Pentecost 12 - Proper 14
August 1-06, 2022
The Lord Is Surely Coming to Give You His Kingdom
The Lord Himself was Abraham’s
shield and great reward. For “the word of the Lord came to him” and sustained
the patriarch’s faith in the face of death (Gen. 15:4). By divine grace,
Abraham “believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness”
(Gen. 15:6), on account of the holy Seed, Christ Jesus. To that one old man,
the Lord granted “as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and
innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” (Heb. 11:12). The Lord is
likewise faithful to you. It is His glad desire “to give you the kingdom” (Luke
12:32). Therefore, “consider the ravens” and “do not be anxious for your life,”
but instead “seek for His kingdom” (Luke 12:22, 31).
A collect
for the Pentecost season: Almighty and merciful God, it is by Your
grace that we live as Your people who offer acceptable service. Grant that we
may walk by faith, and not by sight, in the way that leads to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for
steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your
tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in
Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that
we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life
everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayers in
times of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God,
in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into
eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy
will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that
we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead
and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God,
the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak, may the prayers
of those who in any tribulation or distress cry to You graciously come before
You, so that in every situation they may recognize and receive Your gracious
help, comfort, and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for hope of eternal
life in Christ: Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured
forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your
Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold
fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raised in glory to eternal
life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Monday, 01 August 2022—Psalm
147:8–11; antiphon, Psalm 147:7—Psalm 147 is a great hymn of praise to God
for His abundant power and His understanding beyond measure (v. 5), and,
especially for His steadfast love (v. 11). It is well for us who fear the Lord
to sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, because He has saved us from the
futility of trying to earn our way into His good graces. He gives us the good
things we need for this life, and has done everything necessary for our
salvation.
Tuesday, 02 August 2022 - Psalm
33:12–22—What is it that gives the Lord pleasure, as He looks down from
heaven upon His creation, and upon the children of men? It is not the might of
man, his great armies, his war horses, or the strength of warriors. No, what
pleases the Lord is those who fear him…those who hope in His steadfast love. He
desires and takes delight in delivering their souls from death, of providing
for the salvation of His people, and sparing them from famine and the wants of
the body.
Wednesday, 03 August 2022—Genesis
15:1–6—Abraham was an old man, and his wife both barren and well beyond
child-bearing years. Yet the Lord promised to Abraham that he would be father
to many descendants, too numerous to count. If this promise had been made by a
mere man, it would be utter nonsense, foolish and unthinkable. But the promise
of a great nation coming from Abraham was not made by any man, but by the
Creator of the earth, the universe, and all things, the Almighty God. Abraham’s
response was one of faith: he trusted the Word of the Lord, and the Lord
counted him righteous because of it. Likewise, when we trust in the Word of the
Lord—specifically, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, slain and risen
again for our salvation—then we, too are counted righteous by the Lord.
Trusting in His promises to bring
us the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of our souls delivers that very
salvation to us. We are saved by faith—faith which God
Himself delivers to us by Word and Sacrament.
Thursday, 04 August 2022—Hebrews
11:1–16—We are saved by faith, and the eleventh chapter of Hebrews is the
great chapter of faith in the Bible. First, the author gives us a good succinct
definition of faith: it is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen. Then, he proceeds to recount some of the great heroes of faith
in the Bible: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham (who believed the Lord, and He counted
it to him as righteousness, as we read in the Old Testament reading), and also
Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Let us also add our own names to this list, for God
has, by His Word and Sacrament given us saving faith and preserved us in it.
We, too, who trust in God alone for our salvation, will spend eternity with
those listed here and all who die in the faith, rejoicing in our Lord forevermore.
Friday, 05 August 2022—Luke
12:22–34—In this sinful, troubled world in which we live, it is altogether
too easy to succumb to the cares of the world and become anxious. But our
heavenly Father, who desires only what is best for us, provides not only for
our earthly needs, but, more importantly, has provided for our eternal
salvation. We can rest secure in the fact that we have a loving and gracious
God who knows our needs and provides for them.
Saturday, 06 August 2022—Sunday’s
Hymn of the Day is O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe (LSB
#666). In the face of anxiety and especially, spiritual warfare, we can be
confident and daring, not because we are strong in ourselves, but because the
Lord is for us and fights for us; therefore, we can rest in the certainty
that not earth nor hell’s satanic crew against us shall prevail.
Sources
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia
Publishing House
Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Rajas Higher Things
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