Verse for the week:
“Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.” Mark
13.31
Prayer for the week:
O Lord, our faith is so sleepy; teach us how to pray. Direct the lives of your servants toward the
goal of everlasting salvation, that, surrounded by all the changes and
uncertainties of life, we may be defended by your gracious and ready help in
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (adapted from Lutheran
Book of Worship, Minister’s Desk edition, p.113.)
Bible reading for the day: Matthew 26.35-46 (note: today’s reading picks
up right where yesterday’s left off)
35 Peter said to him, “Even if I
must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
36 Then Jesus went with
them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit
here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And
taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be
sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to
them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here,
and watch with me.” 39 And going a little
farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but
as you will.”40 And he came to the disciples and found
them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one
hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not
enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is
weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away
and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your
will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them
sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So,
leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the
same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples
and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the
hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of
sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer
is at hand.”
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you
for taking the whole cup of our sin, our drowsy faith, our weak-kneed, willful
betrayal of you…thank you for taking it all and drinking it down to the
dregs. And in exchange – completely by
your grace – you give us who do not deserve it, the cup of salvation. Thank you! You are the only one who keeps the
vigil Lord; rouse us sleepers, for your betrayer is always at hand. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with
the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD6tcMroY0A
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 www.dailytext.com). The method is founded on scripture and easy
to remember:
T: thanksgiving
R:
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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