God’s Peace be with you all.

Romans 8:24-28   ²⁴ For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes² for what is seen?  ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.  ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.  ²⁷ And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  ²⁸ We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

            This morning I was reading an article about the Prayers of the Church, specifically the Prayer Office of the Church.  The Prayer Office consists of Matins, Vespers, and Compline, as well as the interval hour prayers of Terce, Sext, and None.  Matins, Vespers and Compline are often renamed Morning, Evening, and Night Prayer.  These prayers were represented in the LBW, and are also included in the ELW.  We currently use Vespers (Evening Prayer) during Advent and Lent for our Wednesday Services.

            The article that I was reading made a very interesting point:  the daily prayer of the church did not being necessarily in the church.  It did not begin in monasteries or in cathedrals.  Instead, it began in households.  Early Christian families prayed upon arising in the morning and when retiring at night.  Out of these prayers rose the canon of prayers that are said at least three times a day, and it is this tradition that we as Lutherans still commit ourselves to. 

            If this is not something that you already do, perhaps the summer months would be a good time to get started.  I know most of you probably say your prayers at night (as we were taught when we were little kids).  However, if you don’t, I encourage you to start.  Below is what Martin Luther used for both morning and evening prayers.  Although it may sound a little old fashion, perhaps it can be a starting point for you, as you develop your own sense of daily prayer life.

LUTHER'S MORNING PRAYER

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

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You.  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.

LUTHER'S EVENING PRAYER

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

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.

In our prayers this week:  Ann, Marianne, and Daniel (Jane’s dad)

God’s Peace,