dual personalities

As the trial of Martin Luther began its second day during the assembly of the Diet of Worms in 1521, he refused to recant his teachings despite the threat of excommunication. On April 18 he stood alone against the mighty Catholic Church and prayed one of the all-time great prayers:

Almighty and eternal God, what a strange cause this is! How it loosens people’s tongues! How small and insignificant is their trust in you! How weak and tender is the flesh, and how powerful and busy is the devil, with the help of his apostles and the worldly wise!! How quickly the world withdraws help, does an about-face, pursues the easy way, and speeds on the broad road to hell where the godless belong. It sees only the brilliant and powerful, great, mighty, and respected! If I should turn my eyes to it, I would be done for.

Oh God, Oh God, Oh my God, stand by me against all the wisdom and reason of the world. Do it. You alone must do it. It is not really my concern, it is yours. Alone I have nothing to do with these great lords of the world. I want good and quiet days, undisturbed. But it is your cause: it is righteous and eternal. Stand by me. Oh true and eternal God, I do not rely on human counsel, for it would be in vain. All that is carnal and tastes carnal fails.

O God, O God, do you not hear me, my God? Are you dead? No, you cannot die; you are only hiding. Have you called me to this place? I ask you so that I am sure. God, grant it! Never in my life had I thought to oppose such great rulers and never had I set out to do it.

O God, stand by me in the name of your dear Son Jesus Christ who shall be my Protector and Defender, even my mighty Fortress, through the power and help of your Holy Spirit.

Lord, where are you? Come, come, I am ready like a patient lamb to lay down my life for this cause. It is your cause and it is righteous. I will not separate myself from you forever. Be it resolved in your name that the world cannot force me to act against my conscience, even if I had still more devils, and if my body which is first of all your creation should have to perish. So your Word and Spirit come to my rescue even if only for the body. And my soul is yours. It belongs to you, and it remains with you forever. Amen. So help me. Amen.

Priceless. How then shall we pray? The direct approach, as always, is best. So help me. Amen.