Prayers for the Epiphany
Season–O God, you know that we cannot withstand the dangers, which
surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that with your help, we may be
able to overcome the weakness that our sins has brought upon us.
Almighty God, you
sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority. Anoint us
with the power of your Spirit that we, too, may bring good news to the
afflicted, bind upon the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives.
O God, by the
leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead
us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine
presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
For citizenship – Lord keep this nation under Your care.
Bless our nation with faithful leaders that we may be a people at peace among
ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Grant that he may
make wise decisions for the general welfare and serve You faithfully in this
generation; through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
A prayer before we study
the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is
useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of
Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish
ourselves and others in Your holy faith
There is no one in
the whole world who can withstand death. All men flee from it and quake in
terror before it. Nevertheless, they are overtaken by death. But faith remains
firm and stands up against death. Faith conquers death and devours this
ravenous glutton. Likewise, the whole world cannot constrain or suppress the
flesh. But faith takes hold of the flesh and subdues it. Faith bridles the
flesh into obedience. Similarly, no man can endure the raging, persecution,
blasphemy, reproach, hatred and jealousy of the world. It makes a mockery of
faith and treads it under foot, and even finds joy and pleasure in all this.
Yet faith alone is the victory that overcomes the world. (Martin Luther)
The theme for the fourth Sunday after
the Epiphany can be summarized by the word authority.
Jesus teaches and heals with authority. A prophet like Moses is to be obeyed
because he speaks the words of God. This is an authority of God’s Word. In the
Epistle lesson authority is implied: Knowledge of God gives authority to be
free from idols. A review of Luther’s great teaching hymn, “Dear Christians,
One and All, Rejoice,” (LSB #556) would be an excellent devotional guide as you
read the propers for this coming week.
Collect for Epiphany 4—Almighty God,
You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot
stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and
carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Monday,
January 22, 2018—Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7 –- The
Antiphon is taken from Psalm 32:10, “Many
are the woes of the wicked but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who
trusts in Him.”Appealing to God’s unfailing love, kindness, and mercy is
frequent in the Old Testament since it summarizes all that the Lord covenanted
to show to His people. This is an excellent Psalm which gives testimony to the
joy the sinner has having experienced the Father’s forgiveness in Christ.
Tuesday,
January 23. 2018—Psalm 111—The key verse of this psalm is verse 3,”Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his
righteousness endures forever.” The Psalmist praises the Lord for His
unfailing righteousness. The psalm combines hymns of praise with instruction in
wisdom. Truly, an excellent Psalm.
Wednesday,
January 24, 2018—Deuteronomy 18:15-20— The authority of reception – who gave it to you. God promises to
raise up a prophet like Moses. The book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ last address
to the people before entering the Promised Land. Sunday’s Old Testament lesson
is a part of a section dealing with prophecy. A prophet like Moses is promised
to replace the false prophets. This true Moses will mediate between the Lord
and the people. The passage explains how through Moses God provided for the
institution of prophecy. True prophecy demands obedience on the part of the
people and loyalty by the prophets.
Thursday,
January 25 2018—1 Corinthians 8:1-13—The authority of revelation – what you know.
Knowledge of God gives freedom to eat meat offered to idols. Paul discusses a
specific situation in Corinth, which caused a problem for Christians. Pagans
participated in offering animal sacrifices to their gods. Part of the meat was
burned on an altar and the rest was sold for food at the markets. Some
Christians had no qualms of buying such meat for home consumption while others
were conscience-stricken at the idea, for it seemed to them that they were
participating in a pagan practice. Paul says no one should object to meats
offered to idols because idols have no existence. God is the one and only true
God. However, if some weaker brothers still feel it is wrong, those who have
the knowledge that God alone is God should not each such meat to prevent
offense and the destruction of their faith.
Luther speaking of “Christian liberty” once said the
Christian is the freest of all men but the servant of all. Our knowledge of God
frees us from superstition, legalism, and a bad conscience, but love enslaves
us for the welfare of our brother who might not yet have such knowledge. How
many Christians today are willing to sacrifice their freedom of life-style to
prevent offending a narrow Christian?
Friday,
January 26, 2018—Mark 1:21-28—The authority of identity – who you are. With
authority Jesus teaches and drives out an unclean spirit. After calling four
disciples, Jesus begins his ministry by teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.
The people are impressed by His authoritative teaching compared with the
teaching of the scribes. A man in the congregation has an evil spirit, which
addresses Jesus and knows Him to be the Messiah. With authority, Jesus commands
the demon to leave the man. At the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus comes
into contact with evil powers. As God’s Son, He conquers the evil spirit. He
does it by exercising His authority as God’s Son.
The word “immediately” (Vv. 21, 23) is a word Mark
will often use. It has theological significance. It denotes a sense of urgency
and importance. The Kingdom cannot wait. There is no place for laxity or
procrastination. One must work while it is day before the night comes. The
fields are white unto harvest. Jesus has a world to save in three years! He has
the whole truth of God to reveal. He needs to set up a movement to carry on His
work when He leaves. The church today needs to imitate Christ in this matter to
overcome lethargy.
Saturday,
January 27, 2018—John 6:37—The hymn of the day is, “Just as I Am, Without One Plea,” (LSB #570). God’s action,
not man’s, is primary in salvation and Christ’s mercy is unfailing. See John
6:44, 10:29, 17:6, 18:9. This hymn has become a treasured hymn of many people.
Sources:
LUTHERAN SERVICE BOOK © 2006
Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES B © 1981
John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH
Luther’s
Works: American Edit Edition.55 volumes. (Volumes 1-30, Concordia Publishing
House; volumes 31 31-55, Fortress Press)
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS
Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and
congregational use.
No comments:
Post a Comment