A Prayer to be Preserved

by Thomas a Kempis

I believe that the saved are secure in their salvation. To use the reformed terminology, I believe in the “perseverance of the saints.” This means that those who are saints (the saved) will persevere in their faith until the end. Their perseverance in itself is evidence of the genuineness of their faith. Those who do not persevere give evidence that their faith, whatever it might have been, was not saving faith.

This is different than the assurance of salvation, although the two things are related. One can be saved and lack assurance. Assurance is the work of the Spirit in affirming and giving confidence in one’s relationship to Christ. That assurance often comes through the testing of faith. A person can only experience perseverance in a significant way when their faith is tested. Testing comes in a variety of ways. It can come through persecution or prosperity.

The other side of perseverance is preservation. What I mean is, the saint perseveres in their faith because they have been preserved by the Lord. We hold fast to Him because He is holding fast to us. And that seems to be at the heart of this prayer of Thomas a Kempis. He is praying for the preserving work of Christ so that he might persevere in his faith.

Write your blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraven, that no prosperity, no adversity shall ever move me from your love. Be to me a strong tower of defense, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble, and a guide to heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this life.