A threefold pattern of praising, listening, and responding is how Christians pray. We honor God and give thanks. Then we listen to God through Bible readings, in quiet moments of intentional waiting for God’s voice, and sometimes through other people’s words. And finally we respond to God, giving the love of our hearts and the renewed dedication of our lives, interceding for others, and receiving a blessing. Whether we are young or old, in families or as individuals, accustomed to formal prayers or spontaneous ones, Christians naturally pray in this three-part form. This collection of prayers reflects this familiar way of praying.
The words of these prayers are taken directly from the Bible or use words minimally adapted from it. In each service we read a psalm portion, a Gospel text, and another scripture passage. The structure of the services, the three calls—to praise, discipleship, and intercession—use scripture words, as do the words of thanksgiving and (in the evening) confession. Every service includes a Gospel song—of Zechariah, Mary, or Simeon—or a recitation of the Beatitudes or an early Christian hymn. In each service we pray the Lord’s Prayer and hear a biblical benediction.
Early Anabaptists learned much scripture by heart; we hope that those who use these services will be inspired to do the same. We trust that by praying these scripture-saturated prayers, you will find your moments and your days and nights suffused with “the remembered Word,” a hallmark of Anabaptist spirituality.