Another Luther Prayer
We continue through Advent, a penitential season in the Church Year, with a look at another Luther prayer.
Oh behold. My Lord Jesus Christ, my misery: needy and poor am I and yet so loathe to accept Thy remedy that I do not sigh for the riches of Thy grace. Set aflame in me, O Lord, the desire for Thy grace and faith in Thy promise that I may not offend Thee, my most gracious God, by my perverse unbelief and satiety.
In an accompanying footnote: “Luther suggests this prayer to those who feel themselves spiritually cold and dull. After offering it he continued; ‘With this confidence in divine mercy and in fear of oneself and one’s own unfitness and unworthiness man should go to the Sacrament.’ ” [Quoted from What Luther Says: A Practical In-Home Anthology for the Active Christian Concordia Publishing House]
If you are feeling spiritually “cold and dull” and you need this prayer, while at this moment you may not ne able to receive the Lord’s Supper, you can rest assured in the Sacrament of your Baptism. In that baptism you have The Words of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. The Father is merciful and will strenghten your faith, through the life and work of your Savior Jesus. Trusting the Promises of God, the Father; God, the Son; God, the Holy Spirit: your sins are forgiven. Amen! Gather soon, then, with other believers at the Table of the Lord.
Here is a prayer from the New Testament (Luke 1):
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
because he has looked with favor on the humble state of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is
his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones.
He has lifted up the lowly.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1&version=EHV>
Go, with sins forgiven. Proclaim the greatness of the Lord!
And Pray…
Steve Skiver