Who forgives all your iniquity

“…forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven those who trespass against us.” Matthew 6.12

Prayer for the week:  God of all mercy, by your power to heal and to forgive, graciously cleanse us from all sin and make us firm in faith; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 103.1-12

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³ who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵ who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹ He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: in Christ you do not deal with me according to my sin nor give me what I deserve; for in him you remove my sin from me as high and far as the heavens are above the earth. Thank you!  In so doing, you rescue me from the pit and crown even me with your steadfast love and mercy. So, my soul has abundant cause to bless your holy name… and to show your compassion to my neighbor. Make it so, Lord; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a newer hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

“forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

What does this mean? We ask in this prayer that our heavenly Father would not hold our sins against us and because of them refuse to hear our prayer. And we pray that he would give us all things by grace, for we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. So, we on our part will heartily forgive and gladly to good to those who sin against us. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103.8

 

*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).  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. 

Your Adversary and Your Champion

“…thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6.10

Prayer for the week:  Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your Word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  I Peter 5.6-11 (note: The first century congregations receiving this letter knew firsthand the experience of their faith being under attack from the devil, the world, and their own sinful selves.)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: in the good fight of faith, you have not left me to fend for myself; you have given me to Christ Jesus, who himself restores, confirms, strengthens and establishes me. Thank you! The devil is still on the prowl and he indeed is a deadly-skilled adversary; so keep on sending Christ alone as my sure defense. Kill off my pride... it is so anxious to esteem and justify me. Humble me and rest me in your mighty hand… for to you belongs dominion now and forever. 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=LF2M8nvKK9k

“Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we ask in this petition that it may be done also among us.

When does this happen? God’s will is done when he hinders and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful self which would prevent keeping God’s name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his word as long as we live. This is his gracious and good will. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.”  Psalm 25.4-5

 

*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).  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. 

 

The End of Your Hunger

“…thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6.10

Prayer for the week:  Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your Word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  John 6.35-40

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. ³⁶ But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. ³⁷ All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. ⁴⁰ For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you that it is your will to give me to Jesus… and for him to hold onto me in this life and to raise me to eternal life on the last day. Thank you! Keep on delivering me and my congregation from not trusting you… from chasing after bread that cannot satisfy. At your table, you give us a foretaste of the feast to come… you give me yourself, true bread… so keep on drawing hungry ones like us to your table right up until our last day; 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=IvD0XJzOWQ4

“Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we ask in this petition that it may be done also among us.

When does this happen? God’s will is done when he hinders and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful self which would prevent keeping God’s name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his word as long as we live. This is his gracious and good will. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.”  Psalm 25.4-5

 

*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).  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. 

  

God's Tamper-proof Word

“…thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6.10

Prayer for the week:  Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your Word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  Deuteronomy 4.1-4 (note: Deuteronomy means “second law.” A subsequent generation after the Exile is claiming the faith as their own and testifying to the crucial importance of submitting to the Word of God rather than tampering with it.)

“And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. ² You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. ³ Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-peor, for the Lord your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor. ⁴ But you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, your word, your living voice is the way of life for us: your law speaks and our sin and pride are condemned to death; Christ speaks the better word of your forgiveness for us sinners and our trust in you is given life. Thank you! Repent me and your whole church of tampering with your Word. When we would talk over you, shut us up and let your Word work for us… that we may hold fast to you. 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, on earth as it is in heaven.”

What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we ask in this petition that it may be done also among us.

When does this happen? God’s will is done when he hinders and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful self which would prevent keeping God’s name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his word as long as we live. This is his gracious and good will. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.”  Psalm 25.4-5

 

*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).  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. 

 

What corrupt ones like us need

“…thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6.10

Prayer for the week:  Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your Word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day:  Psalm 14 

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
    They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
    there is none who does good.

² The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
    to see if there are any who understand,
    who seek after God.

³ They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
    there is none who does good,
    not even one.

⁴ Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
    who eat up my people as they eat bread
    and do not call upon the Lord?

⁵ There they are in great terror,
    for God is with the generation of the righteous.
⁶ You would shame the plans of the poor,
    for the Lord is his refuge.

⁷ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
    let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, we are all corrupt… none of us do good. Thank you for sending salvation for us out from your very self in Christ Jesus. He alone is our refuge and strength; so restore me and my congregation in him again today… that your will may be done among us and we may rejoice. In Jesus’ name I ask this, 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=YIHD40CZY34

“Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we ask in this petition that it may be done also among us.

When does this happen? God’s will is done when he hinders and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful self which would prevent us from keeping God’s name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his word as long as we live. This is his gracious and good will. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.”  Psalm 25.4-5

 

*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).  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.  

When you pray...

Invitatory:     Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
                                           and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!  Is 55.1

Morning prayer:  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:  Luke 11.1-4

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” ² And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
³ Give us each day our daily bread,
⁴ and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

Prayer (based on TRIP* method):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for sending Jesus to redeem us and to redeem our praying.  Repent me and your whole church of praying to ourselves or to any other than YOU.  Teach us each to call on you just as children speak to their loving father…for you are our beginning, our end, and our life in between, in Jesus’ name. 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=26rq0spuLao

“Our Father who art in heaven…”

What does this mean for us?

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

 

*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).  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.  

To whom shall we pray?

Invitatory:  Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
                             and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!  Is 55.1

Morning prayer:  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: Acts 17.22-31

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, ²⁵ nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. ²⁶ And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, ²⁷ that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, ²⁸ for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

²⁹ Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. ³⁰ The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, ³¹ because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Prayer (based on TRIP* method):  Gracious and almighty Father, you are not an unknown… not a fabrication of our religious ideas. You are the Lord who made the world and everything in it, you give life and breath and everything to all mankind… and you revealed yourself fully in Christ crucified and raised for us and for our salvation. Thank you!  Hold me and your whole church fast to yourself in Jesus Christ and give us to our neighbor in his name. 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=26rq0spuLao

“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

 

 

* 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).  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.