Soli deo gloria

Verse for the week: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136.1

Prayer for the week: Lord God, your ears are open always to the prayers of your servants. Open our ears, hearts, and minds to you, that we may live in harmony with your will and receive the gifts of your Spirit; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship, Pentecost 10)

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 136.1-12, 23-26

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁵ to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁶ to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁷ to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁸ the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁹ the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹² with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

²³ It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁵ he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Prayer (based on the T.R.I.P* method): Gracious and almighty Father, thanks and praise all go to you; for you alone are good, your love alone is steadfast. You alone made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. Christ alone strikes down our enemies – the devil, the world and our sinful selves – and rescues us from their hand. You are the good one, not us… and yet you claim us as your beloved. Thanks to you, O Lord, indeed; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a classic that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh1-85tfy04

“I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”

What does this mean?  I believe that God has created me and all that exists. He has given me and still preserves my body and soul and all their powers. He provides me with food and clothing, home and family, daily work, and all I need from day to day. God also protects me in time of danger and guards me from every evil. All this he does out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it. Therefore, I surely ought to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction: May Christ’s promise of forgiveness of your sins, life, and salvation be upon you now and for eternity.

 

* 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.