Verse for the week: “The creation waits with eager longing for the
revealing of the children of God.” Romans 8.19
Prayer for this week: “O God, our heavenly Father, since we cannot stand
before you with our own works, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts that we
may be comforted by your mercy and by your help overcome all that torments us
because of our sins; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (K.B. Ritter, Gebete für das jahr der Kirche, 2nd
ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948,
p.94 )
Bible for the day: Deuteronomy 30.15-20
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 TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Lord, thank you: there is no
other choice than you…only in Christ crucified & raised for commandment
breakers is there life for me and my brothers and sisters…thank you! Repent me and your church of turning toward
any other, to do so means only our own death and destruction. Hold us fast to yourself…that we and our
children may live and love you. I ask
this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Music: here
are links to J.S. Bach’s Cantata #169 “God Alone Shall Have My Heart” and to the
English translation of the lyrics:
“Thy will be done…
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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