A Reformation Prayer

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1

O Lord of Hosts, we thank Thee for Thy lovingkindness to us and to our fathers, in that, through Thy servant, Martin Luther, Thou didst restore to Thy church on earth the precious truth of Thy Word and the pure doctrine of Thy saving grace in Christ Jesus.  What shall we indeed render unto Thee for these Thy gracious benefits toward us?  For, without the light of Thy precious Gospel, so long hidden under the Papacy, we would still be ignorant of Thy grace, languishing in spiritual darkness, and trembling in the shadow of eternal death.  But, through Thy Word, Thou hast shined into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, our Savior; and for this undeserved, gracious favor, we are humbly and eternally grateful. Through the power of that same Word, dear heavenly Father, cause us, who are the heirs of that Reformation and Thine adopted children by faith in Christ Jesus, ever to value Thy Word in its purity as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, the only sure foundation of our faith, and the only reliable standard of Christian practice.  By Thy Holy Spirit, Keep us steadfast in Thy Word, so that the devil, the world, and our old sinful flesh do not deceive us nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, grant us Thy grace finally to overcome and obtain the victory through our Champion on the battlefield of this world, Christ Jesus, the Lord of Hosts, our only mediator and advocate at Thy Throne.  For His sake, forgive us all our trespasses, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Thyself in heaven.  Amen..

—D. G. R.