Verse for the week: Cast all your anxieties on
him, for he cares for you. I Peter 5.7
Prayer for the week: “Grant us, O Lord, not to mind
earthly things, but to love things heavenly, and while we now dwell among things
that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide forever; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (Adapted from the
Leonine Sacramentary by Frederick B. Macnutt, The Prayer Manual, p. 17).
Bible reading for the day: Deuteronomy 30.15-20 (Note:
“Deuteronomy” means “second law.” This
book of the Old Testament is a second confession by a subsequent generation
after the Exodus. As it was then, God’s word is life for us today… and death
for us when we will not hear.)
15 “See, I have set before you today life
and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the
commandments of the Lord your God that I command you
today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and
by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall
live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land
that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But
if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to
worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to
you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land
that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I
call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you
life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and
your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your
God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life
and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore
to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Prayer (based on
T.R.I.P. method**): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for choosing
to redeem a sinner like me in Jesus Christ, thank you! Repent me and your whole
church of ears, hearts and habits that go our own way. Your voice is far more
trustworthy than our own voice Lord; grant me and my congregation to trust and
obey you… for you alone are our life. In Jesus’ name I ask this, amen.
Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic that
gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofp6rdAgRrY
“Hallowed be thy
name…
What does this mean?
What does this mean?
God's name is indeed holy in itself, but we pray in this
petition that it may be kept holy also among us.
How is this done?
God's name is hallowed when his Word is taught in its truth
and purity and we, as God's children, lead holy lives in harmony with it. Grant
this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives in ways other
than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us
from doing this, heavenly Father! (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing,
2011)
Benediction: The
peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Phil 4.7
*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.
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