Psalm 121 (antiphon: vv. 1-2)
Office Hymn: 421 Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing
OT: 1 Kings 8:22-30; Ep: Eph 3:14-21; Gos: Mt 6:5-15
Catechetical Hymn: 766 Our Father, Who from Heaven Above
Summary: Prayer is not optional in the life of the Christian. First, God has commanded us to pray in the Second Commandment. Second, Christian prayer is a repetion of God’s Word back to Him. He has promised to hear prayer in His name and by His Word. Thus, prayer is both our duty and a gift from our heavenly Father. “Call upon me in the day of trouble… I will deliver you.” “Ask, and it will be given to you.”
Some would also accuse frequent prayer by the Lord’s Prayer as mindless or unthinking repetition. It is not, for it is given by Jesus himself and is His Word. Jesus teaches us why to pray, how to pray, and what to pray for. You can rest assured that this Word of prayer is pleasing to Him and will be heard by Him.