Verse for the week: “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me” Malachi 3.1
Prayer for the 3rd week of Advent: “Lord
Jesus, our Light and our Salvation, you alone are the one who was to come to
save us. We thank you for your coming
and for your will to perform in us again your saving work. Rule us by your Holy Spirit, that henceforth
we may wait for none other and put our trust in nothing in heaven or earth
except you alone, our Lord. Amen.” (Martin Moller, Thesaurus precationum, 1603;
text in Gerhard Molwitz, Lutherisches Gebetbuch, p.41.)
Bible reading for the day: I Thessalonians 1.4;
5.16-24 (note: Paul wrote his first letter to the congregation in Thessalonica in 51AD. As he closes the letter, he gives them a few instructions and
reminds them that God is faithful and that God himself will sanctify them.)
1.4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he
has chosen you… (therefore) 5.16Rejoice always, 17 pray
without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do
not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not
despise prophecies, 21 but test
everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from
every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of
peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit
and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he
will surely do it.
Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and
almighty Lord, thank you for choosing me and my congregation to be yours in
Christ. Turn us from malice, ingratitude, evil and resistance to your Word and
Spirit. Complete in us the sanctifying work you have begun, for you are
faithful Lord. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Music: follow this link to a beloved classic that
gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o
“Hallowed be thy name…”
What does this mean?
God's name is indeed holy in itself, but we pray in this
petition that it may be kept holy also among us.
How is this done?
God's name is hallowed when his Word is taught in its truth
and purity and we, as God's children, lead holy lives in harmony with it. Grant
this to us, dear Father in heaven! But whoever teaches and lives in ways other
than what God's Word teaches dishonors the name of God among us. Prevent us
from doing this, heavenly Father! (from The
Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing,
2011)
Benediction: “the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4.7
*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.
No comments:
Post a Comment