Luther's Thoughts on Prayer

Praying the Ten Commandments.

I divide each commandment into four parts, thereby fashioning a garland of four strands.  That is, I think of each commandment as:

Instruction (what does the Lord demand of me - how does he teach me to trust Him in all things).

Thanksgiving (for His infinite compassion and has offered to be my God, to care for me, and to be my comfort, guardian, help, and strength in every time of need).

Confession (acknowledging my great sin and ingratitude for having so shamefully despised such sublime teachings and having provoked His wrath and I repent of these and ask for His grace).

Prayer (petitioning the King for help, strength, ability, preservation, obedience, etc.).

Thoughts on Prayer.

As you practice the spiritual discipline of prayer, you will find that different characteristics of God motivate distinctive types of prayer.

Adoration.

Confession.

Thanksgiving.

Lamentation.

Supplication.

Petition.

Intercession.

         

Requirements of Prayer.

A desire for the highest spiritual and material interests of those prayed for.

The utmost confidence in the divine promise and sufficiency to meet the need.

Readiness to cooperate in action as an outcome of intercession.

Excerpts from the book "A SIMPLE WAY TO PRAY:  Luther’s letter to a friend". Edited by Dr. Archie Parrish. Available from Ligonier Ministries.