Grow in Grace
For Additional Study
A CHRISTIAN PRAYS Relationships always involve communication. We have seen that God speaks to us through the words of the Bible. The way we speak to God is through prayer. Prayer is the blessed privilege given by God to speak to him. 1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their requests. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” John 16:23b “Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.” Who has been given the privilege of prayer?
Psalm 62:8a “Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your hearts before him.” Psalm 19:14 “May the speech from my mouth and the thoughts in my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” How might we define prayer?
Psalm 50:15 “Call on me in the day of distress. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Matthew 7:7-11 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened. 9 Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, would give him a stone? 10 Or who, if his son asks for a fish, would give him a snake? 11 Then if you know how to give good gifts to your children, even though you are evil, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Philippians 4:6 “Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” We can __________________ pray to God because he has invited us to pray and promised to hear us.
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Luther’s Morning Prayer
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
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.