Patriarchs, apostles, and ordinary people converse with God through prayer.  Abraham pleads for the preservation of the righteous few, even in the midst of outrageous sin.  The Lord tempers His anger, assuring Abraham of grace.  The church’s liturgy is also a conversation between God and His people, shaped by confession of guilt and the outpouring of divine forgiveness!  The Lord’s Prayer is the axis where confession of faith, sin and pleading for sustenance converge.  As the Lord instructs, we are privileged to pray.     

 

 

O Lord, let Your merciful ears be attentive to the prayers of Your servants, and by Your Word and Spirit teach us how to pray that our petitions may be pleasing before You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

“The Gifts Christ Freely Gives”  LSB 602

“Our Father Who from Heaven Above”   LSB 766

“In Holy Conversation”  LSB 772

“Hear Us, Father, When We Pray”     LSB 773

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”   LSB 770   

“Rise!  To Arms!”     LSB 668