Part 4

Such have an altogether false conception of the Holy Supper, who regard it as a mere feast at which a person does but commemorate Christ's sufferings and death. No, the Holy Supper is the exalted and holy mystery, in which Christ with the consecrated bread gives us his body to eat, and with the consecrated wine gives us his blood to drink, even the same body which he took on himself from the virgin Mary and gave in death for our sins, and the same blood which he shed upon the cross for the remission of our sins. True, we cannot see this with our eyes, we cannot taste it with our mouth, nor can we understand it with our reason, but must believe it, for our Lord and Saviour says: "Take, eat, this _is_ my body; take, drink, this _is_ my blood." Our Lord and Saviour is true, and certainly he will fulfill what he says in the words of his testament; he is of infinite wisdom, and knows of ways and means for the fulfillment of his promises, even though it be beyond our comprehension; he is almighty, with whom nothing is impossible, who can do infinitely more than we are able to ask or think. If we believe with all earnestness, that it is not mere bread and wine, but also the true body and blood of our Saviour, who is God and man in one person, which we receive in the Holy Supper, then we will not be thoughtless and indifferent, but we will approach the table of the Lord with devotional and humble hearts and with the centurion exclaim: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof!

The benefits derived from the Holy Supper are threefold: first, by a worthy partaking of the Holy Supper we receive the forgiveness of sin and are assured of the same. Our gracious God has given many and manifold means to assure the poor sinner of the forgiveness of his sins; such means are, the preaching of the Gospel, Holy Baptism, Absolution and the Holy Supper. We should not ask the impertinent question, why God has given us _four_ means of grace, instead of _one_, but rather thank him, that he has so richly blessed us in making us partakers of the forgiveness of our sins, and that he, through these means, gives unto us a joyful heart and a certain assurance that we are acceptable unto him. Whoever knows from own experience, how important it is for one whose heart is terrified on account of his sins, to believe in the forgiveness of such sins, will readily conceive the greatness of divine mercy and care, in not providing only one, but many means, through which we have the assurance of the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, just as certain as with your mouth you eat the body of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which was given for you in death for the forgiveness of your sins, and drink that blood which was shed for the remission of your sins, just so certain also should you be that such forgiveness is your portion and inheritance. Second, the Holy Supper also confers life. This is not a temporal, natural life, which we have received through birth and which is nourished through the ordinary food and drink, but it is that new, spiritual life, which has been regenerated through the new birth in Holy Baptism, and which subsists by virtue of faith in the Lord Jesus and in love to God and our neighbor. But inasmuch as this life is yet weak and imperfect and constant growth is necessary, the Lord has instituted the Holy Supper as a spiritual means of nourishment, in order to strengthen the new spiritual life. Luther says concerning this: The Holy Supper is rightly regarded as food for the soul which nourishes and strengthens the new man; for through Baptism we are first born again, but there still remains the old Adam in our flesh and blood; there are so many temptations and impediments thrown in the way by the world and the devil, that we often grow weary and languid and sometimes fall. Hence the Holy Supper is given us as a daily nourishment and food that our faith may grow and be strengthened, and that in such contest it may not fall back, but ever grow stronger and stronger; for the new life must be such as always to increase and progress; it has on the other hand, to suffer much; for the devil is such a wrathful enemy, when he sees that one opposes him and assails the old man, and he is unable to prevail with his power, then he will sneak and creep around on all sides, making use of all kinds of artifice and keeps on until he finally has made us weary, that a person either falls from the faith altogether, or gives way to disgust and impatience. Thereto then this comfort is given, that the heart, when it feels the temptations too great to bear, receives new strength and solace from the Holy Supper. But, thirdly, the Holy Supper also confers eternal salvation. Just as sin, as long as it is not forgiven, deprives us of salvation, so sin which is forgiven opens unto us the door of eternal salvation. Where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation.

But if we would obtain this threefold blessed benefit from the Holy Supper, we must receive it worthily and well prepared. This is however not a worthiness brought about by the law, but by the Gospel, and does not consist in a perfect life and entire purity of the soul from sin; but much more in this, that we are conscious of our unworthiness and sinfulness; that we have a heart poor in spirit and mournful, and long heartily after the forgiveness of sin, that we also comfort ourselves with it or wish to comfort; that we regard our sins to be very great, but that we rejoice in the help which is found in none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand, all those communicants are unworthy and unfit, who in their self-righteous conceit think it unnecessary to have the forgiveness of sin, as was the case with the Pharisee, who stood and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are,--or who entirely doubt the forgiveness of sin, as did Cain, who said unto the Lord: My punishment is greater than I can bear, and who will not permit himself to be delivered from his despondent thoughts, or those who continue in evil purpose and who knowingly go on and serve sin, or who live in malicious hatred against their neighbor. When such unworthy communicants receive the Holy Supper, it is true, they also receive the body and blood of Christ, but they receive it unto judgment and unto the increase of their own damnation. Hence, too, St. Paul gives the earnest admonition: Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup, for whoso eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself. Now, whoever recognizes in himself the above named characteristics of an unworthy communicant, should not dare to approach the table of the Lord in this condition; not that he should remain away, but in the meanwhile he should examine himself, and instead of being an impenitent, become a penitent sinner.

But are not also weak believers to be numbered among the unworthy communicants? By no means. But much more those who are both weak in faith and defective in godly life, and who are overtaken in this or that sin, and who painfully feel their weakness and long to become stronger, are Christ's right welcome guests at his table; such the Lord does not cast away, but much more invites to come; for he instituted the Holy Supper especially for the weak and infirm, that through this spiritual nourishment they might become stronger. He extends unto all such the gracious call: Come unto me all ye that are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, and whosoever comes, I will in no wise cast out.

38. Morning Prayer of a Communicant.

Lord Jesus, I this morning rejoice that I, with other pious Christians, am permitted to receive Thy body and blood in, with and under the consecrated bread and wine. O! how my soul longs for the courts of the Lord and for the holy altar. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O my God. For Thou art my Shepherd, I shall not want. O, Lord Jesus, as Thou hast begun the good work in me a poor miserable man, so also accomplish the same in mercy, through the gracious power of the Holy Spirit unto Thy name's glory and unto my own welfare and eternal salvation. Dear Redeemer, I am, it is true, not worthy that I should come under Thy roof, but Thy grace, which is all-sufficient, make me worthy and amply qualify me, that the precious food and drink of Thy true body and blood may quicken my soul in this heavenly feast of joy and love. Clothe me with the garment of salvation and with the robe of Thy righteousness by a true faith, that I may not be found among the pretending guests and would-be-Christians, but may be a worthy partaker at Thy table and receive all Thy gracious treasures which Thou hast acquired for me. O Lord Jesus, may Thy grace be and remain with me, as I ever put my trust in Thee. May Thy visitation preserve my spirit, my life and walk. And whatever else is needful, grant Thou, O Lord, unto me in this life and in the life hereafter. Give me true repentance, renew my heart, deliver my body and soul. O Lord! hear this my desire, and do not permit my prayer to remain unanswered, that I may be acceptable unto Thee in time and in eternity. Amen, in Jesus' name, Amen.

39. Prayer for a worthy Partaking of the Holy Supper.

Behold me, Dear Saviour, As I Come Relying on Thy Gracious Invitation. May I find favor in Thine eyes, Thou Lover of Life. For who am I that Thou shouldst so friendly call me? Were I even holier than the angels, yet would I not be worthy of this repast; how then should I be worthy, seeing that I am of impure lips, yea, an abomination and offensive, if Thou doest not make me worthy? Therefore come Thou to my succor with Thy grace, and prepare me. Thou hast said: Whosoever cometh to me, Thou wilt in no wise cast out. Then take my soul into Thy favor, according to Thy great mercies. Dear Jesus, remember that of myself I have indeed much evil, but nothing good; so help me for Thy great goodness' sake. O see how poor and miserable I am! Remember Thy faithfulness, O Saviour of the world, and fill my heart with grace. O! how I long to appear at Thy table with glowing devotion and becoming reverence in full faith, but where is the power to do, if I do not receive it of Thee, thou Author and Finisher of my faith? Therefore give Thou unto me whatsoever is pleasing to Thee. Graciously take from me whatsoever displeases Thee, or cover it, at least, I most humbly pray Thee, with the cloak of Thy righteousness. O! blessed is the soul that finds favor with Thee! Open Thou mine eyes that I may behold the wonders in Thy ordinances. Rouse my heart, and free me of all strange thoughts, increase my hope, inflame my desire, make ardent my devotion, purge me of all uncleanness, and sanctify me wholly, that I may approach with joyful confidence, that I may receive with pure mouth and holy heart, and with heartfelt desire eat and drink unto the life, welfare and blessing of my soul. Amen.

40. Thanksgiving after Partaking of the Holy Supper.

Lord Jesus Christ, I give Thee most hearty thanks and praise, that Thou hast again washed me, a poor sinful being, of all my transgressions, and, for the most certain assurance of such washing and forgiveness of all my sins, hast permitted me to eat of Thy true body, and to drink of Thy true blood, and, taking me as an impure child after such cleansing, hast again received me into the fatherly arms of Thy grace and mercy, and doest thus show and present me blameless, pure and without fault unto Thy heavenly Father.

I pray Thee most heartily and from my whole soul, that, after Thy great benefit, Thou wouldst yet add this in abundance, and graciously grant me Thy grace through the working of the Holy Ghost, that I may be truly sensible of Thy great goodness, thankfully receive it, and from my heart magnify and praise Thee during my whole life. And do Thou further work in me through Thy Holy Ghost, and effect that I also may heartily forgive my neighbor anything he may have done against me, as Thou, O Lord, hast pardoned and forgiven all my great and numerous transgressions, yea, and hast entirely wiped them out of Thy remembrance; that I may also love my neighbor, and from my heart show him all manner of good, even as Thou, O Lord, hast shown unto me more than I am able to thank for; in order that Thou, O good and faithful God, in us mayest be magnified and praised together with the Father and Holy Ghost throughout all ages. Amen.

41. Prayer that God would hereafter keep us from sin, and if we sin, that He would not reckon it to our account.

O thou kind and merciful God, Thou dear Father in heaven, Thou hast out of grace and divine love, bestowed upon us Thy dear Son, and with Him all grace, life and salvation. We pray Thee, dear Father, preserve unto us this blessed treasure and heavenly gift, the gracious countenance of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, that we may never lose Him through unthankfulness, or otherwise be deprived of Him. We are indeed poor, miserable and frail beings, who fall from one sin into another; we now sin in thought, now in word and deed, and it is with difficulty that we stand. Here we never find rest and peace; the devil watches our very thoughts, stirs them up, and fans the passions into flame, the world watches our words and deeds, walk and life, and gives us much offense and occasion to sin, our own flesh also never rests, besides yet all the occasional sins, vices and weaknesses which daily beset us, and which terribly trouble our conscience, entirely destroy the joy of our heart and turn it into sorrow and sadness. Therefore we pray Thee, Thou kind and merciful God, that when, as it may happen, we have become negligent and unthankful, and do not so walk as we should--O do Thou still remain our gracious God; be Thou friendly towards us, comfort us in goodness and mercy, do not hold us accountable or make us suffer for our manifold sins, but purge our hearts and consciences by Thy word, in order that we may serve Thee in sorrow and joy, magnify, honor and praise Thee in time and in eternity. Amen.

42. Prayer in view of the Sufferings of Christ.

Alas! my Lord Jesus Christ, when I behold Thee, as Thou wast in the garden bowed down with heartfelt sorrow, and in great anguish didst sweat drops of blood, as Thou wast afterwards taken prisoner, bound, and during the whole night and hour of darkness mocked and insulted, in the morning early as the innocent Lamb accused, whipped with scourges, and finally sentenced to death, suspended on the cross, pierced in your hands and feet with ruthless nails, and not a member of Thy most holy body remaining without a wound:--Alas! when I see all this, I see nothing but my sins, guilt and iniquities which brought Thee into this plight, and for the sake of which Thou didst freely enter into such anguish and distress, into such sadness, pain and suffering. Alas! my Lord, it is all my guilt for which Thou didst suffer--I am the cause of it all. How wonderful are the ways and purposes of God! The Innocent One must pay for the guilt of the guilty, the Good One must suffer the punishments of the wicked. The Lord must atone the guilt of the servant, and that which sinful man has brought upon himself God must bear. O Thou Son of the living God, how great is Thy love and favor towards us mortals! What hast Thou not done and suffered to redeem me, a poor lost sinner, and to deliver me from death and eternal damnation. I have done evil, and Thou art punished; I have sinned, and Thou must atone. I have been disobedient, and Thou must for my disobedience be overwhelmed with such anguish and distress. Alas! Thou Lord of Glory, what can I give Thee in return for this Thy great goodness and faithfulness which Thou hast shown towards me! Wherewith shall I, poor needy mortal, requite such unspeakable benefit? Alas! my Lord, it shall forever remain unrequited. There is no service in heaven or on earth whereby to pay Thee sufficiently for it. It is Thy pure grace and favor towards me, a poor sinner, and that remains by me forever unrequited, forever unmerited. And since I have nothing wherewithall to pay my debt, therefore my heart shall evermore thank Thee for what Thou hast done to me, and I shall magnify, glorify and praise Thy name now and forever. Amen.

43. Prayer in time of Drought.

O Faithful God, Thou God of truth and righteousness, who unto the most comforting assurance hast shown us in Thy word of truth, how that an earnest, zealous, faithful and persevering prayer, powerfully penetrates the clouds of heaven, and not only most certainly comes into Thy presence, but also that it avails and effects a great deal, we, Thy poor children, now come, upon Thy comforting promise, in this extraordinarily protracted season of heat and drought, with our faithful, hearty and earnest prayer before the face of Thy lofty and divine majesty, and humbly beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst graciously hear us according to Thy promise, turn Thy great wrath in mercy from us, give unto the parched earth again its needed moisture, and cause a propitious shower to fall in quickening drops upon the earth, in order that it may again bring forth the ordained fruits so necessary for the support of our temporal life, which Thou in Thy paternal providence hast already ordained in the first creation. As of old Thou didst unlock the windows of heaven in answer to the faithful prayer of Thy servant and prophet Elias, and didst cause it to rain upon the thirsty earth, so we also confide the same to Thee now, that Thou wilt let Thy grace reign over us in this season of heat and drought, and out of Thy fatherly care for us, grant us our earnest petition and prayer, unto Thy honor and our salvation, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our only Redeemer and Saviour. Amen.

44. Prayer for Sunshine in a protracted Season of Wet and Rain.

Lord God almighty, Thou who doest clothe the heaven with darkness, and makest their covering as a sack; Thou didst in thy wrath punish the impenitent old world for their wickedness and vice, with the overflowing waters of the flood, and didst destroy all the creatures of the earth, that live and have their being on dry land. We also at this time, according to Thy strict righteousness, on account of our manifold sins which we have committed against Thee, are visited with unusual rain, continued and protracted wet weather by which the land and the fruits thereof are greatly injured. Merciful Father, Thou who didst close the fountains of the deep as well as the windows of heaven at the time of the deluge, and didst command the rain from heaven to cease, take away from us all our sins and transgressions, and turn away from us the just punishment of our iniquities, the destructive rain and great waters. For the earth is sad, and the heavens are mourning. Behold the pledge in the clouds--the rainbow--and remember Thy promise, give good and fruitful weather, that the fruits in field and garden may prosper, and not be destroyed by the abundant and superfluous rain, and thus bring upon us famine and scarcity. Lord God of truth, Thou who canst not lie, Thou hast said: There shall henceforth be no more deluge to destroy the earth. Therefore be merciful, O Lord! and do not out of wrath close up the bowels of Thy compassion, O do not take Thy favor and mercy from us! Do Thou not give unto us idle teeth, and lack of bread, bless our bread, that we may always have something to eat, and praise Thy holy name; thus shall we know that we are Thy children indeed, for whom Thou dost most faithfully care, and praise Thee as our heavenly Father all the days of our lives. Amen.

45. Prayer for the precious Fruits of the Field.

Dear Lord, do Thou graciously keep the blessed fruits of the field, purify the air, give fruitful rain and good weather, that the fruits of the land may prosper; let them not be poisoned, so that by eating them we together with the cattle be not taken with pestilence, fever or other plagues; for such plagues come when evil spirits poison the air, and afterwards the fruits, wine and corn, so that we by Thy infliction eat and drink sickness and death with our own daily bread. Therefore, dear Lord, bless Thy gifts that they may redound to our health and prosperity, and that we also may not abuse them to the injury of our souls or to greater sinfulness, intemperance and idleness, out of which unchastity, adultery, profanity, swearing, murder, wars and all manner of evils flow; but give us grace to use Thy gifts to our souls' salvation, and the amendment of our lives, and that the fruits of the Land be the means of furthering and keeping the health of our bodies and souls. Amen.

46. Prayer during a Storm.

Great God of might and power in heaven and in earth, by Thy thunder and lightening we are now reminded of Thy great wrath over us sinful mortals. By such sound of Thy voice which makes all creatures to tremble and to fear, Thou doest call us, as if it were with a bell of repentance, to the knowledge of our sins and to true repentance, in order that we may not be condemned with the wicked world. Thou art such a mighty and powerful Lord, that if Thou wouldst deal with us according to Thy strict righteousness, Thou couldst destroy the world with one clap of thunder and lightening. But we bend our knees in prayer before Thee and humbly beseech Thee, remit Thy great wrath enkindled against our sins. Have mercy on us, spare us, lift up Thy gracious countenance upon us, and be Thou merciful unto us. Preserve our bodies and lives, our homes and property, our town and land, our goods and possessions, and all that we have, also the fruits of the field from hail and sleet, from conflagrations and floods, and from all danger. Guard us also against an evil and sudden death, and mercifully grant that many sinners may by Thy word, thunder and lightning, be roused out of their wicked walk and life, and be truly and heartily converted to Thee. Let us every hour of our lives think of Thy glorious appearing to judge the quick and the dead, and be prepared to receive Thee with joy, and with Thee to enter into the everlasting joys of Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. O Lord, have mercy on us poor sinners, our bodies and souls, here in this present life and in the life to come. Amen.

47. Thanksgiving when the Storm is over.

Almighty God, heavenly Father, Thou hast said: Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me: we praise and thank Thee with our whole heart, that Thou hast, in mercy, heard our prayer and caused the threatening storm to cease, without injury to body or property. In this, Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; but hast dealt with us as a father with his children. Father of mercies, for the sake of Thine only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, cause these Thy fearful warnings to move us to constant amendment, that we may henceforth live in Thy fear and prepare ourselves for the coming of Thy dear Son, that we may with joy go forth to meet Him, and with shouts of joy enter heaven, in which dwelleth righteousness, and possess it forever, even for ever and ever, through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

48. Prayer in great Weakness of Faith.

O Lord, I know it now of a truth that all men have not faith. I believe, dear Lord, help my unbelief! Do not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax; O Jesus, Thou who sittest at the right hand of God, make intercession for me, that my faith may not cease. Be the author and finisher of my faith, wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Grant me that I believe, although I do not see, and thus be saved. Amen.

49. Prayer in great Trouble and Danger.