Verse for the week: He will not break a bruised reed or quench a
smoldering wick. Matthew 12.20
Prayer for the week: “Lord God, heavenly Father, you desire not the death
of sinners, but rather that they should turn from sin and live. Mercifully turn away the punishment of our
iniquities and, that we may be edified, grant us your Spirit and your power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirched, 2nd
ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.
197).
Bible reading for the day: Hebrews
11.29-12.2
29 By
faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when
they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls
of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By
faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient,
because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And
what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson,
Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith
conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of
lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to
flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were
tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better
life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and
imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were
killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute,
afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering
about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And
all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was
promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that
apart from us they should not be made perfect.
12.1 Therefore,
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of
God.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you for that great cloud of witnesses who cheer us on; and thank
you for The Perfect One, Jesus, who took as his joy the redemption of a cloud
of sinners like me. What a trophy! Repent me and your whole church of balking
at the suffering that comes with faith in Him, and repent me of picking up
again the old burden of my sin. Fix our eyes on Jesus that by your sheer grace,
we may run with endurance the marathon of faith… in and through Jesus Christ
our Lord. 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=0k1WhFtVp0o
“Thy will be done…”
What
does this mean?
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 defeats 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 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his
eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and
establish you this day. To him be the
power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10)
*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:
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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