Learning the Faith by Heart
Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together
The Week of March 9 – March 16
Preparing for the Second Sunday in Lent
Hymn of the Week: Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart (708)
Psalmody for Matins: Psalm 4 (Mon); Psalm 103:13-22 (Thurs)
GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: What Is This Bread (629)
Catechism Memory (GLCA Only): Daily Prayers – Evening Prayer
Bible Verse Memory (GLCA & Jr Confirmation): “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
Monday: Catechism Bible Story – Evening Prayer
At the start of the day, we remember that we are God’s children. We thank our Father in Heaven for giving to us a new day of life. We commend all things to Him. This allows us to go “joyfully to our work”. At the end of the day, we once again remember that we are God’s children. We thank Him for His blessings throughout the day. We ask Him to forgive us where we did wrong, confident that He will, and we commend ourselves to Him. What does this allow us to do? (Hint: read the last line of the section on Luther’s Evening Prayer)
Tuesday: Old Testament – Jeremiah 26:8–15
Jeremiah called the people to repentance. What happened to him for doing that? Jesus called people to repentance. What happened to him when He did that?
Wednesday: Lenten Midweek – “Crosswords” (Luke 23:32‒43)
Read Romans 6:23. In what sense are we “under the same sentence of condemnation” as the criminals being crucified with Jesus? Like the criminals, we cannot save ourselves. We too, apart from Christ, have no hope. But Christ has come and identified with sinners like us! Read Isaiah 53:12. How does Jesus’ promise to the repentant criminal give us hope, not only for the future, but for today?
Thursday: Holy Gospel – Luke 13:31–35
In today’s Bible lesson, we learn that many people had been separated from Jesus. Jesus was saddened that many of the people of Jerusalem had not believed in Him and were scattered from Him. God wants His people to be together, but our sin separates us from God and one another. How does Jesus bring us back together again?
Friday: Epistle – Philippians 3:17–4:1
What does it mean that “our citizenship is in heaven”? Born from above by God’s Word and Spirit, we belong to heaven as children of our heavenly Father. Read Philippians 3:17-4:1 and then sing “Children of the Heavenly Father” (LSB 725).
The Order of Meditation and Prayer
The sign of the cross + may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism
Invocation
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in the God the Father Almighty…
Catechism Memory: Daily Prayers – Evening Prayer
In the evening when you go to bed, make the sign of the holy cross and say:
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may also say this little prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer.
Bible Reading for the Day (From Upcoming Readings for Sun, Portals of Prayer, or other Daily meditation)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn of the Week
Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart (708)
Family Prayers
For___________________, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Collect of the Day for Lent 2 – O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.