Lenten Devotion

The simple sermon has law and gospel.

From Timothy Wengert’s article in Living Lutheran, 

“Lutherans distinguish law from gospel. God’s law reveals human sin and threatens judgment. But the gospel reveals God’s mercy and comforts the terrified. Melanchthon wrote: “For these are the two chief works of God in human beings, to justify the terrified or make them alive. The entire Scripture is divided into these two works. One part is the law, which reveals, denounces, and condemns sin. The second part is the gospel, that is, the promise of grace given in Christ” (Apology, article XII).”

Morning prayer from the Evangelical Lutheran Worship for daily use:

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Read a chapter in Mark's Gospel and reflect on the simple sermon for the day

Let us pray.

A brief silence for prayer follows each petition.

Mighty God of mercy, we thank you for the resurrection dawn, bringing the glory of our risen Lord who makes every day new.

Especially we thank you—

for the sustaining goodness of your creation . . .

for the new creation in Christ and all gifts of healing and forgiveness . . .

for the gifts of relationship with others . . .

for the communion of faith in your church . . .

Merciful God of might, renew this weary world, heal the hurts of all your children, and bring about your peace for all in Christ Jesus, the living Lord.

Especially we pray—

for those who govern nations of the world . . .

for the people in countries ravaged by strife or warfare . . .

for all who work for peace and international harmony . . .

for all who strive to save the earth from carelessness and destruction . . .

for the church of Jesus Christ in every land . . .

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.