Prayer for the week: Almighty and everlasting God, in the wonder of Christ’s death and resurrection,
you erased your own score against us, and entrusted to us your message. Grant that all who have been reborn into the
fellowship of Christ’s body may be ambassadors for him, showing forth in our lives
the faith we confess; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, based on II
Corinthians 5)
Bible reading for the day: Acts 7.51-8.1a
(note: this is the conclusion of Stephen’s sermon to the Jewish council. He has traced the history of God’s acts among
and for his people, from Abraham in Genesis 12 all the way to Jesus)
51 “You stiff-necked
people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy
Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which
of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who
announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have
now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the
law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
54 Now when they heard these things they were
enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But
he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of
God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And
he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But
they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed
together at him. 58 Then they cast him
out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their
garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And
as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried
out with a loud voice,“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he
had said this, he died. (Greek: fell asleep)
8.1And
Saul approved of his execution.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you for the confident witness of Stephen and the one to whom he
testifies: Jesus our Lord. Deliver me
and your whole church from opposing your Spirit, betraying you, and murdering
Jesus with our stiff necks and proud hearts and ears. Instead of covering our ears and shouting
against you, open our ears and hearts to listen to you, trust you above all
others, and bear witness to you…even and especially when it means the death of
us. I ask this in Jesus’ name. 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=64oo7z7tjsw
What is the significance
of baptizing with water?
It signifies that the old
Adam in us, together with all sins and evil desires, should be drowned by daily
sorrow for sin and repentance and be put to death, and that the new person
should come forth every day and rise to live before God in righteousness and
purity forever.
Where is this written?
Saint Paul says in Romans,
“We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, in order that, just
as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might
walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). (from The Small Catechism, by
Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
benediction: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think, according to his power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever 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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