Part 4
Gracious God and Father! Most heartily do I thank Thee that Thou hast enabled me to bring my journey to a happy end. Through the ministrations of Thy dear angels Thou hast again brought me to my home, guarded and kept me from all evil, preserved me from the murderous and robbing hands of evildoers, and the teeth of wild beasts, and kept me from all other dangers of body and soul. In short, that I have been led to and fro in health and happiness: I owe it altogether to Thy fatherly goodness and almighty care. And I beseech Thee from all my heart, continue to keep me and mine under Thy protection, and preserve us, body and soul, to the eternal life, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
A Birthday Prayer.
Dear Father in heaven, I thank Thee from all my heart, that Thou hast put me into this world and made me a rational being. I am born of Christian parents and made a member of Thy holy Church. Today the anniversary of my birth hath come, and since I have been permitted to reach this day and thus complete another year of my pilgrimage, I thank Thee from all my heart and joyfully reiterate the thanksgiving of Thy servant David, "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: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies."
Since every day of my life, however, is one step nearer to death, which can strike me this hour, yes, this very minute, I beseech Thee so to shape and rule every day of my life, that I may walk according to Thy pleasure as in the day, that is circumspectly in Thy sight, honestly, and conscious of my responsibility, in short as a true Christian and in conformity with the promise made by me to Thee, my dear God, in my baptism. And if this prove my last year and my last birthday, I place all things into Thy gracious keeping. If it is Thy will that I should cease to live, then I have lived enough. For if it is sufficient for Thee, it is sufficient for me. Am I old enough for Thee, I am old enough for me. Here I again put myself under Thy shield and protection, into Thy sublime and eternal power. If I live this year, may I live in Thee; if I die, may I die in Thee, so that I may live, and move, and have my being in Thee, and whether living or dying I may be Thine to all eternity. Amen.
Prayer for Temporal Peace.
Eternal God, Everlasting Father! Thou art a God and lover of peace. From Thee all true unity cometh. We pray Thee graciously to protect Thy Christendom on earth against all its enemies, so that we may be kept in peace, and ever serve Thee gladly in faithful doctrine and a pure conduct. Grant us grace, so that all estates and rulers of Christendom may live peacefully and harmoniously in perfect piety and godliness, so that discipline and order prevail, churches and schools be not destroyed, and the country be not devastated nor grievously oppressed. Grant us grace, so that men will content themselves with what they have, and will not for the sake of avarice or lusting after foreign lands and peoples, nor yet because of pride, vain ambitions, and arrogance, enmity, hatred, envy, nor any other cause, incite war, sedition, or revolution in this our country. Hinder all evil counsel and purpose of unstable men, who think only of that which is not good. Put them to naught in their purposes, so that they must retreat and are utterly consumed with terrors. Stretch forth Thine arm to protect us who are named after Thee, so that Thy heritage be not destroyed. Support Thy faithful who rely upon Thee and call upon Thy name. Hear us in our distress, and Thy holy name protect us. Send us help from Thy sanctuary, and strengthen us from on high. Bless the country and the cities in which Thy holy word dwelleth. Prosperity must dwell within their palaces! O merciful God, incline the hearts of all men to a Christian peace and concord, to the which Thou hast called us through Thy word and gospel. And if bitterness prevail among some, help that it be done away with, to the glory of Thy holy name, the spreading of Thy word, and the betterment of Christendom, and that the poor and distressed in the land may rejoice in Thee and praise Thy holy name, for Thou only performest wonders and provest Thy powers among the nations. Amen.
A Prayer for School.
We pray Thee, everlasting God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Thou eternal and inseparable Trinity and inexpressible Unity, that Thou wouldest faithfully take under Thy protecting wing the flock of Thy Christendom, and ever abide in our midst with Thy grace and truth. Be Thou with us, O Lord, our God. Be Thou a wall of fire round about us, and destroy them who hate Thee and are hostile to Thy name. So rule us, O God, that we may ever be guided by Thy clear and pure word and are not seduced by the external appearance of things. Keep us, Lord Jesus, from error and false doctrine, and send us faithful teachers who take heed unto Thy congregation, purchased with Thy blood, and are anxious to perform Thy will. Grant us obedient hearts, so that we, as lambs of Thy flock, may obey Thy voice, and be filled with fruits of righteousness. Teach us ever to do Thy will, for Thou art our God: Thy spirit is good. Lead us into the land of uprightness, to the end that we, too, through a blessed departure from this life may attain to Thee and the everlasting joy and blessedness, and behold Thy glory to all eternity. Amen.
Church Prayers
Prayer When Going to Church.
Almighty God, Heavenly Father, because of Thy great mercy I will go to Thy house and worship Thee in Thy temple in Thy fear. Lord, lead me in the paths of righteousness, and make Thy way straight before my face. Guide me on the paths of Thy commandments, for Thou art my God, and the Lord of my salvation. I delight in Thy sanctuary and rejoice in the congregation of Thy saints, who confess and glorify Thee. How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Magnify the Lord our God, adore at His footstool; for He is holy. I worship Thee, O God, in the accepted time through Thy great mercy. Hear me according to Thy grace. Amen.
Prayer for Sincere Repentance.
Merciful and Gracious God, Thou art slow to anger and plenteous in mercy! Thou callest us daily through the gracious preaching of Thy word to devout conversion, and in Thy name causest repentance and remission of sins to be preached. And Thou showest Thy forbearance with us through Thy long suffering and inexpressible mercy, and dost not suddenly come upon sinners in the midst of their evil deeds with Thy righteous wrath and judgment to punish them, but giveth place and time for repentance, so that no one can justly charge or accuse Thee. For Thou art not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and have everlasting life. O dear God, Thou knowest the sluggishness of our flesh and the hardness of our hearts, that we through inherited sin are thus far deranged and so deeply sunk in sin, that of our own accord we can not rise or return. Therefore, for the sake of the wounds of Jesus Christ, my Lord, I beseech Thee, convert Thou me, and I am converted. For Thou art my God, and where I am converted I will truly repent. Save Thou me, O Lord, and I am saved. Help me, and I am helped. Behold, I am like an erring and lost sheep. Seek Thou Thy servant, that I forget not Thy commandments. Circumcise the foreskin of my heart. Purge me, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. O dear God, look upon me, as Thou didst look upon Mary Magdalene, the repentant sinner, as she lay at Thy feet and wept over her transgressions; and the publican in the temple, as he smote his breast and besought Thy grace. Vouchsafe unto me sincere sorrow and contrition over my sin, and a true faith with firm confidence in Thy grace, and also worthy fruits of repentance. Let me discern the day of Thy visitation, and not despise the riches of Thy mercy, so that I may not neglect the accepted time, and the day of Thy salvation, and not fail to turn to Thee, my Lord and God. May I not postpone my repentance from one day to another, nor yet to the last hour, but rather turn to Thee this day and repent. Amen.
Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sins.
Merciful Father, Eternal God, my sins are grievous, many and great my transgressions, and mine iniquities are innumerable, for the imaginations of my heart are evil from my youth. O Lord, who can understand his errors? Behold, I acknowledge my transgressions: my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest. I beseech Thine infinite mercy, enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no living man be justified. If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? Behold, if Thou contendest with man, he can not answer Thee one of a thousand, for all our righteousness before Thee is as the filthy rag. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin for Thy name's sake. Lord, have mercy upon me, save my soul, for, alas! I have sinned against Thee. Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies and Thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever as of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness' sake, O Lord. Remember that we are flesh, as the wind which bloweth and doth not return, and cease in Thy anger and wrath against us. O merciful God, I acknowledge that my virtues and my deeds can never blot out my sins, nor yet merit Thy grace. Only the innocent suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb without spot or blemish, is the true offering for our iniquities, and His blood, shed for the remission of our sins, is the cleansing and purification of our souls. In such confidence and hope I supplicate Thee: forgive Thou the transgressions of Thy people. Cover our sins. Impute not our iniquities, for Thou art merciful. Cleanse Thou me from secret fault. Let my sorrowing soul and my vexed bones again rejoice, for with Thee there is mercy and plenteous redemption. O Lord, hear the voice of my supplication, and despise not the groanings of my heart, for Christ's sake. Amen.
Prayer for True Faith.
Lord, Almighty God, Thou Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, from whom every good and perfect gift cometh, I pray Thee, since all men have not faith: implant and maintain in my heart through the workings of Thy Holy Spirit the true knowledge of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and increase it from day to day, so that I, too, may be filled with the knowledge of Thy will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that I may walk worthy of Thee unto all pleasing, being faithful in every good work, and increase in such knowledge according to Thy glorious power in all patience and long suffering with joy. Grant unto me, according to the riches of Thy glory, that I may be strengthened with might by Thy Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith. O dear God, since no man knoweth the Son but Thou, O Father, and no man knoweth Thee, the Father, but only the same Thy Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Thee, I pray Thee, draw Thou me unto Thee. Grant me the knowledge of salvation, which is the forgiveness of sins. Strengthen my weak faith, which is small as the mustard seed, so that it may increase, and I be rooted and grounded in Thee, and may stand steadfast and unmoveable. Gracious God, Thou hast kindled the spark of faith in my heart and has begun this good work in me, I cry to Thee, perfect it until the end, that we may ever increase in knowledge and understanding, and be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Preserve what Thou hast begun, that we might war a good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience, and not waver or succumb in trial and temptation and make shipwreck concerning faith. Therefore protect me, my God, that I am not led astray among the errors, schisms, and heresies of the world. Preserve me from superstitions and all false doctrine, that I may neither err nor doubt in any article of faith. And vouchsafe unto me Thy grace, that my faith be not lifeless, inactive, or without good fruits, but active and energetic, serving in love, so that I, too, may carry off the end of faith, which is the soul's salvation. Amen.
Prayer Before Confession.
Lord Jesus Christ, Thou my Redeemer, Thou hast given unto Thy dear Church on earth and its faithful servants the sacred office of the keys, and invested it with the promise, that whatsoever by virtue of the same they shall loose or bind on earth shall also be loosed or bound in heaven: I thank Thee, and eternally praise and glorify Thee, for such Thy gracious gift. And, since I a poor and bound sinner need this blessed key which looseth, so that I may not be kept under the bonds of the infernal jailer, I beseech Thine infinite mercy, that I may receive its comfort through my spiritual father, my pastor, and for the sake of Thy holy, precious blood and Thy innocent offering and death be loosed from all my sins. Grant me Thy Holy Spirit, so that I may grasp this holy absolution in heartfelt contrition and undoubting trust, firm resolve, brotherly love and gratitude, and inherit the eternal life. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Absolution.
O Blessed, Merciful, and Gracious God! I thank and praise Thee from all my heart, that through Thy servant Thou hast again forgiven me, a poor sinner, all my sins, again received me in grace, and promised me eternal life. I earnestly pray Thee, vouchsafe unto me Thy Holy Spirit, and create in me a pure heart, so that I may joyously trust that all my sins are forgiven me through Jesus Christ. As an earnest and surety of this blessed fact, I will now eat and drink the true body and blood of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, to my soul's salvation. Grant me also, O faithful God, that henceforth I may earnestly avoid all sin and better my life. This Thou wouldest graciously grant me for Thy name's sake. Amen.
A Morning Prayer for Communion Day.
Arise, my soul, this is the day which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Give thanks unto the gracious and merciful God for His blessings and say:
Almighty and Merciful God and Father, I thank Thee from all my heart for the protection of this night, for the refreshing rest, and for the joyous morning, which Thou hast granted unto me. I praise Thee with all my soul for Thy wonderful mercy which blesses me with the forgiveness of my sins. Praised be Thy grace, which is new each morn, and which on this day also bids me to Thy house, and calls and invites me to Thy altar.
O Lord, since I, too, would come to Thy Supper with the throngs which celebrate, do Thou Thyself make me ready. As Thou wouldest find a pure residence in me, do Thou cleanse and consecrate my body and soul. Guide me with Thine eye, and lead me with Thy hand to the riches of Thy mercy. Comfort me with Thy countenance, and do not forsake me. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.
And, that my sacred resolve may not be hampered, I commend to Thee my body and soul, reason, senses, and thoughts, whatever I do or leave undone, my coming in and going out, my walking, standing, sitting, and resting, my imaginations and aspirations, my faith and confession, and whatever internally or externally I may be or do. O God, preserve in me a devout spirit, and hinder whatever might disturb or hamper me. Receive me into the especial care of Thy grace, and increase in me the work that is now begun. Perfect and complete it according to Thy power and grace to Thy glory and my salvation. Keep me from evil thoughts, from idle imaginations, from all uncleanliness, so that in Thy fear I may begin a consecrated life and continue therein. May the light of my faith shine before men. May I give offense to none, but rather in Christian conduct edify the brethren and direct them to all virtue.
Holy Jesus, do Thou unite with my body and soul on this day. Nourish me with Thy flesh and refresh me with Thy blood, so that my weak faith be strengthened, and receive the assurance of Thy grace, the remission of my sin, and eternal salvation. Invest me with the pure silk of Thy righteousness. Clothe me in the true wedding garment, that I may appear at Thy heavenly board a worthy guest.
Now, Lord God and Father, be my help and my protection! Lord Jesus Christ be my bread, my light, and life! And Thou, O Holy Ghost, illumine and preserve me in the true sanctification, so that in that estate, into which I again am permitted to enter, I may remain for the course of my life. Let me be enveloped in Thee. Without Thee there is only grief. O dear Savior, let me ever be with Thee. Amen.
Prayer Before Holy Communion.
Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Son of God, I am not worthy to open my lips and receive the most precious sacrament of Thy body and blood. For I am a sin-stained man, but Thou art the Lord whom the heavens can not encompass. How then can a human being who is but dust and ashes be worthy to receive Thy most holy body and precious blood! I well know and acknowledge that my sins are many and that for that reason I am an unworthy guest at Thy table. But I also sincerely believe and confess it with my lips that by Thy grace Thou canst render me worthy. For Thou art omnipotent and gracious. Thou only canst cleanse and make holy whatever took rise in unclean seed. Thou canst transform sinners into true and holy men, when by Thy grace Thou forgivest sin and renewest us with Thy Holy Spirit. Therefore I pray Thee, by Thy power and love grant me grace, that I may worthily approach Thy altar, and not become guilty of Thy body and blood by unworthy eating and drinking, so that I may not receive death in place of life. Grant me grace, that I may know and test myself as a poor sinner, my heart filled with sorrow over mine iniquity, and may properly discern Thy tender and noble body, and Thy holy, precious blood. May my reason, senses, and intellect be ever submissive to Thy word, and may I be earnestly resolved to better and improve my life with Thy help, so that in this precious sacrament, I may not only with my mouth receive Thy body and blood, but also in true faith accept Thee, my Savior and Redeemer, enthrone Thee in my heart, and find in Thee my life and blessedness. For Thou art the living bread which cometh down from heaven and bringeth life to men. Whoever cometh to Thee shall nevermore hunger, and he that believeth on Thee shall nevermore thirst. Whoever eateth Thy flesh and drinketh Thy blood dwelleth in Thee and Thou in him, and shall never die. O beloved Lord, my spirit and my mind yearn for Thee. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Fill me with Thy grace. Amen.
A Sigh When About to Receive the Sacred Body of Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy holy body strengthen and preserve me in the true faith unto eternal life. Amen.
A Sigh When About to Receive the Sacred Blood of Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy holy blood strengthen and preserve me in the true faith unto eternal life. Amen.
Prayer After the Holy Supper.
Lord Jesus Christ, with all my heart I thank and glorify Thee, that Thou hast again cleansed me, a poor sinner, from all my sin, and as an earnest of such cleansing and forgiveness of my sin, hast nourished me with Thy body and blood, and like an unclean child, after such purification, hast received me into the fatherly arms of Thy grace and mercy, and put me pure, reproachless, and without blemish before Thy Father.
I earnestly pray Thee with all my power, in addition to such blessing, grant me Thy grace through the workings of Thy Holy Ghost, so that I may sufficiently understand such blessing and grace, gratefully accept it, and glorify and praise Thee with all my heart. Grant me strength from above by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may heartily forgive my neighbor wherever he hath sinned against me, even as Thou hast fully and richly forgiven me my great and manifold transgressions, yes, entirely blotted them out and wilt never remember them. Help me to love my neighbor and gladly show him every good, as Thou hast done unto me, and hast shown me more than I can ever sufficiently thank Thee for. Praise and glory be to Thee, O faithful God, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Prayer for a Pious Life.
O my dear Lord Jesus, illumine me today and evermore, that I may shape the course of my Christian life and direct it toward the eternal Jerusalem, my eternal home. And as Thou yearnest for me, may I also have all my delight and thirst in Thee, seek Thee early, yearn for Thee, and make of Thee, the bread of life, the companion of all my ways. Keep me, O unchangeable, everlasting God, from the inconstancy of the children of this world, that I may not fall into hypocrisy as they do, but today and always, in all my calling, prove myself constant in godliness, so that my life may decrease in vice and increase in virtue. May I always faithfully serve Thee, my Lord, disdain the worldly, be exalted in Thee, experience Thy grace and protection, and eternally thank Thee, for Christ's sake. Amen.
Prayer for Faithful Teachers and Preachers.
The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.
Merciful God, who hast commanded us through Thy only begotten Son to pray Thee for laborers in Thy harvest: I earnestly beseech Thee, grant us, Thy sheep, pastors according to Thy heart, to feed us with doctrine and wisdom. Put learned bishops, Christian pastors, pious teachers over Thy congregation, faithfully to show the true way to eternal life. Fill them plenteously with Thy Holy Spirit, so that they may fruitfully proclaim the holy and precious word of the gospel, and sincerely perfect Thy work. Grant them a courageous heart, that without fear or favor they may lift up their voices and put the adversaries to silence. Open the door for their word, that they may be blessed and go from strength to strength. May they also be shining examples for the flocks entrusted to their care. Grant me and all listeners a grateful heart, that we may communicate in all good things unto them that teach us the word, rejoice in them, forsake them not, so that we may be blessed of Thee according to Thy promise in all the works of our hands. Preserve us from hirelings, time-servers, unfaithful laborers, and hypocrites, who falsely deceive the hearts of the righteous, whom Thou hast never grieved, and fortify the hands of the wicked, that they will not turn from their evil ways. Let us never be robbed of our faithful preachers for the sake of our ingratitude, but rather look upon the glory of Thy holy name, yea, behold the Kingdom of Thine Anointed, that it may prevail among us to the end of the world. Amen.
Prayer for the Kingdom of God. (Meeting of the Congregation)