Prayer
for the week: Almighty and
everlasting God, in the wonder of Christ’s death and resurrection, you hold not
our sin against us and entrust your message to us. Grant that all who have been reborn into the
fellowship of Christ’s body may be ambassadors for him, showing forth in our
lives the faith we confess; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, based on II
Corinthians 5)
Bible reading for the day: John 14.1-14 (note:
On the night of his arrest, Jesus knows that every one of his 12 closest
disciples will betray him and flee. Here is part of the sermon he preaches to
them, and to us.)
1“Let
not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in
me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If
it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for
you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may
be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am
going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not
know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus
said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you
had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do
know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father,
and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to
him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me,
Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us
the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am
in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do
not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his
works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father
and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in
me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do,
because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever
you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in
the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name,
I will do it.
prayer(based on
the TRIP** method): Gracious and almighty
Father, thank you for delivering our troubled, enthusiastic hearts from the
super highway of ourselves…and for giving us yourself as the way, the truth and
the life. Deliver me and your whole
church from Thomas’ & Philip’s trap: from the blindness of unbelief that
fails to trust you, Father, and your Son as one…from the doubt that troubles
our hearts. Pour out your Holy Spirit
upon proud-hearted me and my brothers & sisters, that we may believe the
words you speak, do the greater works you have already planned for us to do,
and learn to ask you for just what you know we truly need. I pray 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=8PIh_-0cwKQ
“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:
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace,
who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore,
support, strengthen, and establish you this day. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet 5:10)
*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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