“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[g] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
Growing up in a small town, there were only two places where one could get a haircut: Pete’s Barber Shop or Andy’s Hair Salon. Pete’s Barber Shop was the classic looking barber shop. It had the spinning white and red pole outside. It had the old guys who hung out there all day, and it had the stereotypical barber who was an old guy that had cut everyone’s hair in town for decades. I remember going there only once as a child and not again since the barber was kind of mean and grouchy.
The other choice was where my family went for years, Andy’s Hair Salon. This place was run by a young man named Andy and his Mom. Andy was an exceptional hair cutter. He was quick, precise, friendly, and exact. You could often find him almost measuring your head and hair to make sure his cut was exact on all sides. He was great at what he did, and took pride in his work. My family got to know him and his mom well. Tragically, he died in a boating accident sometime in my late teens. My dad always lamented that, and said he has never had a good hair cut since Andy died. Our family enjoyed him and his business.
Martin Luther had that same relationship with his barber in Wittenberg, Peter Beskendorf. They were so close that Luther wrote a 40-line poem for him, as well as a book entitled A Simple Way to Pray. As we find ourselves increasingly isolated from each other, and have more time (in theory) to read Scripture and to pray, I thought I would share a few helpful points from his book that you can adapt or use in your prayer life. At the very least, I hope this serves as an encouragement for your prayer and devotion life.
Right away in his book, Luther gives this stunning and brilliant line that hits home. It is still relevant and true some 500 years later. I can guarantee that we have all thought this before. He writes: “It is a good thing to let prayer be the first business of the morning and the last at night. Guard yourself carefully against those false, deluding ideas which tell you, ‘Wait a little while. I will pray in an hour; first I must attend to this or that.’ Such thoughts get you away from prayer into other affairs which so hold your attention and involve you that nothing comes of prayer for that day.”[1]
His point is that we need to be intentional in setting aside time for God. While we may mean well by planning to do it later, the temptation comes that other things might usurp that time. Another episode of that show you are watching just auto played the next one, so why not watch it? A friend called, I need to answer this. The weather just cleared up, I should go do my walk. All these things add up and pull at us, which can lead us away from prayer and study. That is why Luther suggests for it to be the first thing and last thing. At the very least, look for a spot in your day that is reserved for God and time in His Word. Be intentional and specific about it. Don’t let anything take that place.
In his book, Luther also shares what he does for devotion. He says,
“First, when I feel that I have become cool and joyless in prayer because of other tasks or thoughts (for the flesh and the devil always impede and obstruct prayer), I take my little psalter, hurry to my room, or, if it be the day and hour for it, to the church where a congregation is assembled and, as time permits, I say quietly to myself and word-for-word the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and, if I have time, some words of Christ or of Paul, or some psalms, just as a child might do.”[2]
Luther found this to be a helpful way to spur prayer. He would either go to a secluded place (like his room), or to daily chapel or the Divine Service, so he could focus. He would then use stuff he already knew by heart: the Ten Commandments, Creed, and Lord’s Prayer. If time permitted, he would supplement it with Scripture. It is also important to note that his Small Catechism, and his explanations in it, served as a great aid and guide for him in his devotions (and will for us, too!). Luther would use these simple and basic tools to guide his prayers and thoughts.
In using the Lord’s Prayer, he would focus on a petition (ex. “Give us this day our daily bread”) or phrase (“Forgive us our trespasses,” “Our Father”). The Small Catechism and its explanations are a great tool here (and it seems evident that he had it in mind when he gave examples for each petition). He closes his section by helpfully saying:
“Rather do I want your heart to be stirred and guided concerning the thoughts which ought to be comprehended in the Lord’s Prayer. These thoughts may be expressed, if your heart is rightly warmed and inclined toward prayer, in many different ways and with more words or fewer. I do not bind myself to such words or syllables, but say my prayers in one fashion today, in another tomorrow, depending upon my mood and feeling. I stay however, as nearly as I can, with the same general thoughts and ideas. It may happen occasionally that I may get lost among so many ideas in one petition that I forego the other six. If such an abundance of good thoughts comes to us we ought to disregard the other petitions, make room for such thoughts, listen in silence, and under no circumstances obstruct them. The Holy Spirit himself preaches here, and one word of his sermon is far better than a thousand of our prayers. Many times I have learned more from one prayer than I might have learned from much reading and speculation.”[3]
His point is well founded: pray and see where it takes you. The Spirit, as Paul says in Romans 8, helps us to pray! The Lord’s Prayer and its petitions are a great starting point and guide in helping us to pray. Besides, it was given by the Master of Prayer Himself: Jesus Christ!
Luther also gives this helpful style for using the Ten Commandments and Creed for prayer and study. I would also broaden this to include all of Scripture. His approach can easily be applied to the Bible as well. He says, “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.”[4]
His structure is as follows.
- Instruction: What does this teach? What is this conveying?
- Thanksgiving: What can I give thanks to God for on the basis of this commandment or text?
What does this look like in practice? Let’s use the First Commandment as an example, and see what Luther says. He writes, “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.”[5] We are encouraged in this step to see the grace that God has shown to us, and what it looks like in these specific places.
- Confession/Repentance: How does this text show my sin? Where do I fall short in this (you do, don’t deceive yourself)? If you are having trouble, Luther’s Small Catechism is a helpful tool here. Also, as you repent and confess your sin, don’t forget the Gospel! The God you have sinned against is also the God Who forgives you in and because of Christ Jesus. Luther’s goal here is to drive you to God, show you your need for the Gospel, and to receive it!
- Prayer/Petition: What does this commandment or text encourage me to pray about?
Personally, I have found this to be a helpful structure. It helps to keep me focused on God’s Word, applies the text or piece I am focusing on in a simple way, and helps to keep a Law and Gospel distinction before me. This is very similar to the common mnemonic device ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). One other strength to this approach is that it can easily be applied to other things besides the Ten Commandments and parts of the Creed. It can easily be applied to studying and using Scripture as a whole.
I hope this article helps or encourages you in your devotion and prayer life during this time of quarantine.
Blessings on your week ahead,
Pastor Nick Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XXI, Number 10, May 2020)
[1] AE 43:193.
[2] AE 43: 193.
[3] AE 43:198.
[4] AE 43: 200.
[5] AE 43: 200.