In his Small Catechism, Martin Luther drew upon Christian tradition, practical considerations, and personal experience to provide a short pattern of daily prayers This pattern is still useful for us even if we have the time and inclination for other devotions.
MORNING PRAYER
In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the sign of the cross and say:
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank You, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray You to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER
In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the sign of the cross and say:
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank You, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day, and I pray You to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
(Adapted from the Small Catechism)
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