Prayer for the week: “O most loving Father, you want us to give thanks for all things, to
fear nothing except losing you, and to lay all our cares on you, knowing that
you care for us. Protect us from
faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds in this mortal
life may hide from us the light of your immortal love shown to us in your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Prayer for Trust, LBW #204,
Minister’s Ed., p. 111).
Bible reading for the day: Psalm 107.1-3,23-32
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
23 Some went
down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, you are indeed good: in Christ your steadfast love reaches us and
redeems us from trouble. This is the rhythm of life for us: to be lifted up and
to be brought down to the depths, even to have our courage melted… so that we
learn to call on you rather than ourselves. I cannot still the stormy sea, but
you can; indeed, you are with us right in the storm. Let me thank you in the
midst of my congregation; let us together praise you; through your Son, Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Hymn: follow
this link to a beloved classic which gives further voice to today’s
conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDjwUzUnNpU
“lead us not into temptation…”
What
does this mean?
God indeed tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this
petition that God would guard and protect us from this, that the devil, the
world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or lead us into false belief,
despair, and other great and shameful sins, but pray that when we are tempted
in these ways, we may finally prevail and gain the victory. (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.
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