By Trevin Wax, TGC.
The best prayers are geared first to the affections. That’s one reason Thomas Cranmer’s Book of Common Prayer has endured for centuries.
As I talk to younger pastors and seminary students these days, I sense a hunger for incorporating older liturgical practices from high-church traditions into Baptist and nondenominational churches known more for informal worship.
Some of this comes from a desire for rootedness—to show, not simply say, that we belong to the church through the ages. Others figure out that every church develops some kind of liturgical rhythm, whether acknowledged or not, so why not ensure the pattern is robust and intentional? Still others react against worship that feels superficial, focused on the emotional state of the worshiper rather than the truth about God. It’s no surprise, then, that we see renewed interest in reciting the ancient creeds or embedding doctrinal truth into songs and prayers.
Alongside this trend is a rise in personal devotionals and prayer guides—resources that include creeds, confessions of sin, and written prayers from our forebears. For more than 20 years, I’ve benefited from these resources, and in my 30 Days series I’ve sought to contribute something helpful myself.