We finished last week's meditations on the phrase, 'Holy be Your Name' with Luther's example of how he prayed that prayer. Let us start this week with Luther's example of praying, 'Your Kingdom Come' and 'Your Will be Done'.
Although Luther treats the two phrases separately, his examples are thought provoking and helpful.
Although Luther treats the two phrases separately, his examples are thought provoking and helpful.
"Pray: “Your Kingdom Come.”
Then say: “Dear Lord God, Father, you see how the world in its wisdom and knowledge not only slanders your name and dishonours you by honouring the devil but also uses all its power, might, riches, and honour, which you have given her rulers on earth to govern well and to serve you, against your kingdom. They are great, mighty, and many. They are also overly well fed. they torment, thwart, and destroy the small flock of your kingdom, who are weak, despised, and few. They consider such an act as carrying out your will, and do not tolerate your flock being on earth. Dear Lord God, Father, convert and restrain them. Convert those who will be children and members of your kingdom that they with us and we with them may serve you in true faith and genuine love and that we may move from the present kingdom to your everlasting kingdom. Restrain those, however, who refuse to stop destroying your kingdom with their might and power, that dethroned and humbled, they are forced to stop. Amen.”
"Pray: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Then say: “Dear Lord God, Father, you know that the world, though it cannot wholly blot out your name nor root out your kingdom, still goes about night and day with spiteful pranks and tricks, employing distortion, inventing plots, and practicing intrigues, all directed with evil intent and purpose against your name, your Word, your kingdom, and your children. For that reason, dear Lord God, Father, convert and restrain them. Convert those who shall know your gracious will, that together with us they may obey you and, beyond that, gladly and patiently bear every evil, cross, and adversity, which we recognize as coming from your perfect and gracious good will. Restrain those, however, who will not refrain from doing harm in their anger, their raving, their hate, and their will will. Bring to nothing their counsel, evil plots, and underhanded practices, to their own shame, as it says in Psalm 7. Amen.”
Although Luther is led to pray very differently than what we explored on Sunday, it is still an example and opportunity to learn how these phrases can lead and shape our own prayers.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- What did you like/not like about Luther's examples of praying 'Your Kingdom Come' and 'Your will be Done'?
- Is there anything you find particularly striking about these prayers?
- How do these two examples give you an insight into how these two phrases might lead you to pray?
- What thoughts, ideas, sentences, or phrases could you copy and pray?
You can find this excerpt from Luther's little booklet here.