All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask. – Martin Luther
I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed. – Martin Luther
Pray, and let God worry. – Martin Luther
Mmm. How do you translate the abnegation of personal responsibility explicit in ‘pray, and let God worry’, with the personal responsibility that is a prerequisite of a free society?
Mark, I see no abnegation of personal responsibility in asking for help, and yet you do? That worries me. I think I’d better pray!
But it’s more than help in that phrase. God’s doing the worrying, you’ve taken yourself out of the worry equation, haven’t you?
Mark, I think I see what you mean. Hmm… how about some Dale Carnegie instead? (Just skip over Part 5.)
If you didn’t like Martin Luther’s answers, did you like Mitch Lucker’s questions?!