158 The Sources
been a devout monk and scholar, but after years of inner struggle he found
peace and ‘justification by faith’ in Christ and wished others to know it
too. He was a robust debater and able organizer, developing the reforming
movement through liturgy, teaching and writing, notably by translating the
Bible into German. He was also a pastor, and on one occasion, when a friend
sought help about personal prayer, Luther wrote out his own simple method
in How One Should Pray, for Master Peter the Barber, which still provides a
valuable form for daily prayer.
Prayers of Lancelot Andrewes (1555–1626)
Andrewes was a priest and bishop of the Church of England under Elizabeth
I and James I. He was a brilliant and respected scholar and linguist, chosen
to supervise translation of the King James Bible. He is also credited with
initiating Guy Fawkes’ night after the failed Gunpowder Plot. He was a
‘high church’ Anglican, believing there is real change in the bread and
wine at communion and resisting carefully the more extreme views of his
Puritan contemporaries. His most influential work is the Manual of Private
Devotions, which shows a kindly, humble and prayerful man, but one who
was deeply human and practically caring. It was written for his own personal
use. Published after his death it has influenced many in private devotions.
Prayers of William Laud (1573–1645)
Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury and a supporter of the authoritarian
king Charles I. It was support for the king and his high church views that
led to his beheading by Parliament during the Civil War at the age of 62. In
a very dangerous time to be involved in politics, Laud compromised and
made harsh choices to sustain a long career as a leading Church of England
clergyman. He was sometimes publicly unpleasant and thus disliked by
many, but his book of Private Devotions shows a man deeply conscious of
his sins and need for God’s grace, committed to the good of the church and
to the glory of Christ. Kneeling by the block before his execution, he prayed
for peace and plenty and brotherly love in the kingdom, and said, ‘Lord, I am
coming as fast as I can... receive my soul and have mercy on me.’