Donald K. McKim - Everyday Prayer with the Reformers

T HIS book introduces reflections of Protestant Reformers on Christian prayer. Quotations from the Reformers are drawn from various primary and some secondary sources. This book seeks to present Reformers understandings of prayer and how these can nourish our Christian faith today. This book can be used for individual devotional reading as well as with groups.

The format of each devotion is the same. A Scripture passage is provided for initial reading. The context and emphases of the passage are mentioned in the text of the devotion. The order of the devotions in the book follows the biblical or canonical order of these Scripture passages. Some prayers of the Reformers are also presented in the book.

The comments of the Reformers on prayer are provided, and reflections on their meaning and importance for contemporary Christians who pray are described.

Each devotion ends with either a prayer point or a reflection question. Prayer points suggest ways that readers can incorporate that devotions insights into their own prayers. Reflection questions suggest further dimensions to what has been described, for reflection or group discussion.

I recommend the following approach:

1. Read. Read the Scripture passage at the top of each devotion. You can meditate on this Scripture before reading the devotion and keep it in mind as you read the devotion. Each devotion is compact; every sentence is important. Contemplate each sentence as you read it.

2. Meditate . After reading the devotion, meditate on its instruction, asking questions such as the following:

What has the Reformer conveyed here in the comments on prayer?

In what ways can the churchs life of prayer be deepened by the Reformers insights?

What do the Reformers observations mean for my life of prayer?

What new directions for prayer does this devotional call me to understand?

What ongoing changes in the practices of my prayer life are pointed to by the Reformers words?

3. Pray . Whether or not a specific prayer point appears at the end of the devotion, spend time in prayer reflecting on the Scripture passage, the Reformers insights, and the comments in the devotion. Incorporate all your experience in your conversation with God in prayer.

4. Act . These insights about prayer may lead you to move into new directions or act in new ways in your life. Be open to the new dimensions of Christian living to which your prayers move you.

The title of each devotion expresses a main point of the devotion. As you read and reread these titles, recall what the devotion says and means to you.

If you keep a journal, incorporate insights about your encounter with prayer daily or at special times in the week. If you keep a prayer list, expand this to include what Gods Spirit tells you through your devotional readings. These materials may be reviewed later and appropriated again for your life.

The devotions of the Protestant Reformers and their prayers can be read daily or upon occasion. I entrust this book to Gods providence and the work of the Holy Spirit to be read and received in your lifewhenever and wherever you read the devotions. When you use the devotions, use them prayerfully and in anticipation that God canand will!speak to you through them.

In some instances, I have modified quotations or provided definitions of archaic terms to enhance our understandings today. Citations are provided at the end of the book, indexed by author name and page number. Selected resources for further reflections are also provided to enable additional study of the Protestant Reformers.

A LMIGHTY, eternal and merciful God, whose Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, open and illuminate our minds, that we may purely and perfectly understand your Word and that our lives may be conformed to what we have rightly understood, that in nothing we may be displeasing to your majesty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HULDRYCH ZWINGLI