Invitatory[1]:
“You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26.3
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26.3
Prayer for the week: “Almighty and everlasting God, comfort of the sad and strength to
those who suffer: Let the prayers of your children who are in any trouble rise
to you. To everyone in distress grant
mercy, grant relief, grant refreshment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Those in Affliction,
LBW # 223, Minister’s Ed., p.114;
Gelasian Sacramentary in Frederick B. Macnutt, The Prayer Manual, p.221).
Bible reading for the day: Luke 15.1-10
1They Now the tax collectors and sinners were all
drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes
grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3 So
he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred
sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open
country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And
when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And
when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to
them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just
so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8 “Or
what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a
lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And
when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying,
‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just
so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who
repents.”
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for being a
magnet for sinners like me. Repent me
and my brothers and sisters of any self-righteous grumbling and grumpiness; and
of staying put rather than seeking the lost.
Pour out your Holy Spirit now upon us and give us the same kind of love
for the lost that you have for the them… that there may be more joy in
heaven. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
“I believe in Jesus Christ, his only
son, our Lord…”
What
does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ —
true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the
Virgin Mary — is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature,
and has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil, not with silver
and gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and
death. He has done all this in order that I might be his own, live under him in
his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and
blessedness, even as he is risen from the dead and lives and reigns for all
eternity. This is most certainly true! (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)
[1]
As the word implies, an invitatory is a verse that invites or invokes the
Lord’s ear and his work upon you.
*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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