From the Pastor’s Desk:
WHAT MARTIN LUTHER SAID ABOUT DAILY PRAYERS
The worship schedule in the monastery or convent of Martin Luther’s day included seven daily services. Monks and nuns gathered in the chapel so that the word of God might punctuate their day. Luther realized that it was impossible for the average butcher, baker, town pharmacist, field worker, candlemaker, cobbler, house frau or child to take part in these services, however, having the Word of God shedding its light on the daily events of their lives was necessary. When Luther wrote the Small Catechism in 1529, he added an informative guide for prayer in the home at the end. Head advised what families should do “in the morning when they get up” and “in the evening when they go to bed.” While meeting at church seven times a day would also not work in our schedules, prayer at these two times, and in our local domicile, is the very way to make every Christian dwelling a blessed monastery and glorious convent, and every child, servant, father, or mother, a monk and nun, or one in training (a novitiate).
Rather than a doctrinal tome or textbook, the Daily Prayers section of the Small Catechism is a guide for piety (godly habits). In the heading of this section Luther wrote, “How the head of the family shall teach his household to say morning and evening prayers.” Every father or mother in the home is an abbot or abbess, the head of their monastery or convent, teaching how the people of the household under their care might be sent into their day with joy, and how they can conclude each day in peace.
In Luther’s day the head of a particular order of monks was called the Prior General. In his role as founder of the Lutheran Church, we might call him the Prior General of the Order of Lutheran monks and nuns. Luther sets the Order of Discipline for Lutheran households.
As each hand has 5 fingers, Luther advised 5 simple practices to begin the day.
1. In the morning and the evening, the sign of the cross is made, and the name of the Holy Trinity is called upon. The cross reminds us of Jesus death and resurrection and that we are His holy baptized children who have been forgiven. All of life is under the name of God even as God’s name makes and keeps our lives holy.
2. The Apostles Creed is spoken. It is easy in our lives to forget that we have a Creator, a Redeemer, and a Sanctifier. In this evil life of fear, we are reminded of all that God has done. We confess before the world what is true.
3. The Lord’s Prayer is spoken. The seven petitions give us the list of what we really need (not the things we think we need).
4. Luther included a little short prayer, what we call Luther’s Morning Prayer and Luther’s Evening Prayer. These prayers thank God, ask His blessing, plead for forgiveness, and petition Him for the accompanying of His holy angels to help us against all the evils of Satan we may face in the day or in the night.
5. Finally, Luther, as also the Choir Master of the chapters of our monastery, mandates us to sing a hymn. He knew personally how music and its accompanying words has the power to drive away the evil spirits and sadness and give joy.
What would it be if every family of our congregation started and ended the day like this? How wonderful if we all, though separated by miles and distance and age and situation, would begin and end our day united in our petitions and prayers and shared confessions. What a joy that would be! With the goal that every family in our congregation begin and end the day in prayer, this month we are offering a new publication, Small Catechism Laminated Prayers. This easy-to-hold card (evening prayers on one side/morning prayers on the other side) can be placed by the cradle of your infant for those late-night feedings, on your nightstand to use when you wake up and are overwhelmed, or in the car for your child to read on the way to school. Consider also giving a Morning & Evening Prayer Card as a gift to a grandchild or friend. Orders may be placed by sending an email to the office (office@lancasterlutheran.com) or by placing your name on the order form in the narthex with the quantity you request.
In his book “Teaching God’s Children His Teaching, A Guide for the Study of Luther’s Catechisms,” Robert Kolb writes, “Luther believed it important that we train ourselves and our children to react to God’s word. For such formal discipline cultivates a habit of mind which will keep our lives turned to God throughout the day, throughout a lifetime. He had grown up in a school system which had provided him with a disciplined daily prayer, and when he became a monk, the extensive medieval monastic system of prayer shaped his days. Thus, it undoubtedly seemed only natural for him to institute a discipline of prayer for his followers. The family, as the basic building block in society, seemed the natural place for that discipline to be exercised.”
Our evening and morning prayer expresses each day our confidence in God’s presence and power. Our evening and morning prayer grants an understanding of the meaning and purpose which God provides for our daily lives. Our evening and morning prayers rightly express our reliance and dependence each day not on the security which we provide, but on the security which God gives in His Word. We head out to our day with joy and end our day in peace.
In Christ,
Pr. Seifferlein
P.S. For an online copy of Luther’s Small Catechism where you can find the Daily Prayers section see:
