Psalm 119:33-40
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
and I will observe it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
for your ordinances are good.
40 See, I have longed for your precepts;
The story goes that one day while he was getting a haircut, Martin Luther was asked by his barber, Peter Beskendorf, “Dr. Luther, how do you pray?” In answer to his question, Luther sent Beskendorf a letter—40 printed pages in length! Luther’s “prayer plan,” as it turned out, was a combination of Bible study and prayer. In order to give his barber an easy plan by which to formulate prayers on the thoughts of his Bible study, Luther said he should ask the four questions to a text and then weave them into his prayer based on the answers Scripture gives him.
- What does this Bible lesson teach me to do? (Main Theme)
- What does it teach me to be thankful for? (Specific Gospel)
- What does it teach me to confess? (Specific Sin)
- What does it teach me to ask for? (Sanctification)
Luther’s Four Big Barber Questions are not only a great way to develop a productive prayer life, but they are also a good way of studying the Bible.
I encourage you today to use the psalm verses above and ask these four questions. You may want to take some notes to help you in formulating the prayer for today.
Dear God, I thank you for your Word, the light unto my path and the lamp unto my feet.
Direct me to do ….
Today I give thanks for ….
For the things I have done and left undone, I confess….
All that is good is a gift from you. In humble adoration, I ask for ….
For these I pray today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.