Thus far we have prayed that God's name be
honored by us, and that His kingdom prevail among us; in which two points is
comprehended all that pertains to the honor of God and to our salvation, that
we receive as our own God and all His riches. But now a need just as great
arises, namely, that we firmly keep them, and do not suffer ourselves to be
torn therefrom. For as in a good government it is not only necessary that there
be those who build and govern well, but also those who make defense, afford
protection and maintain it firmly, so here likewise, although we have prayed
for the greatest need, for the Gospel, faith, and the Holy Ghost, that He may
govern us and redeem us from the power of the devil, we must also pray that His
will be done. For there will be happenings quite strange if we are to abide
therein, as we shall have to suffer many thrusts and blows on that account from
everything that ventures to oppose and prevent the fulfilment of the two
petitions that precede.
For no one believes how the devil opposes and
resists them, and cannot suffer that any one teach or believe aright. And it
hurts him beyond measure to suffer his lies and abominations, that have been
honored under the most specious pretexts of the divine name, to be exposed, and
to be disgraced himself, and, besides, be driven out of the heart, and suffer
such a breach to be made in his kingdom. Therefore he chafes and rages as a
fierce enemy with all his power and might, and marshals all his subjects, and,
in addition enlists the world and our own flesh as his allies. For our flesh is
in itself indolent and inclined to evil, even though we have accepted and
believe the Word of God. The world, however, is perverse and wicked; this he
incites against us, fans and stirs the fire, that he may hinder and drive us
back, cause us to fall, and again bring us under his power. Such is all his
will, mind, and thought, for which he strives day and night, and never rests a
moment, employing all arts, wiles, ways, and means whichever he can invent.
If we would be Christians, therefore, we must
surely expect and reckon upon having the devil with all his angels and the
world as our enemies, who will bring every possible misfortune and grief upon
us. For where the Word of God is preached, accepted, or believed, and produces
fruit, there the holy cross cannot be wanting. And let no one think that he
shall have peace; but he must risk what whatever he has upon earth --
possessions, honor. house and estate, wife and children, body and life. Now,
this hurts our flesh and the old Adam; for the test is to be steadfast and to
suffer with patience in whatever way we are assailed, and to let go whatever is
taken from us.
Hence there is just as great need, as in all the
others, that we pray without ceasing: "Dear Father, Thy will be done, not the
will of the devil and of our enemies, nor of anything that would persecute and
suppress Thy holy Word or hinder Thy kingdom; and grant that we may bear with
patience and overcome whatever is to be endured on that account, lest our poor
flesh yield or fall away from weakness or sluggishness."
Behold, thus we have in these three petitions, in
the simplest manner, the need which relates to God Himself, yet all for our
sakes. For whatever we pray concerns only us, namely, as we have said, that
what must be done anyway without us, may also be done in us. For as His name
must be hallowed and His kingdom come without our prayer, so also His will must
be done and succeed although the devil with all his adherents raise a great
tumult, are angry and rage against it, and undertake to exterminate the Gospel
utterly. But for our own sakes we must pray that even against their fury His
will be done without hindrance also among us, that they may not be able to
accomplish anything and we remain firm against all violence and persecution,
and submit to such will of God.
Such prayer, then, is to be our protection and
defense now, is to repel and put down all that the devil, Pope, bishops,
tyrants, and heretics can do against our Gospel. Let them all rage and attempt
their utmost, and deliberate and resolve how they may suppress and exterminate
us, that their will and counsel may prevail: over and against this one or two
Christians with this petition alone shall be our wall against which they shall
run and dash themselves to pieces. This consolation and confidence we have,
that the will and purpose of the devil and of all our enemies shall and must
fail and come to naught, however proud, secure, and powerful they know
themselves to be. For if their will were not broken and hindered, the kingdom
of God could not abide on earth nor His name be hallowed.