke
1852-1933):
Thou art giving and
forgiving,
Ever blessing ever
blest,
Wellspring of the joy
of living,
Ocean depth of happy
rest.
Thou our Father,
Christ our brother,
All who live in love
are thine.
Teach us how to love
each other
Lift us to the joy
divine!
(if you need help, these folks can help
you sing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMY3ivdNzwE
)
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord…
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ — true God, begotten of the
Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary — is my Lord.
He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, and has freed me from sin,
death, and the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with his holy
and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this
in order that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him
in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen
from the dead and lives and reigns for all eternity. This is most certainly
true! (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources,
Sola Publishing, 2011)
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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