Martin Luther

A Sacristy Prayer

by Martin Luther

Translated From:

_Dr. Martin Luthers Werke_,

(Weimar: Hermann Boehlaus Nachfolger, 1909),

Band 43, pp. 513.

Translated by James Kellerman

Lord God, You have appointed me as a Bishop and 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.