Listening is the thing, not your tampering

“thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6.10

Prayer for the week:  Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your Word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love; 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:  Deuteronomy 4.1-4 (note: Deuteronomy means “second law.” A subsequent generation after the Exile is claiming the faith as their own and testifying to the crucial importance of submitting to the Word of God rather than tampering with it.)

“And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. ² You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. ³ Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-peor, for the Lord your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor. ⁴ But you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, your word, your living voice is the way of life for us: your law speaks and our sin and pride are condemned to death; Christ speaks the better word of your forgiveness for us sinners and our trust in you is given life. Thank you! Repent me and your whole church of tampering with your Word. When we would talk over you, shut us up and let your Word work for us… that we may hold fast to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, 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  

“Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we ask in this petition that it may be done also among us.

When does this happen? God’s will is done when he hinders and defeats every evil scheme and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful self which would prevent keeping God’s name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom. And God’s will is done when he strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in his word as long as we live. This is his gracious and good will. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
⁵ Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.”  Psalm 25.4-5

 

*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.