A Sacristy Prayer
By Martin Luther

       A Sacristy Prayer
       by Martin Luther

       Translated From:

       _Dr. Martin Luthers Werke_,
       (Weimar: Hermann Boehlaus Nachfolger, 1909),
       Band 43, pp. 513.
       Translated by James Kellerman

      Lord God, You have appointed me as a Bishop and Pastor in Your Church, but
      you see how unsuited I am to meet so great and difficult a task. If I had
      lacked Your help, I would have ruined everything long ago. Therefore, I
      call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you; I shall
      teach the people. I myself will learn and ponder diligently upon You Word.
      Use me as Your instrument -- but do not forsake me, for if ever I should
      be on my own, I would easily wreck it all.