June/July 2009
The Treasury of Daily Prayer

Some thoughts to stimulate your Daily Life of Prayer (adapted from an
Article by Dr. Gene Edward Veith).

Have you the desire for a richer and deeper life of quiet time and prayer? If so, you might want to consider the newly released publication from Concordia Publishing House entitled Treasury of Daily Prayer.

I have found the book easy to follow and use every day. It is put together in such a manner that you might spend as much time or as little time as each day allows.

For each day, the “Treasury” gives brief, but substantive readings from the Psalms, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. Then comes a “Writing” from a church father–who may be any one from Chrysostom to Luther or more recent divines–usually commenting on one of the texts. Then comes a hymn verse followed by the collect for the day (that is, a historic prayer).

Each day’s readings are only a few pages, which means that I don’t get bogged down and later abandon the project for lack of time. The Bible readings are not full chapters, but they are meaningful chunks of Scripture. Nevertheless, in the course of a year, you would read the entire New Testament and one-third of the Old Testament. Reading the Psalms, the Old Testament, and the New Testament in this way dramatizes powerfully and devotionally how the Word of God is self-interpreting and how Christ is everywhere in the Bible. The “Writings” remind me how I am part of a rich heritage that extends back through time and that the Gospel does not just derive from the Reformation, but is present also in medieval and ancient Christianity. Another advantage is that I know other members who are also using it, and I know we are reading and praying the same things, a wonderful manifestation of the communion of the saints. The result of all of this is a rich daily devotion.

The “Treasury” also includes other devotional resources, from model prayers for various occasions, to orders of worship for individuals, families, or small groups. You can even pray the “offices,” those four, five or six-a-day meditations that the monks did, though you will follow a more evangelical or gospel centered prayer life.

I bring this up now because The Treasury of Daily Prayer is now on sale! During the month of May, you can get it half-price!

Concordia’s toll-free number is: 1-800-325-3040.
The special pricing is:
Regular edition, $49.99, now $24.99.
Deluxe edition, $79.99, is now $39.99.

Concordia Publishing House is offering special pricing throughout the month of May on the “Treasury of Daily Prayer”. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the rest of Eastertide and the Pentecost festival, than by encouraging the members of Grace Congregation to
embrace a richer, deeper life of prayer and meditation on the Word of God. In my opinion, there is no better single resource to aid and strengthen you in your prayer life, than the Treasury of Daily Prayer.

In His Precious name,

Pastor Froh