Thy holy wings, O Savior

Verse for the week: God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.  Acts 2.36

Prayer for the week:  Almighty and everlasting God, you have redeemed us and sent us as your own witnesses to an alien generation that nonetheless belongs to you. Rescue us from despair, deliver your sons and daughters from fear, and make us preachers of Christ in broad daylight; through the same, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 91.1-10

 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,

    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

 ⁹ Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—

    the Most High, who is my refuge—
¹⁰ no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
    no plague come near your tent.

Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious and almighty Father, thank you: in Christ you take me into your refuge and fortress; the risen Lord becomes my cover and my shield… the one in whom I trust. Thank you. My own strength will fail me, but the strength of your promise will deliver me from even death when it comes. Grant that my whole life long I may dwell under the shelter of your wings; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Hymn: follow this link to a beloved classic hymn that gives further voice to today’s conversation with the Lord: https://www.google.com/search?q=thy+holy+wings+o+savior&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS909US909&oq=Thy+Holy+Wings+O+Savior&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBwgCEAAYgATSAQkxMjE5OGoxajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:179a9048,vid:ozXaSAyoRYA

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

What does this mean?  God encourages us to believe that he is truly our Father, and that we are truly his children, so we may boldly and confidently pray to him, just as beloved children speak to their dear father.  (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.