Verse for the week: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,
says the Lord of hosts.” Zech 4.6
Prayer for the week: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the almighty God, send
your Holy Spirit into our hearts through your blessed word, that he may rule
and guide us according to your will; strengthen us in every trial and need; and
lead us, past all error, into your truth; that we may stand fast in faith,
increase in love and all good works, and by the sure hope of your grace, which
you have obtained for us by your death, be saved eternally; for you live and
reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen. (Viet
Dietrich in Otto Dietz, Die Evangelien-Kooekten des Viet Dietrich, p.
57)
Bible reading for the day: Romans 8.18-30
18 For
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing
with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation
waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For
the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who
subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free
from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the
children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been
groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not
only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our
bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is
not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what
we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise
the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for
words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the
Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of
God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For
those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his
Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And
those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also
justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for your
incomprehensibly wise love that subjects us to futility… in the hope that we
may be set free from our bondage to corruption…and thank you for taking our
futility into yourself in Jesus Christ.
Repent me and my congregation of denying our weakness, trying to conceal
or cover it, and of preferring our mind over the Spirit’s mind. While we groan inwardly waiting for the
redemption of our bodies, intercede for us and teach us to trust that in all things you are working together for
our good…in order to conform us to Christ.
In his name I pray, amen.
Hymn: follow
this link a hymn not often sung, which gives further voice to today’s
conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTt-M9VOo-U
“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 6.4
“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” (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther
©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in
believing, that we may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Romans
15.13)
*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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