A Month in Prayer - 2013
Praying the Prayers of the Reformers October 22
John Calvin (1509-1564)
Calvin was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal founder of the theology known as Calvinism. Reformed, Congregational, and Presbyterian churches all look to Calvin as their father.
“Believers do not pray with the view of informing God
about things unknown to him,
or of exciting him to do his duty,
or of urging him as though he were reluctant.
On the contrary, they pray in order that they may
arouse themselves to seek him,
that they may exercise their faith in meditating on his promises, that they may relieve themselves from their anxieties
by pouring them into his bosom;
in a word, that they may declare that
from him alone they hope and expect,
both for themselves and for others,
all good things.”
“We ought to contemplate providence
not as curious and fickle persons are wont to do
but as a ground of confidence and excitement to prayer. When He informs us that the hairs of our head
are all numbered it is not to encourage trivial speculations but to instruct us to depend on the fatherly care of God which is exercised over these frail bodies.”
about things unknown to him,
or of exciting him to do his duty,
or of urging him as though he were reluctant.
On the contrary, they pray in order that they may
arouse themselves to seek him,
that they may exercise their faith in meditating on his promises, that they may relieve themselves from their anxieties
by pouring them into his bosom;
in a word, that they may declare that
from him alone they hope and expect,
both for themselves and for others,
all good things.”
“We ought to contemplate providence
not as curious and fickle persons are wont to do
but as a ground of confidence and excitement to prayer. When He informs us that the hairs of our head
are all numbered it is not to encourage trivial speculations but to instruct us to depend on the fatherly care of God which is exercised over these frail bodies.”
Blessing before a Meal
O LORD,
in whom is the source and inexhaustible fountain of all good things, pour out thy blessing upon us,
and sanctify to our use the meat and drink
which are the gifts of thy kindness towards us,
that we, using them soberly and frugally
as thou enjoinest, may eat with a pure conscience.
Grant, also,
that we may always both with true heartfelt gratitude acknowledge, and with our lips proclaim thee our Father and the giver of all good, and, while enjoying bodily nourishment,
aspire with special longing of heart after the bread of thy doctrine,
by which our souls may be nourished in the hope of eternal life, through Christ Jesus our Lord.
AMEN.
John Calvin (1509-1564)
Lord,
save us from being
self-centered in our prayers
and teach us to remember
to pray for others.
May we be so bound up in love
with those for whom we pray,
that we may feel their needs
as acutely as our own,
and interceded for them with sensitivity,
with understanding
and with imagination.
John Calvin (1509-1564)
Grant, Almighty God,
that as you shine on us by your word,
we may not be blind at midnight,
nor willfully seek darkness,
and thus lull our minds asleep.
But may we be roused daily by your words,
and may we stir up ourselves more and more to fear your name
and thus present ourselves and all our pursuits,
as a sacrifice to you,
that you may peaceably rule,
and perpetually dwell in us,
until you gather us to your kingdom,
where there is reserved for us eternal rest and glory
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
October 22 - John Calvin (1509-1564)
Calvin was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal founder of the theology known as Calvinism. Reformed, Congregational, and Presbyterian churches all look to Calvin as their father. Originally trained as a lawyer, he broke with the Roman Catholic Church around 1530 and devoted his life to the Protestant church. He was forced to flee his native France and served Protestants in Basil, Strasbourg, and Geneva
Calvin was a prolific writer. His seminal work is The Institutes of the Christian Religion which he revised throughout his life. He also exchanged letters with many reformers and political figures. In addition to the Institutes, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible, as well as theological treatises, service books, catechisms, and confessional documents. He regularly preached sermons throughout the week and during his time in Geneva he preached over 2000 sermons. He also recognized the power of music in worship and encouraged the singing of the Psalms. Calvin worked so tirelessly that little is known of his personal life. His friends urged him to marry and suggested different candidates but Calvin delayed. They were startled when he made his own choice and married a widow with two children who was described as quite pretty. Idelette and Calvin were not married long, but he felt a deep tenderness for her. At her death he wrote, “I have been bereaved of the best friend of my life, of one who, if it has been so ordained, would willingly have shared not only my poverty but also my death. During her life she was the faithful helper of my ministry. From her I never experienced the slightest hindrance.”
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