Calvin's Prayers

I'm currently editing a book of John Calvin's prayers, compiled and edited by Dustin Benge. It should released by the end of October (in time for Reformation Day, we hope). These prayers are buried in Calvin's Old Testament commentaries on the major and minor prophets, and they truly are beautiful. For someone like me, who isn't well studied in this part of the Bible, they are an education as well. The Old Testament commentaries were actually compiled by Calvin's students, who took notes as he lectured. He would conclude each of the lectures with a prayer based on the passage, but tying it to our own New Testament experiences, showing that the church of the Old Testament has much to say to the church of the New.

This one struck me today as quite helpful, as my attention of late has been easily arrested by the "impious refulgent and terrible to ourselves and others." Even they can be used by the Holy Spirit to promote our salvation as we rest calmly under the protection of our faithful Savior. These are also comforting words as we think about our nation's great tragedy of September 11, 2001.


Commands and Commends

Grant, Almighty God,
since we so travel through this world that our attention
is easily arrested and our judgment darkened when
we behold the power of the impious refulgent and
terrible to ourselves and others.

Grant, I say, that we may raise our eyes upward and
consider how much power Thou hast conferred
upon Thine only begotten Son.

Grant also that He may rule and govern us by the might
of His Spirit, protect us by His faithfulness and
guardianship, and compel the whole world
to promote our salvation;
thus may we rest calmly under His protection and fight
with that boldness and patience that He both
commands and commends, until at length we enjoy
the fruit of the victory that Thou hast promised
and that Thou wilt provide for us in Thy heavenly
kingdom. Amen.

Calvin's Prayer

I'm very blessed to be editing a book of Calvin's prayers, taken from his commentaries. Before each lecture on a particular passage, he would offer up a prayer that in some way related to that passage. This beautiful prayer was the last one that I worked on before going home yesterday:



"Grant, Almighty God, that as Thy church at this day is oppressed with many evils, we may learn to raise up not only our eyes and our hands to Thee, but also our hearts, and that we may so fix our attention on Thee as to look for salvation from Thee alone; and that though despair may overwhelm us on earth, yet the hope of Thy goodness may ever shine on us from heaven, and that, relying on the Mediator whom Thou hast given us, we may not hesitate to cry continually to Thee, until we really find by experience that our prayers have not been in vain, when Thou, pitying Thy church, hast extended Thy hand and given us cause to rejoice, and hast turned our mourning into joy, through Christ our Lord. Amen."

I've been feeling like my prayers for the church have been in vain lately, and Brother Calvin has encouraged my heart with this reminder.Thankfully my feelings do not determine what God hears or how he responds.

By the way, this book will be available, Lord willing, for Reformation Day from Reformation Heritage Books.Watch for it!