In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Central Thought

Christians have always encountered obstacles when bringing the Gospel to the world.

What obstacles do you see in the world today that hinder the spread of the Gospel or keep people from knowing Jesus?

Read Matthew 26:36–56. What obstacles did Jesus encounter on His journey to the cross?

✠ As Christians, we pray here that God would not allow any obstacle to stand in the way of His gracious will—namely, that His Word and kingdom be extended.

What things in my life threaten to pull me away from the Word of God?

OT Genesis 28:10-17

Epistle Ephesians 4:22-28

Holy Gospel Matthew 9:1-8

Merciful Father, ruler of all things in heaven and on earth, we acknowledge that Your good and gracious will is done without our prayer. We pray that You would defeat all that opposes Your will: the devil, the world, and our own sinful nature. In Your mercy, we implore You to strengthen and keep us firm in Your Word and faith all the days of our lives and bring us at last the inheritance You have prepared for us in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

*The Lord’s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed, central thought and closing prayer are from the 2017 Luther’s Small Catechism

Luther. (2017). Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.