Verse for the week: “For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my
hope is from him.” Psalm 62.5
Prayer for this week: “Lord, open our ears and hearts, that we may heed
your hidden wisdom and let your word be the light to our path. Speak to us through your living word, that we
may obey your call and follow him whom you have sent, Jesus Christ our Savior,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(K.B. Ritter, Gebete für das jahr
der Kirche, 2nd ed.
Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.180 )
Bible reading for the day: Matthew
4.12-22
12
Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13
And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the
territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the
prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two
brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net
into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them,
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they
left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw
two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat
with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately
they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for not
leaving us dwelling in darkness: thank you for going to the front lines and fishing
us out of the depths of sin through Jesus Christ. Thank you also for sending us back out into open
water every day. Your kingdom has come
near: it’s time for us to repent and fish, not watch ourselves in an aquarium
church. Repent me and your church of staying inside; send us out to fish for
people…that more persons may know the deep joy of being caught and released by
Jesus. I ask this in his 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=GdGe-spEHJ4
Thy kingdom come…
What
does this mean?
The kingdom of God comes
indeed by itself, without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may
also come to us.
How is this done?
God's kingdom comes when our
heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his
holy Word and live a godly life now and in eternity. (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.
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