The Sunday of the Reformation (Ps) October 27th

Psalm 32:1-11

¹  Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

²    Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

³    For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

⁴    For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

⁵    I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

       I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

⁶    Therefore let everyone who is godly

offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;

       surely in the rush of great waters,

they shall not reach him.

⁷    You are a hiding place for me;

you preserve me from trouble;

you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

⁸    I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

⁹    Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

which must be curbed with bit and bridle,

or it will not stay near you.

¹⁰    Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

¹¹    Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

The Second Petition

May your kingdom come.

What is this? Answer:

In fact, God’s kingdom comes on its own without our prayer, but we ask in this prayer that it may also come to us.

How does this come about? Answer:

Whenever our heavenly Father gives us his Holy Spirit, so that through his grace we believe his Holy Word and live godly lives here in time and hereafter in eternity.

The Third Petition

May your will come about on earth as in heaven.

What is this? Answer:

In fact, God’s good and gracious will comes about without our prayer, but we ask in this prayer that it may also come about in and among us.

How does this come about? Answer:

Whenever God breaks and hinders every evil scheme and will—as are present in the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh—that would not allow us to hallow God’s name and would prevent the coming of his kingdom, and instead whenever God strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in his Word and in faith until the end of our lives. This is his gracious and good will.

Let Us Pray

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people.  Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.(F33)