Too many people see the Small Catechism as “that book” from confirmation class. Now, the Catechism sits gathering dust on a shelf or tucked away in a box—somewhere. In his preface to the Large Catechism, Luther wrote:

I beg these lazy-bellies and presumptuous saints, for God’s sake, to get it into their heads that they are not really and truly such learned and great doctors as they think. . . . Even if their knowledge of Catechism were perfect (though that is impossible in this life), yet it is highly profitable and fruitful daily to read it and make it the subject of meditation and conversation.

As the Catechism is a succinct teaching of the Scriptures, it should be a regular part of the life of the believer. We never grow past our need to hear and learn the Commandments, Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Confession, and the Lord’s Supper. Rev. Pless states in the first chapter, “[T]o pray the catechism is to learn how to speak to God the Father in the name of the Son through the Holy Spirit who calls us to faith in the Gospel.”

Praying Luther’s Small Catechism offers a framework for using the Catechism as it was used during the Reformation—as a prayer book.

In the Ten Commandments chapter, Pless walks through each commandment and explanation following the pattern for each Commandment:

• Instruction – What is God teaching me?
• Thanksgiving – What gift is God protecting for me?
• Confession – How have I failed to keep this Commandment?
• Petition – Asking God’s help to observe the Commandment.

Turning to the Creed, Pless offers a model of how we can pray to God in light of who God is as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. The chapter helps direct the reader how to confess who God is, pray, and give thanks for God’s gifts.

The book continues through the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Confession, and the Lord’s Supper, giving shape to our prayers as those who have received our Lord’s name in Baptism and are fed by Him in Communion.

I will freely admit, when I first saw this title was being released, I was skeptical. However, having read the book, it is an invaluable primer on prayer that every believer will benefit from.

Give it a try. It might get you to dust off your Catechism, and that is a good thing.

Pr. Sam Wellumson
Christ the King Free Lutheran Church
East Grand Forks, MN

Order your copy here: Ambassador Publications Online Store