For we who are dying

Verse for the week: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.  Is 6.3

Prayer for the week: “Lord God, almighty, immortal, invisible, the mysteries of your being are beyond us yet you reveal yourself to us: Accept our praises for the revelation which you have made of yourself, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons and one God; and mercifully grant that, ever holding fast this faith, we may magnify your glorious name; for you live and reign, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (John Dowden, Book of Common Prayer, Scotland; Suter, The Book of English Collects, p. 34. Revised by PJO)

Bible reading for the day: John 8.48-59 (note: Proud, human sinners have always preferred to argue with Jesus rather than listen to him… that is, until our pride dies.)

The Jews answered him, ‘Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ ⁴⁹ Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honour my Father, and you dishonour me. ⁵⁰ Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge. ⁵¹ Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ ⁵² The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.” ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?’ ⁵⁴ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, “He is our God”, ⁵⁵ though you do not know him. But I know him; if I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. ⁵⁶ Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.’ ⁵⁷ Then the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ ⁵⁸ Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.’ ⁵⁹ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Prayer (based on the TRIP* method): Gracious and almighty Father, for we who are dying, Jesus is indeed the way, the truth, and the life… And the only way to him is through the death of our pride. So speak and bring this now Lord… And bring us just a little taste of the new life that will be ours in the resurrection. I ask this in Jesus’ name, 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=mgzRB4gEPf4

“I believe in Jesus Christ…

What does this mean?   I believe that Jesus Christ — true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary — is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, and has freed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil, not with silver and gold, but with his holy and precious blood and his innocent suffering and death. He has done all this in order that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen from the dead and lives and reigns for all eternity. This is most certainly true! (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

Benediction:  Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21) 

*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.