Luther's Mighty Prayer And Prophecy.


At one time in the life of Luther, there was a critical moment in the

affairs of the Reformation. Bitter persecution prevailed with

extraordinary power, and threatened every one. They were the dark days

when faith could only cling. There were but few friends to the

reformers, and these were of little strength. Their enemies were every

where strong, proud, arrogant. But Luther relied on his God, and at this

moment, with
his favorite hymn in his heart, "_A strong fortress is our

God,_" he went to the Lord in prayer, and prayed that omnipotence would

come to the help of their weakness. Long he wrestled alone with God in

his closet, till like Jacob he prevailed. Then he went into the room,

where his family had assembled, with joyous heart and shining face, and

raising both hands, and lifting his eyes heavenward, exclaimed, "_We

have overcome, we have overcome_."



This was astonishing, as there was not the slightest of news which had

yet been heard to give them hope of relief. But immediately after that,

the welcome tidings came that _the Emperor, Charles V., had issued his

Proclamation of "Religious Toleration in Germany_." In Luther's prayer

was fulfilled the remarkable promise of Proverbs, 21: I. "_The king's

heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; he turneth it

whithersoever he will_."



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