A Prayer by Karl Barth

 

Karl Barth was one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century. The following is a prayer from the conclusion of a sermon he preached to prisoners in Basel, Switzerland.

O Lord, our God! Thou art great, exalted and holy above us and above all men. This is thy glory that thou dost not forget us, not abandon us, not reject us despite all that speaks against us. In thy dear Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, thou hast given us nothing less than thyself and all that is thine. We praise thee that we are invited as guests at the table of thy mercy throughout our life and beyond.

We spread before thee all that troubles us, our mistakes, our errors and our transgressions, our sorrows and cares, also our rebellion and our bitterness – our whole heart, our whole life, better known to thee than it is to ourselves. We commit all this into the faithful hands which thou hast outstretched in our Savior. Take us as we are; strengthen us when we are weak; grant us, the poor, the bounties of thy blessings.

Let thy lovingkindness shine upon our loved ones, upon all prisoners, and those in the pangs of misery, illness or death. Bestow upon the judges the spirit of justice and upon the rulers of this world some measure of thy wisdom, that they may strive for peace on earth. Give a clear and courageous witness to all who are called to preach they word here and abroad.

Gathering up all concerns we call on thee as our Savior has permitted us and commanded us to do: ‘Our Father…’