Merciful God and Father! Thou seest, that by reason of my depraved nature
I have no delight in Thy word, and that I so easily permit the devil, my
own flesh and blood, the children of the world, also false teachers and
preachers and other trivial causes keep me away from it, and that I am
too indolent and careless to hear and preserve Thy word. Therefore I now
pray Thee, O eternal God, forgive me this my inbred indolence, and do
Thou give me a heart willing and apt to hear and meditate upon Thy word.
Awake in me such an earnest longing that I may have a desire after the
sincere milk of the divine word, as new-born babes. Help me, that I may
find my chief delight in Thy word. May there be nothing in this world
dearer to me than Thy word; may I love it more than gold and all fine
gold, and always regard it as my best treasure. And as I, alas! have
lived to see the time which Thy dear Son Himself foretold, that false
Christs should arise and do wonders, so that, if it were possible, even
the elect should be deceived, I pray Thee that Thou wouldst graciously
defend and protect me from error and false doctrine. Keep me in Thy
truth, for Thy word is truth, that I may cling to the same as heavenly
truth, and remain steadfast in the same unto death. Grant this for the
sake of the honor of Thy most holy and blessed name. Amen.