Invitatory: “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me” Malachi 3.1

Prayer for the 3rd week of Advent: “Lord Jesus, our Light and our Salvation, you alone are the one who was to come to save us.  We thank you for your coming and for your will to perform in us again your saving work.  Rule us by your Holy Spirit, that henceforth we may wait for none other and put our trust in nothing in heaven or earth except you alone, our Lord.  Amen.” (Martin Moller, Thesaurus precationum, 1603; text in Gerhard Molwitz, Lutherisches Gebetbuch, p.41.)

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 126

¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
² Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
⁵ Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
⁶ He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the restoring that you have already done for us in Christ and for the great restoration that you will complete when He returns. Thank you!  Until Jesus returns, repent us of hearing only our own weeping and worrying about the harvest.  Send me and my congregation outside of our walls to sow the seed of your Word…that when the sheaves are brought in on the Great Harvest day we may join the rejoicing as we come home to you. I ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with our Lord:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6y766K_3xg&feature=related 

Benediction: “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 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 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.