Verse for the week: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” Psalm 126.3
Prayer for
the week: “Almighty and
everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and,
that we may obtain what you have already promised, make us love what you
command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” (Lutheran Book of Worship,
prayer for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost).
Bible
reading for the day: Ecclesiastes
5.10-20 (note: the book of Ecclesiastes, also known as Qohelet, possibly
dates from as late as 300-200 BC. The writer, identified throughout the book as
“the Preacher,” reveals the vanity and idolatry of seeking to create our own
meaning.)
10 He who loves money will not be
satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is
vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who
eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his
eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether
he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him
sleep.
13 There is a grievous evil that I have
seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14 and
those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has
nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his
mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for
his toil that he may carry away in his hand. 16 This
also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is
there to him who toils for the wind? 17 Moreover,
all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.
18 Behold, what I have seen to be good
and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with
which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him,
for this is his lot. 19 Everyone also to
whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy
them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of
God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of
his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
Prayer (based on T.R.I.P. method*): Gracious
and almighty Father, thank you for bringing me out of my mother’s womb naked…
and into Christ the same way, in my baptism. Deliver me and your whole church
from the vanity of seeking kingdoms of our own making; and from being jealous
of others’ wealth… such vanity and jealousy only lead to my own vexation and
sickness. Under Christ, set me free again today in my vocation… that I may
enjoy the toil of my assigned labor and sleep well… until the day when you call
me naked out of this world, out of this shadowland, and into real life. 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.youtube.com/watch?v=26rq0spuLao
“Give us
this day our daily bread…”
What does
this mean?
God gives daily
bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, but we ask in
this prayer that he would teach us to realize this and to receive our daily
bread with thanks.
What is
meant by “daily bread”?
Daily bread
includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and
property, work and income, a devoted family, orderly community, good
government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends
and neighbors. (from The Small Catechism, by Martin Luther)
Benediction: The Lord will keep you from all evil; he
will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
From this time on
and forevermore. Ps 121.7-8
T: thanksgiving
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