"From the secret place of prayer came the power that shook the world in the Great Reformation. There, with holy calmness, the servants of the Lord set their feet upon the rock of His promises. During the struggle at Augsburg, Luther “did not pass a day without devoting three hours at least to prayer, and they were hours selected from those the most favorable to study.” In the privacy of his chamber he was heard to pour out his soul before God in words “full of adoration, fear, and hope, as when one speaks to a friend.” “I know that Thou art our Father and our God,” he said, “and that Thou wilt scatter the persecutors of Thy children; for Thou art Thyself endangered with us. All this matter is Thine, and it is only by Thy constraint that we have put our hands to it. Defend us, then, O Father!”— Ibid., b. 14, ch. 6. GC 210.1"
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
Both passages emphasize the importance of private prayer, particularly in times of struggle. Luther's practice aligns with the principle of seeking God in secret, as described in Matthew 6:6.
"To Melanchthon, who was crushed under the burden of anxiety and fear, he wrote: “Grace and peace in Christ—in Christ, I say, and not in the world. Amen. I hate with exceeding hatred those extreme cares which consume you. If the cause is unjust, abandon it; if the cause is just, why should we belie the promises of Him who commands us to sleep without fear? ... Christ will not be wanting to the work of justice and truth. He lives, He reigns; what fear, then, can we have?”— Ibid., b. 14, ch. 6. GC 210.2"
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Both passages address anxiety and encourage trust in God's provision and peace. Luther's words to Melanchthon echo the sentiment of Philippians 4:6-7, urging him to cast his cares on Christ.
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."
Both passages touch on the idea of trusting God for rest and provision, rather than relying solely on human effort. Luther's encouragement to Melanchthon to 'sleep without fear' aligns with the sentiment of Psalm 127:2, which speaks of God giving sleep to his beloved.
"cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.” 1 Peter 2:6 . The Protestant Reformers had built on Christ, and the gates of hell could not prevail against them. GC 210.3"
"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded."
Ellen White directly references 1 Peter 2:6 in this passage.