Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.

If men only believe enough in Christ they can commit adultery and murder a thousand times a day without periling their salvation.

Then they began to say: 'Yes, but how can we know what is God's Word, and what is right or wrong? We must learn this from the Pope and the councils.' Very well then, let them conclude and say what they please, yet I will reply, you cannot put your confidence in that nor thus satisfy your conscience, for you must determine this matter yourself, for your very life depends upon it. Therefore God must speak to your heart: This is God's Word; otherwise you are undecided.

Now just behold these miserable, blind, and senseless people.

Works indeed are good, and God strictly requires them of us, but they do not make us holy.

To be convinced in our hearts that we have forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace alone is the hardest thing.

There is on earth among all dangers, no more dangerous thing than a richly endowed and adroid reason, especially if she enters into spiritual matters which concern the soul and God. For it is more possible to teach an ass to read than to blind such a reason and lead it right; for reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed.