"All our shelter and protection rest in prayer alone." - Martin Luther (Large Catechism III)
Bold words from Luther.
All our shelter and protection rest in prayer alone.
We hear about the "Solas" of the Reformation: We believe in the authority of Scripture Alone, which reveals that we are saved by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, and so the Glory is to God Alone.
But where does "prayer alone" fit into all that? Are we adding a sixth "Sola" that pollutes the others with imperfect human works? I don't think so. As always, context is important. Here's what Luther is talking about:
"[The people] become daily more unfit for prayer because of indifference. That is just what the devil desires, and for which he works with all his powers. He is well aware what damage and harm it does him when prayer is done properly. We need to know this: all our shelter and protection rest in prayer alone. For we are far too weak to deal with the devil and all his power and followers who set themselves against us. They might easily crush us under their feet. Therefore, we must consider and take up those weapons with which Christians must be armed in order to stand against the devil." - LC III (CPH)
Far from extolling the power of human efforts, Luther calls us "far too weak" to combat the powers of darkness. Instead, he directs us to prayer. Prayer does not call upon the strength of the horse or the legs of a man to wage war against the darkness. Prayer does not trust in princes. Christian prayer is the most basic active expression of a heart that fears, loves, and trusts in God above all things.
Prayer is grounded in Scripture Alone and flows from it - most especially the Lord's Prayer, and the 150 Psalms that expand upon it. Prayer teaches us to put our trust in Grace Alone, and not in our own strength, good works, or pious efforts. Prayer is the exercise of Faith Alone, just as a son who trusts his earthly Father will come to him with confidence that his needs will be met. Prayer is possible through Christ Alone, because his blood has given us peace with our Father in heaven. In fact, the Gospels reveal that we pray not only through Christ but alongside him. And so in prayer, the glory belongs to God Alone - for it is only he who can help, rescue, deliver, conquer, forgive, renew, and restore. Even the work of prayer itself is not a human invention, nor does it arise from human strength, but from the New Adam, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
All our shelter and protection rest in prayer alone. This is not introducing a new "Sola" to the Reformation. Rather, Luther is teaching us how the "Solas" are used in real time. How to do battle. Luther here reveals to us, from the Word of God, the key to spiritual warfare. And he is not inventing something new; the words of Jesus in the garden are squarely behind him: "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41 ESV)." Peter, of course, does not heed this warning, and I would argue that his fall was a direct result of his indifference. Jesus, on the other hand, prays the third petition of the Lord's Prayer in the garden, and thus is strengthened and prepares himself for the cross.
Consider the words of Paul: "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:16-18 ESV)." Here we see the true understanding of prayer, not set against the doctrines of faith and the Word, but flowing from them.
All our shelter and protection rest in prayer alone. Luther's Large Catechism unfolds for us this treasure that Scripture can't seem to stop extolling, and we (or at least I) can't seem to stop ignoring. Consider again, from Paul: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)."
Take up prayer. Most especially, take up the Lord's Prayer and the Psalms. Take them up continually, because God has most solemnly commanded us to pray, and because prayer is absolutely essential as our shelter and protection against the daily darkness of sin, death, and the devil. Take it up, but not as a heavy load that bears down on the soul with the immense weight of its command and obligation. With Jesus Christ as our Lord and Brother, this yoke is easy, and this burden is light. Take up prayer just as the soldier takes up shelter and protection in his King's mighty fortress. Be steadfast in prayer just as the soldier remains steadfast upon the ancient and unbroken walls of solid rock. Forsake the slumber of the heart, reject the enticement of the world, and deride offers to parley from the devils outside the walls. The Christian soldier stands firm, not on the strength of his will, but on the commands and promises of his Father, which find their fulfillment in the cornerstone of this mighty fortress: Jesus, the Christ.
Pray to Our Father, in the mighty Name of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ is Risen. Amen.
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