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Daily Devotions *

—with Pastor Paul Owens

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Invitatory: “Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

Greetings

photo of Pastor Paul Owens The Judge to whom you and I appeal is the Lord himself. This is an awe-full and wonderful thing for us.

Morning Prayer:

photo of sunset “Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly, and while we now dwell among things that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”1

Text for the day — Psalm 26:1-12

graphic of family and Holy Spirit “¹ Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering”

“² Prove me, O LORD, and try me;
test my heart and mind”
“³ For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in faithfulness to you.”
“⁴ I do not sit with the worthless,
nor do I consort with hypocrites;”
“⁵ I hate the company of evildoers,
and will not sit with the wicked.”
“⁶ I wash my hands in innocence,
and go around your altar, O LORD,”
“⁷ singing aloud a song of thanksgiving,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.”
“⁸ O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell,
and the place where your glory abides.”
“⁹ Do not sweep me away with sinners,
nor my life with the bloodthirsty,”
“¹⁰ those in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.”
“¹¹ But as for me, I walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.”
“¹² My foot stands on level ground;
in the great congregation I will bless the LORD.”

Prayer**

photo of statue of Jesus Christ “Gracious and almighty Lord, thank you for hearing my case. Give me ears to hear your judgment. Make my heart, hands, and mouth lover your house…and set my feet in the great congregation on the only level ground there is: your Son, Jesus Christ, my savior and Lord. I ask this in his name. Amen.”

Reading from Luther's Small Catechism:

Our Father, who art in heaven…

“Here God encourages us to believe that he is truly our Father and we are his children. We therefore are to pray to him with complete confidence just as children speak to their loving 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

1Adapted from the Leonine Sacramentary by Frederick B. Macnutt, The Prayer Manual, p. 17

* There are many patterns for devotions. This pattern has been followed by God’s people for centuries.

**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 www.dailytext.com). The method is founded on scripture and easy to remember:

T: thanksgiving
R: 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.