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: Genesis 15.1-6
After these things the word of the Lord came
to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward
shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O
Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the
heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And
Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my
household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word
of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir;your very
own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought
him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you
are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring
be.” 6 And he believed the Lord,
and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for
not being a god far off and aloof; thank you for coming to us not just in a
vision but in your Son, Jesus Christ! Repent me and my congregation of any and
all hesitation when it comes to conversing with you in prayer. Give us the
confident humility that holds you to your word… and then deliver on your
promise to us Lord, as you love to do. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
“Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.”
What do we mean
when we pray this?
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
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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