Prayer for the week:
O Lord, teach us how to pray. Steady our lives toward the goal of
everlasting salvation, that, surrounded by all the changes and uncertainties of
life, we may be defended by your gracious and ready help in Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen. (adapted from Lutheran
Book of Worship, Minister’s Desk edition, p.113.)
Bible reading for the day: Mark 2.1-12
50 And when he returned to Capernaum
after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And
many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the
door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And
they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And
when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the
roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on
which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw
their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are
forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting
there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does
this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but
God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving
in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to
them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which
is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise,
take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may
know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said
to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up
your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and
immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were
all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Prayer (based on TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you
for giving Jesus your authority not only over weakened limbs, but over sin and
my conscience. Deliver me always from the prideful questions of my heart. There
is indeed no one like Jesus; so, rest my trust squarely in him today and every
day until my last. In his name I ask this, amen.
Hymn: follow this
link to a beloved hymn that gives further voice to Christ’s promise for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMapZB8qMk
“I believe in the Holy Spirit……”
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe
in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me
through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved
me in the true faith. In the same way, he calls, gathers, enlightens, and
sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and preserves it in unity with
Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church, he daily forgives
abundantly all my sins and the sins of all believers. At the last day, he will
raise me and all the dead and will grant everlasting life to me and to all who
believe in Christ. This is most certainly true! (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 www.dailytext.com). The method is founded on scripture and easy
to remember: T: thanksgiving
R:
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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