In Jesus you get what you don't deserve

“forgive us our trespasses as we have forgiven those who trespass against us.” Matthew 6.12

Prayer for the week:  God of all mercy, by your power to heal and to forgive, graciously cleanse us from all sin and make us strong; 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:  Psalm 103.1-12

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³ who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵ who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹ He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: in Christ you do not deal with me according to my sin nor give me what I deserve; for in him you remove my sin from me as high and far as the heavens are above the earth. Thank you!  In so doing, you rescue me from the pit and crown even me with your steadfast love and mercy. So, my soul has abundant cause to bless your holy name… and to show your compassion to my neighbor. Make it so, Lord; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a newer hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

“forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

What does this mean? We ask in this prayer that our heavenly Father would not hold our sins against us and because of them refuse to hear our prayer. And we pray that he would give us all things by grace, for we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. So, we on our part will heartily forgive and gladly to good to those who sin against us. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103.8

 

*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.