Verse for the week: “I will pour out a spirit of grace
and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have
pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep
bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” Zechariah 12.10
Prayer for the week:
God, our heavenly Father, through your Son you have promised us the
Holy Spirit. Send down upon us that
Spirit, that he may teach us to show forth your praise, not only here on earth
in weakness, since we know your power and glory only from afar, but also in
power and glory on that day when, united with the choir of angels, we shall see
you face to face; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirche,2nd
ed. Kassel: Johannes Stauda-Verlag, 1948, p.150)
Bible reading for the day: Acts 10.44-48 (note: The
Roman Centurion, Cornelius, was a devout man who feared God – see v.2 – prayed,
gave generously, but did not know Jesus as Lord. The Lord spoke to Cornelius in a
vision, instructing him to send for Peter to come and preach to him and his
household. Peter came, opened his mouth – see v.34 – and preached Christ and
the forgiveness of sins in his name.)
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy
Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the
believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the
Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing
them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can
anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?” 48 And
he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then
they asked him to remain for some days.
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the
power of your Holy Spirit who gets poured out whenever your Son is preached.
Repent me and my congregation of hindering your living word and your Holy
Spirit. Keep sending it Lord, as often as you will… so that more people may be
baptized in your name. I ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved hymn that connects with today’s conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PF6osB4ud8
“Thy kingdom come...”
What does this mean?
The kingdom of God comes indeed by itself, without our
prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may also come to us.
How is this done?
God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his
Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and live a godly
life now and in eternity. (from the Small
Catechism, by Martin Luther, ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: Now
may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through
grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen
them in every good work and word. Amen. II
Thess 2.16-17
*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
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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