Let’s
now read a portion of Martin Luther’s “Way to Pray” through the first of the Ten
Commandments and see how to his prayer method can improve our prayer time with our
Heavenly Father.
Luther
writes: I
take one part after another and free myself as much as possible from
distractions in order to pray.
I
divide each commandment into four parts, thereby fashioning a garland of four
strands. That is, I think of each commandment as, first, instruction, which is
really what it is intended to be, and consider what the Lord God demands of me
so earnestly. Second, I turn it into a thanksgiving; third, a confession; and
fourth, a prayer. I do so in thoughts or words such as these: “I am the Lord
your God. You shall have no other gods before me.” Here I earnestly consider
that God expects and teaches me to trust him sincerely in all things and that
it is his most earnest purpose to be my God. I must think of him in this way at
the risk of losing eternal salvation. My heart must not build upon anything
else or trust in any other thing, be it wealth, prestige, wisdom, might, piety,
or anything else.
Second,
I give thanks for his infinite compassion by which he has come to me in such a
fatherly way and, unasked, unbidden, and unmerited, has offered to be my God,
to care for me, and to be my comfort, guardian, help, and strength in every
time of need. We poor mortals have sought so many gods and would have to seek
them still if he did not enable us to hear him openly tell us in our own
language that he intends to be our God. How could we ever—in all eternity—thank
him enough!
Third,
I confess and acknowledge my great sin and ingratitude for having so shamefully
despised such sublime teachings and such a precious gift throughout my whole
life, and for having fearfully provoked his wrath by countless acts of
idolatry. I repent of these and ask for his grace.
Fourth,
I pray and say: “O my God and Lord, help me by thy grace to learn and
understand thy commandments more fully every day and to live by them in sincere
confidence. Preserve my heart so that I shall never again become forgetful and
ungrateful, that I may never seek after other gods or other consolation on
earth or in any creature, but cling truly and solely to thee, my only God.
Amen, dear Lord God and Father. Amen.”
.............................................................
These are the Ten
Commandments in their fourfold aspect, namely, as a school text, song book,
penitential book, and prayer book. They are intended to help the heart come to
itself and grow zealous in prayer. Take care, however, not to undertake all of
this or so much that one becomes weary in spirit. Likewise, a good prayer
should not be lengthy or drawn out, but frequent and ardent. It is enough to
consider one section or half a section which kindles a fire in the heart. This
the Spirit will grant us and continually instruct us in when, by God’s word,
our hearts have been cleared and freed of outside thoughts and concerns.
Nothing can be said here about the part of faith and Holy Scriptures [in
prayer] because there would be no end to what could be said. - Martin Luther
Blessings,
In Christ, Brian
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