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suffer such a breach to be made in his kingdom。 Therefore he chafes and
rages as a fierce enemy with all his power and might； and marshals all
his subjects； and； in addition enlists the world and our own flesh as
his allies。 For our flesh is in itself indolent and inclined to evil；
even though we have accepted and believe the Word of God。 The world；
however； is perverse and wicked； this he incites against us； fans and
stirs the fire； that he may hinder and drive us back； cause us to
fall； and again bring us under his power。 Such is all his will； mind；
and thought； for which he strives day and night； and never rests a
moment； employing all arts； wiles； ways； and means whichever he can
invent。
If we would be Christians； therefore； we must surely expect and reckon
upon having the devil with all his angels and the world as our enemies；
who will bring every possible misfortune and grief upon us。 For where
the Word of God is preached； accepted； or believed； and produces fruit；
there the holy cross cannot be wanting。 And let no one think that he
shall have peace； but he must risk what whatever he has upon earth
possessions； honor。 house and estate； wife and children； body and life。
Now； this hurts our flesh and the old Adam； for the test is to be
steadfast and to suffer with patience in whatever way we are assailed；
and to let go whatever is taken from us。
Hence there is just as great need； as in all the others； that we pray
without ceasing： 〃Dear Father； Thy will be done； not the will of the
devil and of our enemies； nor of anything that would persecute and
suppress Thy holy Word or hinder Thy kingdom； and grant that we may
bear with patience and overcome whatever is to be endured on that
account； lest our poor flesh yield or fall away from weakness or
sluggishness。〃
Behold； thus we have in these three petitions； in the simplest manner；
the need which relates to God Himself； yet all for our sakes。 For
whatever we pray concerns only us； namely； as we have said； that what
must be done anyway without us； may also be done in us。 For as His name
must be hallowed and His kingdom come without our prayer； so also His
will must be done and succeed although the devil with all his adherents
raise a great tumult； are angry and rage against it； and undertake to
exterminate the Gospel utterly。 But for our own sakes we must pray that
even against their fury His will be done without hindrance also among
us； that they may not be able to accomplish anything and we remain firm
against all violence and persecution； and submit to such will of God。
Such prayer； then； is to be our protection and defense now； is to
repel and put down all that the devil； Pope； bishops； tyrants； and
heretics can do against our Gospel。 Let them all rage and attempt their
utmost； and deliberate and resolve how they may suppress and
exterminate us； that their will and counsel may prevail： over and
against this one or two Christians with this petition alone shall be
our wall against which they shall run and dash themselves to pieces。
This consolation and confidence we have； that the will and purpose of
the devil and of all our enemies shall and must fail and come to
naught； however proud； secure； and powerful they know themselves to be。
For if their will were not broken and hindered； the kingdom of God
could not abide on earth nor His name be hallowed。
The Fourth Petition。
Give us this day our daily bread。
Here； now； we consider the poor breadbasket； the necessaries of our
body and of the temporal life。 It is a brief and simple word； but it
has a very wide scope。 For when you mention and pray for daily bread；
you pray for everything that is necessary in order to have and enjoy
daily bread and； on the other hand； against everything which interferes
with it。 Therefore you must open wide and extend your thoughts not only
to the oven or the flour…bin but to the distant field and the entire
land； which bears and brings to us daily bread and every sort of
sustenance。 For if God did not cause it to grow； and bless and preserve
it in the field； we could never take bread from the oven or have any to
set upon the table。
To comprise it briefly； this petition includes everything that belongs
to our entire life in the world； because on that account alone do we
need daily bread。 Now for our life it is not only necessary that our
body have food and covering and other necessaries； but also that we
spend our days in peace and quiet among the people with whom we live
and have intercourse in daily business and conversation and all sorts
of doings； in short； whatever pertains both to the domestic and to the
neighborly or civil relation and government。 For where these two things
are hindered ＇intercepted and disturbed＇ that they do not prosper as
they ought； the necessaries of life also are impeded； so that
ultimately life cannot be maintained。 And there is； indeed； the
greatest need to pray for temporal authority and government； as that by
which most of all God preserves to us our daily bread and all the
comforts of this life。 For though we have received of God all good
things in abundance we are not able to retain any of them or use them
in security and happiness； if He did not give us a permanent and
peaceful government。 For where there are dissension； strife； and war；
there the daily bread is already taken away； or at least checked。
Therefore it would be very proper to place in the coat…of…arms of
every pious prince a loaf of bread instead of a lion； or a wreath of
rue； or to stamp it upon the coin； to remind both them and their
subjects that by their office we have protection and peace； and that
without them we could not eat and retain our daily bread。 Therefore
they are also worthy of all honor； that we give to them for their
office what we ought and can； as to those through whom we enjoy in
peace and quietness what we have； because otherwise we would not keep a
farthing； and that； in addition； we also pray for them that through
them God may bestow on us the more blessing and good。
Let this be a very brief explanation and sketch； showing how far this
petition extends through all conditions on earth。 Of this any one might
indeed make a long prayer； and with many words enumerate all the things
that are included therein； as that we pray God to give us food and
drink； clothing； house； and home； and health of body； also that He
cause the grain and fruits of the field to grow and mature well；
furthermore； that He help us at home towards good housekeeping； that He
give and preserve to us a godly wife； children； and servants； that He
cause our work； trade； or whatever we are engaged in to prosper and
succeed； favor us with faithful neighbors and good friends； etc。
Likewise； that He give to emperors； kings； and all estates； and
especially to the rulers of our country and to all counselors；
magistrates； and officers； wisdom； strength； and success that they may
govern well and vanquish the Turks and all enemies； to subjects and the
common people； obedience； peace； and harmony in their life with one
another； and on the other hand； that He would preserve us from all
sorts o