Verse for the week: “Make me understand the way of your commandments,
that I may meditate on your marvelous works.” Psalm 119.27
Prayer for this week: “Almighty God, you set your Son over the works of
your hands, so that even the rebellious spirits must obey him. Give power to your word that your kingdom may
grow and increase and all creation be delivered into the glorious liberty of
your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (K.B. Ritter, Gebete für das jahr der Kirche, 2nd
ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948,
p.86 )
Bible reading for the day: I Corinthians
1.18-31
18
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who
are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 Where
is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in
the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God
through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For
Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ
crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but
to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the
wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and
the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For
consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly
standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But
God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is
weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and
despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things
that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of
God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us
wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so
that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Lord, thank you for your
wisdom: Jesus Christ crucified and raised for fools like me. Thank you. Repent
me and your church of our own wisdom…it only makes us stumble over Christ. Hard
as it is for us to learn, teach us Christ…that we may boast in him – in your
power and wisdom – rather than our own. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
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 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 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. II Cor 13.14
*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.
No comments:
Post a Comment