Because of Brother Jesus: A Prayer from Martin Luther

Lord God, Heavenly Father,
I consider myself Your dear child
and You my beloved Father.

Not because I deserve it,
nor could ever merit it,
but because my dear Lord,
Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ
would be my Brother.

Of His own accord
He offers and makes this blessing known to me.

Since I may consider myself His brother,
as He regards me,
You will permit me
to become and remain a child of Yours forever.
Amen.

- Martin Luther

Prayer: Luther's Way of Praying

When Martin Luther’s barber (and friend) asked him how to pray, Martin Luther responded with a brief treatise published in the spring of 1535 under the title A Simple Way to Pray, for a Good Friend. Luther explained his own practices of prayer.

The following are some of the suggestions Luther gave to his barber:

There is need for concentration
Let prayer be the first business of the morning and last in the evening. Do not be sidetracked. Luther writes, “So, a good and attentive barber keeps his thoughts, attention, and eyes on the razor and hair and does not forget how far he has gotten with his shaving or cutting. If he wants to engage into much conversation or let his mind wander or look somewhere else he is likely to cut his customer’s mouth, nose, or even his throat. Thus if anything is to be done well, it requires the full attention of all one's senses and members. . .” (p. 32-33).

There is a sequence of prayer
Luther writes ". . .kneel or stand with your hands folded and your eyes toward heaven and speak or think as briefly as you can. . .” (p.20). Offer a brief prayer “O Heavenly Father, dear God, I am a poor unworthy sinner, I do not deserve to raise my eyes or hands toward thee or to pray. . .” (p. 21) Begin to pray one petition of the Lord’s Prayer or one of the Ten Commandments. Never doubt you are alone in your prayer. “Do not leave your prayer without having said or thought, ‘Very well, God has heard my prayer, this I know as a certainty and a truth.’ This is what Amen means” (p. 29).

The heart must be ready for prayer
Keep prayers meaningful. Unclutter your mind by focusing on one thought, perhaps one petition of the Lord’s Prayer or one of the Ten Commandments.

Prayer is like a garland of four twisted strands
This garland is especially true when using Holy Scripture, Lord’s Prayer, or Ten Commandments. Each strand can be posed as a question:
What is the (petition, commandment, etc) teaching/meaning for me?
What prayer of thanksgiving does this prompt?
What confession or lament does it evoke?
What is the prayer petition?
Luther said, “Nothing can be said here about the part of faith and Holy Scriptures [in prayer] because there would be no end to what could be said. With practice one can take the Ten Commandments on one day, a psalm or chapter of Holy Scripture the next day, and use them as flint and steel to kindle a flame in the heart” (p.56).

--Quotes are from Martin Luther, A Simple Way to Pray, Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster Knox Press, 2000.

© Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Prayers of Martin Luther

Luther's Morning Prayer

My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved
Son, that You kept me safe from all evil and danger last night. Save me,
I pray, today as well, from every evil and sin, so that all I do and the way
that I live will please you. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all
that I have. Let Your holy Angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will
not gain power over me. Amen

Luther's Evening Prayer

My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You have
protected me, by Your grace. Forgive, I pray, all my sins and the evil I have done. Protect me, by
Your grace, tonight. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your holy
angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.

Luther’s Sacristy Prayer

Lord God, You have appointed me as a pastor in Your Church, but you see how unsuited I am to
meet so great and difficult a task. If I had lacked Your help, I would have ruined everything long
ago. Therefore, I call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you; I shall teach the
people. I myself will learn and ponder diligently upon You Word. Use me as Your instrument -- but
do not forsake me, for if ever I should be on my own, I would easily wreck it all.

Luther’s recommendations for using Bible verses as prayers

Psalm 25 – a general prayer to submit to God in all things
Psalm 67 – to be prayed for the increase of faith
Psalm 20 – for good government and for earthly authorities
Psalm 103 – for thanking God for all his goodness to us
Titus – to give instruction or living and life

Lord keep us steadfast in thy word(from Erhalt uns, bei deinem Wort)

Lord, keep us steadfast in your word;
curb those who by deceit or sword
would wrest the kingdom from your Son
and bring to nothing all he's done.
Lord Jesus Christ, your power make known,
for you are Lord of lords alone;
defend your holy church, that we
may sing your praise eternally.
O Comforter of priceless worth,
grant one mind to your flock on earth
support us in our final strife,
and lead us out of death to life.

Song of Praise(from Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland)

Praise to God the Father sing,
praise to God the Son, our king,
praise to God the Spirit be
now and through eternity.