Invitatory: Prepare the way of the Lord...behold,
the Lord comes with might.” Isaiah
40:3,10
Prayer for the 2nd week of Advent: “Lord,
accept our prayer and supplication, and grant that we may heed the call of John
to prepare the way for your Son, and receive him into our hearts, that we may
become your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K. B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das Jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. Kassel
Bible
reading for the day: Romans 15.4-13 (note: writing in 55AD, Paul, a
circumcised former Jew, delivers the church from the pride that would divide it
and points us to our mission. “Gentiles” = everyone other than a Jew.)
For whatever was written in former days was written
for our instruction, that through endurance and through the
encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May
the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony
with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that
together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as
Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles
8 For I tell you that
Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in
order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and
in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is
written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”
and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”
and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
13 May the God of hope fill
you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy
Spirit you may abound in hope.
Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and
almighty Lord, thank you for placing the ultimate servant, Jesus Christ, as the
head of your body, the church. He alone is the right one for the job; any of us
mess it up. Repent me and my congregation of the both the old and the new pride
that would divide us and hinder us in our mission. By the power of your Holy
Spirit, grant us to live in such harmony with one another under Christ that
with one voice we may glorify you… so that those who have never heard may
understand the lordship of Jesus; in his name I ask this. Amen.
“Lead us not into temptation…”
What does this mean?
God indeed tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this
petition that God would guard and protect us from this, that the devil, the
world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or lead us into false belief,
despair, and other great and shameful sins, but pray that when we are tempted
in these ways, we may finally prevail and gain the victory. (The Small
Catechism, by Martin Luther; Reclaim Resources © 2010)
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=64oo7z7tjsw
Benediction:
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom
I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 147.10-11
*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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