To know one’s need of God

At the end of last Sunday’s sermon I shared a prayer written by Martin Luther in 1523. In my mind, it articulates grace very well. And it also, in this Lenten season of diligent self-reflection, names our need of God.

Also in my sermon, I quoted a translation of Matthew 5:3 that expresses the same theme very well. The most common translation of Matthew 5:3 is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This translation is, “Blessed are those who know their need of God, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

To know one’s need of God. To experience the gap between who I am and who I ought to be. To be made aware that God meets us where we are with an inviolable promise to bring us to our true selves. These are great spiritual blessings. And they serve to replace doubt with faith, despair with hope, and fear with love.

Here is Luther’s prayer:

“Oh my God, you have placed Christ, your only-beloved Son, before me as an example, so that I might lead a similar life; but I am not able to do this. O my God, change me, grant me your grace! And let me hear your reply: ‘Behold, since you know yourself and seek grace from me, I will change you and do as you desire. And though you are not so perfect as Christ, as indeed you should be, I shall nevertheless have my Son’s life and perfection cover your imperfections.’”

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.