Finding a Prayer Plan
"I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."
— Martin Luther
A couple weeks ago I came across a helpful framework for Scripture reading and prayer. If you're like me, then likely your daily"quiet time" turns into monthly with frightening ease. Sometimes our schedule seems unmanageable and opening the Word and prayer are, regretfully, two of the first things we forgo to make our lives work. However, sometimes it's not a lack of time, it’s a lack of a plan.
Have you ever felt unsure what to read? Or how much to read? Is one verse enough? Do I need to read a whole chapter or book at a time? When or what or how long should you pray? ... I'm with you. That's why I found Martin Luther's prayer method so helpful. Martin Luther is a 16th century German theologian who is instrumental in the way we understand grace. He famously nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church, challenging the practice of indulgences and helping spark the Protestant Reformation. All that to say, his spiritual counsel is often far beyond my understanding, but his prayer posture through Scripture feels really accessible to me.
There are four movements, and they work for any Scripture and any time of prayer: instruction, gratitude, confession, and prayer.
First, instruction. Whatever the passage, start by considering: What does this tell me about God?
Second, is gratitude. We search for words of worship to convey our gratitude to the Lord for who he is and what he has done.
Third, confession. We consider how the instruction and gratitude reveal our sin and weakness, asking the Heavenly Father for forgiveness.
Finally, it's prayer. We turn our observation, thankfulness, and confession into a prayerful request to become more like Jesus.
A few days ago, I read and prayed through Psalm 25. Actually, I just focused on v.20, "Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you." If it's helpful, here's what I came up with:
Instruction: God is the one who protects and delivers his people, down to their souls. He's the source of my safety and prosperity.
Gratitude: Father, thank you for being my refuge. Thank you that no matter what pain or problem I face this week, you are with me and you will take good care of me.
Confession. Father, forgive me. So often I look for refuge in feeling happy or being good, in my children's happiness and well-being. I’m prone to trust things like money, people's opinion of me, and church attendance as my safe and validating place.
Prayer: Father, today teach me to find refuge in you. When I'm worried, anxious, or bored, remind me of the sanctuary and joy I have in you through the work and love of your Son, Jesus.
Give it a try. Today, or tomorrow morning, find even just a single verse (maybe Psalm 25:20), follow Luther's plan and see how having a plan opens your heart to the character and grace of God.
