Luther's Mighty Prayer and Prophecy

At one time in the life of Luther, there was a critical moment in the affairs of the Reformation. Bitter persecution prevailed with extraordinary power, and threatened every one. They were the dark days when faith could only cling. There were but few friends to the reformers, and these were of little strength. Their enemies were every where strong, proud, arrogant. But Luther relied on his God,- and at this moment, with his favorite hymn in his heart, strong fortress is our God,’’ he went to the Lord in prayer, and prayed that omnipotence would come to the help of their weakness. Long he wrestled alone with God in his closet, till like Jacob he prevailed. Then he went into the room, where his family had assembled, with joyous heart and shining face, and raising both hands, and lifting his eyes heavenward, exclaimed, “FFe h’we overcome, we have overcome’’

This was astonishing, as there was not the slightest of news which had yet been heard to give them hope of relief. But immediately after that, the welcome tidings came that the Emperor, Charles V., had issued his Proclamation of Religious Toleration in Germany,” In Luther’s prayer was fulfilled the remarkable promise of Proverbs, 21: 1. “TAe king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; he tumeth it whithersoever he will,”