Prayer for the week: Lord Jesus Christ, you walked
the way of the cross as the obedient servant of God. Open our ears and teach us by your Spirit,
that we may not rebel but walk in the obedience of disciples who have learned
from you, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, now
and forever. Amen. [John W. Doberstein, Minister’s Prayer Book,
Fortress Press, Philadelphia, 1986 p.82]
Bible reading for the day: John 8.39-47 (in this 8th chapter
of John, the religious leaders are questioning and rejecting Jesus. Un-phased
by them, Jesus drives right to the heart of the matter)
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus
said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the
works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill
me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not
what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your
father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual
immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus
said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came
from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent
me. 43Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot
bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your
will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he
speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45
But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which
one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47
Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear
them is that you are not of God.”
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
the truth in the flesh: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Every moment, guard me and your church from the Devil’s thrall… he only
fills us with lies. Every moment, be our God and give us ears to hear your
living Word… for then we are truly free and can give that freedom to others as
well. In Jesus’ name I pray, 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=Jbe7OruLk8I
I am the Lord your
God.
The First
Commandment
You shall have no
other gods before me.
What does this
mean?
We should fear,
love, and trust God above all things.
“Our Father who art in heaven…”
What does this
mean?
God encourages us to
believe that he is truly our Father, and that we are truly his children, so we
may boldly and confidently pray to him, just as beloved children speak to their
dear father.
(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 www.dailytext.com). The method is founded on scripture and easy
to remember: 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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