Luther's Prayers

I read this prayer from Luther, and again I was reminded of our cause to defend life, both physical and spiritual. That life might be respected among our youth - that the unborn might have the opportunity to live for Christ - that those of weak faith, struggling with unplanned pregnancies might know God more fully and trust His promises - and that those who now oppose life may come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and the source of all Truth. Lord, here our prayer!

From my little red book of Luther's Prayers, Section IV: Prayers for Enlightenment from God's Word. 

Prayer 154. For acceptance of privileges secured by Christ

O merciful God, what a kind and gracious Father you are, to deal so sincerely and paternally with us poor and judged sinners. You did release your most precious possession, your Son, Jesus Christ, into the jaws of death and the devil. You did require that he should descend into the deep and again ascend on high and conquer the captivity which has held us all in slavery. Through this we are your dear children, his brothers and sisters, and inheritors of all his eternal, heavenly blessings. Give us your Holy Spirit so that he may preserve us to the end in faith. Grant your grace that youth and those unborn, the weak in faith and those not properly instructed may get and keep a right understanding in the doctrine of becoming fellow citizens with the angels. So highly privileged are we who believe in Christ. Amen.

My highly privileged fellow citizens of heaven. Please pray as Luther prayed, that our Father will extend his grace - that through our faithful work, God's will may be done.

And if you have a failing in prayer as I do, you may also want to pray this:

Prayer 8. For greater faith and diligence in prayer

Dear God, if only we were as diligent to pray, at least with a longing in the heart, as you are in coaxing, bidding, commanding, assuring, and constraining us to pray. Unfortunately, we are too lazy and ungrateful! Forgive us, dear Lord, and strengthen our faith. Since I cannot pay the penalty, and my name has no prestige, let satisfaction be made in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Psalm 4:1 of David "Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer."

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Author: Philip Meinel

​A man who respects his grandmother's faith. Some of her sins were blatantly obvious, but so was God's grace in her life. She loved giving gifts of God's word - either engraved bibles or hymn books. She's currently in heaven with our Savoir, and left this little red prayer book. My heart longs to see her again in heaven and thank her for her inspiration and guidance.