# Prayer Of Hans Koch And Leonhard Meister.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: PRAYER OF HANS KOCH AND LEONHARD MEISTER.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

The following earnest prayer to God was spoken
by Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister before their
death, and left for the consolation of all their fellow
believers:

O God! behold now from thy high throne the
misery of thy servants, how the enemy persecutes
them because it is their purpose to walk in the
narrow way, and how abominably they are scorned.
He who learns to know thee, and holds fast to thy
words, is despised and scorned by them. O God
of heaven! we have all sinned before thee; therefore
chastise us in mercy. We beseech thee, let us
enjoy thy grace, that thy honor may not be profaned
by us before this world, which now seems
determined to extinguish thy word. We might well
have peace with them, if we would not confess thy
holy name, and not believe on thy Son, that he
atoned for us on the cross, bore our sins, and paid
our debt. The enemy has no other reason for his
daily raging against us, than because we do not
fulfill his will, but love thee, O God, in our hearts,
which neither Satan nor his adherents can endure.
Therefore they compel us with great distress, and
afflict us with much tribulation. Thus, our misdeed,
on account of which the enemy fights so hard
against us, is, that we place our hope in thee alone,
and in thy dear Son Christ Jesus, and in the Holy
Ghost; therefore we must suffer reproach, because
we do not set ourselves against thee; if we would
give ourselves up to idolatry, and practice all manner
of wickedness, they would let us live unharmed,
in peace and tranquillity. Therefore, O dear Lord,
take up arms for us, and judge all those who disregard
thy power and might. If we would deny
thy word, antichrist would not hate us; yea, if we
would believe his false doctrine, follow his error,
and walk with the world on the broad road, we
would have favor with them; but because we seek
to follow thee, we are hated and forsaken by the
world. But though the enemy brings us to torment,
it does not happen to us alone, but was also done
to Christ our Redeemer; for they afflicted him first
with much reproach and suffering; and thus it was
with all that adhered to him, and believed in his
word. Hence Christ says himself: Marvel not, if
the world hate you; for it hated me first; they have
not received my words; thus shall they also not
receive your words. If they have persecuted me,
they will also persecute you; and when all these
things happen to you, rejoice and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in heaven. Christ
comforts us still more through the mouth of his
beloved apostles, saying: If we suffer with him, we
shall also rejoice with him, and reign in everlasting
joy. What matters it, if we are ridiculed and scorned
here for a little while? since God promises us eternal
rest and bliss. O Lord, thou seest and hearest the
derision and contumely, and the suffering with which
thy children are afflicted. Thou also knowest their
small and feeble ability; therefore we pray thee,
O God, that thou wouldst protect thine own honor,
and sanctify thy name, which is now so fearfully
profaned by all those who, here on earth, are of
high and low estate. Manifest thy power, that the
enemy may perceive and understand thy divine
strength, and may learn to be ashamed. O Lord
God, have compassion upon thy poor sheep, that
are scattered, and have no longer a true shepherd
who will henceforth teach them. Send them thy
Holy Spirit, that he may feed and satisfy them with
thy grace, and that they may not hearken to the
voice of a stranger, unto the end. O God, in thy
high majesty, graciously hear our petition, and do
not forsake us, since we are in great tribulation and
conflict. Give us steadfast patience through Christ
thy Son, our Captain, who can vanquish Satan
with all his host. To him be honor, and praise to
his holy name. Amen.

Matt. 7:14; Ps. 106:6; Dan. 9:5; 1 Pet. 2:24;
Matt. 22:37; 1 Pet. 4:3; Matt. 7:13; John 17:14;
1 Pet. 4:1; Isa. 53; Matt. 27; Luke 24:26; John
15:18; 1 John 3:13; Matt. 5:12; Rom. 8:11;
2 Tim. 2:12; John 10:5.





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