Martin Luther

Excerpts from 'Devotional Classics' edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith Martin Luther (1453-1546) Introduction to the Author Martin Luther is best known as the father of the Protestant Reformation. Born into a poor family in Eisleben, Germany, Luther sought to better himself by becoming a scholar. However, at the age of 20 he suffered a deep anxiety about his own salvation and entered and Augustinian monastery to soothe his religious conscience. Soon afterwards, he felt called into the priesthood and was ordained in 1507. While serving as a professor of biblical literature at Wittenberg in 1512, le lectured on Paul's letter to the Romans, an exercise that shaped his theological thinking - especially concerning salvation. In 1517 he composed the famous 95 theses and nailed them on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, registering his complaints with the Roman Catholic church and providing the impetus for the Protestant Reformation. Luther was not only a brilliant theologian but also a man of deep piety. The follow selections, compiled from three sources, demonstrates his insight into the subject of prayer. He was deeply influenced by the writings of St. Augustine and Bernatd of Clairvaux. Luther's faith was lively, earthly, and practical, his logic was powerful and his leadership skill unparalleled. As you read the following devotional selection you will be seated at the feet of one of the most influential men in the history of the Church. More importantly, his experience of God was deep and abiding. Excerpts from 'Table talk' 'Epistle Sermon, Fourth Sunday in Advent,' and 'Treatise on Good Works' 1. Prayer and Supplication By 'prayer' we understand simple formal words or expressions - as for instance, The Lord's Prayer and the Psalms - which sometimes express more than our request, In 'supplication' we strengthen prayer and make it effective by a certain form of persuasion. We entreat God by His Son, His saints, His promises, His name. 2. Petition and Thanksgiving 'Petitioning' is stating what we have at heart, naming the desire we express in prayer and supplication. In 'thanksgiving' we recount blessings received and thus strengthen our confidence and enable ourselves to wait trustingly for what we pray. 3. Prayer made vigorous Prayer is made vigorous by petitioning; urgent by supplication; by thanksgiving, pleasing and acceptable. Strength and acceptability combine to prevail and secure the petitioner. 4. Unceasing Prayer There is no Christian who does not have time to pray without ceasing. But I mean the spiritual praying, that is; no one is so heavily burdened with his labor, but that if he can, while working, speak with God in his heart, lay before Him his need and that of other men, ask for help, make petition and in all this exercise and strengthen his faith. 5. What to expect from Prayer We should pray by fixing our mind upon some pressing need, desiring it with all earnestness, and then exercise faith and confidence toward God in the matter; never doubting that we have been heard. Be confident to expect one of two things from God; either that your prayer will be granted or that if it is not granted, the granting of it would not be good for you. 6. Praying in Faith Prayer is a special exercise of faith. Faith makes the prayer acceptable because it believes that either the prayer will be answered or that something better will be given instead. He who does not trust will receive nothing; neither that which he asks nor anything better. 7. Laying the need not prescribing the answer From this it follows that the one who prays correctly never doubts that prayer will be answered, even if the very thing for which we pray is not given. For we are to lay our needs before God in prayer but not prescribe to God a measure, manner time or place. We must leave that to God, for He may wish to give it to us in another, perhaps better way than we think is best. God will surely do what is right in His sight. Leave our needs with Him. 8. What a great gift we have in prayer. No one can believe how powerful prayer is and what it can effect, except those who have learned it by experience. It is amazing that a poor human creature is able to speak with God's high majesty in heaven and not be afraid. It is for this reason that the ancients defined prayer as 'Ascensus mentis ad Deum' : a climbing up of the heart unto God. Read: Mark 11:22-25 Reflection 1. Prayer, according to Martin Luther, involves stating what is in our hearts. How open and honest would you say is your prayer life? Do you find it difficult to be honest before God? 2. Of all the attitudes necessary for true prayer, perhaps none is more essential for Luther than trust. In what areas in your life do you find it difficult to trust God? 3. Luther believes that we sin on the right when we lack faith and that we sin on the left when we prescribe specific measures and times to God. On which of the two sides are you prone to lean in your prayers? 4. Strive to be more honest in your prayer life this week. State what is in your heart; allow yourself the freedom to be who you are as you stand in the presence of God. 5. Try Luther's advice about not prescribing manner, measure, time and place in your prayers. learn the joy of faith that trusts God to answer your prayers in the best possible manner, measure, time and place.