HOW TO PRAY

Dr. Martin Luther was a prolific writer, teacher and preacher. His passion was to explain the Bible as God's Word for all the ages, so that the Gospel of Jesus could be made known and believed. Over time several compilations of his writings have been collected by people who have read and studied his works carefully. One of these collections, "Biblical Claims and Treasures,"(Spruch und Schatzkastlein) was published by Johann Christoph Schinmeyer of Saxony in 1925.

Rev. E. W. Merz, a Lutheran pastor now with the Lord, owned a German copy of Schinmeyer's book and translated some of those "treasures" into English. Rev. Merz's son Ed Merz, a retired Lutheran school teacher, recently gave me one such translated "treasure" based on Psalm 62:8, "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Here is what Dr. Martin Luther wrote, based on this encouraging passage. It's about how a Christian can pray to God.

"Are you ill-at-ease or heart-sick about something? Well then, for that there is good advice. Pour out your heart before Him and be free to complain to Him. Don't hold anything from God. Whatever it may be, cast it out in heaps before Him, as when you completely reveal your heart's concern to a dear friend. He likes to hear and is glad to help and give advice. Don't be shy and afraid that you are asking too much. Think not that your request it too great or too much. Out with it! Confidently, even if it may seem a pack full of idle petitions. God is great and is content to do more than our weak minds can ask or think. Don't mince your plea with Him, for God is not like man who would grow weary of your much begging and asking. The more you ask, the more He likes to hear. Only pour it out clean, and all of it, without dribbling or trickling. He too, will in like manner, with His boundless mercy, pour out His super-abundant blessings that will submerge and overwhelm your sinful shortcomings."

Some people have said that Luther does not speak to our concerns today, implying that he is old-fashioned or out of date. This is not true. Martin Luther's explanations of Bible passages transcend the ages and speak quite clearly to people of all times who seek to know the Holy Scriptures. Luther helps us understand the Psalmist urging us again, "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."

Thank you to the Merz's, Rev. E.W. and his son Ed, for providing Luther's encouraging words for us today.