Verse for the week: “Give thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” Colossians 1.12
Prayer for the week:
“Almighty God, draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our
imaginations, control our wills, so that we may be wholly yours. Use us as you
will, always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship)
Bible reading for the day: Matthew 5.1-12 (note: Jesus opens one of his
famous sermons with these promises.)
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and
when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his
mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the
poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those
who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are
the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who
are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when
others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you
falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious
and almighty Father, thank you for opening your mouth in Jesus and speaking
blessing not on account of my poverty or my affluence, but on account of your
sheer mercy. Thank you! Repent me and my congregation of turning your promises
into our project list… or just a costume we wear outside occasionally. Give me
instead that poverty of spirit that places my confidence squarely in you… and
thereby gives me clearer vision for who and what you have put right in front of
me today… since by your mercy my eternity is firmly secured in heaven. In
Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen.
Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic which
gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-_-rXYe_x0
“I believe in the Holy Spirit…”
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe
in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me
through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved
me in the true faith. In the same way, he calls, gathers, enlightens, and
sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and preserves it in unity with
Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church, he daily forgives
abundantly all my sins and the sins of all believers. At the last day, he will
raise me and all the dead and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who
believe in Christ. This is most certainly true! (from The Small Catechism, by
Martin Luther ©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
*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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