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: Luke 24.36-48
36 As they were talking about
these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace
to you!” 37 But they were startled
and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And
he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your
hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I
myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as
you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said
this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And
while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to
them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They
gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it
and ate before them.
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I
spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me
in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he
opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and
said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer
and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and
that repentance for[c] the
forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all
nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are
witnesses of these things.
Prayer (based
on the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, you send not a ghost nor a myth; you send risen Jesus with flesh and
bones for our forgiveness. Thank you! You have called me, my congregation, indeed
your whole church to be your witnesses… to preach repentance and forgiveness of
sins in your name to all people. Repent us of keeping our mouths shut and of
preaching anything else… of preaching human power or piety. Pour out your Holy
Spirit and see to it that we preach Christ crucified for the repentance and
forgiveness of real people in our family and neighborhood. 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=2PF6osB4ud8
“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
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