Whether we maye vse anye other praier but the pa ter noster.
The Master's Question
The Master asks whether it is lawful to use any other words of prayer besides the Lord's Prayer.
Master. What do you think—is it lawful for us to use any other words of prayer?
The Scholar's Answer
The Scholar explains that while the Lord's Prayer contains all necessary topics, Christ did not forbid other words; rather, He gave principal points to guide all prayer, and each person may ask according to present need, as Christ promised to grant whatever is asked in His name.
Scholar. Although this short summary contains everything every Christian ought to pray for, Christ hasn't, in this prayer, boxed us in so tightly that we aren't allowed to use other words and forms of prayer.1 But he has laid out in this prayer certain key points, to which all our prayers should be directed.2 But let each person ask God for what his current need requires. "Whatever you ask the Father in my name," says Christ, "he will give it to you."
Read the original English
Maist. How thinkest thou… is it lawfull for vs, to vse any other wordes of prayer?
Scho. Althoughe in thys short abridgement are suffiently conteyned all thinges that euery Christian ought to praye for: yet hathe not Christe in thys prayer tyed vs vp so shorte, as that it we are not lawfull for vs to vse other woordes and maner of prayer. But he hathe set out in this prayer certain principall poyntes, whearvnto all our prayers should he referred. But let eche mā aske of God as hys present nede requireth. Whatsoeuer ye aske the Father in my name (saith Christ) he shall gyue it you.
Notes
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit