Verse for the week: Come to me all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and
I will give you rest. Mt 11.28
Prayer for the week: “Almighty God, grant to your church your Holy Spirit and the wisdom
which comes down from heaven, that your word may not be bound but have free
course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, that in
steadfast faith we may serve you and in the confession of your name abide to
the end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Andreas Althamer, Katechismus, 1528 – first Lutheran Catechism – text in Alligemeines Evangelisches Gebetbuch,
1955, p. 435)
Bible reading for the day: I Kings 19.9-18
9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And
behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him,
“What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I
have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people
of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars,
and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left,
and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he
said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold,
the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains
and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was
not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but
the Lord was not in the earthquake.12 And
after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And
after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And
when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and
stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him
and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He
said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For
the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars,
and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they
seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And
the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of
Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over
Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall
anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of
Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And
the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death,
and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to
death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in
Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has
not kissed him.”
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, your power breaks rocks and quakes the earth; yet you choose to speak
most powerfully in your crucified and risen son and in the quiet pages of
scripture, inspired with your Holy Spirit. Thank you for this, the blessed
assurance of forgiveness, life and salvation in Jesus only. Guard me and your
whole church from the deadly peril of bowing to and kissing up to any other
god, including ourselves. Hour by hour, give us ears to hear the only sound
that matters: your strong, quiet voice Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that gives
further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2bhHosLHmI
“thy will be done…”
What
does this mean?
The good and gracious will of
God is done indeed without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it
will also be done among us.
How
is this done?
God's will is done when he
hinders and destroys every evil design and purpose of the devil, the world, and
our sinful nature that would keep us from hallowing his name and prevent the
coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens us and keeps
us steadfast in his Word and in faith to the end of our earthly lives. This is
his good and gracious will. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther
©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
benediction: Now to him who by the power at work within
us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to
him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever 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
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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