​​Johann Starck brought God’s Word home to each waiting heart. His devotions cover the most pressing needs of life along with the everyday concerns of existence. Starck is described as having “a Savior’s eye and heart” for others. In his ministerial years, it was written that he “labored with unbroken strength as a preacher, pastor, and author ‘till a great age.” He died July 17, 1756. His original PRAYER BOOK, written in German in the 1700s, was translated into English by Dr. F. Pieper in 1900, and in 1921 a newer translation was edited by W. H. T. Dau. We can be grateful for the labors of these translators as well as the publication of the books by Concordia Publishing. An updated English version is available.

Earnest, seeking believers can find devotions in Starck’s Prayer Book that apply to their deepest concerns: There are five Books within this grand volume summarized below. Each section is filled with specific areas and Scriptures: BOOK I is for Use in Health, and contains Daily Prayers, Festival Season Prayers, such as the Suffering of Jesus Christ, the Day of Jesus’ Death, the Resurrection of Christ, Meditations on the Ascension of Christ, and Meditations on the Guardian of the Holy Angels. Book I concludes with Prayers for Spiritual and Bodily Blessings such as Sanctification, Loving My Neighbor, Trusting That God Alone Is the Highest Good, Humility, Meekness, and Praying for Family.

BOOK II provides devotions for the Use of the Afflicted, such as Taking Comfort in the Omnipotence of God, Mercy of God, Divine Promises and Prayers for Patience and Strength. There are specific prayers for Afflicted Widows, Forsaken Orphans, Weakness of Faith, and Complaints of Sinful, Wicked and Blasphemous Thoughts.

BOOK III is designed for specific Use of the Sick. Devotions focus upon the Sick Person, God’s Assistance, the Calls to Mind that He is Human and Mortal, and that he can Rest His Confidence on the Almighty Power of God, and the Surrender to the Will of God to Live or Die. Great comfort is offered to the reader with prayers for the Alleviation of Pain and Forgiveness of Sins, along with Sighs to God Not to Forsake Him.

BOOK IV reaches to the depths of human needs with specific prayers for the Use of the Dying and Those Attending Them. These devotions and Scriptures are sure to be a great comfort to the believing person who uses this book. Some of the titles are The Dying Person Places Himself before the Judgment-seat of God, Forgives and Asks to Be Forgiven, Bids His Dear Ones Farewell and Gives Them His Blessing, Gives Himself to God, Contemplates Heaven, The Dying Person Is Ready to Fall Asleep In Jesus, The Dying Person Prays for a Blessed End, Benediction Pronounced Over a Dying Person, and Prayers for Those Present After the Dying Person has Breathed His Last.

BOOK V is rich and practical with Prayers For Special Occasions such as the Believing Christian’s Birthday, Times of practical need are covered with Prayers during a Thunderstorm, Prayer for Leaving Home and Starting On a Journey, Prayer Living in Foreign Countries, The Believing Christian Prays in Time of War, Prayers when His Country Has been Visited with Hard Times, Pestilence, Fire, and even Long Period of bad weather.

A uniquely special section is included in the final pages of Starck’s Prayer Book for the Expectant Mother during the months of worshiping the God of creation as she awaits her baby, followed with an abundance of Scriptures and devotions to be used during labor and delivery of her child. Pages are added with comforting Scriptures and tender devotions for those who are unable to bear children. Many pages of appropriate Scriptures and hymns are the crowning feature of this book.

I enthusiastically recommend the earnest devotional reading of Starck’s Prayer Book. The reader may choose old English or a modern updated translation. My personal gleanings from Johann Starck have brought encouraging responses of blessing from the people of Hope Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who have been contemplating them each week with me during 2018.