In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Luther. (2017). Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (p. 128). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Luther. (2017). Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (p. 231). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.

Galatians 3:26 (ESV) — 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

The Central Thought

“I’ll give prayer a chance. What could it hurt?” Sometimes people seek help from God as a last resort or as an act of desperation.

What does praying on the outside chance that it might work or only as a last resort say about someone’s view of God?

 Read Luke 15:11–32, about the parable of the lost son. How is God portrayed here?

 ✠     As Christians, we confess that God welcomes us with open arms so that we can always approach Him in complete confidence as our dear Father on account of Christ, our Brother.

Say a prayer in which you thank God for the invitation and encouragement to pray.

Luther. (2017). Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (p. 237). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.

Heavenly Father, Your words give us boldness and confidence to acknowledge You as our true Father and ourselves as Your true children. May Your Holy Spirit lead us to trust in Your fatherly goodness, call upon Your name in every need, and glorify You as the author and giver of every good and perfect gift; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Luther. (2017). Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (p. 241). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.