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: Jeremiah
23.23-32
“Am
I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 24 Can a
man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord.
Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. 25 I have heard
what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have
dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26 How long shall there be lies in the
heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their
own heart, 27 who think to make my people forget my name by their
dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for
Baal? 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him
who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat?
declares the Lord. 29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord,
and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 30 Therefore,
behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from
one another. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the
Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ 32 Behold,
I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell
them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did
not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all,
declares the Lord.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you for nourishing me and my congregation on the true wheat: your
living Word in Jesus Christ. Thank you. Whenever your church settles for straw,
repent it… for nothing but your living Word will break our hard heads and
hearts and get life through to us. Leave the dreams of men and the deceit of
our hearts behind; send us prophets and preachers who speak your word
faithfully. I ask this in Jesus’ name,
amen.
“Hallowed be thy name…”
What does this mean?
God's name is indeed holy in
itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy also among us.
How is this done?
God's name is hallowed when
his Word is taught in its truth and purity and we, as God's children, lead holy
lives in harmony with it. Grant this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever
teaches and lives in ways other than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name
of God among us. Prevent us from doing this, heavenly Father! (from The
Small Catechism, by Martin Luther
©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
benediction:
Now to him who by the power at work
within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or
imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations,
forever and ever. Amen. (Eph
3:20-21)
*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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