A great prayer from long ago

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Martin Bucer (1491–1551) was among the first generation of Protestant Reformers, spending most of his ministerial life in Strasbourg and serving in later years as regius professor of divinity at the University of Cambridge. 

This was his prayer: 

Show me your grace and favour so that I may truly learn to hate my sins. Instead of lulling myself to sleep in sin, let me be so cast down in heart that I may confess with my mouth the honour, glory, and praise due to your holy name. In your great mercy, you instruct us by your holy word. For your name’s sake, then, allow your instruction to so lighten and clear our conscience that in due examination of all our holy life we may truly learn to be angry and displeased with all our former and corrupt living.

Please draw near to us and guide our footsteps truly and perfectly in obedience to your holy laws and commandments. Send your holy angel to protect us; the enemy’s infernal army can never prevail against us. With strong faith in Jesus Christ, we may withstand all the crafty engines and snares of the evil one, knowing undoubtedly that you never forsake those who put their trust in you.

Let us not be led by the infirmity of our sinful flesh, but strengthen us by the Holy Spirit. Do not let us remain under your wrath and vengeance through hypocrisy. Rather, so change us that we may, without ceasing, sigh and groan unto you with true and unfeigned repentance. Even if we are not always prone to ask and pray as we should, even so, good Lord, for the sake of your name, stretch out your mighty hand so that by the gracious working of your Holy Spirit, our minds and hearts may be drawn away from all earthly and corruptible things.

Allow our prayers to come from a deep, authentic affection so that we never presume to come before you with a double heart, knowing that if we do not ask in faith, we cannot obtain anything from you. Therefore, increase our faith, oh merciful Father, that we may presently live in the benefit of remission and pardon of all our sins, through the merits and death of Christ Jesus our Saviour. Hereafter, work in us forever to live in the righteous fear of you and to stand in awe of your displeasure toward sin so that you may continue as our merciful Father, world without end. God, please grant this.

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