Saved and sent

...that's you.

Verse for the week:  How great is your goodness, O Lord…which you have done in the sight of all who put their trust in you.  Psalm 31.19

Prayer for the week: “Merciful God, you resist the proud but give grace to the humble.  Help us to trust you utterly, to rest our hope and confidence in you, and to serve you with pure hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirche, 2^nd  ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p. 193). 

Bible reading for the day:  Ephesians (2.8-10) 5.15-21  

 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.                

^5.15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: my life and faith are a gift of your grace… your workmanship, not mine. Thank you! The days are evil so kill off the foolishness in me that would reject your will and seek my own. Bear out your grace for me in such a way that I find myself sent to my neighbor not in pride but in service; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

“Thy will be done…”  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 us from keeping his name holy and would oppose the coming of his kingdom. And his 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:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all.  Amen.  II Cor 13.14

  

*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.