Verse for the week: “God raised him on the third day and allowed him to
appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses,
and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” Acts 10.40-41
Prayer for the Week: “Almighty and everlasting God, through the death and resurrection of
your Son you have proclaimed to us the gospel of peace. Grant that by the power of his resurrection
we may be born anew to a living hope, and so overcome the world; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.” (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das Jahr der Kirche, 2nd ed. Kassel:
Johannes Stauda-Verlag, 1948, p. 144)
Bible reading for the day: Acts 2.42-47
42 And they devoted
themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And
awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done
through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were
together and had all things in common. 45 And they
were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to
all, as any had need. 46 And day by
day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their
homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising
God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their
number day by day those who were being saved.
Prayer (based
on the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you for making your church not a religious institution nor
corporation… thank you for making us a fellowship of those who believe you.
Repent my congregation and congregations everywhere of neglecting the basics:
the preaching & teaching of your word, fellowship, breaking bread, and
prayer. Each day, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us through the down-to-earth
means of your word and sacraments… that we may be glad and generous and you may
add to the number of people being saved. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hymn: follow
this link to a classic hymn that connects with today’s conversation with our
Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64oo7z7tjsw
“I believe in the Holy Spirit…”
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my
own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him; but the
Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts,
and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith. In the same way, he calls,
gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and
preserves it in unity with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this
Christian church, he daily forgives abundantly all my sins and the sins of all
believers. At the last day, he will raise me and all the dead and will grant
everlasting life to me and to all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly
true!
(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
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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