By Martin Luther; adapted from prayers found in Luther’s Prayers translated by Charles Kistler (1917). (This is the same format and from the same source as yesterday’s meditation, but the prayers are all different.)
OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN. We come to you, heavenly Father, not on account of our worthiness, but because you yourself have commanded that we should call upon you, and you have promised to hear us. You have also sent your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who has taught us what we shall pray, and has even spoken these words that we shall say. Thus, we know that this prayer is pleasing to you.
HALLOWED BE THY NAME. Help us, O Lord, that by our lives and good works others may be moved not to exalt us, but to praise your grace in us, and to honor your name. Grant that no one may be offended by our sinful deeds or faults, so as to dishonor you and praise you less. Keep us from desiring anything temporal or eternal that does not praise and honor your name. If we ask you for such things, we pray that you not hear our folly.
THY KINGDOM COME. Help us to remain steadfast in the faith so that we may look forward to the coming of your kingdom. May we in faith not fear or dread death, but instead, long for the life to come, knowing that we will then be led out of this sinful and dangerous world. Keep us from loving too much the attachments of this life, knowing that one day we will have to let go of all that we have and know and love on this earth.
THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. Convert those who do not yet know your grace, that together with us, we may be obedient to your will. Patiently and gladly may we endure all evil and every tribulation, trusting in your good and gracious will for us, on earth and in heaven. Restrain those who oppose your will, and with rage, fury, hatred, and malice work all manner of evil. Bring their wicked plans and practices to a shameful end.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD. Dear Father, give us our daily bread, favorable seasons, and health. Preserve us from war, disease, and poverty. If your will is to test us a little by withholding your blessings for a while, then may your will be done. When our time and hour comes, deliver us from all evil. Until then, give us strength and patience.
AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US. As we are forgiven by you, may we forgive all who wrong and offend us. Help us remember that no one can harm us without doing himself a far greater injury in your sight, so that we may be moved to compassion for them instead of anger, moved to pity rather than a desire for revenge. May we not be tempted to rejoice when they are troubled, nor be grieved when they prosper. We will not benefit from the downfall of our enemies, so we pray that you have mercy on them, and then also give us the grace to forgive them from our heart.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION. O dear God and Father, keep us wide awake and active, diligent in your Word and service. May we not become overconfident, lazy, or indifferent, as though we had everything under our own control. May our trust always be in you alone, or else the devil may overtake us by his treachery and rob us of your precious Word and truth, bringing us into sin and shame. Give us wisdom and power through your Holy Spirit, so that we may bravely withstand the devil and triumph over him.
BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. O Father, deliver us from your eternal wrath. Spare us from your severe judgment in death and at the last day. Guard us against a sudden and unprepared death… O Lord, we are not worthy to receive even a glimpse of heaven, and unable by our own works to redeem ourselves from sin, death, the devil, and hell. Nevertheless, you have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, who is much stronger than sin, death, the devil, and hell. We rejoice, praise, and thank you that out of pure grace you have granted us this wonderful blessing in your dear Son. Through him you have saved us from sin, death, and hell, and given to us heaven and all that belongs to Jesus.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
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The Lord’s Prayer as recorded in Luke 11:1-4 (NIV):
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: ” ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ “
