Doing sermon prep a couple of weeks ago I came across this prayer from Martin Luther. I wanted to share it with you:
I do not come because my soul is free from sin and pure and whole and worthy of Thy grace; I do not speak to Thee because I’ve ever justly kept Thy laws and dare to meet Thy face. I know that sin and guilt combine to reign o’er every thought of mine and turn from good to ill; I know that when I try to be upright and just and true to Thee, I am a sinner still. I know that often when I strive to keep a spark of love alive for Thee, the powers within leap up in unsubmissive might and oft benumb my sense of right and pull me back to sin. I know that though in doing good I spend my life, I never could atone for all I’ve done; but though my sins are black as night, I dare to come before Thy sight because I trust Thy Son. In Him alone my trust I place, come boldly to Thy throne of grace, and there commune with Thee.
Salvation sure, O Lord, is mine, and, all unworthy, I am Thine, for Jesus died for me.
This prayer reminds me of the Apostle Paul who wrote about his own unworthiness. The good he wanted to do he did not do, and yet the bad he did not do he did, (Romans 7:7-25). Paul exclaims his unworthiness and then asks, rhetorically, what the remedy might be, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24, ESV). We’re no different from Paul, who will deliver us?
“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25, ESV).
“Salvation sure, O Lord, is mine, and, all unworthy, I am Thine, for Jesus died for me.”
Thank you Jesus!