Verse for the week: God has made him both Lord and
Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2.36
Morning Prayer: “Almighty, everlasting God, you have
given us the promise of your divine life.
Bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, that, quickened by your word, we may
lay hold on eternal life by strong faith in your Son, and in him be saved;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen. (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das
Jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. (Kassel: Johannes Stauda-Verllag,
1948), p.170)
Bible reading for the day: Ezekiel 17.22-24 (Ezekiel has already
announced the word from the Lord that God will use King Nebuchadnezzar to prune
Israel and send her into exile in Babylon. Here the Lord extends the parable to
announce what he himself will do with the cedar tree that is his people. What
the Lord speaks, he will do in Christ.)
Thus says the Lord God: “I
myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I
will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself
will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain
height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit
and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the
shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. 24 And all the
trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree,
and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree
flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.”
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, you are the
Boss – the one who brings high trees low and who makes the low tree high. Thank you for making Christ’s cross the tree
of life for me and for your church. Repent
us of wanting to be our own lords and wanting to live by our proud strength. You
have planted us in Christ, so break us off from our will and grow our
congregation into a noble cedar… full of living branches where all kinds of
neighbors may come to nest and have life in Christ; I ask this through the same
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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=dTKIqmdfHSk
“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 ESV). (from "The Small Catechism" by Martin Luther (c) Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*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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