Verse for the week:
I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20.2-3
Prayer for the week: “Almighty, everlasting God,
graciously look upon your church, for you alone are our strength and our
salvation. Uphold us with your hand,
that we may not stumble and fall; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (K.B.
Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirched, 2nd
ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.220).
Bible reading for the day: Genesis 32.22-31 (note: years earlier, in
fulfillment of what the Lord declared previously, Jacob cheated his twin
brother Esau out of both birthright and blessing. Now on the eve of Jacob’s
reunion with his twin, Jacob wrestles with the Lord all night).
22
The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and
his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took
them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24 And
Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the
day. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he
touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled
with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But
Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 And he
said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he
said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel[1],
for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 Then
Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you
ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the name
of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life
has been delivered.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel,
limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the people of
Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he
touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.
prayer (based on
TRIP** method): Gracious and
almighty Father, thank you for not letting us off easy nor by our own merit;
thank you for wrestling me until I limp into a new future under your
blessing. Repent me and my brothers and
sisters of fleeing or stalling when you come to wrestle us. In the unbreakable
hold of your judgment and mercy, give us our new name, our new identity… that delivered
from our old, cheating past we may walk in new life… limping all the way. I ask this in Jesus’ name, 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=f1Le7-y9xVI
“Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven…,”
What does this
mean?
The good and
gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we pray in this
petition that it will also be done among us.
How is this done?
God's will is done
when he hinders and destroys every evil design and purpose of the devil, the
world, and our sinful nature that would keep us from hallowing his name and
prevent the coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens
us and keeps us steadfast in his Word and in faith to the end of our earthly
lives. This is his good and gracious will. (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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