Tuesday, May 26, 2020
John Stromgren
What is a prayer that has special meaning for you?
I grew up in the Lutheran Church in Minnesota. We memorized Luther's Small Catechism, which included the Ten Commandments and their meanings, The Apostles Creed and the Lord's Prayer, and Luther's reflections on what they meant. He wanted his congregants to think on these things, and he gave them things to do as well as not do. Don't just avoid stealing – help your neighbor keep what is his. Don't just avoid bearing false witness - defend your neighbor, speak well of him, and explain his actions in the kindest way.
These turned out to be good things to keep in mind. I understand why Luther did this, and Moses, before him, who, after giving those ten commandments, told the people to keep these words in their hearts, and recite them to their children, and talk about them as they go their way. He knew we tend to forget.
Years ago I realized that I needed to memorize a prayer to keep me focused. I had forgotten about this, but it came to mind when the theme for this week was mentioned – to think of a prayer important to us. Even though I hadn't prayed it for a long time, I found that it was still in there – I could recall it from memory. It's practical, straightforward – useful. Perhaps you will find it useful, too.
Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go,
My daily labor to pursue;
Thee, only thee, resolved to know
In all I think or speak or do.
The task thy wisdom has assigned,
Oh, let me cheerfully fulfill;
In all my works thy presence find,
And prove thy good and perfect will.
Thee may I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes my inmost substance see,
And labor on at thy command,
And offer all my works to thee.
Give me to bear thine easy yoke,
And ev'ry moment watch and pray,
And still to things eternal look,
And hasten to thy glorious day;
For thee delightfully employ
Whate'er thy bounteous grace has giv'n,
And run my course with even joy,
And closely walk with thee to heav'n.
Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
You can hear a performance of this prayer as a hymn here: