To Be a Christian: The Anglican Catechism in a Year

Today is day 240 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Prayer. 240. With what attitude should you pray? I should pray with humility, love, and a ready openness to hear and do God’s will. (2 Chronicles 7:13–15; Psalms 31; 46:10–11; Luke 18:9–14; Philippians 4:4–7) We will conclude today with Prayer 97. Preparation for Personal Prayer found on page 675 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you wou...

Today is day 239 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Prayer. 239. What types of prayer are not included in the Lord’s Prayer? Other types of prayer are thanksgiving, by which I give thanks to God for his providential goodness and answers to my prayers; and oblation, by which I offer to him all that I am and all that I do. (2 Samuel 22; Psalm 63; Luke 1:38; 22:39–44; Romans 12:1; Hebrews 10:1–25;...

Today is day 238 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Prayer. 238. What is confession? In confession, I acknowledge my sins in repentance before God and receive his forgiveness. (Nehemiah 1:4–11; Psalm 51; Jeremiah 36:1–3; Luke 23:39–43; Acts 2:14–41; 2 Corinthians 7:2–12; 1 John 1:9) We will conclude today with The Confession of the Daily Office found on page 12 of the Book of Common Prayer (201...

Today is day 237 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Prayer. 237. What is intercession? In intercession, I make requests to God on behalf of others, the Church, and the world. (Exodus 32:1–14; Psalm 20; John 17:6–26; Ephesians 3:14–21; 6:18–20) We will conclude today with Prayer 40. For All Sorts and Conditions of Men found on page 658 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to bu...

Today is day 236 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Prayer. 236. What is petition? In petition, I make requests to God on my own behalf for his provision and protection. (1 Samuel 1; 2 Kings 20:1–7; Psalm 86; John 17:1–5; 2 Corinthians 12:1–10; Philippians 4:6–7) We will conclude today with Prayer 98. For the Acceptance of Prayer found on page 675 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you wou...

Today is day 235 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Prayer. 235. What is praise? In praise, I glorify and adore God for his holiness, his sovereign rule over all, and his salvation given in Jesus Christ. (Exodus 15:1–21; Psalm 111; Luke 1:39–56; Ephesians 1:3–14) We will conclude today with Psalm 150 found on page 467 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To...

Today is day 234 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Prayer. 234. What types of prayer are in the Lord’s Prayer? The Lord’s Prayer includes praise, petition, intercession, and confession to God. (Matthew 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4) We will conclude today with Prayer 97. Preparation for Personal Prayer found on page 675 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Ch...

Today is day 233 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Prayer. 233. Are there different ways to pray? Yes. Prayer can be private or public, liturgical or extemporaneous, spoken or silent. (1 Samuel 1:1–20; 1 Kings 8:22–61; Psalm 142; Matthew 11:25–28; Mark 1:35–39; Luke 6:12–16; Hebrews 5:7–10) We will conclude today with Prayer 89. For Seeking God found on page 672 of the Book of Common Prayer (2...

Today is day 232 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture. 232. How should you “inwardly digest” Scripture? I should meditate on Scripture and let it shape my thoughts and prayers. As I absorb Scripture, it deepens my knowledge of God, becomes the lens through which I understand my life and the world around me, and guides my attitudes and actions. (Joshua 1:1–9; Psalms 1:2; 119:1–8, 113–28;...

Today is day 231 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture. 231. How should you “learn” the Bible? I should seek to know the whole sweep of Scripture and to memorize key passages for my own spiritual growth and for sharing with others. (Psalm 119:9–16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:10–17) We will conclude today with Prayer 75. For Holy Thought found on page 668 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If yo...

Today is day 230 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture. 230. How should you “mark” passages of Scripture? I should study the Bible attentively, noting key verses and themes, as well as connections between passages in the Old and New Testaments. I should study on my own and with other Christians, using trustworthy commentaries and other resources to grasp the full meaning of God’s Word. (...

Today is day 229 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture. 229. How should you “read” the Bible? I should read the Bible daily, following the Church’s set readings (lectionaries)or following a pattern of my own choosing. (Deuteronomy 17:18–20; Psalm 119:97–112; Acts 8:26–40) We will conclude today with Prayer 88. For Daily Growth found on page 672 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you...

Today is day 228 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture. 228. How should you “hear” the Bible? I should hear the Bible through regular participation in the Church’s worship, in which I join in reciting Scripture, hear it read and prayed, and listen to its truth proclaimed. (Nehemiah 8:1–8, 18; Psalm 81; Luke 4:16–30; 1 Timothy 4:6–16; Revelation 1:1–3) We will conclude today with The Bish...

Today is day 227 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture. 227. How should the Holy Scriptures shape your daily life? I should “hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them” that by the sustaining power of God’s Word, I may grow in grace and hold fast to the hope given to me in Jesus Christ. (Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer 2019; see also Deuteronomy...

Today is day 226 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture, Prayer, and Worship. 226. What nurtures a fruitful life of prayer? My life of prayer is fed by the regular reading of Scripture, practice of personal prayer, and corporate worship of God. The ancient threefold rule of the Church encourages weekly Communion, the Daily Office, and private devotions to shape this way of life. (Psalm 1;...

Today is day 225 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture, Prayer, and Worship. 225. What can hinder your regular prayers? My prayers may be hindered by many things, such as lethargy or loss, selfishness or sin, distractions or difficulties, or seasons of spiritual dryness. With God’s help, a rule of prayer strengthens me to overcome all these. (1 Kings 19:1–18; Psalm 116; Matthew 26:36–46;...

Today is day 224 and we are studying A Rule of Prayer: Scripture, Prayer, and Worship. 224. What is a “rule” of prayer? A rule of prayer is a regular discipline by which I cultivate a life of prayer and grow to love and glorify God more fully. (Psalms 5:1–3; 119:164; Daniel 6:6–13; Mark 1:35–39; Luke 5:12–16; Ephesians 6:10–20) We will conclude today with A Collect for Purity found on page 106 of...

Today is day 223 and we are on the section of the Doxology and the Amen. 223. Why do you end the Lord’s Prayer by saying “Amen”? By saying “Amen,” which means “so be it,” I declare my agreement with the prayer. I unite with the faithful, and together we pray as Jesus commanded, believing that our petitions please the Father, and trusting that he will hear and answer us. (Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6; Psalm...

Today is day 222 and we are on the section of the Doxology and the Amen. 222. What does “kingdom, power, and glory” mean? Mirroring the first half of the Lord’s Prayer, the Church rejoices that God is already reigning over all creation, working out his holy will, and hallowing his Name in earth and heaven. (1 Chronicles 29:11–13; Revelation 5:11–14) We will conclude today with the Doxology of Cant...

Today is day 221 and we are on the section of the Doxology and the Amen. 221. What is the doxology of the Lord’s Prayer? The doxology often added to the Lord’s Prayer is “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13). A doxology is a short phrase or hymn giving glory to God. (Ephesians 3:20–21; 1 Timothy 1:17) We will conclude today with the Lord's...

Today is day 220 and we are on the section The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 220. How does God deliver you from evil? Jesus has conquered the dominion of darkness and now grants me victory over sin and evil through the Holy Spirit. He transforms my mind and heart to see and oppose evil, and gives me the power to overcome it. He gives me strength to endure my trials gracefully and m...

Today is day 219 and we are on the section The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 219. From what evil do you seek to be delivered? I seek to be delivered from my own fallen inclination toward evil. I also seek God’s deliverance from the devil; from the dangers of the day and night; from sorrow, sickness, and horror; from injustice and oppression; and from everlasting damnation. (Psalm 9...

In this bonus podcast for day 219, we are praying the Great Litany found on page 91 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). The prayer is prescribed for Question 219 but is too long for a normal daily episode.

Today is day 218 and we are on the section The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 218. How does God redeem evil? Though disaster, disease, death, and the evil deeds of his creatures may cause great harm and suffering, the almighty and all wise God can use them to bring about his good purposes, both in the world and in my life. (Genesis 50:20; Romans 5:3–5; 8:28; Hebrews 12:3–11) We will...

Today is day 217 and we are on the section The Seventh Petition: "But deliver us from evil". 217. How does God overcome evil in this world? God has triumphed over all the powers of evil through the death, resurrection, and ascension of his Son, Jesus Christ. God will finally destroy all evil, including death, at the end of the age. (Psalms 46; 110:1; Isaiah 52:7–10; Daniel 7:9–14; Luke 21:25–28; 1...