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Heidelberg Catechism | Question 54

The Heidelberg Catechism dates from 1563. Here is the question that goes with the answer we used during worship this morning. You will also find the bible references on which this answer is based.

Q: What do you believe concerning "the holy catholic church"?

A: I believe that the Son of God
 through His Spirit and Word,¹
 out of the entire human race,²
 from the beginning of the world ¹
  to its end,³
 gathers, protects, and preserves ¹
  for Himself ¹
 a community chosen for eternal life⁴
  and united in true faith.⁵
And of this community ¹
 I am⁶ and always will be⁷
 a living member. ¹

¹ John 10:14-16; Acts 20:28; Rom. 10:14-17; Col. 1:18
² Gen. 26:3b-4; Rev. 5:9
³ Isa. 59:21; 1 Cor. 11:26
⁴ Matt. 16:18; John 10:28-30; Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:3-14
⁵ Acts 2:42-47; Eph. 4:1-6
⁶ 1 John 3:14, 19-21
⁷ John 10:27-28; 1 Cor. 1:4-9; 1 Pet. 1:3-5

Bible Prayer | The Lord's Prayer

The prayer commonly known as The Lord's Prayer is a beautiful gift from Jesus to us. When examined closely, we find it to be stunningly simple and powerfully deep at the same time.

This prayer provides a great opportunity for us to pray together. But which version? Do we base our prayer on Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-4? And once we decide that, which translation do we use? Or do we go with the traditional phrasing? Even then we have to ask which one? Debts? Trespasses?

We've chosen to pray this day one of the versions that has found widespread use in the church today, that recaptures the simplicity of Jesus' words given to us. This version of the prayer begins with the familiar cadence of "art" and "hallowed" but then moves to English as we normally speak it. Just as Jesus' words were in everyday language. (Perhaps we should even pray the first two lines as Our Father in heaven, holy is Your name!)

Our Father, who art in heaven,
  hallowed be Your name.

May Your kingdom come,
  and Your will be done,
  on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins
  as we forgive those
  who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation,
  but deliver us from evil;
For Yours are the kingdom
  and the power and the glory
  forever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer for the Proclaimed Word (December 20)

The words of the prayer before today's message:

Mighty God,
  the shepherds of old were full
    of your praises,
  saying that all that they had
    heard and seen
  was mirrored by what they had
    been told.

Move among us now with your Holy Spirit,
  that we too might hear and experience
  the wonder and joy of the living Word
  as we seek to welcome the written Word
    into our lives.

Amen.

A prayer for this day and all days.

Prayer for the Proclaimed Word (December 13)

The words of the prayer before today's mesage:

God of the universe,
  revealed to us in Holy Scripture
  through the writings of the prophets
    and the preaching of John the Baptist,
  you have called us to prepare our hearts
    for your visitation.

Ready us now to hear your Word
  and to respond as faithful servants,
  to the glory of Christ.

Amen.

May they be just as appropriate as we come to the Word throughout this coming week.

Prayer for the Proclaimed Word (December 6)

Here are the words from the prayer before today's message:

Creator God,
  you remind us that the darkness
    of ignorance and doubt
  cannot overcome
    your life-giving Word.

May your Holy Spirit,
  who first inspired these
    words of Scripture,
  shine our light and
    once again awaken us
  to the hearing and living
    of this radiant truth.

In Jesus' name,
  Amen.

May they bless you as you approach the Word throughout this week.

Prayer for the Proclaimed Word (November 29)

Throughout this Advent season, as we continue to reflect on The Coming Word and before Chris comes to proclaim the Word in his message, we will be praying during our Sunday services that the Holy Spirit would open the text and our hearts, that the Word might dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16). Here is our prayer from this past Sunday:

God of love and power,
  You are revealed to us in Your Word,
  in accounts of prophecy and fulfillment
  that direct our attention to Jesus Christ.

Illumine us now as we hear Your Word proclaimed,
  that we may open our heart to Him,
  yearn for His coming in glory,
  and serve Him with joy.

Amen.

It may be that these words of prayer, with but little adaptation, could be used as we approach our regular reading of God's Word.