The Third Petition

59] Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

60] Thus far we have prayed that God's name be honored by us, and that His kingdom prevail

among us; in which two points is comprehended all that pertains to the honor of God and to

our salvation, that we receive as our own God and all His riches. But now a need just as great

arises, namely, that we firmly keep them, and do not suffer ourselves to be torn therefrom.

61] For as in a good government it is not only necessary that there be those who build and

govern well, but also those who make defense, afford protection and maintain it firmly, so

here likewise, although we have prayed for the greatest need, for the Gospel, faith, and the

Holy Ghost, that He may govern us and redeem us from the power of the devil, we must also

pray that His will be done. For there will be happenings quite strange if we are to abide

therein, as we shall have to suffer many thrusts and blows on that account from everything

that ventures to oppose and prevent the fulfilment of the two petitions that precede.

62] For no one believes how the devil opposes and resists them, and cannot suffer that any

one teach or believe aright. And it hurts him beyond measure to suffer his lies and

abominations, that have been honored under the most specious pretexts of the divine name,

to be exposed, and to be disgraced himself, and, besides, be driven out of the heart, and

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. 63] 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. 64] 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.

65] 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 whatever he has upon earth—possessions, honor, house and

estate, wife and children, body and life. 66] 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.

67] 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."

68] 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.

69] 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 cap 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. 70] 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.