Matthew 6:9 "Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Prayer is such an important part of our lives. Prayer gives us hope, strength, comfort and guidance. But prayer is not just something for Lutherans to do, nor Christians. People have always prayed. Many scholars and biblical experts will tell you that it is human nature to believe in a higher power, and prayer has always been the way in which to communicate with this higher power. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, etc. all pray. I am sure that they would all agree with the statement that prayer is an important part of our lives.
Prayer is something that we have been taught how to do since we were children. Many of us probably know the “Now I lay me down to sleep, pray the Lord my soul to keep” bedtime prayer. It is a favorite among children and parents as it is easy to remember and to say. Even if you don’t know or use this bedtime prayer, perhaps you have one that you use on a regular basis. For this week however, I would encourage you to try a different nighttime prayer. This prayer, written by Martin Luther, is one that he and his family said together every evening:
I give thanks unto Thee, Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ Thy dear Son, that Thou hast this day so graciously protected me, and I beseech Thee to forgive me all my sins, and the wrong which I have done, and by Thy mercy defend me from all the perils and dangers of this night. Into Thy hands I commend my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let Thy holy angel have charge concerning me, that the wicked one may have no power over me. Amen.
Although it is in “old English”, to me this is still a very beautiful prayer. In Sunday School yesterday, our class discussed how Martin Luther really went above and beyond to cover “all the bases” for what he had to say. He often said 4 or 5 paragraphs that could be summed down to 1 sentence, but he was thorough enough to cover everything. In a way, this is how this prayer is. He covers all the bases.
As people of prayer I encourage you to focus strongly on your prayer life. Prayer is not something that just happens on Sunday morning, but is instead a vital part of our everyday lives.
In our prayers this week: Shirley Kallam (Mother of Todd Kallam), Buddy and Ann Kelley, Olga Larson(hopefully getting her cast off this week!), Linwood Hackett, Alma Uhrhammer (hopefully moving back home this week!), Michael Ablett (heading to Iraq this week)
A reminder that Choir practice is Wednesday evening at 7:00
