Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Wednesday of Holy Week




Wednesday of Holy Week – April 17, 2019 – Psalm 70:5

But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!

These words are the humble and repentant attitude of God’s people. See Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20. The term “help” describes Eve in Genesis 2: 18, 20
The Lord has promised continually throughout the Psalms to assist sustain and direct His people. “Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20; My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.   Psalm 121:2
Especially during difficult and troubled times will we certainly need to rely upon God. The offering of an honest prayer especially in times of great need is indeed a powerful thing. The psalm reminds the reader that the living God who hear prayers for help still listens today.   He reminds us, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” – Malachi 3:6 The changeless Christ who entered an ever changing world remains present to hear the cries of His people.
Be constant in prayer. Your Father hears you. Come to Him often. He will listen. Speak to Him and then listen, as you hear His voice in Scripture guiding and leading you in the way which you should go.   
Show the light of Thy Countenance upon us, O Lord, and pour Thy blessing abundantly into our breasts; that our hearts, with the gladness of Thy light, may know Thy way upon earth, and be glad in the full knowledge of the holy faith among all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen.[1]

Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave His body to be whipped and His face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen[2]
Merciful and everlasting God, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all to bear our sins on the cross. Grant that our hearts may be so fixed with steadfast faith in Him that we fear not the power of sin, death, and the devil; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[3]




[1]© 2005 Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood
[2]Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
[3]Collect for Wednesday of Holy Week, Lutheran Service Week © 2006 Concordia Publishing, St. Louis

No comments: