Verse for the week: “The reason the Son of God
appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” I John 3.8
Prayer for the week:
O God, by whose Spirit we are led into the wilderness of trial, grant
that, standing in your strength against the powers of darkness, we may so win
the victory over all evil suggestions that with singleness of heart we may ever
serve you and you alone; through him who was in all points tempted as we are,
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (John Wallace Suter, Prayers of the Spirit New York: Harper & Bros. 1943, p.22.)
Bible reading for the day: I Samuel 16.14-23
Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from
Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. 15 And
Saul's servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is
tormenting you. 16 Let our lord now command your
servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing
the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play
it, and you will be well.” 17 So Saul said to his
servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.” 18 One
of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the
Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war,
prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is
with him.” 19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to
Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” 20 And
Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and
sent them by David his son to Saul. 21 And David
came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he
became his armor-bearer. 22 And Saul sent to Jesse,
saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my
sight.” 23 And whenever the harmful spirit
from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand.
So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you
for the sweetest song of all: not just David on the lyre, but his offspring,
your Son, on the cross and risen from the tomb for our forgiveness, life, and
salvation. Thank you! Repent me and my
congregation of looking for comfort and of hearing our calling in any other
song but Christ’s. In your mercy, torment us not with the harmful spirit we
deserve, but give us Christ and his Spirit… for he is the only true man of
valor, the man of your good presence, and the man who has defeated our sin,
death, and the Devil. In Jesus’ name I ask this, amen.
Hymn: here’s a hymn that gives further voice to
today’s conversation with the Lord:
Refrain: Lift high the
cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world
adore his sacred name.
Come Christians,
follow where our captain trod,
Our king victorious,
Christ the Son of God.
(refrain)
Led on their way by
this triumphant sign
The hosts of God in
conquering ranks combine
(refrain)
All newborn soldiers
of the Crucified
Bear on their brows
the seal of him who died.
(refrain)
O Lord, once lifted on
the glorious tree,
As thou has promised,
draw us all to thee.
(refrain)
So shall our song of
triumph ever be:
Praise to the
Crucified for victory! (text:
George W. Kitchen, Michael R. Newbolt)
Benediction: May
the God of peace himself grow you in his will entirely; and may your spirit and
soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. The one who calls you is
faithful, and he will do this. Amen. I Thess 5.23
*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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