Martin Luther was a German professor of theology, priest, author, composer, former Augustinian monk, and is best known as an influential figure in the Protestant Reformation. Nearly 487 years ago, Martin Luther’s barber and old friend asked him for suggestions on how to pray. Luther responded with an open letter titled, “How One Should Pray, for Master Peter the Barber”.

Luther gave his friend advice and instruction on how to take each petition of the Lord’s Prayer and expand them. He teaches his friend how the Ten Commandments can become a garland with four strands of teaching, thanksgiving, confession, and petition. Finally, studying and meditating on the Scriptures turns into prayer, and prayer leads back to the Scriptures. The Lord speaks to us in His Word, and we respond, speaking to Him our thanksgiving and making our requests known.

Luther was once quoted as saying: “I have so much business to do today, that I shall not be able to get through it with less than three hours’ prayer.” Most people today might say, “I have so much to do today I only have time to pray a few minutes.” But Luther knew that the more we have to do, the more time we must spend praying.

On this day of Thanksgiving, take the time to commune with God, giving thanks for Jesus our Lord and Savior, and for His Holy Spirit which dwells in us. Read Luther’s “How One Should Pray” courtesy of https://wmpl.org.