Out of the entire book there were five prayers that were used most.
A short prayer that Daddy read every morning, a short one he read at bedtime. Sunday mornings he used to read a longer one, and several times a month he read one two paged prayer that prayed specifically for children. I always felt special when he read that prayer.
Here are the first few lines of that prayer:
Ach Herr! lieber getreuer Gott und Vater Schopfer und Erhalter aller Creaturen! gib uns doch auch die Gnade, dasz wir unsere Kinder in der Zucht und Vermahnung zum Herrn und in aller Gerechtigkeit auserziehen konnen, Du woolest auch unsern Kindern Gnaden schenken und ihnen die Gabe des heiligen Geistes erteilen. Entzunde in ihnen die wahre Furcht Gottes, welche der Weisheit Anfang ist.
Oh Lord! loving faithful God and Father creator and keeper of all creation! give us grace that we can raise our children in nurture and admonition of the Lord in all righteousness. You want to give our children grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Kindle in them the true fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom.
Then there was the prayer used at every church service that took fifteen minutes to read.
A little over half (158 pages) are prayers, and then the articles of faith, rules of a Godly life, and a few poems fill the rest of this 269 page prayer book.
The prayer you shared with us is lovely. Catholics have prayer books, too, but praying from the heart is always encouraged! Of course, our Rosary is so beloved.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a lovely prayer.
DeleteGood morning,
ReplyDeleteSooo interesting !! I'm sure these are special times and words you hold dear to your heart. I think every church has certain prayers that are recited quite frequently. The Lords prayer and such come to mind. I still cherish the quiet times I utter my words from my heart through out each day, at the most random times. I find it a privelage to do so, and, so thankful for such a loving and graceful Lord, that he listens know matter what or where I am. He knows our heart .... AMEN .....
Hoping your day to be a blessed and happy GOOD FRIDAY :):)
~Tanza~
I too have noticed that people can say basically the same prayer even though it has never been written.
DeleteWhat a delightful little prayer that is.
ReplyDeleteAs I read it again while posting I was struck by how much more meaningful it was than I had realized. Maybe because I'm a mother now ......
DeleteVery interesting and a beautiful prayer. I had heard before that personal prayers were discouraged strongly, but didn't know the reason why.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the education and understanding you're providing for us.
Blessings,
Betsy
Glad you are enjoying this series.
DeleteI heard (and this may be completely wrong) that most Amish have only the German version of the Bible in their homes and this prayer book is only in German. The younger generations cannot read German as well as the older generations and so they must rely on others for what the meaning is. The bishops like it this way because they do not encourage independent Bible reading. They want to be the only one who want to interpret what the Bible means. (Forgive me if this information is wrong.)
ReplyDeleteWe used to have Bibles that had German and English side by side. Bible study was discouraged. German was our third language and only for Bible, much was not understood.
DeleteLutherans and Episcopalians also have Prayer Books, which include both the Order of Service, and prayers for personal use, but speaking directly to God is encouraged.
ReplyDeleteIn German, God is generally addressed as "Du", which is the intimate form of you - used to speak to a parent, child, or special friend. It seems odd to be forbidden to speak to your "Father" as easily as you would speak to your "father".
I don't think I could ever go back to using only this prayer book. Praying/talking from your heart means so much more.
DeleteSuch a nice book to have! I would use it, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there is an English version of that prayerbook...perhaps for more 'new order' Amish? If so, I would like to get one.
ReplyDeleteI think they have translated the prayer book recently. I'll check and get back to you on that.
DeleteI bought that little prayer book at an Amish store decades ago. It has been inspirational to read the prayers and the rules for a godly life. Such wisdom. Thanks for the memories. I think I will get it out again.
ReplyDeleteThe rules for a Godly life are thought provoking.
DeleteMary Ann, thank you for this series. I am enjoying it very much. I actually have a copy of "Rules for a Godly Life" it is dog-eared, highlighted and read by me often. It is a wonderful reminder of the lives we are meant to lead as children of God.
DeleteWhat a beautiful keepsake and treasure! And prayers are so important. I love your blog, and will be following you!
ReplyDeleteIt is a keepsake that I plan to hang on to. Glad you enjoy my blog!
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