Reading: Stir up the will of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Stop and GROW: After reading the prayer, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this prayer? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this prayer or is my favorite part? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this prayer stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this prayer? Reflection: You brood of vipers. Those are John the Baptizer’s we pray that we may hear. They come from this Sunday’s gospel reading on which Pastor Horn reflected in these devotions on Monday. What do you think about being called a snake? More importantly, how open are you to hearing God’s judgment and being called to repentance? And what are the fruits of repentance, anyhow? One commentary suggests these: merciful justice, radical generosity and vocational integrity. Not too bad, huh? Let’s take this Sunday’s prayer of the day this way. We are reminded that we fall short of doing God’s work. But we are thankful that we can be refocused on what is God’s work. And though that work is perhaps intimidating and overwhelming, let’s give it a go. Pastor Bovendam, Trinity Lutheran Church, McAlisterville, has taught me a wonderful response to the intercessions. I share it with you in closing these devotions. When you speak, O Lord, help me to listen. Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff
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