Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 12

Concerning the Invocation of Saints – part 12

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Matthew 7:7–11

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Today’s Scripture Jigsaw

  Click for a recording of today's lesson.

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

There is such a promise concerning Christ. “If you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name” (John 16:23). There is no such promise with the saints. Therefore consciences cannot be firmly confident that we are heard by invoking the saints. Such an invocation, therefore, is not made from faith.

Pulling It Together

Jesus is teaching us to have confidence in God each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, saying “Our Father.” Who else addresses the Father than his children? And because we have faith that “He is our true Father, and that we are his true children...we may ask him confidently with all assurance, as dear children ask their dear father” (Small Catechism). A true father gives his children those “good gifts” that they need. This is the promise of God in Scripture. Ask of the Father in the Son’s name, and your prayer will be answered. Who is able to ask with such confidence of Paul or Peter or any other saint? 

Prayer: Increase, O Lord, my confidence in your will to answer my prayers. Amen

Next Lesson

Log in to add a comment

Click Here For Content Archives