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Meditations on Divine Mercy: A Classic Treasury of Devotional Prayers
A prolific writer, theologian, professor, and pastor, Johann Gerhard (1582-1637) is regarded as one of the greatest theologians and thinkers of his time.
This book is a translation of a book of 45 prayers that Gerhard wrote prior to 1612. Now newly translated from the German, Meditations on Divine Mercy is available for English readers to enjoy and appreciate. A chapter on the purpose and benefits of prayer is also included as well as an explanation of the aspects of daily meditation.
Translated by Matthew C. Harrison
This book is a translation of a book of 45 prayers that Gerhard wrote prior to 1612. Now newly translated from the German, Meditations on Divine Mercy is available for English readers to enjoy and appreciate. A chapter on the purpose and benefits of prayer is also included as well as an explanation of the aspects of daily meditation.
Translated by Matthew C. Harrison
158 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2003
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107 people want to read
About the author
Johann Gerhard
215 books12 followersJohann Gerhard was a Lutheran church leader and Scholastic theologian during the period of Orthodoxy.
At the age of fourteen, during a dangerous illness, he came under the personal influence of Johann Arndt, author of Das wahre Christenthum, and resolved to study for the church. He entered the University of Wittenberg in 1599, and studied philosophy and theology. A relative then persuaded him to change his subject, and he studied medicine for two years. In 1603, he resumed his theological reading at Jena, and in the following year received a new impulse from J.W. Winckelmann and Balthasar Mentzer at Marburg. He graduated in 1605 and began to give lectures at Jena, then in 1606 he accepted the invitation of John Casimir, Duke of Coburg, to the superintendency of Heldburg, today Bad Colberg-Heldburg, and mastership of the gymnasium; soon afterwards he became general superintendent of the duchy, in which capacity he was engaged in the practical work of ecclesiastical organization until 1616, when he became the senior theological professor at Jena, where the remainder of his life was spent.
Here, with Johann Major and Johann Himmel, he formed the "Trias Johannea." Though still comparatively young, Gerhard was already regarded as the greatest living theologian of Protestant Germany; in the "disputations" of the period he was always protagonist, and his advice was sought on all public and domestic questions touching on religion or morals. During his lifetime he received repeated calls to almost every university in Germany (e.g. Giessen, Altdorf, Helmstedt, Jena, Wittenberg), as well as to Uppsala in Sweden. He died in Jena.
His writings are numerous, alike in exegetical, polemical, dogmatic and practical theology. To the first category belong the Commentarius in harmoniam historiae evangelicae de passione Christi (1617), the Comment, super priorem D. Petri epistolam (1641), and also his commentaries on Genesis (1637) and on Deuteronomy (1658). Of a controversial character are the Confessio Catholica (1633–1637), an extensive work which seeks to prove the evangelical and catholic character of the doctrine of the Augsburg Confession from the writings of approved Roman Catholic authors; and the Loci communes theologici (1610–1622), his principal contribution, in which Lutheranism is expounded "nervose, solide et copiose," in fact with a fulness of learning, a force of logic and a minuteness of detail that had never before been approached.
The Meditationes sacrae (1606), a work expressly devoted to the uses of Christian edification, has been frequently reprinted in Latin and has been translated into most of the European languages, including Greek.
At the age of fourteen, during a dangerous illness, he came under the personal influence of Johann Arndt, author of Das wahre Christenthum, and resolved to study for the church. He entered the University of Wittenberg in 1599, and studied philosophy and theology. A relative then persuaded him to change his subject, and he studied medicine for two years. In 1603, he resumed his theological reading at Jena, and in the following year received a new impulse from J.W. Winckelmann and Balthasar Mentzer at Marburg. He graduated in 1605 and began to give lectures at Jena, then in 1606 he accepted the invitation of John Casimir, Duke of Coburg, to the superintendency of Heldburg, today Bad Colberg-Heldburg, and mastership of the gymnasium; soon afterwards he became general superintendent of the duchy, in which capacity he was engaged in the practical work of ecclesiastical organization until 1616, when he became the senior theological professor at Jena, where the remainder of his life was spent.
Here, with Johann Major and Johann Himmel, he formed the "Trias Johannea." Though still comparatively young, Gerhard was already regarded as the greatest living theologian of Protestant Germany; in the "disputations" of the period he was always protagonist, and his advice was sought on all public and domestic questions touching on religion or morals. During his lifetime he received repeated calls to almost every university in Germany (e.g. Giessen, Altdorf, Helmstedt, Jena, Wittenberg), as well as to Uppsala in Sweden. He died in Jena.
His writings are numerous, alike in exegetical, polemical, dogmatic and practical theology. To the first category belong the Commentarius in harmoniam historiae evangelicae de passione Christi (1617), the Comment, super priorem D. Petri epistolam (1641), and also his commentaries on Genesis (1637) and on Deuteronomy (1658). Of a controversial character are the Confessio Catholica (1633–1637), an extensive work which seeks to prove the evangelical and catholic character of the doctrine of the Augsburg Confession from the writings of approved Roman Catholic authors; and the Loci communes theologici (1610–1622), his principal contribution, in which Lutheranism is expounded "nervose, solide et copiose," in fact with a fulness of learning, a force of logic and a minuteness of detail that had never before been approached.
The Meditationes sacrae (1606), a work expressly devoted to the uses of Christian edification, has been frequently reprinted in Latin and has been translated into most of the European languages, including Greek.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 30, 2018
A solid book of devotional prayers composed by Johann Gerhard, who is by general consensus the third greatest among the Lutheran theologians (after Luther and Chemnitz). These prayers are less theologically rich than the prayers you find in, for example, The Valley of Vision, but they are quite a bit more accessible to the average Christian. They are also nicely arranged into categories of confession (e.g., "The Seriousness of Original Sin," "Participation in the Sins of Others"), thanksgiving (e.g., "Thanksgiving for all Goods of Soul, Body, and Property"), supplication (e.g., "Prayer for the Preservation and Increase of Humility"), and intercession (e.g., "Prayer for the Household," "Prayer for the Afflicted and Those Who are Suffering").
The collection is valuable for Lutherans, obviously, but really for all the people of God. Especially salutary in these prayers is the seriousness with which sin is opposed in the Christian's life. One cannot read and pray Gerhard's prayers and come away still believing that Lutherans think of justification as nothing more than a cold legal fiction, especially since Gerhard and his nephew Quenstedt practically are classical Lutheran orthodoxy. These are warm hearted, earnest, doctrinal, devotional, and doxological prayers.
The collection is valuable for Lutherans, obviously, but really for all the people of God. Especially salutary in these prayers is the seriousness with which sin is opposed in the Christian's life. One cannot read and pray Gerhard's prayers and come away still believing that Lutherans think of justification as nothing more than a cold legal fiction, especially since Gerhard and his nephew Quenstedt practically are classical Lutheran orthodoxy. These are warm hearted, earnest, doctrinal, devotional, and doxological prayers.
August 21, 2018
Beautifully written, full of scripture, uplifting and convicting - a wonderful book of prayers.
September 15, 2014
one of the best devotional books I've ever encountered
August 11, 2019
My childhood pastor is a man so humble, wise, and kind that when I think on the love of Christ, he is one of the mirrors of mercy, wisdom, and grace that has shown me who God is. I found this book on his recommendation and it is a book that belongs on the nightstand when the devil is doing his tormenting work. So often the word mercy is associated with perhaps guilt...times we have failed, a work we cannot accomplish. In this book Johann Gerhard shows us that in a rich life of prayer, mercy is the covering of the Gospel: Christ for us, His life flowing through and out of us in joyful love.
September 3, 2025
I love how medieval and contemplative these are, wholly demonstrating the continuity of the Lutheran tradition with the Church Catholic. Just like with popular works of medieval spirituality like Kempis, I don't get as much out of it as more rigorous theological works (which Gerhard wrote in spates but which are, like everything else CPH publishes, asininely expensive), but they make for an excellent addition to one's devotional life.
March 27, 2025
We've been reading these during Lent and have read the two more penitential sections along with a handful of others. As usual, Gerhard is among the best devotional writers. These give serious depth for consideration without spoon-feeding you and they make the reader think deeply about our humble state and God's mercy toward us.
March 17, 2021
This is simply a fantastic devotional reading.
I think of this as one of those special one-of-a-kind books where someone's expression and confession of faith transcends time and God speaks through them to me now.
I think of this as one of those special one-of-a-kind books where someone's expression and confession of faith transcends time and God speaks through them to me now.
August 24, 2019
I will use this devotion book often and give to others.
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
November 20, 2019
Great scripture based prayers for many situations.
July 21, 2023
Each prayer was a simultaneous conviction and relief to read. It touches on everything. These translations are a treasure and a resource I will return to again and again!
March 20, 2014
My favorite book of devotional prayers. I've used it for ministry to the sick and dying, and found it to be the best, other than Scripture itself. I highly recommend this book, especially for clergy!
November 16, 2016
An excellent translation of one of the most influential devotional and theological writers of the Lutheran Church. It has made a great addition to the devotional life of my fiancee and myself.
December 2, 2012
Wonderful meditations to start the day with.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews