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第23章

large catechism-第23章

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imagines that He does not wish or desire our prayer; because we are
sinners and have merited nothing but wrath。 Against such thoughts (I
say) we should regard this commandment and turn to God; that we may not
by such disobedience excite His anger still more。 For by this
commandment He gives us plainly to understand that He will not cast us
from Him nor chase us away; although we are sinners; but rather draw
us to Himself; so that we might humble ourselves before Him; bewail
this misery and plight of ours; and pray for grace and help。 Therefore
we read in the Scriptures that He is angry also with those who were
smitten for their sin; because they did not return to Him and by their
prayers assuage His wrath and seek His grace。 

Now; from the fact that it is so solemnly commanded to pray; you are to
conclude and think; that no one should by any means despise his prayer;
but rather set great store by it; and always seek an illustration from
the other commandments。 A child should by no means despise his
obedience to father and mother; but should always think: This work is a
work of obedience; and what I do I do with no other intention than that
I may walk in the obedience and commandment of God; on which I can
settle and stand firm; and esteem it a great thing; not on account of
my worthiness; but on account of the commandment。 So here also; what
and for what we pray we should regard as demanded by God and done in
obedience to Him; and should reflect thus: On my account it would
amount to nothing; but it shall avail; for the reason that God has
commanded it。 Therefore everybody; no matter what he has to say in
prayer; should always come before God in obedience to this commandment。


We pray; therefore; and exhort every one most diligently to take this
to heart and by no means to despise our prayer。 For hitherto it has
been taught thus in the devil's name that no one regarded these things;
and men supposed it to be sufficient to have done the work; whether God
would hear it or not。 But that is staking prayer on a risk; and
murmuring it at a venture; and therefore it is a lost prayer。 For we
allow such thoughts as these to lead us astray and deter us: I am not
holy or worthy enough; if I were as godly and holy as St。 Peter or St。
Paul; then I would pray。 But put such thoughts far away; for just the
same commandment which applied to St。 Paul applies also to me; and the
Second Commandment is given as much on my account as on his account; so
that he can boast of no better or holier commandment。 

Therefore you should say: My prayer is as precious; holy; and pleasing
to God as that of St。 Paul or of the most holy saints。 This is the
reason: For I will gladly grant that he is holier in his person; but
not on account of the commandment; since God does not regard prayer on
account of the person; but on account of His word and obedience
thereto。 For on the commandment on which all the saints rest their
prayer I; too; rest mine。 Moreover I pray for the same thing for which
they all pray and ever have prayed; besides; I have just as great a
need of it as those great saints; yea; even a greater one than they。 

Let this be the first and most important point; that all our prayers
must be based and rest upon obedience to God; irrespective of our
person; whether we be sinners or saints; worthy or unworthy。 And we
must know that God will not have it treated as a jest; but be angry;
and punish all who do not pray; as surely as He punishes all other
disobedience; next; that He will not suffer our prayers to be in vain
or lost。 For if He did not intend to answer your prayer; He would not
bid you pray and add such a severe commandment to it。 

In the second place; we should be the more urged and incited to pray
because God has also added a promise; and declared that it shall surely
be done to us as we pray; as He says Ps。 50; 15: Call upon Me in the
day of trouble: I will deliver thee。 And Christ in the Gospel of St。
Matthew; 7; 7: Ask; and it shall be given you。 For every one that
asketh receiveth。 Such promises ought certainly to encourage and kindle
our hearts to pray with pleasure and delight; since He testifies with
His 'own' word that our prayer is heartily pleasing to Him; moreover;
that it shall assuredly be heard and granted; in order that we may not
despise it or think lightly of it; and pray at a venture。 

This you can hold up to Him and say: Here I come; dear Father; and
pray; not of my own purpose nor upon my own worthiness; but at Thy
commandment and promise; which cannot fail or deceive me。 Whoever;
therefore; does not believe this promise must know again that he
excites God to anger as a person who most highly dishonors Him and
reproaches Him with falsehood。 

Besides this; we should be incited and drawn to prayer because in
addition to this commandment and promise God anticipates us; and
Himself arranges the words and form of prayer for us; and places them
upon our lips as to how and what we should pray; that we may see how
heartily He pities us in our distress; and may never doubt that such
prayer is pleasing to Him and shall certainly be answered; which 'the
Lord's Prayer' is a great advantage indeed over all other prayers that
we might compose ourselves。 For in them the conscience would ever be in
doubt and say: I have prayed; but who knows how it pleases Him; or
whether I have hit upon the right proportions and form? Hence there is
no nobler prayer to be found upon earth than the Lord's Prayer which we
daily pray because it has this excellent testimony; that God loves to
hear it; which we ought not to surrender for all the riches of the
world。 

And it has been prescribed also for this reason that we should see and
consider the distress which ought to urge and compel us to pray without
ceasing。 For whoever would pray must have something to present; state;
and name which he desires; if not; it cannot be called a prayer。 

Therefore we have rightly rejected the prayers of monks and priests;
who howl and growl day and night like fiends; but none of them think of
praying for a hair's breadth of anything。 And if we would assemble all
the churches; together with all ecclesiastics; they would be obliged to
confess that they have never from the heart prayed for even a drop of
wine。 For none of them has ever purposed to pray from obedience to God
and faith in His promise; nor has any one regarded any distress; but
(when they had done their best) they thought no further than this; to
do a good work; whereby they might repay God; as being unwilling to
take anything from Him; but wishing only to give Him something。 

But where there is to be a true prayer there must be earnestness。 Men
must feel their distress; and such distress as presses them and compels
them to call and cry out then prayer will be made spontaneously; as it
ought to be; and men will require no teaching how to prepare for it and
to attain to the proper devotion。 But the distress which ought to
concern us most; both as regards ourselves and every one; you will find
abundantly set forth in the Lord's Prayer。 Therefore it is to serve
also to remind us of the same; that we contemplate it and lay it to
heart; lest we become remiss in prayer。 For we all have enough that we
lack; but the great want is that we do not feel nor see it。 Therefore
God also requires that you lament and plead such necessities and wants;
not because He does not know them; but that you may kindle your heart
to stronger and greater desires; and make wide and open your cloak to
receive much。 

Therefore; every one of us should accustom himself from his youth
daily to pray for all his wants; whenever he is sensible of anything
affecting his interests or that of other people among whom he may live;
as for preachers; the government; neighbors; domestics; and always (as
we have said) to hold up to God His commandment and promise; knowing
that He will not have them disregarded。 This I say because I would like
to see these things brought home again to the people that they might
learn to pray truly; and not go about coldly and indifferently; whereby
they become daily more unfit for prayer; whi

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