I want to invite you on a journey with me during 2010... to pray through the petitions of the Lord's prayer weekly. I hope to pray for many of you: My friends, family, and associates by using petition #1 on Monday, petition #2 on Tuesday, etc. This initially may sound boring and repetitious, but I guarantee that this tried and tested method of prayer will strengthen your own prayer life.

Each file uses the various statements from several catechisms to explain exactly what is meant by a particular petition. I have chosen to use the Children's First Catechism, the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms, the Heidelberg Catechism, and Luther's Small Catechism. What I plan to do is reflect on these specific catechism statements and turn them into specific things to praise God for, specific sins that I need to confess, and then particular things I want to ask the Lord to do for me and for others.

This will aid my prayers to be scripturally rooted and biblically sound. I want us to experience the truth of 1 John 5:14-15 - "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."

I don't expect to hit all seven every week, but the weekly rhythm will ensure that if I miss Wednesday one week, it will come around again in six short days. I would encourage you to download these files and see if this rhythm of prayer might help you in your spiritual journey and efforts to pursue a relationship with the Lord.

Weekly Guide - The Lord's Prayer - Entire Folder

Monday - Petition #1 - Thy Name
Tuesday - Petition #2 - Thy Kingdom
Wednesday - Petition #3 - Thy Will
Thursday - Petition #4 - Our Need for His Provision
Friday - Petition #5 - Our Need for His Pardon
Saturday - Petition #6 - Our Need for His Protection
Sunday - Petitions 1 & 7 - Our Passion for His Praise