Part 3

Whilst Thou art giving What for a living Seems very needful, Oh, make Thou me heedful Of this great truth and commendable thought: God, like a tower, Transcends all in power; Good beyond telling, In beauty excelling, He doth suffice me, all else counts for naught.

If grief and sadness Temper my gladness If for the morrow Thou send me sorrow Do as Thou wilt, for my trust is in Thee. Thou surely knowest That what Thou bestowest, E'en though distressing, Must bring me a blessing; Thou wilt not deal too severely with me.

Ills that still grieve me Soon are to leave me; Though waves may tower And winds gain power, After the storm the fair sun shows its face. Joys e'er increasing, And peace never ceasing, These I shall treasure And share in full measure When in His mansions God grants me a place.

Paul Gerhardt, 1666. Tr. H. Brueckner, 1918.

Prayer for Saturday Evening.

Praise be unto Thee, Thou great and unchangeable God! Praise be unto Thy goodness and mercy! Praise be unto Thy eternal wisdom and truth, that Thou hast preserved me during the day now past from all danger and harm. I pray Thee, graciously perfect Thy goodness which Thou hast begun in me, and suffer me to rest this night under Thy protecting shield, and cover me with Thy wings. Suffer me to put my trust under the shadow of Thy hands, that I fear no evil. Keep me, O God, as the apple of the eye. Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings. Lord, Thou art the portion of mine inheritance; my salvation is in Thy hands. Grant unto me, according to Thy goodness, that neither fear nor trembling come over me, and no terrors of the night overwhelm me. Be merciful unto me, for in Thee do I put my trust, and under the shadow of Thy wings do I find my refuge. I seek the Lord in the time of need; my hand is outstretched in the night without ceasing; for my soul has none other comfort; and I know of none other helper in heaven or earth but Thee alone. At midnight when I awaken, I meditate upon Thy name, so altogether lovely, upon Thy goodness and fidelity, vouchsafed unto me, and I praise Thee because of Thy righteous judgments. When I am troubled I remember God, when my spirit is overwhelmed I speak of my Savior. For He redeemeth my life from destruction and saveth me from the snares of death. Lord God, my Savior, by day and by night do I cry unto Thee, pardon all my transgressions, which during this day and the week now past I have committed against Thee. O Lord, deliver my soul for Thy mercy's sake. Thou art gracious and just, and our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple. I was brought low, and He helped me. Therefore will I rejoice and praise Thee, and sing aloud upon my bed. For the days of my life will appear as noonday, and darkness as the morning's light, and I will rejoice that Thou, O God, art my hope and my rest in life and death. I lay me down, and none will terrify me. Thus do I commend my body and soul into Thy hands, Thou Faithful God. Thou hast redeemed me through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Werde munter, mein Gemuete.

Soul of mine, to God awaking, And ye senses, ev'ry one, Come, your quiet haunts forsaking, Tell what God to me has done. How He this entire day Has been with me on my way, To my many wants attending And from ills protection lending.

Praise and thanks to Thee I render, Father Thou of mercies great. Thou hast been my strong Defender, And Thy love does not abate. Thou hast shielded me from woe, Lent me strength and quenched the foe, So that I, such help beholding, Rest secure in Thine enfolding.

If from Thee I have departed, I return again to Thee, Knowing Thou art tender-hearted, Since Thy Son has died for me. I can not deny the guilt, But for me His blood was spilt, And Thy grace, all sin exceeding, Lends forgiveness at His pleading.

O Thou Light, with brightness filling Ev'ry true and pious soul, Into me Thy grace instilling, Make my troubled spirit whole. Deign this night to stay with me, And let me abide in Thee, That, while darkness may enthrall me, Yet no evil may befall me.

Grant that I in peace may slumber, Finding sweet and quiet rest. Let no cares my soul encumber, Keep it by Thy presence blest. Mind and body, child and wife, All my goods and all my life, Friends and foes (again befriended) Be this night to Thee commended.

Let no terrors overtake me, Shield me well from base attack. Let no grievous pain awake me, War and pestilence keep back. Ward off fire, water, death, All that threatens life and breath. Spare me violence, extortion And, withal, a sinner's portion.

O immortal God, endue me With the gifts for which I ask. Jesus, lest some ill pursue me, Prosper me in ev'ry task. Holy Spirit, comfort, friend, On whose counsel I depend, Listen to my earnest pleading, Amen. Thou my prayer art heeding.

Johann Rist, 1642. H. Brueckner, 1918.

A Daily Prayer. To be spoken mornings or evenings.

Dear God and Lord! I live, yet know not how long. I die, yet know not when. Thou, O Heavenly Father, knowest. Lo, dear Lord, is this hour, this day (this night) the last of my life: Thy will be done! Thou alone knowest best. As Thou wilt I am willing through the true faith in Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, to live or die. But, O God, do Thou grant me this petition, that I may not suddenly pass away in my sins, and be lost. Vouchsafe unto me true knowledge, repentance and sorrow over my passed transgressions. Set them before my sight in this life, that they may not at the last day be set before me, and I be put to shame before angels and men. Grant me sufficient time and opportunity for repentance, so that from all my heart I may know and acknowledge my transgressions, and from Thy saving word obtain forgiveness and comfort for the same. O Merciful Father, forsake me not, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. My heart and my heart's trust, O Thou Searcher of hearts, is ever known to Thee. Keep me in such trust to the life eternal. May I die, when Thou wilt, only grant me a peaceful and blessed End. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, Thou highest good, I pray Thee, through Thy precious blood, Grant, that my final end be good. Amen.

At the Beginning of the Week's Work.

Rule Thou, O God the Father, who hast made us, and like all other creatures ordained us not to indolence but to work, and bless each one in his calling. Thou who rulest the universe also rule our own dear government and graciously vouchsafe to it Thy wisdom and strength.

Rule Thou, O God the Son, who hast redeemed and ransomed us from sin. Take from us the burden of sin committed during the week now past, and graciously grant us Thy peace. Thou the Supreme Bishop and Archshepherd of our souls, help all servants of Thy word in this and all Thy congregations on earth to labor and bring forth much fruit unto eternal life.

Rule Thou, O God the Holy Ghost, who hast sanctified us and born us again in Holy Baptism. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us, that we carry no evils of the past into the new week, but put away all purpose and inclination of the old Adam still in us. Govern Thou our hearts with power; and if this week mark for any of us the end of life, help Thou in the last bitter hour. Fill the heart with that grace which is better than life. Teach the hands to battle and vanquish the last enemy, and grant for Christ's sake, the rest and triumph of the sabbath everlasting.

Thou, the Triune and Immortal God, be and abide with us and Thy Church forever. Unto Thee be glory, laud, and honor, world without end. Amen.

At the Table

Grace Before Meat.

The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O God, and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Amen.

O Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts, which we receive from Thy loving kindness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, And let Thy gifts to us be blest. Amen.

Gracious Father, who feedest and nourishest every living creature, feed and nourish our souls and bodies that we may not abuse Thy gifts, but that we be rather quickened by the same unto the glory of Thy Name, unto all honest toil and every good work, to live and move before Thee in righteousness and innocence. Amen.

1562.

Be present at our table Lord; Be here and everywhere adored. Thy people bless, and grant that we, May dwell in paradise with Thee. Amen.

Heavenly Father, bless this food, To Thy glory and our good. Amen.

Jesus, bless what Thou hast given, Feed our souls with bread from Heaven; Guide and lead us all the way, In all that we may do and say. Amen.

Grace After Meat.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. He giveth food to all flesh; He giveth to the beast his food; and to the young ravens which cry. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. Amen.

We thank Thee, Lord God, Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Thy benefits; who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

Dearest God, for meat and drink Accept our praise. Thy Name be blessed. Amen.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Amen.

We thank Thee, Lord, for this our food, We thank Thee more for Jesus' blood, Let manna to our souls be given, The bread of life sent down from heaven. Amen.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

For Hearth and Home

Prayer of a Housefather.

Gracious and Eternal God! Who Thyself in Paradise hast ordained holy matrimony, vouchsafe unto me Thy grace and help in my married life, that I may ever maintain the true Christian love and fidelity toward my spouse. Grant, that I may dwell with her, as with the weaker vessel, in kindness and harmony according to knowledge, giving honor unto her, as being heirs together of the grace of life, and guide her together with my children and servants to the true knowledge of Thy divine glory, and to modesty and honesty. Grant to them also, O Lord, that they follow Thee, and suffer themselves to be guided. Preserve us, O Thou God of Peace, from strife and dissensions, and the calumnies of the enemy, from undue suspicion, which the devil sows as a seed of perdition, and for the destruction of conjugal love and faith. Grant, that as Thy children we may suffer and forgive each other in love and charity. Give us faithful servants and keep them in good health. Bless our labor and all that contributes to the wants of the body. Enable us to bear our cross with patience, and grant that we be together again in the after-life. Amen.

Prayer of a Housemother.

O God Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Thou giver of all blessing and consolation, behold me, whom Thou hast placed in the estate of holy wedlock and made me the mother of this family, with the eyes of Thy mercy. Vouchsafe unto Thy handmaiden Thy grace, that I may love Thee above all things, seek Thee, and ever be diligent in Thy service. And grant that next to Thee I may honor, fear, and love my husband, and obey him with patience and kindness, in pure and modest conduct, in piety and humility well pleasing to Thee, and that the hidden life of my heart be constantly adorned with a meek and gentle disposition and every virtue, even as in former times the consecrated women, who trusted in God and continued in subjection to their husbands. Enable me to train my children and servants with meekness, to the honor and glory of Thy holy name. Give grace, that they follow me with gentleness, and grant, that I with my husband and family may satisfy the wants of this life in good health and according to Thy divine will. Protect us from harm and from enemies. Enable us so to use this world that we be not hindered in our salvation, but in all things seek Thee, O Lord, and endeavor to be well-favored in Thy sight. May we not despise the cross neither murmur against it, but bear it in patience, and thus remain in Thy keeping unto the end. May we as servants of God bring forth abundant fruitage, live holy lives in this world, and attain to the everlasting inheritance in the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of a Child.

Almighty and Eternal God! Thou hast commanded me to honor my parents, and in all things, which are not contrary to Thy word, to obey them. I beseech Thee, for the sake of the obedience of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord, grant unto me, that I may duly honor my father and mother, serve them, obey, love, and esteem them, so that their blessing may dwell with me to the end of my days. Keep me from sin and evil communications, that I may not anger or grieve my dear parents with hatred, sadness, scornfulness, disobedience, or obstinacy, and thus bring upon myself on this earth already their and Thy curse, and in the after-life Thy eternal wrath. And since I have sinned many times through weakness, I beseech Thee, work in me sorrow and true repentance, through Jesus Christ, my Savior, who gave to me the example of true obedience. Grant, that according to His example I may ever grow, and increase in wisdom, stature, and grace before Thee, O God, and all men. Amen.

Prayer of a Youth or a Maiden.

Lord, Almighty and Holy God, who lovest a pure heart, a chaste mind, and a holy life: I pray Thee, create in me also a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me, so that I may serve Thee with sincere faith and true fear, and love Thee with all my strength. And keep me from all impure communications. Subdue the evil lusts in my heart, and extinguish the fires of fleshly desire. Preserve me from unchaste and dissolute associations, from rioting and drunkenness, which lead to excess. May all filthiness, and foolish talking, unbecoming a Christian, be ever foreign to my life. Keep me from arrogant pomp, or idleness and lounging, from the snares and nets of the devil. Grant, that I may serve Thee with a pure soul and an undefiled body in true faith, as did pious and chaste Joseph in Egypt, and graciously take me into Thy safekeeping against all temptations and seductions of life, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son. Amen.

Prayer of a Servant.

Merciful God, Who through the precious suffering and death of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, hast redeemed and made me free from eternal servitude, from the power of sin, from the dominion of darkness, from the cruel tyranny of the devil, and the mastery of death and hell: I beseech Thee, grant me grace, so that in my present station and calling, in which Thou hast placed me on earth according to Thy good pleasure, I may not be dissatisfied, nor murmur impatiently against Thy ordinance, nor yet envy others in their more exalted stations, but help me to do such Thy will from the heart, with good will, ever thinking that I serve Thee, O God in Heaven, and not men. Help Thou, dear Father, that I serve Thee, the supreme Lord of heaven and earth, in true knowledge and upright fear, love Thee above all things, put all my hope and salvation in Thee, and continue in Thy commandments without blame. May I also be subject to my masters and mistresses according to the flesh, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward, and patiently obey them in everything that is not contrary to Thy pleasure, with fear and singleness of heart, as unto Christ my Lord, not with eye-service, as man pleaser, but from the depths of my heart and for the sake of Thy will and commandment. Grant me grace that I may be found faithful in all things committed and entrusted to my care, not neglect nor bring them to naught, suffer no harm to come through carelessness on my part; also that I may not covet nor fraudulently appropriate to my own use the possessions of another entrusted to my care. Preserve my health, strengthen my limbs and all the powers of my body. Endow me with wisdom and understanding, that I may perform the labor of my masters and mistresses, with Thy help improve their living. May they be blessed through my industry; and all that I do and perform, may it redound to Thy divine glory and a blessed exercise of my faith. For Christ, Thy dear Son's sake, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Prayer of a School Child for the Holy Spirit.

O my dear Lord, Jesus Christ, I thank Thee, that to the present day, Thou ordainest church and school ordinances and regulations, and hast given unto my parents and me grace, that I too may be thus trained. I beseech Thee, fill me with Thy Holy Spirit, that I may ever obey my dear parents and teachers, who only seek my welfare. Give unto me a docile heart, that I may learn my catechism, noble arts and language, and thus increase in godliness, wisdom, understanding, and every virtue. O my dear Lord Jesus Christ, create in me a pure, chaste, and modest heart. May I ever serve Thee in upright faith and true fear, and love Thee from all my heart. Subdue in me all evil lusts. Endow me with Thy Holy Spirit. Help me to continue in true humility. Grant me an obedient heart, to honor my parents according to Thy commandment, and neither anger nor grieve them. May they live long on this earth, and protect Thou and preserve them from disease, evil, and harm. Be gracious unto us and merciful. Bless us in body and soul, now and forevermore. Amen.

Prayer During a Thunder Storm.

Most Mighty God! All the powers of the earth shall honor Thy holy name, and worship Thee, Eternal Father, in the beauty of holiness. For Thou art the Lord, who reigneth over all. Thou showest Thy might and power throughout the universe. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. The Lord of glory thundereth. The Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful and full of majesty. The earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken. There went up smoke out of Thy nostrils, and fire out of Thy mouth devoured: coals are kindled by it. Thy pavilion round about Thee are dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. The Lord thundereth in the heavens, and the Highest gave His voice. All things are subject to Thee. All things acknowledge Thee as their maker, and tremble before Thy divine majesty. The mountains and the depths of the abyss are sore vexed when Thou art wroth, the earth trembleth, and the sea and the waters flee because of Thy wrath. The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness. The Lord is king forever. The Lord will give strength unto His people. The Lord will bless His people with peace. O merciful God, preserve us from Thy wrath, which is beyond endurance! Forgive us our sins! Make Thy face shine upon us! Cause this grievous tempest to pass by without harm to us! Protect us in body and soul, our house and home. Keep the fruits of the fields from hail and storm, from great inundation by water and all harm. O Holy God, preserve us from an evil death, and protect us, that no disaster befall us. Amen.

Thanksgiving After a Thunderstorm.

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who has said, Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me; we praise and thank Thee most heartily. For Thou hast graciously heard our prayer and hast made this storm to pass that no harm befell us in life and property. Thus hast Thou again revealed to us Thy fatherly compassion, and that Thou wouldest not deal with us after our sins, neither reward us according to our iniquities. Grant us, O Merciful Father, for the sake of Thy only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that we may take heed of Thy earnest and fatherly admonitions, improve our lives, and live in the fear of Thee. May we constantly prepare and make ready ourselves for the coming of Thy dear Son, when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also, and the works thereof, shall be burned up, and may we meet Him with rejoicing and enter the new heaven, wherein dwelleth righteousness, and forever be with Thee; through the same, Thy dear Son, our Master and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer on the Eve of a Journey.

Almighty and Gracious God and Father, Thou protector of all that trust in Thee from their hearts! In Thy name will I proceed and undertake this journey. For Thou art my God and preservest my going out and my coming in. Thou leadest my feet in right paths and wilt not suffer them to be moved. I heartily beseech Thee to be my gracious guide and companion on this present journey. Send Thy holy angels, and command them, in all my wanderings, to keep me from all evil in body and soul. Lead me on the paths of the righteous and bring me safely to my destination, that I may laud and magnify Thee, here in time and in eternity forever. And now, O Lord God and Father, into Thy hands do I commit my body and soul and all that I possess. Thy holy angel be my safe guard. Amen.

Prayer During a Journey.

Almighty and Most Merciful God! We are always in Thy sight wherever we be. Thou preservest our coming in and our going out, and leadest us on the right paths that we slip not. I pray Thee, that as Thou didst lead Thy servant Abraham from the land of the Chaldees and kept him unharmed in his pilgrimage, and didst say to his grandson Jacob when he journeyed to Mesopotamia, I am with thee, and will bring thee again into this land; and as Thou also didst lead the Children of Israel through the Red Sea and through the desert, and didst go before them, by day in a pillar of a cloud and night in a pillar of fire: thus wouldst Thou also be with me on my wandering, protect me on land and sea, by day and by night, and keep me from all harm and danger. And when my business is completed bring me home again in full health of body and soul. And as Thou didst accompany youthful Tobias through Thy angel Raphael, likewise do Thou accompany me in all my ways, so that when I, too, have happily returned to my home, I with all mine own may have the greater reason to laud and praise Thee as my true and faithful guide. Meanwhile I commend to Thy care all that I leave at home, and beseech Thee to have charge concerning them, and suffer me to find them unharmed when I return. Amen.

Prayer of Children for Their Father Engaged on a Journey.

O Eternal Son of God, Thou Savior of all who call upon Thee in faith! We Thy children, baptized into Thy blood, consecrated by Thy Spirit a royal priesthood, and ordained Thy brethren and co-heirs with Thee in grace, call upon Thee with innocent tongues, and earnestly pray Thee, graciously to safeguard our dear father now journeying over land for the sake of his calling and to gain the means of livelihood. Help him to discharge his duties with favor and despatch, and return him to us in health and joy, as Thou through Thy angels didst preserve and guide Thy servant Jacob on his journeys, for Thou art the faithful guide and companion of all who fear Thee and trust in Thy mercy. Amen.

Thanksgiving After a Completed Journey.