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: Matthew 5.1-13
1 Seeing
the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples
came to him.
2 And
he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed
are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed
are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed
are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed
are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed
are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed
are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute
you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice
and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has
lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for
anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the true
blessing it is to have Jesus open his mouth and preach to me. Kill off the old sinner in me that wants to
add to or take away from his word to make it easier… to make it fit my will. Send your Holy Spirit right along with your
Word now and turn our lives upside down… so that we may be turned right side
up: toward you… and then pour us out so our neighbor can taste your goodness. 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 God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in
believing, that we may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Romans 15.13)
*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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