He will surely do it

“The stone that the builders rejected

    has become the cornerstone.
²³ This is the Lord's doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118.22-23

Prayer for the week:  Lord God, our strength, the battle of good and evil rages within and around us, and our ancient foe tempts us with his deceits and empty promises. Keep us steadfast in your Word and, when we fall, raise us again and restore us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

Bible reading for the day: I Thessalonians 5.12-24

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶ Rejoice 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 Father, thank you for choosing to save me and your whole church through Christ Jesus alone… and for seeing to it that this gospel is preached among us. Until Christ returns, Satan is on the prowl, our neighbors need our help, and we have plenty to pray over. So, sanctify us and keep us blameless in spirit, soul, and body… you are the only one who can do so Lord, and you’ve promised to be faithful so have at us Lord; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a new hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtL_li4GbE

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory; forever and ever. Amen.”

What does “amen” mean? Amen means Yes, it shall be so. We say amen because we are certain that such petitions (as in the Lord’s Prayer) are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are heard by him. For he himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble.” Psalm 107.1-2

 

*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.