Opening Thought “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” (Joh 17:19) Texts: John 18:1–2; Mark 14:32–34 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who…

Opening Prayer The Lord of truth is a shield and armor. [Psa 91:4] Text: Mark 14:26–31 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will…

Opening Prayer Lord, our God, let the power of Your grace be shown among us in all kinds of heavenly virtues. Amen. Text: Second Corinthians 6:1–10 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have…

Opening Prayer Lord, Lord, lead us into the mighty fortress of Your Word. Amen. Text: Matthew 4:1–11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him,…

Opening Prayer Lord, when we go through tribulation’s darkness, assure us that You are with us. Amen. Text: Jonah 2:1–9 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol1…

Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, we thank You for the way of Your cross. Give us grace to follow You. Amen. Text: Matthew 16:21–23 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and…

Opening Prayer Spirit of God, You came to us in our Baptism; explain the Word to us. Amen. Text: Exodus 1:22–2:10 So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.” And a man of the house of Levi went…

Opening Prayer Great is the Lord’s mercy upon us. God, let us know this. Amen. Text: Isaiah 53:6–9 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He…

Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, renew our whole life with Your love. Amen. Text: Second Corinthians 5:14-21 For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who…