Verse for the week: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices
in God my Savior.” Lk 1.46-47
Prayer for the 4th week of
Advent: “Lord, purify our hearts that
they may be worthy to become your dwelling place. Let us never fail to find room for you, but
come and abide with us that we also may abide in you, for you were born into
the world for us and now live and reign, King of kings and Lord of lords, for
evermore. Amen.” (William Temple in A.E. Baker, William
Temple’s Teaching, Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1951, p.128)
Bible reading for the day: Psalm 80.1-7
Give ear, O Shepherd of
Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!
3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
4 O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
let your face shine, that we may be saved!
Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you: you – not the president, not the president elect, not our
opinions – YOU are our Shepherd, thank you! Repent me and our whole nation of
putting our hope in any other; repent us of negligence in prayer and of proud,
politically correct prayers that push our own agendas. You have saved us
through your Son who sacrificed himself for the whole flock of sinners… daily
give us ears to hear our restoration; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Hymn: follow
this link to a beloved classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s
conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zshzkkD-NYA
“Our Father, who art in heaven…”
What does this mean?
Here God encourages us to
believe that he is truly our Father, and that we are truly his children, so we
may boldly and confidently pray to him, just as beloved children speak to their
dear father.
(from The Small Catechism,
by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)
Benediction: Blessing and honor and thanksgiving and praise,
more than we can utter, more than we can conceive, be unto thee, O holy and
glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, by all angels, all people, all
creatures, for ever and ever. Amen. (Thomas Ken quoted in Frederick
B. Macnutt, The Prayer Manual
London: Mowbray, 1951, p.39)
**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.
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