he entire congregation, if we scatter these
prayers, and so distribute them that everyone prays only for himself,
and no one has regard for the other, nor concerns himself for another's
need? How can that prayer be of help, good, acceptable and a common
prayer, or a work of the Holy Day and of the assembled congregation,
which they make who make their own petty prayers, one for this, the
other for that, and have nothing but self-seeking, selfish prayers,
which God hates?

XII. A suggestion of this common prayer has been retained from ancient
practice, when at the end of the sermon the Confession of Sins is said
and prayer is made on the pulpit for all Christendom. But this should
not be the end of the matter, as is now the custom and fashion; it
should be an exhortation to pray throughout the entire mass for such
need as the preacher makes us feel; and in order that we may pray
worthily, he first exhorts us because of our sin, and thereby makes us
humble. This should be done as briefly as possible, that then the
entire congregation may confess their own sin and pray for every one
with earnestness and faith.

Oh, if God granted that any congregation at all heard mass and prayed
in this way, so that a common earnest heart-cry of the entire people
would rise up to God, what immeasurable virtue and help would result
from such a prayer! What more terrible thing could happen to all the
evil spirits? What greater work could be done on earth, whereby so many
pious souls would be preserved, so many sinners converted?

For, indeed, the Christian Church on earth has no greater power or work
than such common prayer against everything that may oppose it. This the
evil spirit knows well, and therefore he does all that he can to
prevent such prayer. Gleefully he lets us go on building churches,
endowing many monastic houses, making music, reading, singing,
observing many masses, and multiplying ceremonies beyond all measure.
This does not grieve him, nay, he helps us do it, that we may consider
such things the very best, and think that thereby we have done our
whole duty. But in that meanwhile this common, effectual and fruitful
prayer perishes and its omission is unnoticed because of such display,
in this he has what he seeks. For when prayer languishes, no one will
take anything from him, and no one will withstand him. But if he
noticed that we wished to practise this prayer, even if it were under a
straw roof or in a pig-sty, he