Monday, October 8
Theme for the week:
Disciples Experience God Through Prayers Learned From Jesus

This week we learn about calling upon God as our “Father’.

While rare in Old Testament prayers, Jesus regularly addresses God as Father in prayer and encourages us to do the same. The opening line to the Lord’s Prayer is Our Father Who art in Heaven. In fact, all but one recorded prayer shared by Jesus calls on God as “Father” (and that exception quotes the Old Testament’s Psalm 22:1).

Why such emphasis?

Jesus knew a thing or two about the heart of God. Tucked away in Jeremiah 3:19, God is quoted saying to His people “I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me.” Beyond Jesus’ prayers, there are dozens upon dozens of more references to “Father” in his teaching. This was Jesus’ primary alignment to God – for us and Him.

This relational image of Father and child is one of the ways Jesus directs us back to God. The hope and heart of God is to be called “Father” by his people – by us, His children. And while it got sideways in the Old Testament, we see Jesus bringing it home and setting it up the way God wants. God wants you to call Him “Abba” (meaning “Father” in Aramaic, a common language of Jesus’ day among some Jews).

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Prayer Prompt

Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching us about the heart of God as Father. Father God, although you are Lord God Almighty, creator of the universe, maker of all things visible and invisible, you're Father to me: Almighty Abba, heavenly Father, Divine Dad. Thanks Father for loving me. Amen.

Micro-Meditation

Psalm 139:7-12

  1. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
  2. If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
  3. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
  4. even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
  5. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
  6. even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

  • Read: the verses twice.

  • Mark: the words or phrases that catch your attention.

  • Meditate: talk (better yet write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect a response from the Lord.

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Pondering Point

This section of Psalm 139 speaks of God’s presence everywhere (known as ubiquity or omnipresence). How does this impact you? Helpful? Heavy? Intrusive?

Tuesday, October 9
God’s Mission

John 12:23-29

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
~ Jesus

It was always Jesus’ mindset to do the will of the Father (John 6:38).
That mindset is on display in our reading. Jesus chooses an approach embracing sacrifice rather than praying for deliverance. The initial prayer Jesus mentions, Father, save me from this hour, is dismissed with a quick No and a candid testimony of it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Jesus prays instead, Father, glorify your name!” Then in that moment, in that holy place, God himself speaks from heaven, saying “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Jesus would be delivered – first into the hands of sinners. Due to their wicked acts, he would die, but only because God was using that death to become a payment for sins of the world. Then, in godly and miraculous form, Jesus would be delivered out of the grave. Glory in the laying down of his life. God be glorified!

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Prayer

Father God, this event preceding Jesus’ planned sacrifice reminds me to pause rather than instantly asking for deliverance in tough spots. Maybe there is a better option like Your will that could be done. Father, as Jesus prayed: Glorify Your name in my life. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

Micro-Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 139:7-8

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

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Teaching or Command of God:

Ephesians 4:30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

The Promise:

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Pondering Point

These verses remind us that when we feel alone or even abandoned by God, He’s still with us – always. Let God’s stated truth override your inconsistent feelings.

Wednesday, October 10
Your Identity in Christ

• In Christ, I am a child of the Heavenly Father, the Divine Dad, the Almighty Abba, my Powerful Papa.

Romans 8:11-16

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
~ Apostle Paul 

Here is your sole devotional thought: You have been adopted by the Lord God Almighty and He wants you to call Him “Father”.

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Prayer

We are going to let Chris Tomlin’s song Good Good Father lead our prayer prompt today. Listen to it if you have the time and media resource available.

I've seen many searching for answers
Far and wide, but I know we're all searching
For answers only you provide
'Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word
You're a good good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are,
it's who you are, and I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
Because you are perfect in all of your ways…to us

Micro-Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 139:9-10

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

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Teaching or Command of God:

Jeremiah 23:23-24

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?” “Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. 

The Promise:

Psalm 71:20

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

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Pondering Point

Diana Ross popularized it, Ashford and Simpson wrote it, but God himself foreshadowed the song years before in Psalm 139.

Ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you, babe.

Thursday, October 11
Re-Center Around God

John 17:1-3

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
~ Jesus, 

Take time to read Jesus’ longest recorded prayer in John 17:1-26, shared in the Garden of Gethsemane. As we re-center around God let's review our prayer life in relation to calling on God our Father.

Review the week

How do you ordinarily refer to God in your prayers? Do you call upon God in prayer often or rarely? Does it feel too familiar to call the Lord God Almighty “Father”? Did your earthly father mess up the image of God as Father?

Repent (if necessary)

If you find yourself rarely in prayer, that could be something of which you can repent. Did you leave a poor image as a dad, making it harder for others to picture God as a father?

Return (as necessary)

If you have a hard time viewing God as Father, don’t skip this facet of God’s heart. Ask for His help to develop this type of prayer relationship despite a lacking earthly equivalent.

Micro-Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 139:9-10

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

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Teaching or Command of God:

Psalm 104:27-28

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. 

The Promise:

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

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Pondering Point

God is not only aware, but also active in a hands-on way in our lives. And, as Isaiah 59:1 notes, surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor ear too dull.

Friday, October 12
Discipleship Point

Matthew 6:9-13

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

From Luther’s Small Catechism on the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven or Our Father in heaven. What does this mean? With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence, we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.

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Discipleship Prayer

In boldness and confidence, I come in Jesus’ name to call you Father and call upon you in time of need and hope as my gracious, heavenly Father. Here is what is on my heart Father… (pour out your heart now)…

Micro-Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 139:11-12

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

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Teaching or Command of God:

1 Corinthians 4:5

Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. 

The Promise:

Nahum 1:7-8

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

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Pondering Point

Did you know that God has night vision goggles? – and built in no less! Eyes to see all and ears to hear all.

Saturday, October 13

John 12:20-36

The Lord’s Prayer – But Not That One

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[g] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

This prayer of the Lord’s, like many of Jesus’ recorded prayers, happened during the week of His crucifixion. In this account, he is foreshadowing his impending death. The story begins with some Greeks who are gathered to celebrate the Passover Festival. They want to see Jesus, but as non-Jews, were not allowed in certain parts of the temple grounds. It seems their request was to have Jesus come to them since they were unable to go to Him. That request sparks the comment of Jesus in our story, where he reveals that his soul is troubled. After acknowledging that his hour has come, the moment he had been waiting for, he asks a rhetorical question of the people: Should he pray for deliverance? Of course not. This is why he’s here. Read and find out what He says instead.

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Prayer Prompt

Jesus, once You were lifted up in shame for our sins, but now you are lifted up in glory to the right hand of God the Father Almighty where You are given all honor and praise. Be lifted up in my heart, my words, and my ways too – that in honoring You, the Father is glorified as well. Amen.

Sunday, October 14
Call to Worship God, to Gather Together

God Bless You

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Worship is like breathing: You’re created to do it all the time.
It's a lifestyle.
~ Joseph L Garlington
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Prayer for Worship

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the ‘evil one’. Amen.
~ Jesus, Matthew 6:9-13

Sponsored by Hope Lutheran Church 

Copyright (c) 2017-2019 Paul vonWerder

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