Verse for the week: God is light and in him is no darkness at all. I John 1.5
Prayer for the week: Gracious Lord God, magnify the wisdom of your ways for us and grant
that in childlike trust we may submit ourselves to your fatherly guidance. Uphold us by your hand, guide us with your
counsel, and receive us at last into glory; through Jesus Christ, your Son our
Lord. Amen.” (adapted from, Kirchenbuch fur die Gemeinde (Isenhagen), quoted
in Orate Fratres, p. 64).
Bible reading for the day: I Kings 3.4-15
And the king went to Gibeon to
sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer
a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At
Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night,
and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And
Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my
father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness,
and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great
and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this
day. 7 And now, O Lord my God, you
have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but
a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And
your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great
people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give
your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I
may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your
great people?”
10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had
asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have
asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of
your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is
right, 12 behold, I now do according to your
word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you
has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I
give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no
other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And
if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as
your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15 And Solomon awoke, and behold,
it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the
covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and
made a feast for all his servants.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you for the fullness of your wisdom in this: Christ crucified and
raised for the forgiveness of sinners like Solomon and me. Repent me and your
whole church of claiming and trusting in our own wisdom. Today and throughout
the coming year, teach me to fear, love and trust you above all else… for
therein lies the beginning of wisdom. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hymn: follow this link to a scene from G.F. Handel’s
“Messiah” that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU6TzPvxrh8
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.
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