On Jesus' final night before His crucifixion He shared a Passover meal with His disciples. Jesus had lots to teach during this final meal - John dedicates four chapters {13-16] to the discussions around the dinner table. Part of these discussions acknowledge the temptation and destruction that the Devil brings to our lives.
In Luke 22, after Jesus had inaugurated the bread and wine as a remembrance of His body and blood, he warned the disciples that they would soon abandon Him. Of course, they denied that they would ever do such a thing - especially Peter. Peter vehemently declared,
In Luke 22, after Jesus had inaugurated the bread and wine as a remembrance of His body and blood, he warned the disciples that they would soon abandon Him. Of course, they denied that they would ever do such a thing - especially Peter. Peter vehemently declared,
"I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death" (v 33).
And yet, Jesus recognized that Satan would have things very differently. "[Peter] Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers...the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me."
There is a distinct recognition in this exchange that the Devil wants to destroy our lives.
As you might have anticipated, today we read Luther's example of how you might pray this fifth phrase in the Lord's Prayer. For many years Luther struggled under the weight of guilt. It was this brutal struggle that gave him a deep understanding of forgiveness.
There is a distinct recognition in this exchange that the Devil wants to destroy our lives.
As you might have anticipated, today we read Luther's example of how you might pray this fifth phrase in the Lord's Prayer. For many years Luther struggled under the weight of guilt. It was this brutal struggle that gave him a deep understanding of forgiveness.
"[Peter] Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers...the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me." - Luke 22:31-34
There is a distinct recognition in this exchange that the Devil wants to destroy our lives. At the same time Satan's reach is tempered by Jesus' power. God is stronger than the Devil. Although Peter would deny Jesus that wasn't the end of the story.
Martin Luther struggled with a distinct awareness of the Devil's torturous temptations. He frequently attributes his wrestles to the attacks of Satan. Legend suggests there was once a stain on the wall of his study where he was said to have thrown his ink pot at Satan after facing a particularly difficult bout of spiritual attacks.
Of course, Luther came to realize that Satan was powerless before God. That his whispers can be drowned out by the gospel truths of Jesus. He beautifully suggested,
Of course, Luther came to realize that Satan was powerless before God. That his whispers can be drowned out by the gospel truths of Jesus. He beautifully suggested,
"...when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: 'I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf.'"
We would do well to note another of Luther's methods of waring against the Devil.
"If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer."
Which leads us to consider Luther's final example of what it might look like for us to pray the last phrase in the Lord's Prayer. Admittedly, Luther treated them as separate phrases, but we can consider them together.
"Pray: “Lead us not into temptation.”
Then say: “Dear Lord God, Father, keep us brave and alert, fervent and eager in the use of your Word and service, lest we become complacent, lazy, or sluggish, as if we had need of nothing more, so that the fierce devil suddenly is able to catch us by surprise, deprive us of your precious Word, or create dissension and sects among us, or otherwise lead us into sin and shame both spiritually and physically. Rather, grant us wisdom and power through your Spirit, that as good soldiers we can conquer after resisting him. Amen.”
"Pray: “But deliver us from evil”
Then say: “Dear Lord God, Father, this life of ours is so wretched, so full of sorrow and misfortune, so full of danger and insecurity, so full of evil and faithlessness - as St. Paul says, 'The days are evil' (Ephesians 5:15) - that we might justifiably be tired of life and even desirous of death. But you, dear Father, know our weakness. Therefore, help us to survive such great evil and malice. And when our time comes, let it be a blessed hour and a joyful departure out of this place of sorrows, that we may neither fear death nor give way to despair, but in unwavering faith commit out souls into your hands.. Amen.”
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- Do you ever recognize or feel that attacks of Satan?
- What is similar between the story of the Apostle Peter and Martin Luther?
- If, as Luther suggested, our defense against evil is matched with our times of prayer, how strong is your 'armour'?
- What specific things does Luther pray against in this prayer?
- How does Luther's example inspire you to pray?