Verse for the week:
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians
6.2
Prayer for the week: “Lord, take us – body, soul, and
mind – and make us wholly yours. So increase your grace in us that not our own
desires but your holy will may rule us all in all; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirched, 2nd ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p. 185).
Bible reading for the Day: Matthew 14.22-33
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat
and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And
after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself
to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but
the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the
waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in
the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But
when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said,
“It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not
be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He
said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the
water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the
wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save
me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and
took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did
you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the
boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in
the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method[i]):
Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for your patient forgiveness for
fearful, sinking disciples like Peter and me. Your word – even one word from
you, “come” – is enough. Repent me and my congregation of the little faith that
fears present circumstance and doubts you. And when my pride is finally drowned
so that I cry out to you… reach right out and take hold of me… that I may
confess afresh: “Truly, you are the Son of God.” I ask this in your name, O
Jesus. 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=X2bhHosLHmI
“Lead us not into temptation…”
What does this mean?
God indeed tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this
petition that our heavenly Father would guard and protect us from this, that
the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us or lead us into
false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins, but pray that when we
are tempted in these ways, we may finally prevail and gain the victory. (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
[i] 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:
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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