The truth none of us wants to hear

Verse for the week: “Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy, for we have had more than enough of contempt.” Psalm 123.3

Prayer for the week: “Almighty, everlasting God, abundantly and daily you forgive all our sins. Grant us your Holy Spirit, that he may inscribe your mercy in our hearts, in order that we too may willingly forgive others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirched, 2nd  ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.220). 

Bible reading for the day: Jeremiah 14. (note: Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem from 627-580 BC, during the time leading up to the Exile to Babylon. He denounced Judah’s apostasy, idolatry, rejection of the law, breaking of the covenant, and dependence on the temple as a good luck charm. For generations, the people have disobeyed the Lord, now their life is falling apart.)

¹The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:

² “Judah mourns,
    and her gates languish;
her people lament on the ground,
    and the cry of Jerusalem goes up.
³ Her nobles send their servants for water;
    they come to the cisterns;
they find no water;
    they return with their vessels empty;
they are ashamed and confounded
    and cover their heads.
⁴ Because of the ground that is dismayed,
    since there is no rain on the land,
the farmers are ashamed;
    they cover their heads.
⁵ Even the doe in the field forsakes her newborn fawn
    because there is no grass.
⁶ The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights;
    they pant for air like jackals;
their eyes fail
    because there is no vegetation.

⁷ “Though our iniquities testify against us,
    act, O Lord, for your name's sake;
for our backslidings are many;
    we have sinned against you.
⁸ O you hope of Israel,
    its savior in time of trouble,
why should you be like a stranger in the land,
    like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?
⁹ Why should you be like a man confused,
    like a mighty warrior who cannot save?
Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us,
    and we are called by your name;
    do not leave us.”

¹⁰ Thus says the Lord concerning this people:
“They have loved to wander thus;
    they have not restrained their feet;
therefore the Lord does not accept them;
    now he will remember their iniquity
    and punish their sins.”

prayer (based on TRIP** method):  Gracious and almighty Father, you discipline those whom you love. Our iniquities testify against us: from presidents to donkeys, we pant for air like jackals. Our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you. Act, O Lord, for your name’s sake: teach us repentance… for apparently we can only learn it the hard way. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.

“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…,”

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 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:  The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  Phil 4.7

*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 www.dailytext.com).  The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:

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.