Praying for Joseph Biden, Greg Abbott, Rusty Brockman, and others

Verse for the week:  Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever more!  Psalm 113.2

Prayer for the week: “Lord God, grant unto us your Holy Spirit that we may hear and accept your word, in order that, being cleansed in mind and renewed in life, we may live to you, here and hereafter; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (K.B. Ritter, Gebete fur das jahr der Kirched, 2nd  ed. Kassel: Barenreiter Verlag, 1948, p.207). 

Bible reading for the day:  I Timothy 2.1-7 (note: Paul writes to his beloved apprentice, Timothy, late in the first century AD. He wants Timothy and the congregation to avoid making a shipwreck of their faith [see 1.19] so he instructs them to adhere to sound doctrine and to pray for all people, especially for leaders.)

¹ First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ³ This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. ⁷ For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Prayer (based on TRIP method*):  Gracious and almighty Father, thank you for the promise of your coming kingdom… with eager longing we wait for the Lord Jesus. In the meantime, the world despises the truth and wise governance does not happen automatically… it comes from you alone and is supported by our prayers. I confess that I have lagged in my prayers for our president, governor, senators and city officials. Please give Joseph Biden, Greg Abbott, Rusty Brockman and our city officials ears to hear you and wisdom for their service. Grant me such trust in you and love for my neighbor that make themselves evident in my prayers and actions; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

“Thy kingdom come…”

What does this mean?  The kingdom of God comes indeed by itself, without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may also come to us.

How 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 now and in eternity. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther ©Reclaim Resources, Sola Publishing, 2011)

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.