Naked, yet fully clothed

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6.13

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:  Genesis 3.1-7

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” ² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, ³ but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” ⁴ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: in Christ you clothe us in your righteousness rather than our own. He is the way we stand before you naked – fully known – and yet also fully clothed. Thank you! That crafty, old Enemy is always on the prowl, seeking to get us to listen to him while we talk over you and interpret your word for ourselves. Expose him for the Liar that he is… and grant us the faith that takes you at your word. In Jesus’ name I ask this, 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=ZyavAoOlsIo

“And lead us not into temptation.”

What does this mean? God indeed tempts no one to sin; but we ask in this petition that our heavenly Father would watch over us and defend us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us or draw us into false belief, despair, or other great and shameful sins. And we pray that even though we are so tempted, we may still win the final victory. (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.