Never Think That You are Alone. Never.
I have heard from folks who are enjoying the Treasury of Daily Prayer that they are a bit uncertain about using the order of Matins and Vespers or Compline, in the middle of the book, because they think these orders are really not appropriate for personal/private use, but really for a group of people in a church service. A pastor even recently told me he doesn’t understand how the Order of Matins can be used as a personal order of prayer and mediation on God’s Word. I think this is an understandable reaction, though a mistaken one. Here’s why. I believe that there is among us a fundamental misunderstanding about what precisely we mean when we say we “private prayer and mediation on God’s Word.” When we use the word “private” or “personal” we assume that this means we are actually alone, and truly by ourselves. The truth is that while we may be “in private” we are never alone when we pray.
First, the Holy Spirit is with us constantly, often providing words and sighs and groans too deep for words, when our words fail, the Holy Spirit strengthens us. Second, the Living Christ and in fact, the Blessed Holy Trinity, is with us in a mysterious indwelling and communion. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who never acts as a “free agent” but is always, and ever, with us, in communion with the entire Holy Trinity. Then, there is the mysterious Body of Christ, the holy Christian Church, in which we are constantly in communion, even when we are physically alone. And so, it is entirely appropriate that we pray Matins, even when we are alone, because at all times we are, actually, in truth, never alone. We are always praying with the Church. We are, in Christ, and therefore, where Christ is, there is His body. Here is how Luther put it, very nicely:
Never think that you are kneeling or standing alone, rather think that the whole of Christendom, all devout Christians, are standing there beside you and you are standing among them in a common, united petition, which God cannot disdain. Luther, AE 43:198
HT: Weedon.
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Amen… Amen.
I needed to hear this. Thanks.
I concur. This came at an extremely important time for me as well.
Thanks.
The heavenly Liturgy goes on continually. We just drop in from time to time.
I pray Vespers “on my own” from the hymnal. When praying by myself I find it worthwhile to take my time. I read a psalm and a lesson out loud by looking down at a phrase, looking up, and then saying the phrase. This gives me time to savor and react to what I am reading. When I get to the prayers, I pray the Lord’s Prayer, Psalm, or a portion of the catechism by considering the meaning of each petition or verse and converting it to an informal prayer of thanks, confession, or request rather than by simple recitation. I find this much more edifying than simply buzzing through the rite with a few selected collects. Likewise, one shouldn’t be afraid to alter or omit versicles and responses that seem inappropriate. These rites are not incantations that must be done correctly, they are simply forms to shape our prayers and to enable us to prayer together when we gather in Jesus name.
Rev. McCain
“The Treasury” is a rich asset for the entire church. Whether we feel we are alone or gather together in person with other saints of God.
We began a morning matins here in February thinking that I would be alone in that chancel.I was wrong on so many levels, Luther makes that point so directly. And since we have begun here with that service I have always had members attend, every single day.
Thanks be to God for this “Treasury” and of course even more so, thanks for the treasure of Jesus Christ who freely gives us the wealth in heaven which will never fade.
Thank you for all you do in the Name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Larry
This blog is used so very much in the lives of both my wife and me. I truly praise our Lord for it. This particular post was such an encouragement to me; I love how the Holy Spirit not only comforts us but uses brothers and sisters to build us up in the most holy faith. What a wonderful God we have!
Thanks for this post. I think you have helped and encouraged a lot of people. I feel alone sometimes, and this reminds me that I never am, that the one who loves me most is always there.
I love how the TDP connects us from the Divine Service on Sunday through the daily readings and prayers rooted in our liturgy and confessions.
What a blessing it is!