Verse for the week: Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him. Psalm 98.1
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him. Psalm 98.1
Prayer for the week: “Lord God, so rule and govern our heart, mind and
purse by your Holy Spirit that, always keeping in mind the end of all things
and the day of judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of life here and now
and may live with you forever in the world to come; through our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Amen.” (adapted from prayer for the 26th Sunday after
Pentecost, Lutheran Book of Worship).
Bible reading for the day: II Thessalonians 3.6-15
Now we command you,
brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any
brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that
you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to
imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor
did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we
worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It
was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an
example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give
you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For
we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus
Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of
that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do
not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
prayer (based
on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for Jesus’
promised return and for meaningful work to do until then. Repent me and your church from growing weary in
doing good and from being mere busybodies… ineffective chatterers. Each day,
grant me to see the part my work plays in my neighbors’ daily bread and use us
to spur one another to good work and your praise. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
“Give us this day our daily bread…”
What
does this mean?
God indeed gives daily bread
to all sinners, even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that he
would help us to recognize this so that we would receive our daily bread with
thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily
bread?
Daily bread includes
everything required to meet our earthly needs, such as food, drink, clothing,
home, property, employment, necessities, devout parents, children, and
communities, honest and faithful authorities, good government, seasonable
weather, peace, health, an orderly society, a good reputation, true friends and
neighbors, and the like. (from The Small Catechism by Martin Luther
©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
benediction:
Now to him who by the power at work
within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or
imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations,
forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)
*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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