Invitatory: “The
reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” I John 3.8
Morning prayer:
O God, by whose Spirit we are led into the wilderness of trial, grant
that, standing in your strength against Satan’s powers of darkness, we may so
win the victory over all evil suggestions that with singleness of heart we may
ever serve you and you alone; through him who was in all points tempted as we
are, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (John Wallace Suter, Prayers of
the Spirit New York: Harper &
Bros. 1943, p.22.)
Bible reading for the day: Matthew 6.1-6
“Beware of practicing your
righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then
you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to
the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to
you, they have received their reward. 3 But
when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing,4 so that your giving may be in
secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you
must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the
synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by
others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But
when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father
who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
giving wrong ones like us your rightness in Christ, and for teaching us how to
live it. Repent me and my congregation of faith that wants to be seen and heard
for its own sake. Pour out your Holy Spirit and give me afresh today that
blessed self-forgetfulness of faith that gives simply for my neighbors’ sake…
and that calls on you with humble, profound trust. I ask this in Jesus’ name,
amen.
“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
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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