Your table is prepared

...by the Good Shepherd himself.

Verse for the week: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23.1

Prayer for the week: Almighty God, source of every blessing, your generous goodness comes to us anew every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to confess your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience; through you Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978)

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 23

   The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Prayer (based on TRIP* method):  Gracious, good Shepherd, thank you for the table you prepare before me: a sip of wine, a morsel of bread, yet at the same time YOU…your body & your blood brimming over with the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation.  Thank you!  When I must tread the valley of the shadow of death, the rod and staff of your word, your promise are with me to defeat anything the devil and his allies throw at me.  Send your Holy Spirit and sustain me as your sheep that I may delight in your green pastures and your pathways…and may sing to others the praise of you, my Good Shepherd.  In Jesus’ name I ask it.  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=LF2M8nvKK9k

“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:  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.