Martin Luther's Large Catechism, translated by Bente and DauLuther, Martin
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Martin Luther's Large Catechism, translated by Bente and Dau
Luther, Martin
Lutheran Church -- Catechisms -- English
All this is the fault of the shameful unbelief which does not look to
God for as much good as will satisfy the stomach, much less expects
without doubt such eternal treasures of God. Therefore we must
strengthen ourselves against it, and let this be our first prayer;
then, indeed, we shall have all else in abundance, as Christ teaches
[Matt. 6, 33]: Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto you. For how could He allow us
to suffer want and to be straitened in temporal things when He promises
that which is eternal and imperishable?
The Third Petition.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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 fulfillment 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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