LCMS Prayer

[LutheranHawkeye]

Hiya I'm new to these forums. I'm a member of the LCMS and I have a big questions about prayer. Is a prayer only valid if it is addressed to the trinity starting with the invocation(in the name of the Father/son/Holy Spirit) and ending in...in Jesus's name amen or could one just simply pray to Jesus, God, or the Holy Spirit. Another question about prayer I have is making the sign of the cross. Why has the LCMS not chosen an offical way to make the sign of the cross instead of suggesting either the RC or EO ways, and also does anyone use the sign of the cross, btw I do? My final question is about the Lutheran Rosary. I thought Luther condemned the rosary. I've been hearing about some elca people using the non marian rosary. Isn't this heresy? Thanks I hope I can get your input on this.

 

[DaRev]

Let me try to answer your questions...

Hiya I'm new to these forums. I'm a member of the LCMS and I have a big questions about prayer. Is a prayer only valid if it is addressed to the trinity starting with the invocation(in the name of the Father/son/Holy Spirit) and ending in...in Jesus's name amen or could one just simply pray to Jesus, God, or the Holy Spirit.

Prayer can be addressed to any or all of the persons of the Trinity. There is One God in Three Persons, so any of the persons can be prayed to. But we do not address prayer to anyone other than the One true God.
We conclude our prayers "in Jesus' Name" because our Lord told us in His word that what ever we ask in His name will be done for us. Our inclusion of "in Jesus' name" is a sign of our faith and trust in His promise.

Another question about prayer I have is making the sign of the cross. Why has the LCMS not chosen an offical way to make the sign of the cross instead of suggesting either the RC or EO ways, and also does anyone use the sign of the cross, btw I do?

I am an LCMS pastor and I make the sign of the cross. I do it similar to the EO way only because it is more natural and my hand ends up over my heart where Christ resides. The making of the sign of the cross is adiaphora and so no "official" statement or method exists. Some do it like the RCC, others like the EO, and many do it on their foreheads with their thumb.
The sign of the cross is not a magic work that somehow makes our prayer official or more powerful, but it is in reality a remembrance of our Baptism, where we can remember in whose name we are Baptized and to whom we belong.

My final question is about the Lutheran Rosary. I thought Luther condemned the rosary. I've been hearing about some elca people using the non marian rosary. Isn't this heresy? Thanks I hope I can get your input on this.

Luther's condemnation of the Rosary was in its use as a means of grace or a way of making our personal prayer more important. He also spoke against invoking or praying to anyone other than God Himself.
There is no official or uniform "Lutheran Rosary." I have seen a few different versions. The point is that saying a series of prayers may help someone in their personal meditations, but they hold no special power or purpose. A direct, personal ex corde (from the heart) prayer to God the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit is just as beneficial.

I hope this helps.

Blessings,
DaRev

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Thank you very much Rev. you answered all of my questions.

 

[Jim47]

Its nice to have you back on the forum Rev.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Is it absolutley neccessary to have "in jesus name" right before every amen. I've grown up in the faith usually just addressing my prayers to the trinity or jesus but never to the Father or to the Holy Spirit. What should we pray directly to the Father for? What should we pray directly to the Holy Spirit for? I'm guessing prayers to the Holy Spirit would be about increasing faith, and the Father for his grace?

 

[LutherNut]

Is it absolutley neccessary to have "in jesus name" right before every amen. I've grown up in the faith usually just addressing my prayers to the trinity or jesus but never to the Father or to the Holy Spirit.

Why wouldn't you want to pray in Jesus' name? He tells us in the Bible that whatever we ask in His name will be done for us.

What should we pray directly to the Father for? What should we pray directly to the Holy Spirit for? I'm guessing prayers to the Holy Spirit would be about increasing faith, and the Father for his grace?

Get one of those little blue Luther's Small Catechsim with Explanation and read up on the Lord's Prayer.



Jay

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

I have a catechism thank you very much . I read it and it brings up further questions. It says only believers in christ prayers are answered. So even if a non messianic jew prays to god he is not heard because he has no intercessor? When Jews prayed to God before the birth of Christ was Jesus still intercessing for them? BIG QUESTIONS happen when ya open the little blue book.