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"Praying Is for Children"
Prayer Patterns 2
Luke 11:1-4
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 46

A Series of Sermons on Prayer

We continue a series of nine worship services that focus on the Christian's life of prayer. These services will follow the sequence of the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Days 45-52, and will center on each of the petitions of the Lord's Prayer. At the conclusion of this series we will have provided worship services that are built on the entire Heidelberg Catechism. Each of these is archived on the website of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

Other Services in This Series

Sermon Notes
Music Notes
Liturgy Notes 

Theme of This Service

As we begin our examination of the Lord's Prayer (as a "pattern" for our praying), we encounter the immediate instruction of Christ that we address God as "Father." "When you pray, say: Father." (Luke 11:2) is a profound instruction about how to pray. Such an address is not merely speaking about formal protocol but is teaching us that praying is for those who have come to know God as their Father. The established relationship of faith with God is, therefore, the foundation for approaching him in prayer.

Resources

We suggest a number of resources that will be valuable tools for you in this study of the Lord's Prayer.

Catechism References:
             Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 46
             Westminster Larger Catechism, Q.179-182, 189
             Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 98-100

* * * * *

WE GATHER IN WORSHIP

Prelude: "Our Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth" [see music notes]

Call to Worship [see liturgy notes]:
             Why did Christ command us to call God "Our Father"?
             At the very beginning of our prayer
             Christ wants to kindle in us
             what is basic to our prayer—
             the childlike awe and trust
             that God through Christ has become our Father.
             Our fathers do not refuse us
             the things of this life;
             God our Father will even less refuse to give us
             what we ask in faith.
             Why the words "in heaven"?
             These words teach us
             not to think of God's heavenly majesty
             as something earthly,
             and to expect everything
             for body and soul
             from his almighty power.   (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 46)

*Song: "O God, Our Father, We Come" PsH 450:1-3

*Our Declaration of Trust and God's Greeting:
             Congregation of Jesus Christ, in whom do you trust?
             Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.
             Grace, mercy and peace to you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
             Amen!

*Response: "O God, Our Father, We Come" PsH 450:4

WE ARE RENEWED IN GOD'S GRACE

Children's Moment [see liturgy notes]

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession [see liturgy notes]

Assurance of God's Pardon: Romans 8:12-17

Song of Response: "My God, How Wonderful You Are" PsH 499, TH 35, TWC 65

God's Call to Grateful Living:
             For you were once darkness,
             but now you are light in the Lord.
             Live as children of light
            (for the fruit of the light consists
             in all goodness, righteousness, and truth)
             and find out what pleases the Lord.
             Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,
             but rather expose them.
             For it is shameful even to mention
             what the disobedient do in secret.
             But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
             for it is light that makes everything visible.   (Ephesians 5:8-14, NIV, TWS 2.7.10)

GOD SPEAKS TO US FROM HIS WORD

*Song of Preparation: "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" RN 152, SNC 77, SWM 207, TWC 539, UMH 206, WOV 649 [see music notes]

Prayer for Illumination

Reading of Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 33:18-22 [see liturgy notes]

Reading of New Testament Scripture: Luke 11:1-4
             The Word of the Lord.
             Thanks be to God.

Sermon: Praying Is for Children
              Prayer Patterns 2

Anthem: "But the Lord Is Mindful of His Own," Mendelssohn [see music notes]

Prayer of Application

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD

*Song: " 'Abba, Abba, Hear Us,' We Cry" SNC 211

Prayers of the People [see liturgy notes]:
             Our Father in heaven,
             hallowed be your name.
             Help us to really know you,
             to bless, worship, and praise you
             for all your works
             and for all that shines forth from them:
             your almighty power, wisdom, kindness,
             justice, mercy, and truth.
             Help us to direct all our living-
             what we think, say, and do-
             so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us
             but always honored and praised.
             Your kingdom come.
             Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way
             that more and more we submit to you.
             Keep your church strong, and add to it.
             Destroy the devil's work;
             destroy every force that revolts against you
             and every conspiracy against your Word.
             Do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect
             that in it you are all in all.
             Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
             Help us and all people
             to reject our own wills
             and to obey your will without any back talk.
             Your will alone is good.
             Help us one and all to carry out the work we are called to,
             as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.
             Give us today our daily bread.
             Do take care of all our physical needs
             so that we come to know
             that you are the only source of everything good,
             and that neither our work and worry
             nor your gifts
             can do us any good without your blessing.
             And so help us to give up our trust in creatures
             and to put trust in you alone.
             Forgive us our debts,
             as we also have forgiven our debtors.
             Because of Christ's blood,
             do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are,
             any of the sins we do
             or the evil that constantly clings to us.
             Forgive us, just as we are fully determined,
             as evidence of your grace in us,
             to forgive our neighbors.
             And lead us not into temptation,
             but deliver us from the evil one.
             By ourselves we are too weak
             to hold our own even for a moment.
             And our sworn enemies-
             the devil, the world, and our own flesh-
             never stop attacking us.
             And so, Lord,
             uphold us and make us strong
             with the strength of your Holy Spirit,
             so that we may not go down to defeat
             in this spiritual struggle,
             but may firmly resist our enemies
             until we finally win the complete victory.
             For yours is the kingdom and the power
             and the glory forever.
             We have made all these requests of you
             because, as our all-powerful King,
             you not only want to,
             but are able to give us all that is good;
             and because your holy name,
             and not we ourselves,
             should receive all the praise, forever.
             It is even more sure that you listen to our prayer,
             than that we really desire what we pray for. Amen.   (based on Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A's 119, 122-129, TWS 4.4.11)

Offertory:
             The offering of music: "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" [see music notes]
                                        or: "Go, My Children with My Blessing"
             We bring our gifts for.

WE LEAVE TO CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY OF FAITH

*Song: "Go, My Children, with My Blessing" SNC 284, WOV 721, WR 719 [see music notes]

*Benediction with Congregational Amen!

Postlude: Prelude and Fugue in F Major," J. S. Bach [see music notes]

*Please stand if you are able.

* * * * *

Sermon Notes

Underlying the instruction of Christ is the fact that "God through Christ has become our Father" (Q&A 120). It is clear that Jesus is not talking about a generalized relationship in which all humans may call him father because he is the creator, but rather about a specific relationship that comes through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Praying, therefore, is for Christians. It follows, then, that the sermon ought to ask each hearer to carefully examine their personal relationship with God their Father through Christ. Some folks may be finding it hard to pray because they have not come to know this relationship with the Father. Others, who know him, may yet be neglecting their prayer life because they fail to comprehend what a privilege they have been given.

Three other thoughts beg for consideration in this matter:

The question will inevitably arise in the minds of hearers about whether people who do not believe in Christ may pray. The question warrants some attention, and the sermon should probably strike a balance of holding two fundamental truths of Scripture. First, prayer to "our Father" is the gift given to his children through Jesus Christ, for they alone can pray in the name of Christ. Second, God, in his mercy (common grace), may chose to respond to the call and cry for help from an unbeliever. However, this response is not that of a father's loving care for his child, but from God's merciful concern for his creatures. The latter does not involve the privilege of day-to-day personal communication with him (as "Abba") that the Christian enjoys.

This sermon begs for vibrant illustrations, but we suggest that the most effective illustrations are those which are personal, local, and from within a family. From your own experience point to a time when a child dared to ask for something significant and did so respectfully and confidently because of the firm parent-child relationship. Such a setting can be contrasted with the impossibility of such a request either by or to a stranger. In a way that portrays pastoral understanding, another illustration could portray a home with broken relationships or the pain of abuse that destroys the confidence of respectfully asking.

Since we have said that the Lord's Prayer is a pattern for our praying, it would be wise to conclude this sermon with a call to self-examination. This will set the pattern that throughout this series we use the Lord's Prayer to teach us to examine our own prayer life. End this sermon with some probing questions: Are you a child? Can you pray? Does your prayer life reveal a warm day-to-day communication as with a loving parent? Are you comfortable with the term "Abba" and what that means? Can you trust him, even when he does things differently than you would like? How do you experience "awe"?

Music Notes:

Glossary of Hymnal Abbreviations:
CEL      Celebration Hymnal (Word Music/Integrity Music)
PH        The Presbyterian Hymnal (Presbyterian Church USA; Westminster/John Knox Press)
PsH      The Psalter Hymnal (Christian Reformed Church; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
RL        Rejoice in the Lord (Reformed Church in America; W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
RN       Renew! (Hope Publishing Company)
SFL      Songs for LiFE (children's songbook; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
SNC     Sing! A New Creation (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Christian Reformed Church,
            Reformed Church in America; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
SWM    Sing With Me (children's songbook; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
TH        Trinity Hymnal (Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church in America; Great
            Commission Publications)
TWC     The Worshiping Church (Hope Publishing Company)
UMH     The United Methodist Hymnal (United Methodist Publishing House)
WOV    With One Voice (Augsburg Fortress)
WR       Worship & Rejoice (Hope Publishing Company) 

You may wish to include the singing of the Lord's Prayer throughout this series of services. Here are some suggested settings that could be used congregationally:

             GREGORIAN [The Lord's Prayer] (UMH 270)
             LANGDON [The Lord's Prayer] (PsH 207)
             MALOTTE [The Lord's Prayer] (RN 177)
             MELITA [The Lord's Prayer] (TH 725)
             ST. MICHAEL [Our Heav'nly Father] (RL 262)
             VATER UNSER [Our Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth] (PsH 208)
             VATER UNSER [Our Father, Clothed with Majesty] (PsH 562)
             Our Father in Heaven (PH 571)  
             Our Father in Heaven (SNC 196)
             The Lord's Prayer/Our Father (SWM 174)

Suggestions for prelude on based on the historic chorale setting of the Lord's Prayer:

VATER UNSER [Our Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth]
Organ:
             Bach, J. S. The Liturgical Year (ed. Riemenschneider) Ditson [1933] (E-M)
             Edmundson, Garth. Four Modern Preludes on Old Chorals. Galaxy 1773-9 [1950] (E-M)
             Haan, Raymond H. The King of Love. SMP KK277 [1983] (E-M)
             Leupold, A. W. An Organ Book. Chantry Music Press [1960] (E-M)
             Manz, Paul. Ten Chorale Improvisations, set 2. Concordia 97-4656 [1964] (E-M)
             Mendelssohn, Felix. Music for a Celebration, set 3. Morningstar MSM-10-565 [2004] (M)
             Mendelssohn, Felix. Organ Works. Schirmer 227 [1924] (M-D)
             Sweelinck, Jan Pieterszoon. Music for a Celebration, set 4. Morningstar MSM-10-579
             [2005] (E-M).

Alternative harmonizations on the song of preparation can be found in:

HOUSTON [I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light]
Alternative Harmonization for Organ:
             Burkhardt, Michael. As Though the Whole Creation Cried. Morningstar MSM-10-555 [2001]

Alternative Harmonization for Piano:
             Sedio, Mark/Cherwien, David. Let It Rip! At the Piano, vol. 2. Augsburg ISBN 0-8006-7580-0
               [2003]

The anthem "But the Lord Is Mindful of His Own" by Felix Mendelssohn is scored for SATB voices and organ. It is published by Schirmer 4431 [1905] (E-M). 

Suggestions for offertory music, following through on the song of preparation or on the closing hymn can be found in:

HOUSTON [I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light]
Organ:
             Biery, James S. Twentieth Century Hymn Tune Settings. Morningstar MSM 10-863 [1995]
             (E-M)
             Osterland, Karl. Lift One Voice. Augsburg 11-11039 [2000] (E-M)
             Wold, Wayne. L. (1998) Augsburg Organ Library - Epiphany. Augsburg 11-11073 [2001] (E-M)

Piano:
             Hamilton, Gregory. As the Grains of Wheat. Augsburg ISBN 0-8006-7577-0 [2003] (M)
             Sedio, Mark. Once Led to Your Font. Augsburg Fortress ISBN 0-8006-7785-4 [2005] (M)

Handbells:
             Behnke, John. I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light. Concordia 97-6611 [1996] (3 or 5
             octaves, level 2)

AR HYD Y NOS [Go, My Children, with My Blessing]
Organ:
              Burkhardt, Michael. Seven Hymn Improvisations and Free Accompaniments set 1 Morningstar
             MSM-10-847 [1992] (E-M)
             Cherwien, David. Interpretations, bk. 8. AMSI SP-105 [1991] (E-M)
             Ferguson, John. A Wedding Triptych. Morningstar MSM-10-650 [2003] (E-M)
             Haan, Raymond H. Welsh Hymn Tune Preludes. SMP KK426 [1989] (E-M)
             Harris, David S. Ten Hymn Preludes in Trio Style, set 2. H. W. Grey GB643 [1978] (E)
             Hildebrand, Kevin. Musica Sacra: Easy Hymn Preludes for Organ, vol. 3. Concordia 97-7052
              [2004] (E-M)
             Jordan, Alice. Worship Service Music for the Organist. Broadman 4570-27 [1975] (E-M)
             Stoldt, Frank. Five Hymn Settings. Morningstar MSM-10-931 [1988] (E-M)
             Wood, Dale. Seven Folk Tune Sketches. H. W. Grey GB 357 [1966] (E-M)

Piano:
             Leavitt, John. A Mighty Fortress Sacred Reflections for Piano. Concordia 97-7254 [2007] (M)
             Shackley, Larry. Celtic Hymn Settings for Piano. Hope 8117 [2001] (M)

Alternative harmonizations on the closing hymn can be found in the following resources:

Alternative Harmonization for Organ:
             Burkhardt, Michael. As Though the Whole Creation Cried. Morningstar MSM-10-555 [2001]
              Burkhardt, Michael. Seven Hymn Improvisations and Free Accompaniments, set 1. Morningstar
             MSM-10-847 [1992]
              Eggert, John. Creative Hymn Accompaniments for Organ, vol. 2. CPH97-6851 [2000]
             Ferguson, John. Hymn Harmonizations for Organ, bk. 2. Ludwig O-07 [1983]
             Hobby, Robert A. Three Evening Hymns, set 2. Morningstar MSM-10-514 [1998]

Alternative Harmonization for Piano:
             Albrecht, Mark. Let It Rip! At the Piano. Augsburg 11-11045 [2000]

The organ postlude Prelude and Fugue in F Major by J. S. Bach is one of the 8 Little Preludes and Fugues. This piece can be found in many different editions.

Liturgy Notes

1. The Call to Worship can point to the theme of prayer from the opening of the service. The worship leader or pastor can explain that in some traditions all worship is called the time of prayer; when worshipers go to church, they "go to prayer." Reading Lord's Day 46 responsively as our "coming to prayer" can surround the entire service with an awareness of prayer. To reprint for personal use, a ministry setting, or classroom use, include this credit line: © 1987, CRC Publications, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Reprinted with permission. Here is the text of Lord's Day 46:
             Why did Christ command us to call God "Our Father"?
             At the very beginning of our prayer
             Christ wants to kindle in us
             what is basic to our prayer—
             the childlike awe and trust
             that God through Christ has become our Father.
             Our fathers do not refuse us
             the things of this life;
             God our Father will even less refuse to give us
             what we ask in faith.
             Why the words "in heaven"?
             These words teach us
             not to think of God's heavenly majesty
             as something earthly,
             and to expect everything
             for body and soul
             from his almighty power.   (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 46)

2. The Children's Moment could either include comments and teachings about prayer in general. Perhaps include indications of the different kinds of communication we have with our earthly fathers: we ask, we say thanks, or we come for help, even cry—just as it is with God. The Children's Moment may also lead into a time of confession by pointing out that, just as sometimes we need to apologize to our parents, so we need to do the same with our heavenly Father.

3. For the prayers of confession, each week you may either rely on your own formulations of this prayer or draw from the many resources available in The Worship Sourcebook (TWS), section 2.2.

4. In each of these services both an Old Testament and a New Testament reading will be paired together to present the message that prayer is a discipline of both covenants.

5. We suggest that in this series of services the Prayers of the People be an extended responsive paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer, according to either the Heidelberg Catechism or the Westminster Shorter Catechism. We acknowledge that the form included in this service from the Heidelberg Catechism is rather lengthy. You may choose to shorten it by deleting certain parts, though be careful to retain its proper content. Here is the version of the Lord's Prayer which includes phrases from the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
             Our Father in Heaven
             hallowed be your name.
             We draw near to you with all holy reverence and confidence,
             coming as children to a father able and ready to help us
             as we pray together and for others.
             Enable us and others to glorify you in all that we do
            as we live and work in the creation that displays your power and mercy,
             and be pleased to dispose all things to your own glory.
             Your kingdom come.
             We pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed
             and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced,
             ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it,
             and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.
             Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
             We pray that you, by your grace, would make us able and willing
             to know, obey, and submit to your will in all things,
             as the angels do in heaven.
             Give us this day our daily bread.
             We pray that of your free gift we may receive a sufficient portion
             of the good things of this life, and enjoy your blessing with them.
             And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
             We pray that you, for Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins-
             and we are encouraged to ask this because by your grace
             we are able from the heart to forgive others.
             And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
             We pray that you would either keep us from being tempted to sin,
             or support and deliver us when we are tempted.
             For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
             and the glory, forever.
             We take our encouragement in prayer from you only,
             and in our prayers we praise you,
             ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to you.
             And to testify of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.   (based on Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q&A's 100-107, TWS 4.4.12)

This weekly worship service has been provided for your use and encouragement by Howard Vanderwell and Norma de Waal Malefyt, Resource Development Specialists at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. You can reach them with your suggestions and comments at howard.vanderwell@calvin.edu or norma.malefyt@calvin.edu.

Any materials included here from The Worship Sourcebook are used by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, CRC Publications. This permission is granted for one time worship use in an order of service for a congregation, or in a special program or lesson resource, provided that no part of such reproduction is sold, directly or indirectly. For all other uses, please contact the copyright holder.