Bird ears

Verse for the week: “For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” Psalm 92.4

 Prayer for the week: “Almighty God, our maker and redeemer, you have made us into a new company of priests to bear witness to the Gospel. Enable us to be faithful to our calling to make known your promises to all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)

 Bible reading for the day:  Mark 4.30-34

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? ³¹ It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, ³² yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

³³ With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. ³⁴ He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

 Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, your kingdom starts small – an infant savior in a manger in a little town, that same one crucified like any other criminal in Jerusalem – and grows large, large enough to be home to a host of forgiven disciples like us. Thank you. Deliver us from our impatience and our preoccupation with our own kingdoms and our big projects. Give us bird ears… ears that are able to hear your kingdom come for even us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

 Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic hymn which gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccVEjKFkAV4  

“Thy kingdom come...”

What does this mean?  God’s kingdom comes indeed without our prayer, but we ask in this petition that it may come also to us.

When is this done? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit so that, by his grace, we believe his holy word and live a godly life on earth now and in heaven for eternity. (from “The Small Catechism” by Martin Luther)

Benediction:  The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.  Phil 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).  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.