Promise breakers... and The Promise Keeper

Verse for the week:  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Mark 13.31

Prayer for the week:  O Lord, we are so poor at keeping our promises; teach us how to pray.  Direct the lives of you servants toward the goal of everlasting salvation, that, surrounded by all the changes and uncertainties of life, we may be defended by your gracious and ready help in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  (adapted from Lutheran Book of Worship, Minister’s Desk edition, p.113.)

Bible reading for the day:  Matthew 26.30-35

 ³⁰ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

 ³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

   “‘I will strike the shepherd,
   and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

   ³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

 ³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

   ³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

 ³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Prayer (based on TRIP** method):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: you knew exactly what you were doing on the cross: taking all of my falling away, all of my broken promises…mine and those of your whole flock, you have taken unto yourself. Thank you! Each day, deliver scatter-brains like us back to yourself…that instead of disowning you, you will go ahead and keep giving us faith so that we may follow you, our crucified and risen Shepherd.  I ask this in your own name, amen.

What is the significance of baptizing with water?

It signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil desires, should be drowned by daily sorrow for sin and repentance and be put to death, and that the new person should come forth every day and rise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

Saint Paul says in Romans, “We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4 ESV; from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction:  Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)  

*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.