Praying with Luther’s Practical Guide

Overview

Letter from Martin Luther (1535) to Peter Beskendorf on a simple, practical way to pray, stopping at the original ending.

Preparing for Prayer

Pray first in the morning and last at night; avoid delaying thoughts that derail prayer.
When cold or distracted, quietly recite Ten Commandments, Creed, words of Christ/Paul, or Psalms.
Warm heart, then pray briefly with focus; posture kneeling or standing, hands folded, eyes toward heaven.
Work done in faith can be prayer; yet do not let duties replace the habit of true prayer.
Pray attentively; remember words and thoughts. Avoid babbling while the mind wanders.

Attitude and Assurance in Prayer

Pray in obedience to God’s command and promise, in Jesus’ name with all Christians.
Say Amen firmly, trusting God hears; consider yourself united with Christendom in prayer.
Do not bind yourself to fixed wording; follow the thoughts of the Lord’s Prayer; vary length and phrasing.
If rich thoughts arise, pause the scheme and listen; the Spirit’s word surpasses many prayers.

Using the Lord’s Prayer: Petitions and Paraphrases

Hallowed be thy name:
- Ask God to sanctify His name in doctrine and life; restrain blasphemy, false teaching, and abuse.
Thy kingdom come:
- Pray for conversion of many; defense and growth of the small flock against worldly opposition.
Thy will be done:
- Seek obedience, patience under crosses; thwart conspiracies and malice against God’s word and people.
Give us this day our daily bread:
- Request peace, good rule for emperor, princes, rulers; faithful subjects, good weather, harvest, family care, and protection.
Forgive us our trespasses:
- Plead mercy for daily sins; forgive those who wrong us; ask for grace to forgive.
Lead us not into temptation:
- Pray for vigilance, diligence in word and service; strength to resist the devil and factions.
Deliver us from evil:
- Ask safe passage through a perilous life; a blessed death with firm faith.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Delaying prayer with tasks; letting attention drift into business during prayer.
Rote recitations without heart engagement; long, inattentive “canonical hours.”
Divided attention ruins any task; prayer demands concentration and singleness of heart.

Method: Praying the Ten Commandments (Four-Strand Garland)

For each commandment: Instruction (what God demands), Thanksgiving, Confession, Prayer.
Move freely among commandments; focus on sections that kindle devotion.

Ten Commandments: Four-Strand Summaries

Commandment	Instruction	Thanksgiving	Confession	Prayer
1. No other gods	Trust God alone, above wealth, prestige, wisdom, piety.	God offers Himself as our God, comfort, and help.	Idolatry and ingratitude provoke His wrath.	Grant understanding and steadfast trust; keep from other consolations.
2. Name not in vain	Honor God’s name by prayer, praise, humility.	He reveals His name as our refuge and honor.	Misuse by swearing, lying, boasting.	Preserve from abuse; make us grateful and reverent.
3. Keep the Sabbath holy	Sanctify by God’s word; hear, meditate, pray, give thanks.	Word as light, life, consolation; guards from darkness and error.	Laziness, despising preaching, ingratitude.	Preserve the word; send faithful pastors; keep us receptive.
4. Honor father and mother	Obey and honor parents and rulers; sustain family and state.	God creates and sustains through parents; preserves society.	Disobedience, scorn of discipline, bad company.	Bless homes and authorities; grant wise governance; help parents guide.
5. Do not kill	Do no harm; aid neighbor’s bodily needs; protect life.	God’s command and civil sword protect safety.	Neglect, anger, hatred, violence in thought and deed.	Teach kindness, forgiveness, peace; guard from the murderer.
6. Do not commit adultery	Live chastely in thought, word, deed; guard others’ honor and marriage.	God protects family purity and punishes unchastity.	Unchaste thoughts, words, actions; despising marriage.	Grant cheerful chastity; help us support others’ purity.
7. Do not steal	Do not defraud; work honestly; protect neighbor’s goods.	God hedges our goods; punishments deter theft.	Any fraud, deprivation, dishonesty.	Reduce injustice and theft; make us honorable and diligent.
8. Do not bear false witness	Be truthful; shun slander; defend reputations.	God shields our good name; punishes deceit.	Maligning and wicked talk about others.	Heal our tongues; keep this commandment.
9–10. Do not covet	Do not scheme to obtain neighbor’s goods or relationships; help them keep theirs.	God protects against subtle injustice.	Covetous plotting and ingratitude.	Strength to keep these commands devoutly.

Practical Guidance for Ongoing Prayer

Rotate: one day the Commandments, next day a Psalm or Scripture; use as flint and steel to kindle the heart.
Keep prayers frequent, ardent, not overly long; avoid spiritual weariness.
Prepare the heart; do not tempt God with distracted lips and roaming thoughts.

Decisions

Treat the Lord’s Prayer as the primary model; adapt wording to heart’s warmth.
Use the Ten Commandments as a school text, songbook, penitential book, and prayer book.