You and I have been commissioned

Verse for the week: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil”  I John 3.8

Prayer for the week:  O God, by whose Spirit we are led into the wilderness of trial, grant that, standing in your strength against the powers of darkness, we may so win the victory over all evil suggestions that with singleness of heart we may ever serve you and you alone; through him who was in all points tempted as we are, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (John Wallace Suter, Prayers of the Spirit  New York: Harper & Bros. 1943, p.22.)

Bible reading for the day:  Matthew 28.16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Prayer (based on TRIP* method):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for giving all your authority to Jesus and thank you for making disciples. 

Thank you for the disciples who baptized and taught me.

Thank you for the disciples with whom I serve.

Thank you for the disciples you commission me and your whole church yet to make.

This is the whole reason you’ve called me and my brothers and sisters: to make disciples.  Repent us of doubting you and of veering off mission.  Stay with us Lord and keep us in your word… that we may rightly carry out the authority you have given to us… until our last breath or the Last Day, whichever comes first. I ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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

“What is baptism?”  Baptism is not water only; it is water used together with God’s word and by his command. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)

Benediction:  May the God of peace himself grow you in his will entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.  Amen.  I Thess 5.23

 

*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.