Title: The Little Treasure of Prayers
Author: Anonymous
Release date: April 1, 2011 [eBook #35737]
Most recently updated: January 7, 2021
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, David Edwards, Peter Vachuska
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
https://www.pgdp.net
BEING
A TRANSLATION
OF THE
Epitome from the German larger “Treasure
of Prayers” [“Gebets-Schatz”] of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church, published in
St. Louis, Mo.,
WITH
A NEW APPENDIX.
FOURTH EDITION.
COLUMBUS, OHIO:
THE LUTHERAN BOOK CONCERN.
J. L. TRAUGER, Agent.
1888.
Eternal, almighty God and Father! I most heartily praise and thank Thee, that Thou hast graciously, by Thy holy angels, preserved me from all harm and danger both of body and soul, during the past night and all previous time; and I most heartily pray Thee, forgive me all my sins wherewith I have offended Thee, and enlighten my heart with Thy Holy Spirit, that I may daily grow and increase in Thy knowledge. Grant me grace also, that I may, during this day, avoid all sin and shame, and be found in Thy divine will, in order that I may so walk as to be preserved from all evil, may always and constantly keep Thee in my heart and thoughts, and when the time of my departure approaches, grant that I may fall asleep in the true knowledge of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, unto a blessed and eternal life. Amen.
Merciful God and Father! Thou seest, that by reason of my depraved nature I have no delight in Thy word, and that I so easily permit the devil, my own flesh and blood, the children of the world, also false teachers and preachers and other trivial causes keep me away from it, and that I am too indolent and careless to hear and preserve Thy word. Therefore I now pray Thee, O eternal God, forgive me this my inbred indolence, and do Thou give me a heart willing and apt to hear and meditate upon Thy word. Awake in me such an earnest longing that I may have a desire after the sincere milk of the divine word, as new-born babes. Help me, that I may find my chief delight in Thy word. May there be nothing in this world dearer to me than Thy word; may I love it more than gold and all fine gold, and always regard it as my best treasure. And as I, alas! have lived to see the time which Thy dear Son Himself foretold, that false Christs should arise and do wonders, so that, if it were [009] possible, even the elect should be deceived, I pray Thee that Thou wouldst graciously defend and protect me from error and false doctrine. Keep me in Thy truth, for Thy word is truth, that I may cling to the same as heavenly truth, and remain steadfast in the same unto death. Grant this for the sake of the honor of Thy most holy and blessed name. Amen.
Lord, almighty God and heavenly Father, I most heartily thank Thee for all Thy goodness and benefits which Thou hast this day so kindly shown unto me, in that Thou hast defended me from evil and preserved my health. And I, Thy dear child, further pray Thee that Thou wouldst mercifully keep me in Thy alone saving word to my last breath, and enlighten my heart with Thy Holy Spirit, that I may know what is good or evil. And wouldst graciously wipe out the remembrance of all the sins which I this day have knowingly done, also of my secret sins, and grant me this night a christian [010] rest, that I may arise again refreshed and in health, to Thy praise. Help also, dear Father, that I may begin a new life, well pleasing in Thy sight, to the salvation of my soul, in Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our only Helper. Amen.
We adore and praise Thee, Lord God, Father of heaven and earth, that Thou hast so bountifully supplied us this day not only with our daily bread to nourish the body, but also with the heavenly food of Thy word for our souls. Grant, O faithful God, that it may remain in our hearts, and bring forth much fruit to Thy honor and our salvation. We also pray Thy fatherly goodness not to deprive us of Thy pure word and ministry; and that Thou wouldst not visit upon us the sins wherewith we may have desecrated this day, but forgive them according to Thy great goodness, and for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ. And finally, let us this day, and all the remaining time of our mortal life in [011] this vale of tears, be commended to Thy fatherly blessing and divine protection; and may Thy holy angels keep charge over us, that the wicked one may have no power over us.
But as the evening of this world is now approaching, and the day is far spent, grant us the grace of Thy Spirit, that we may constantly watch, and, in living faith, ardent love, firm hope and a holy walk and demeanor, wait for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, when He shall come to judge the quick and the dead, in order that we may then receive Him in a worthy manner and with joy, enter with Him into eternal life, and celebrate with all the elect the Sabbath without end. Have mercy, O Lord! upon Thy whole Christian Church, and deliver Thy poor persecuted flock from all oppression, mockery and tyranny, comfort all anxious and troubled consciences by the true comforter, the Holy Spirit, and send us all Thy peace through Jesus Christ, our Intercessor and only Mediator. Amen.
Holy and faithful God, heavenly Father! I most heartily praise, honor and adore Thee, that during the past night Thou hast permitted me to rest and sleep in safety, and by Thy fatherly love hast awakened me again refreshed and in the enjoyment of health. I most heartily pray Thee that Thou wouldst this day also and always graciously preserve me together with (my dear parents, brothers and sisters, and) all true Christians from all danger and harm both of body and soul, in order that I may always be found in Thy will. For I commend myself, my body and soul, heart, sense, mind and thoughts, all my strivings and aspirations, all I do and all I leave undone, my going in and coming out, my life and death, and everything that I am and can do, to Thy divine protection. May Thy holy angel be and remain with me, that no misfortune may befall me either in body or soul. Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son. Amen.
Merciful God, gracious Father! I heartily thank Thee that during the past day and up to the present hour Thou hast graciously protected me from all danger and harm of body and soul, and pray Thee, that, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, Thou wouldst graciously forgive all the sins which I have this day again committed against Thee in thoughts, words and deeds, and let them be remembered against me no more. And as I am now about to lie down to rest, I pray, Thou wouldst this night also protect and defend me from all harm and danger of body and soul, so that, being defended against the wiles and power of the devil, against evil, harmful and wicked dreams, I may safely rest and sleep this night, and awake again refreshed and in health to Thy honor. I now commend myself entirely into Thy divine hand; Thou hast redeemed me, Thou faithful God. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Thou only Saviour of the world! to Thee I lift my heart and mind, and thank Thee again, that Thou hast by Thy boundless mercy and love kept me safe and secure this night from the wiles and power of the wicked one. Lord Jesus Christ, Thou art the portion of my inheritance, my salvation is in Thy hands, and besides Thee I know of no Helper in heaven or on earth. Therefore I pray Thee for the sake of Thy unutterable suffering and anguish, of Thy most painful and bitter death, which in great love Thou didst suffer for me, that Thou wouldst be gracious and merciful unto me, and this day and through my whole life bless, spare, preserve and keep me from all sin and evil in this world of sorrow, until Thou shalt take me to eternal joy and blessedness, for Thy most holy name’s sake. Amen.
O eternal and merciful God, God of all riches, who art in heaven, I most heartily thank Thee for Thy great mercy and [015] paternal providence by which Thou hast again permitted me to end this day in the enjoyment of health. And since I, alas! have not spent this day to Thy praise and honor, and the welfare of my neighbor, inasmuch as my depraved nature is always inclined more to evil than to good, help, Thou faithful God, that I who am conceived and born in sin, may recognize my infirmity and become a partaker of Thy heavenly grace; and teach me to think much and often of my end, that I may prepare myself for it in true repentance, and when it approaches may depart from this world of trouble full of consolation and blessedness, and with all believing Christians be translated into Thy heavenly paradise. In the mean time, as long as I sojourn on earth, take me into Thy almighty protection and mercifully keep and preserve me from all harm and danger of body and soul, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son. Amen.
O almighty, merciful God, gracious Father in heaven, since Thou hast again kept me safe this night by Thy ministering spirits, the holy angels, and permitted me to see this new day refreshed and in the enjoyment of health, I most heartily give Thee praise, honor and eternal thanks therefore, and pray Thee again, dear heavenly Father, to whose will I subject all that I do and leave undone, my beginning and end, that Thou wouldst henceforth graciously have mercy upon me, and govern all my thoughts and aspirations, my heart, sense, mind and thoughts, all my words and deeds by Thy Holy Spirit, so that I may understand what is good or evil, and that I may this day so walk and live in this evil and perverse world, that I above all things, free from my sins, may have a heartfelt desire for that eternal home which Christ, my Saviour, purchased and secured for me, and may not lose it by reason of my wicked, sinful life. To this end wilt Thou graciously help me with Thy divine love and [017] the power of Thy Holy Spirit, for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
I thank Thee, O almighty God and kind Father, that Thou hast this day again graciously kept me safe from harm both in body and soul. I pray Thee, that Thou wouldst according to Thy great goodness blot out every sin that I have this day committed against Thee and Thy holy commandments with my heart, tongue, or in other ways, and not forsake me, Thy creature, whom Thou hast redeemed with the precious blood of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and protect me this night under Thy almighty wings, against the wicked one, who goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking to devour me, so that under the shadow of Thy goodness I may rest and sleep securely, and the wicked one may not be able to approach me or do me any harm. Amen.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, Thou ever blessed Trinity! to Thee I resign myself with body and soul both now and forever, and heartily thank Thee that Thou didst not permit the wicked one to harm me during the past night, but didst, by the protection of Thy holy angels, keep me safe to this day. What shall I render unto Thee, wherewith shall I worthily praise Thee? I will give Thee a contrite and broken heart, full of sins like scarlet, but sorrowing and penitent; graciously accept of it, and wash it white as snow in the precious blood of Thy dear Son, my Redeemer, bury it in His holy innocent wounds, and thus do Thou graciously impart to me the forgiveness of all my sins. And help me to hold myself in Christian readiness every day, inasmuch as I do not know, when Thou wilt come, how and where Thou wilt call me hence, so that I may by Thy blessing be conducted to eternal joy. Grant me this, gracious Father, for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Gracious and most merciful God, eternal Father, what heartfelt love and fatherly care Thou hast for me, a poor sinner, in that Thou hast so graciously preserved me all the days and hours of my life, from my earliest youth to the present time, against all the wiles of the devil, and the danger and harm of the wicked world; and I humbly pray Thee, that, according to Thy paternal love toward me, Thou wouldst to all eternity not remember against me what I have done against Thee this day, but mercifully forgive it, and be gracious unto me for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, who became the Surety for all my sins, and keep me and all who are near and dear to me safe this night from sudden death, from danger by fire and water, pestilence and all harm. I therefore commend myself, my body and soul and everything that I have to Thy fatherly protection; may Thy holy angel be with me, that, I may fear no danger. Amen.
I, a poor sinner, have now arisen in Thy name, Thou crucified Lord Jesus Christ, who, as the truly patient Lamb for the slaughter, didst suffer for me the most ignominious death on the cross, and with Thy precious blood redeemed me from all my sins, from death, the devil and hell: govern my heart with Thy Holy Spirit, refresh it with the heavenly dew of Thy grace, preserve me with Thy divine love, and hide me this day, both body and soul, in Thy holy wounds; wash me clean from all my sins, keep me in all good works, and lead me from this world of sorrow to eternal joy and glory, Thou most faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ, my only Comfort, Hope and Life. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou patient Lamb for the slaughter and holy sacrificial offering for all my sins, and not for mine alone, but for the sins of the whole world! I most heartily thank Thee again that Thou hast so graciously kept both my [021] body and soul under Thy protecting care this day, and pray Thee that Thou wouldst graciously pardon and forgive all my sins which I have committed this day through the weakness of my depraved nature and the enticement of the evil spirit, and which sorely trouble and oppress my heart and conscience; and as I am now about to lie down to rest and sleep, cover me with the wings of Thy grace, and help that I may with my body sleep under them this night in peace and rest, but with my soul may I always watch for Thee, wait for Thy glorious coming to judgment, and with heartfelt longing keep myself in readiness to go with Thee at last to Thy blessed kingdom.
Unto this help me, O faithful God! blessed forevermore with Thy dear Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O thou faithful Father in heaven! Could I but sufficiently praise and thank Thee for all the benefits Thou hast bestowed upon me during all the days of my life! But [022] this is beyond my power and ability. For I am flesh and blood, which can do nothing but what is evil. But Thou doest daily grant me blessings without number, and especially in the past night, if Thou hadst not been my Shield and Defence, the devil would have injured me greatly with his power, so that I could not have arisen in health. But by Thy gracious protection I have been kept safe. I humbly pray Thee, extend to me Thy grace this day, and mercifully keep me, who am Thine through the blood of Christ, henceforth unto eternal life. Amen, Lord Jesus, take my soul into Thy hands and let me be commended unto Thee. Amen.
Merciful, gracious God and Father! Most heartily do I again give Thee praise and thanks, that Thou hast during the whole period of my life taken thought for me in such a fatherly manner, and hast so graciously protected me from all harm and danger of soul and body during this [023] day, even during the whole week up to the present hour. And I further pray Thee, that Thou wouldst through Thy grace, which all penitent sinners have with Thee, blot out all my sins, which I have this day and through the whole week committed knowingly or unknowingly against Thee and my neighbor, and let them be remembered against me no more for ever. And help me graciously that I may pass from the old week into a new Christian life, well-pleasing to Thee, and to all the elect in heaven. May I be commended to Thy gracious arms this night, that I may rest and sleep safely, and arise again refreshed and in health further to praise Thee. And when my last hour comes, take me to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ; for I am Thine and Thou art mine, how gladly and willingly would I soon be with Thee! Amen.
I hereby renew the covenant of my holy baptism, and renounce, both now and forever, the devil and all his works and [024] all his ways, and this ungodly and wicked world, together with my own sinful flesh and blood. Into Thy hands, O Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I commend my body and soul. Into Thy care I commend my temporal, spiritual and eternal welfare, and the welfare of those dear and near to me. I commit myself entirely into Thy care, mercy, love and faithfulness, O Thou my Father! I clothe myself with Thy merits, with Thy precious blood and wounds and Thy blessed communion, O Lord Jesus, my Redeemer! I commend myself entirely to Thy merciful guidance, to Thy power, light and comfort, O Holy Spirit, most blessed Comforter! O Triune God! Thou art mine, I am Thine; Thou art my Father, I am Thy child; Thou art my shepherd, I am Thy lamb; Thou art my Lord, I am Thine own. O my God! How can I sufficiently thank Thee! Thou hast regarded me very highly and hast bestowed upon me, a poor sinful being, salvation in Jesus Christ, through the blessed regeneration in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. O do Thou preserve me in this Thy Grace unto death. [025] Grant, my God, that this my salvation may be my comfort at all times against satan, sin and death, and that I may value it more highly than all worldly honor and earthly fame, and diligently endeavor to lead a holy and godly life in accordance with it until a happy death in Christ Jesus. Do Thou, in mercy, grant this my prayer, O my Father, for the sake of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. For all which, all honor, praise and thanksgiving be unto Thee, the Triune God, forevermore. Amen.
My Lord and my God, in Thee I live, and move, and have my being, Thou art my stay in life and in death. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb; my substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine [026] eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect, and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. To-day I will call to my mind the day of my birth which is the beginning both of my temporal and spiritual life, when I was brought unto Holy Baptism, and became reconciled unto my God, and was cleansed by the Water in connection with the Word, when my sins were taken away and the Holy Ghost bestowed upon me; for all which I thank and praise Thee. I praise Thee, O God, my Creator! that on this day Thou hast brought me forth from my mother’s womb, although in pain and sorrow. I thank Thee, that Thou hast brought me to a place where Thy name is rightfully known, Thy holy Word taught in all purity, and that I am thus enabled, under Thy guidance, to come unto the true and living faith. I thank Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ! for all the blessings, with which Thou in loving-kindness often hast remembered my body and soul, from the hour of my birth until the present time, inasmuch [027] as Thou didst not only nourish and preserve my body, and in various ways protect my temporal life through Thy holy angels, who always behold the face of the Father in heaven, and daily provide me with abundant food and raiment, but, above all things, Thou hast bestowed upon me through Thy Word, spiritual and imperishable gifts, and hast assured me in Holy Baptism, the bath of Regeneration, that I have been made a new creature and have become the first-fruit of Christ Jesus; Thou hast pardoned all my sins, and hast blessed me with the gift of the Holy Ghost and made me heir of eternal Life; and though I have often, through the weakness of my flesh, or wantonly, forsaken my God and forgotten His commandments, and have even more than seventy times seven committed fearful sins against God in Heaven and my fellow-men on earth, yet didst Thou not, O Lord Jesus! enter into judgment with Thy servant, and visit him with immediate and well-deserved punishment. O God, Holy Spirit! what a shameful life have I thus far led! How often, and on [028] how many occasions have I stumbled in my Christian walk, and have become guilty of great and atrocious sins! But Thou, O God, Holy Ghost! hast just as often sought the lost sheep, and hast brought me again upon the path of rectitude, and hast sanctified, comforted and guided me. Thou hast preserved me in my station, and hast restrained the devil and averted a host of bodily and spiritual dangers in which I should have perished long ago, if Thou hadst not stood by me. O blessed Trinity! There is a time to be born; do Thou graciously help all fruit of the womb and grant, a joyful birthday, forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Grant that I may to-day spend my birthday, as also all future days of my life, without committing mortal sins, and that I may become conscious of my humble birth and wretchedness by nature. Do Thou bestow upon me the blessings of health and life until the goal is reached. Grant me patience to endure all afflictions and sufferings. Comfort me in all misfortunes and distress. Forgive me daily my sins and grant that I may thus continue firm unto my soul’s salvation, [029] and that I may, in the true and saving faith and with a good conscience, serve Thee even unto the end, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Almighty God, Heavenly Father! since Thou hast so earnestly enjoined upon me, in the fourth commandment, to honor my father and my mother, and hast also promised, graciously to reward such service with long life and prosperity: I would pray Thee from the depth of my heart, that Thou wouldst bestow upon me an obedient heart, which, with due submission, obeys my dear parents in all things, and also those who are my superiors in the place of my parents; that I may honor them in deed, word and with patience, and that I may not grieve, disregard or despise them as long as I live, in order that Thy blessing may rest upon me. Grant that I may well remember and firmly keep to heart their words, rules and precepts, yea, that I may at all times be mindful of them, [030] and that I may not forget their instructions, in order that my days may be long upon earth. Do Thou govern me through Thy good Spirit, that I may hear the instruction of my father and not forsake the law of my mother, in order that I may be a cause of joy and comfort unto them. Grant that I may, in all my actions, diligently follow the example of my Lord and Saviour, who, being a true model for all pious children, was subject unto the virgin Mary, His blessed mother, and unto Joseph, His foster-father. Bestow also upon me a grateful and humble heart, that I may recompense my dear parents and again serve them, especially that I may administer unto them in old age and bear with them when they have become childish and simple, and that I may never forget that they are my parents. Do Thou also graciously forgive me whenever I have offended them through childish weakness and rashness. Do Thou preserve me from evil society and frivolous people, and when sinners entice me, that I may not consent nor walk in their way with them, but that I may refrain my foot from their path and [031] not bring disgrace and crime upon myself. O Lord! Thou hast thus far chastened me as a man chasteneth his son; grant that I may bow down mine ear and hear the words of the wise, and learn while I am young, that I may acquire knowledge and discretion. Grant that I may increase in wisdom and stature, and in favour before Thee and my fellow-men, for the sake of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!
O father of all Grace and Mercy, who art a God of Holiness, it is Thy holy will that we also should be holy and lead a life without lust and evil desires of our sinful flesh. I confess unto Thee my weakness and the sinful infirmities of my nature; for, to will is present with me, but how to perform that which, is good, I find not. The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life surround me like three powerful enemies and threaten to entice me away from Thy Grace. Therefore, O my Father, I pray Thee to create and preserve [032] within me a pure heart. Grant, that I may avoid, with all my heart, all places and occasions where opportunity is given for impurities, and that I may be afraid, lest I should take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot. Grant, that I may rather abide in fervent devotion and at all times have a sincere desire and longing after true holiness, that my body may, in truth, be the temple of the Holy Spirit, and that I may not cease to love Jesus Christ, who was crucified and has given Himself into death for my sake. Grant that I may love heavenly wisdom, in order that I may never more enter upon the paths of deceivers. O Thou just and holy God! who triest the hearts and reins, grant, that I may so cling unto Thee in this world, as to remain unseparated from Thee in all eternity. Amen!
Merciful God! Thou who hast redeemed and liberated me, through the precious suffering and death of Thy dear [033] Son Jesus Christ, from everlasting servitude, from the power of sin, from the power of darkness, and from the cruel tyranny of the devil, and hast made me lord over death and hell,—I pray Thou wouldst in mercy grant, that I may not conceive a dislike to my calling of bodily service, into which Thou hast placed me according to Thy will and good pleasure, and that I may not impatiently rebel against Thy order, nor begrudge other people their higher station, but that I may obey Thy will with a cheerful heart, and that I do not regard it otherwise than that I were serving Thee, O God in Heaven, and not men on earth. To this end, dear Father, do Thou assist me, that I may, in true knowledge and fear, serve Thee, the highest Lord in Heaven and on Earth; that I may love Thee above all things, placing in Thee all my hope and salvation and walking unblamably according to Thy commandments; and that I may also, in addition to this, be obedient in all things which are not displeasing unto Thee, to my master and mistress, according to the flesh, not only to them that are kind and [034] lenient, but also to them who are rude and froward, serving them with patience, in all fear and simplicity of heart, just as I should serve Christ, my Lord, not with mere visible works, as if to gain favor before men, but with a sincere heart for the sake of Thy command and precept. Grant in mercy, that I may be found faithful in every thing that is enjoined upon and intrusted unto me, that I may neither neglect nor destroy anything, nor cause any mishap or loss through my carelessness, and that I may not defraud others, nor covet their property which is entrusted to me and placed into my hands. Preserve unto me good health, strengthen the members of my body and increase my powers; bestow upon me knowledge and wisdom, that I may be able to perform the labor of my master and mistress, to improve their property by Thy divine help, that they may be blessed through my industry and increase abundantly, and grant that all that I do may redound to Thy glory and be profitable unto me to the blessed exercise unto godliness for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son who liveth [035] and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, world-without-end. Amen!
Almighty and Gracious God! Thou who Thyself hast instituted the holy state of matrimony, and by the first miracle of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, hast honored and adorned it as a state pleasing in Thy sight, in which state also many sainted patriarchs and prophets have led a godly life unto Thy good pleasure; and since Thou hast also helped me to enter holy matrimony and hast placed me at the head of my household, and as Thou art pleased with these three things, namely, when brethren dwell together in unity, when neighbors love each other, and when husband and wife dwell together in love and purity; I would therefore pray Thee with all my heart, to grant unto me, that I may, in Christian love and harmony and with reasonableness, live with my wife, giving honor unto her, as unto the weaker vessel and as also being heir of the grace of life, and that I may [036] advise her, with the children and servants, into Thy knowledge and Divine honor in all chastity and decency. Unto this end, do Thou bestow Thy grace, that they may observe my instructions in that which is good and which leads to all godliness, and that they may cheerfully abide in them. Do Thou restrain satan, that he may not cause discord and strife between us, and if we should, out of weakness, be at variance at any time, do Thou help, that we may soon become reconciled again. Do Thou give me grace, that I may not lust after another spouse or woman, or look upon her with an evil eye to desire her. Protect me, my wife, my children and servants against sickness, according to Thy divine will. Grant unto me, Thy servant, that I may diligently attend to my calling, eating my daily bread in the sweat of my brow, and that I may not grow impatient, whenever my task becomes bitter, for thus Thou hast instituted it. Do Thou prosper and bless my substance, that it may increase without injury or disadvantage to others. Give me pious and faithful servants. Preserve unto me [037] my house and home, and all that Thou hast bestowed upon me. Help us to bear the cross in our calling with patience, and after this life gather us together with all Thy saints in Thy kingdom above. Amen.
Gracious God, faithful Father! Since Thou hast, through Thy mercy, called me into the holy state of matrimony to be the mistress of a house, in which state I can also serve and please Thee, my God, do Thou bestow grace upon me, Thy servant, that I may at all times sincerely fear Thee, and trust in Thee above all things, O my Creator and Redeemer; and that I may, next to Thee, fear, love and honor my husband, and desire none other besides him. Help, that according to Thy command, my will be in subjection to my husband, to obey him with all readiness, and that I, in the innermost of my heart, may ever be adorned with a meek and quiet spirit and many virtues, like unto the holy women of olden times who trusted in God, being in [038] subjection to their own husbands. Grant that I may lead a chaste and pure life in fear and humility, that I may in all godliness and with kind and modest words restrain and subdue the anger and ill-humor of my husband, and be enabled to meet him with indulgence; that I may, in meekness, train my children and servants unto the praise and honor of Thy holy name, and that they may, with willing hearts, obey me in those things which are good and righteous before Thee. Help that I may be a faithful helpmeet unto my husband, that I may with care guard over the blessings which Thou hast graciously bestowed upon us and not squander them, but that I may work and assist, as is becoming me in this my calling, that I may be able to give unto the needy and extend a helping hand unto the poor. Protect us against unfaithful and wicked servants, who neglect and waste our property. Give me grace that I may patiently bear the cross in married life, and not so soon become discouraged or intimidated whenever afflictions come upon us; for our faith must be tested through [039] trials and adversities. O Lord God! Into Thy almighty power I commend myself, my dear husband, all my children and servants, do Thou preserve us from sin, disgrace and all afflictions, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Lord God, Thou our refuge forevermore, our life and length of years by whose hands our days are numbered, behold, I have reached the years, of which I can say that they are not pleasing to me. Since my strength has perceptibly decreased in this my old age, and many troubles and weaknesses come upon me, I humbly beseech Thee who hast so graciously and fatherly guided me from the beginning of my life, and hast been my hope from the days of youth until now, Thou wouldst not forsake me in old age, when I am gray-headed and weak, but continue to bear and deliver me unto a happy end of my life. But especially do I pray Thee, O merciful Father, to guide and direct me by Thy holy [040] and good Spirit, that I may spend the rest of my life in a Christian walk with praying and sighing in true devotion to Thee, and that I may more and more prepare myself like a true Christian for a happy death, so that, if to-day or to-morrow my time should come, I may depart in peace like the aged Simeon, and leaving this world, may enter upon the joys of eternal life. Amen.
Merciful and faithful God! Thou hast commanded, that every man should pursue a certain calling and be faithful in the same. Thou seest and knowest, therefore, omniscient Lord, what my duties are, and that I can do nothing without Thy grace, power and blessing, but that I can err in various ways; therefore I sincerely pray Thee, to strengthen my reasoning faculties, to bestow upon me bold and undaunted courage, that I may act reasonably and overcome all rising difficulties, and thus accomplish through Thy paternal [041] guidance a desirable and blessed object. O my God, I trust in Thee, let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me, yea, let none that wait on Thee be ashamed. Show me Thy ways, O Lord, teach me Thy paths; for Thou art the God of my salvation, on Thee do I wait all the day. Preserve my soul, deliver me and sustain me in my troubles. Let me not be ashamed, for I trust in Thee. O my God, be not far from me, make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! Amen. Amen. Amen.
Eternal and Merciful God! I would now take up my work anew, and cheerfully lay hold upon the task of my proper calling, into which Thou hast placed me Thy servant, and thus labor according to my talents received from Thee, that I might through them serve my neighbor and earn my daily bread. I would therefore pray Thee with all my heart, to bestow upon me knowledge, prudence, understanding and [042] health for the performance of my labor and work, according to Thy grace-abounding promise, and to further and bless the same, that not only its beginning be well done, but that I may also, through Thy paternal assistance and in Thy name, profitably finish it, and at all times perform the duties of my calling in Thy fear with a good conscience. Into Thy hands I commend my work; grant that my undertakings be successful, and that I may accomplish the work begun in Thy name, that the light may ever be shining upon my path, unto Thy honor and praise and the welfare of myself and friends and neighbors, through Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. O Lord Jesus, in Thy name and upon Thy Word I will let down my net. O Lord, help, O Lord, let my work prosper. Amen.
Lord God! Thou hast assigned work to every man according to his abilities, and it is Thy will, that we should eat our [043] daily bread in the sweat of our face, until we return again unto dust, and that we should live by the work of our hands and prosper; behold, upon Thy word I will begin anew the work of my calling, grant that my efforts and labors be not in vain, but help that I may work with my hands the thing which is good, that I may have to give to him that needeth. Bestow upon me Thy favor and blessing at all times, for upon it depend all things, that I may accomplish my work and do wrong to no one, so that I may honor the Lord with my substance and provide for those near to me, especially for my own household. Bless us more and more, bless our substance and all that we have, for Thy blessing enriches us without the anxieties of the busy hand. Lord, gladden my heart and make cheerful my countenance, give me health, life and Thy blessing. All this, however, I ask of Thee in submission to Thy holy will, Lord, hear my prayer. Into Thy hands I commend my ways, in Thee I hope, Thou wilt do all things well. The Lord be praised daily. Amen.
Heavenly Father! Thou art indeed my Lord and God, who hast made me out of nothing and redeemed me through Thy Son. Thou hast commanded and appointed me to perform these my duties and labors, which I, however, cannot accomplish as I desire, and many troubles there be that frighten and oppress me, so that I am, as to my own power, without help and consolation; therefore I commend all things into Thy hands, do Thou help and console me, and be Thou all in all. Amen.
Lord, Thou doest great things, which are unconceivable, and wonders innumerable, Thou whose strength is mighty in weakness; I call upon Thee, the Most High, to prosper the work of my hands and graciously help me to accomplish this work, [045] which I have undertaken with entire confidence in Thee. Lord God, strengthen me in this hour, and depart not from Thy servant, whose hope is in Thee, and without Thee can do nothing. Prepare me with strength from on high, and give me the wisdom which is continually about Thy throne, that it may be with me and direct my labors. All depends upon Thy divine blessing; wherefore remember me, O Lord, and bless all I do and all I leave undone, in order that I may begin and accomplish my work prudently and successfully. May my actions be pleasing unto Thee, assist me by Thy advice, in order that I may be able most profitably to begin, continue and finish my work. For unto Thee do I commit the beginning and the accomplishment of my labors, and unto Thee will I thankfully ascribe all praise for prospering the work of my hands. Amen. In Jesus name, Amen, Amen!
Almighty, eternal and gracious God! I praise and thank Thee for Thy most holy presence and assistance, which Thou hast shown unto me this day, for without Thee I certainly could have done nothing, hence Thou alone art worthy to receive the praise. I beseech Thee, to permit these labors to be pleasing unto Thee, and to redound to the well-being of myself and neighbors, both bodily and spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, true God, lives and reigns to all eternity. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou ever-gracious Lord and Saviour! Thou who hast become a guest and stranger for us upon earth, I come unto Thee humbled in heart, and beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst permit my whole life and walk to be acceptable unto Thee. Preserve me also upon this my journey by the protection of Thy beloved [047] angels upon all my ways graciously from all evil and accident, misfortune and danger of soul and body, so that I may successfully accomplish my work and return again to my beloved ones, in health and in vigor. Unto Thee alone, O Lord, do I commit my body and soul, all that I have and possess, during my journey. Do Thou direct my course and way to my welfare and blessedness. In the mean time do Thou faithfully protect my loved ones at home, that we may meet each other again in health and happiness. And when I have finally accomplished my journey of life here in this world, receive me unto Thyself, into Thy glory, by a peaceful and a blessed death. Amen.
Eternal God, behold, I now journey upon the deep, and commit myself to the wild, rough sea; here on the waters I am tossed to and fro between heaven and earth, how shall this little ship, small and [048] weak in structure, which cannot protect itself, protect me? On whom then shall I, wretched man, put my trust? Alas, O God and Lord, alone upon Thee and Thy fatherly power and care, for neither man nor any of Thy creatures can save me. The wind bloweth whithersoever it will, the sea lifts up its waves, beneath me I see neither ground nor foundation, and above the lone heavens. The men who assist me are in like danger and care; wherefore, O God, I lift my eyes alone unto Thee, from whom cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth. To Thee do I commit myself both body and soul, life and property. Unto Thee alone do I look, in Thee alone do I put my trust, my hope is in Thee, there is no help in man. Bear Thou this little ship on Thy wings, and preserve me within and be with me in the ship, else, O Lord, we perish; but if I only have Thee, I will ask nothing of heaven or earth! Yea, while I now depart from land and leave the same behind me, help me, to forsake and deny all confidence in worldly and human assistance, and to commit [049] myself unto Thee alone. Lord, behold, I have entirely submitted to Thy will, do unto me as may seem good in Thy sight, that it may redound to the welfare and salvation of my soul. I commit myself into Thy hands, for Thou hast drawn me into Thy embrace, and no one shall pluck me out of Thy hand, because I am a member of Christ’s fold, and a sheep of his pastures, wherein I will gladly live and die by the help of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty God, Thou God of the righteous! Thou who hast made the sea and the dry land, and upholdest all things by Thy hand, and raisest the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves, so that the ship is tossed now to the heavens, and now down again to the depths, that a person is reeled to and fro like a drunken man at his wit’s end, as the Holy Spirit says. We are now in great danger and distress in this our journey on the sea. As Thou hast [050] said: “Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee,” we therefore in this our great need, from which no creature can save us but Thou alone, hold out to Thee thy word with believing hearts, and humbly ask Thee to manifest Thy power according to Thy great mercy, and say unto the wind and the sea: Peace, be still! and graciously protect us from shipwreck and danger, hold and preserve us by Thy gracious hand, and redeem us graciously from this danger, and we will praise Thy name as long as we live, never forget Thy deeds of mercy and amend our lives so that henceforth they may conform to Thy holy Word. Alas! Lord, be merciful unto us, and forgive us our sins for Jesus Christ’s sake. Alas! help us, lest we perish! Alas! Lord, redeem us for Thy mercy’s sake! But if it be Thy will here to end our lives, then give unto us Christian patience, preserve us in the true faith and give us the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls! Thou canst redeem from death, Thou canst also redeem us out of this danger. Hear us, hear us, hear us, Lord God Father, for [051] Jesus Christ’s sake! Lord Jesus, for the sake of Thy five blessed wounds! Lord God, Holy Spirit for the sake of Thy mercy and grace! Help us, Lord God, the Father! Help us, Lord God, the Son! Help us, Lord God, the Holy Ghost, for Thy own sake, and for the honor of Thy name, and for Thy infinite mercy’s sake. Amen.
My dear Christian, when you come to confession, you must not be satisfied in repeating with the mouth a prayer which you have committed to memory, or to permit a prayer of confession to be repeated to you by your confessor, but you must yourself bring with you a penitent heart, out of which your confession will then freely flow, for to confess without a penitent heart is mocking God, and without it no forgiveness of sins can take place.
To a penitent heart in the first place belongs, that you confess your sins and experience sorrow and penitence on account of them. By nature no man can know his sins, nor can he produce penitence in his heart concerning them; this must above all be sought of God. We men are by nature much too blind, too indifferent, [052] too inconsiderate, too selfrighteous, too much possessed with self-love and self-interest, than to be inclined and capable penitently and uprightly to confess ourselves guilty of all sins. Wherefore above all things bend your knees before God and call upon him, that He might open your eyes that you may thoroughly know the multitude and greatness of your sins. Pray with the blessed David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Hereupon take the holy ten commandments and make a careful examination of your whole life in accordance with them. Then you will know that you are a sinner. For as a man cannot see a spot on his face without a glass, neither can he know his sins without beholding himself in the glass of the holy ten commandments. For sin is every work, every word, yea, every thought, which is against God’s commandments; for sin consists in the performance of that which God has forbidden, or in the omission of that which He has commanded to be done. But you must not only regard the gross external sins, but also the internal secret sins, departures from God’s commandments, which have taken place in the heart through evil thoughts and desires. If you will examine yourself thus in constant prayer, you will discover [053] that you have not feared, loved and trusted God as He requires, that you have not so heartily and confidently called upon God, prayed, praised and given thanks, that you have not kept His Word so holy, heard and learned it, as you should have done. You will find that you have not honored and loved your parents and superiors, but have been disobedient and murmured against them; you will find that you have sinned against your neighbor in anger, hatred, revenge and irreconcilableness, with unchaste thoughts and desires, envy, illwill, avarice, an earthly mind or with slanderous words, in short, you will find that you have not so uprightly and heartily loved your neighbor as yourself, that much more selfishness, the seeking of your own interests or your own honor has been the motive to all your actions. With these and other sins you have surely deserved the wrath of God, temporal and eternal punishment, if God would deal with you according to His stern righteousness. From these sins which you perceive in yourself you can draw the conclusion how impure and depraved your heart is, from which these sins flow, for as the water, so the spring, and by the fruits we know the tree. Hence you will come to the knowledge of original sin.
If you now will perceive these and other sins in thyself, yea, if you consider, that the sins you have committed in ignorance, are many more [054] than those you know and feel in your heart, which nevertheless the all knowing God places in the light of His countenance, then you will tremble in your conscience and experience sorrow and penitence on account of them, that you have so grievously offended your God and have been so unthankful for His blessings.
The second part of confession is faith, and indeed faith in Jesus Christ, who hath made satisfaction for all thy sins and has also obtained forgiveness of the same. Faith is as a hand which appropriates the forgiveness of sins and receives it as an unmerited gift of divine grace. Without this faith all knowledge and sorrow for sin is only the confession of a Cain or a Judas, which ends in despair. But by faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all sinners, the heart is comforted and made quiet. But this faith you cannot produce in your own heart, but it is the work and gift of God the Holy Spirit. And if you experience that you are wanting in this faith, and that you cannot believe but desire to believe, then call upon God for this faith, and he will give it thee.
Thereupon the fruits of penitence must follow. These consist in this, that you no more knowingly and intentionally will commit the sins which have been forgiven you, but you much more will hate and forsake them, and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit contend against them.
If now you bring such a penitent heart with you to confession, then you are able to receive the absolution which your confessor gives you, by virtue of which your sins are really and certainly forgiven thee by God in heaven. Forgiveness of sins Christ has obtained for all sinners by his death and the shedding of His blood and sealed it by His resurrection and commanded it to be preached and delivered to all the world through the Gospel. Now when the confessor absolves thee, he does nothing else than declare unto you the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins; and yet this is not merely an empty declaration, but such a one through which forgiveness of sins is really presented and offered to penitent sinners. As often as you hear the words of absolution from his mouth, do not doubt, but firmly believe that your sins are forgiven thee before God in heaven, as certainly as if Christ would immediately speak from heaven: “Be of good cheer, my son (my daughter), thy sins be forgiven thee,” for He says: “Whosoever heareth you, heareth me, and whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them.”
I, miserable afflicted sinner, come unto Thee, my heavenly Father, and bring nothing with me but sin only. I can therefore not lift up my eyes to Thy exalted and most holy majesty, but I am ashamed, that I have so oft offended Thee and not hearkened unto Thy voice. Alas! there is nothing good in me, I am conceived and born in sins, my nature is so perverted and depraved, that I cannot feel and experience in me either a desire or love for virtue and the heavenly gifts, but only for transitory honor and joys and the inclination to all evil. I have lived in sin from my youth up, and yet I live in sin, as long as I have this sinful flesh of Adam on me. But, dear Lord, I comfort myself by Thy unbounded, unfathomable, infinite and unspeakable grace and mercy, which Thou hast promised to all penitent sinners in Thy word and confirmed by a sacred oath. I comfort myself by the precious merit of Thy only begotten Son, who was delivered for the sake of my [057] sins and raised for my justification. O heavenly Father, hide Thy face from my sins and behold the face of Thy Son, who in himself never did commit sin, nor ever knew of sin, but through His most holy obedience, blood and death hath made satisfaction for all my sins and the sins of the whole world. Receive me, O Father, for the sake of this Saviour again into grace, and do not permit his bitter sufferings and death and his perfect precious ransom, which he has paid Thee for my sins to be lost by me, poor sinner, but that it may strengthen me. And I will then praise and bless Thee, here in time and there in eternity. Amen.
Almighty God, merciful Father! Every day Thy voice calling me to repentance and grace resounds in my ears, encouraging me and all sinful souls unto conversion: Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful, [058] saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord, thy God. But alas! I am not sufficient of myself, as of myself to convert myself unto Thee. As little as the Ethiopian can change his skin and as little as the leopard can change its spots, so little can I cease to do evil and do good by my natural powers, inasmuch as the thoughts and intents of my heart are inclined to evil from my youth up continually. Has Thy grace wrought so much in me that I have determined that I will arise and reconcile myself with Thee on account of my sins, and offer unto Thee a broken and contrite heart, yet, alas! satan, the accursed one, will cast a thousandfold hindrances in the way. My own sinful flesh and blood prevent me, that the good that I will I cannot accomplish, but remain in sin and finally be destroyed therein. Wherefore, Abba, dear Father, I bend and bow my knees in deep humility before Thee, and ask for the sake of Thy infinite mercy: convert me, O Lord, and I shall be converted, help me, and I shall be [059] helped, let Thy grace, my God, not be in vain in me, but as Thou hast given to will, so do Thou also give to accomplish it. Destroy the wantonness of the infernal villain, prevent the suggestions of my perverted heart, that my holy resolution may not be hindered or entirely destroyed. Open my eyes that I may heartily know, painfully lament, and bitterly bewail my sins. Give me a divine sorrow over my transgressions, which will bring repentance unto salvation, which may never be repented of. Do Thou not, O Lord, permit me to be destroyed under the burden of sin, nor to despair with Cain and Judas, but do Thou turn to me, and be merciful unto me, behold my misery and affliction, and forgive all my sins. Show me Thy dear and merciful heart, Father, which desireth not the death of a sinner, but that he may be converted and live; speak gently to my soul, and say that mercy shall go for justice, and that Thou wilt no more remember my transgressions. Show me with the finger of Thy divine grace unto Jesus, the crucified one, how he died for my sins and rose again for my justification. [060] Open to me for a refuge his bloody wounds, in which so many poor sinners have found comfort and salvation. Create also a clean heart within me and renew a right spirit within me; cast me not away from Thy countenance and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me; comfort me again with Thy help, and the joyful Spirit preserve me in a firm resolution to amend my sinful life, and as long as I live to serve Thee in righteousness and holiness, as is pleasing in Thy sight. O Lord, hear me, alas! Lord! be merciful, O Lord! hearken to remember and do what I ask, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen!
Eternal, merciful God, I, a poor miserable afflicted sinner, come before Thy divine Majesty bringing unto Thee nothing but sin, and on account of this sin I dare not raise my eyes unto Thee, but am cast down with shame, that I have so often and with great and manifold sins offended Thee, my God, my Creator and Father, so that [061] if Thou wouldst deal with me according to my just dues, I would forever remain a child of wrath and eternal damnation. But dear Lord God and Father, I comfort myself with Thy great mercy, with Thy unmeasurable, unfathomable, endless and unspeakable grace, which Thou thyself hast vouchsafed unto me and which Thou, with a precious oath and affirmation, hast confirmed and given me ample assurance with Thy Words: “As true as I live, I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but that he might turn from his wickedness and live.” I comfort myself with Thine only begotten Son, my dear Redeemer, Justifier, Mediator and Saviour, that He has, by His perfect obedience, sufferings and death, obtained for me again Thy favor, and has given unto me, one that believes in Him, power to become Thy child and to remain an heir of Thy boundless mercy now and in eternity. Therefore, I will not despair, but will confess my sins, both internal and external, secret and manifest, unto Thee, and I will present myself before Thee guilty as an evil-doer and malefactor, and I know nothing [062] more to do than to come upon the promise of Thy Word with an humble heart and dauntless spirit in true faith and sincere confidence in Thy promised mercy and the bitter sufferings of Thy dear Son, to the throne of grace, and from the depths of my heart exclaim: Abba, dear Father, Lord! have mercy upon me! O God, be gracious unto me, a poor, miserable sinner; forgive all my original and actual sins, and all that I have at any time thought, spoken or done against Thee, consciously or unconsciously. Lord, there is nothing good in me. In sin was I conceived and born, in sin have I lived, in sin do I yet live, so long as I carry with me this sinful flesh and blood, and my sins are continually before Thee. Thou seest in me a thousand times more, yea, and a thousand times greater sin than I myself am able to see, know and feel. O Lord, enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. Have mercy upon me for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, my Lord and Saviour, and through Thy great mercy, which is greater than the sins of all men, [063] blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean with hyssop and sprinkle me with the pure blood of Thy Son, which was shed upon the cross. May I be and remain Thy child and heir, a vessel of Thy mercy, a fountain and dwelling of the Holy Spirit. O, Lord, redeem, comfort and quicken me! Grant unto me Thy grace anew! Gladden my distressed spirit and my troubled and broken heart with Thy holy, joyful and life-giving Spirit. The broken reed and smoking flax Thou wilt not, O Lord, bruise and quench. Thou wilt not cast me away from Thy countenance forever, this I know full well. Thou wilt not permit me to despair, but wilt favor me with Thy true Spirit, who will enkindle and confirm in me true faith and comfort. O, Lord! my God and Father, Thou faithful God, hear my prayer, that I may continue to be and remain Thy child and temple, now and eternally. Permit me not to fall into error and vice against my conscience. Save me from blood guiltiness and from all evil. May I ever rejoice in Thy Word, that I may willingly hear the same, read and ponder over it and that I may therewith [064] serve and benefit others, that I may speak of it day and night, and proclaim Thy righteousness and glory continually; and I will love, adore, praise, thank and serve Thee, my God and Lord, and Thy dear Son, my Saviour Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, now and in all eternity with all angels and men. Amen.
Gracious Jesus, through Thy grace I have prepared myself and am about to seek the forgiveness of my sins in private confession; but I remember, that Thou hast said and earnestly commanded: if thou bring thy gift before the altar and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee: leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift. Now I have unfortunately fallen into misunderstanding and variance with my neighbor, hence do Thou so bestow upon me Thy grace and so overrule my heart, that I [065] may be willing to be reconciled with him. I acknowledge the hardness of my heart and confess that it is hard for me to subdue my flesh and blood and to banish all anger and revenge. But it is my hope, yea, my prayer, that Thou, Lord, wilt take away my stony heart and grant unto me a heart of flesh, that is: a loving, reconciled heart, and cause me to love my enemy, to bless him that curses me, to do good unto those, that hate me, and to pray for those who despitefully abuse and persecute me. O! may I meditate upon that judgment and that terrible account which I must give unto Thee, that I may renounce that enmity which designs death and destruction, and according to Thy commandment become reconciled with my adversary whilst I am in the way with him, and never more permit the sun to go down upon my wrath. And as I, in Thy name, pardon and forgive all those, who have offended me, so let me find all those, whom I have grieved and irritated, ready with a willing heart, to pardon and forgive my offences against them. O, Jesus! forgive all our sins, and govern our [066] hearts, that we may live with each other in a christian and peaceful manner and that we may praise Thy name here in time, until in heaven we shall glorify Thee forever. Amen.
Why do you desire to go to the Holy Supper? This question each one should lay before his conscience before he approaches the Lord’s table. For there are not a few who are either altogether obtuse and thoughtless, or they come to the Holy Supper with an entirely wrong intention. Some will go from mere custom, others because they are admonished to do so by their parents, others because they consider the partaking of the Lord’s Supper a work of merit, and still others because they wish to acquire and preserve the appearance and name of pious Christians before men. It is no wonder that such partakers of the Holy Supper receive no blessings from it, and that they become the more wicked, the longer they so continue.
A communicant who desires to receive the Holy Supper unto his salvation, must, in the first place, clearly understand what the Holy Supper is and for what Christ has instituted it, and, in the second place, he must have a penitent heart.
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 [068] 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 [069] 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 [070] 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 [071] 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.
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 [073] 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 [074] 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.
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 [075] 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.
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 [077] 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.
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 [078] 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 [079] may serve Thee in sorrow and joy, magnify, honor and praise Thee in time and in eternity. Amen.
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 [080] 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 [081] 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.
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 [082] 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.
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. [084] 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.
Dear Lord, do Thou graciously keep the blessed fruits of the field, purify the air, give fruitful rain and good weather, [085] 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.
Great God of might and power in heaven and in earth, by Thy thunder and lightening we are now reminded of Thy [086] 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 [087] 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.
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 [088] 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.
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.
O almighty God and Father, who art ever ready to help, Thou seest the great trouble and danger in which we are living; we know of no counsel or help, and have no strength of ourselves to come out of trouble, therefore our eyes look unto Thee, who alone art our consolation, refuge and helper, and hast said: Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Our heart clings to Thy word of promise and in childlike humility and confidence seeks Thy face. O Lord, hide not Thy face, full of compassion, from us, and put not Thy children away in anger. Leave us not, neither forsake us, O God of our salvation, who workest salvation in the midst of the earth. Let Thy help also come unto us and be merciful unto us. O Lord, our God, in Thee do we put our trust and under the shadow of Thy wings do we make our refuge until these calamities be overpast. Turn again unto us and satisfy us early with Thy mercy and we will freely sacrifice unto Thee, we will praise Thy [090] name, O Lord, for it is good. Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Give us help from trouble and we will praise Thee, and rejoice in Thy salvation all the days of our life. Amen.
Gracious God, heavenly Father, I thank Thee with my whole heart, that Thou hast in safety brought me to my journey’s end, and that to my joy, Thy holy angels have led me back to my family. As a Father Thou hast also kept me from all evil, prevented robbers and murderers from killing me, wild beasts from tearing me to pieces, floods of water and other perils from destroying or injuring me. Thou hast led me in safety as the angel Raphael led the young Tobias. All this I owe to Thy paternal care and almighty protection. In mercy keep me and mine, take us under Thy mighty protection, and by Thy power preserve body and soul unto eternal life for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Thy name forevermore. I will praise Thee for ever, because Thou canst do all things well. Behold, instead of peace I had great bitterness, but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption. In my distress I called unto Thee, and Thou hast heard my voice, and my cry did enter into Thy ears, and Thou hast comforted me. Thou hast faithfully helped me, in mercy upheld my soul, and finally delivered me out of my great tribulation. My Lord and my God, what shall I render unto Thee for all the benefits which Thou daily bestowest? I will praise Thy name all the days of my life, I will magnify Thee among all Thy people, and Thy glory shall continually be in my mouth. Thy Spirit, O faithful God, enable me to pay my vows and never to forget the benefits Thou hast bestowed upon my soul. Let me spread Thy praise in time, and also in Eternity, together with [092] the elect, sing everlasting Hallelujahs to the honor of Thy name. Amen.
O Thou faithful God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! I will thank and praise Thee that Thou hast so mercifully kept, protected and strengthened me in my weakness. In Jesus’ name, turn unto me to-day and the remaining days of my life, cleanse me from my sin, comfort me by Thy grace, strengthen me by Thy power, lead me by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may live and suffer in accordance with Thy will. I commit my sick body and my soul into Thy holy hands, let Thy holy angel have charge concerning me that the wicked one may have no power or influence over me, through Jesus Christ, our only comfort and Redeemer, in the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
I commit myself this morning and all the days of my life into Thy hands, O God, the eternal Father who hast created me, O God, the eternal Son who hast redeemed me, O God, the Holy Ghost who hast sanctified me in holy baptism. O eternal Godhead, O perfect humanity, O holy Trinity, ever keep me ready to enter into everlasting salvation. Amen.
Good and merciful God, affectionate Father, by Thy grace I have passed another night and again behold the cheering light. Thanks be unto Thee, that Thou hast been my keeper and protector, comforter and helper, that Thou hast as a Father kept my sick body, together with my distressed soul, by Thy power hast kept me from sudden death and dangerous temptations, and that Thy holy angel has defended me against the devil, the prince of darkness. By Thy grace and mercy I still live. Watch over me Thy poor creature to-day also, and so lead and guide me that I may neither think, speak, nor do evil. Lead me, the [094] poor one of Thy flock, to Thy holy Word, and cause me to lie down in its green pastures, for this is my comfort in my distress. Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my trust, Thou, and Thou alone, art my strength, my God and my noblest treasure. Fill my heart and mind with fear and love to Thee. Separate me from all things not purely Thine. Hide me in Thyself, that in my trouble and affliction I may submit to Thy will, and trust in Thee alone, for besides Thee there is no other help in all the world. Thou art the true physician of the sick, the true comforter in every distress, the true helper in the hour of death. Beloved Father, heal me, comfort me, help me. Keep me this day from sin and all evil, from the wiles of the devil, from the temptations of the world and from the evil lusts of my own sinful flesh. Give patience, hope and constancy. And when my life is at an end give me an easy and blessed death through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, my Redeemer. Amen.
Thanks be unto Thee, my God and Father, that Thou hast this day so mercifully succored me. Thy grace, Thy power, Thy comfort and Thy Spirit be with me in my sickness and help me through this night also. I commit my body and soul into Thy hands, Thy holy angels have charge concerning me, that the wicked one may have no power over me, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and merciful God, affectionate Father, Thou hast said: Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee; therefore I pray Thee, have mercy on me and forgive all my sins with which I have offended Thee this day. I commit myself this coming night into Thy keeping, and let my soul be at rest, even if my body should be full of trouble. Let me not be carried away by sudden death without [096] knowing Thy dear Son. If it be Thy gracious will, let me live till morning and pass this night without pain of body or distress of soul. Should this be my last night on earth, and Thou, in Thy unsearchable counsel, shouldst call me into Eternity, let me awake in Heaven and make me the humblest servant in Thy kingdom. In Thy name I fall asleep. Whether I shall awake on earth or in Heaven, I shall love and praise Thee with my whole heart, my faithful God. Amen. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Gracious God and Father, I acknowledge and confess unto Thee that I have done evil all the days of my life and have not lived to Thy honor. I have fulfilled the lusts of the flesh and have served myself and the world more than Thee. O Lord, I am very sorry that I have passed the few days of my life in doing evil. I acknowledge that Thou art only visiting my iniquities upon me in sending this sickness. By this Thou wouldst call me to repentance. [097] O Lord, Thou judgest me righteously and chastenest me that I may not perish with the ungodly world. By this sickness Thou puttest me in mind of my mortality and teachest me to know mine end and the measure of my days, what it is. Verily, every man at his best state is altogether vanity, surely every man walketh in a vain show, he heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? Deliver me from my transgressions. I know, Lord, that my times are in Thy hand, Thou hast written all my members in Thy book, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. My substance was not hid from Thee when I was curiously wrought in my mother’s womb. Since it is Thy will that I should be sick, may I cheerfully do this Thy will. O Lord, Thine arrows stick fast in me, and Thy hand presseth me sore, there is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine anger, neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sins, as a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. O my God, preserve my soul in [098] every temptation, let this bodily sickness be a medicine for the healing of my soul. Keep Thou my heart and mind, and through the peace of my Lord Jesus Christ protect me with Thy shield and buckler against all the fiery darts of the devil. Lord, Thou knowest it that I am the work of Thy hands, Thou hast formed me out of the clay; we are the clay and Thou our potter. Alas! how I am broken in pieces! Spare me, O Lord; Thou wilt surely not, in Thy wrath, cast away nor break in pieces the work of Thy hands, Thou hast separated me from my mother’s womb, Thou didst make me hope, when I was upon my mother’s breasts. Thou art the Lord and giver of my life, and hast power to take it again at Thine own appointed time. Should it be Thy will, deal kindly with me, as Thou didst with king Hezekiah, to whose days Thou didst add fifteen years. Behold, for peace I have great bitterness, in love to my soul, deliver it from the pit of corruption and cast all my sins behind Thy back. Should this sickness not be unto death, then, O Lord, lift me up again and heal me, [099] for I am very weak. O Lord Jesus, Thou heavenly physician, take me under Thy treatment, alleviate my pains and heal me by Thy wounds, and make Thy bitter sufferings and death my medicine. Lord, let me touch the hem of Thy garment, that is, Thy Word and sacraments, in which Thou art wrapped up, and make me whole by the virtue which cometh out of Thee. Should it be Thy will however, that in this sickness I shall go the way of all the earth, be it so, for I am no better than my fathers, only let Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. Amen.
Almighty God and Father, because of sin Thou appointest over men all manner of diseases, but in particular bodily sickness, that they may not perish with the world. I come unto Thee with my [100] load of sins and confess that on account of these I have deserved not only this sickness, but also eternal damnation, being a child of wrath by nature and sold under sin, besides having, all the days of my life, transgressed all Thy commandments a countless number of times. I take my refuge in Thy boundless mercy. Enter not into judgment with me, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions, but for Thy name’s sake pardon mine iniquity, for it is great. Remove Thy stroke away from me and hearken unto the voice of my cry, hold not Thy peace at my tears. Spare me that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. Affectionate Father, behold, for peace I have great bitterness, in love deliver my soul from the pit of corruption and cast all my sins behind Thy back. Consider also my bodily affliction and take it away or alleviate it by Thy comfort. Give me patience, help me to bear my cross, or save me under it. Thy will be done. Do with me, O God, as it seemeth good unto [101] Thee. I am Thine, in Thee I would remain. Amen.
My Creator and Father, Thou true and only God, from whom cometh health and sickness, prosperity and adversity, it being Thy will that I should be afflicted so many days with this bodily sickness, give me Christian patience and the full assurance of hope. In times of adversity as well as in times of prosperity, Thou alone art my beloved Father. In this life, it is but the common lot of every faithful member of the church to bear the cross. Why should I make myself an exception? When even my Saviour, Jesus Christ, the head of the church, had to suffer for me. Beloved God and Father, who art upright in all Thy ways, keep me in Thy Word and let it be my surest remedy and greatest delight. Amen.
Beloved Lord Jesus, my faithful Advocate and Saviour, I well know that by my sins I have deserved nothing less than this bodily infirmity, together with every affliction. I am comforted, however, by Thine inexhaustable grace and most precious atonement, through which Thou hast redeemed my body and soul. Whatever may befall my body in this life, I am assured that my body and soul are delivered from hell, and will eventually enter into eternal life and be crowned with health and heavenly glory. To this end help me, Lord Jesus. Amen.
O Holy Ghost, most worthy and affectionate companion of my soul, and most faithful witness of my heavenly birthright and happiness, continue to abide in my heart during this protracted, bodily affliction, and quicken me by Thy divine comfort and keep me steadfast in Thy pure Word and most holy sacraments. Preserve [103] in me faith, hope and charity, these three pillars of my Christianity. Enable me rightly to understand God’s paternal will that I may in silence submit to it, live and die in accordance with it. Amen.
Beloved and faithful God, teach me to remember mine end, that I may not sin. Give me a happy death; on the Judgment Day absolve me; keep me out of hell; take me into Heaven. In the hour of death I will lay me down in peace and sleep. On the Judgment Day let me escape hell and dwell safely in Heaven. Let the seed of Thy word take root in my heart, abide in me and quicken me, until Thou wilt come to take me to Thyself. Amen.
In my affliction and pain, where, O dear Jesus, could I make my refuge, but in Thy five sacred wounds? In these I will be secure when I shall have lost my mind and my senses. I will abide in Thee, abide [104] Thou also in me. Trim the lamp of my heart with the pure oil of faith, prepare me thro’ Christian penitence to go forth with joy to meet Thee at Thy second coming, and in company with all the elect, forever to enjoy the wedding feast. Amen.
I thank Thee, dear Lord and Father, that Thou hast created me in Thine image, with a human body and reasonable soul; and beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst not forsake me, Thy creature, in my distress, but wouldst exercise Thy paternal care over me, and powerfully deliver me. Many are my afflictions, and every day hath its own evils; but I know that Thou wilt finally deliver me from all afflictions and troubles; in Thee do I put my trust; let me never be put to shame. Amen.
O God, heavenly Father, who didst rest on the seventh day of the creation, do Thou also rest and keep Thy sabbath in my [105] heart, Thou, who art my soul’s only rest and comfort. O Lord Jesus, let the seventh and last word, that Thou didst utter upon the cross, also be my last word in the hour of death, that I may commend my spirit into Thy hands. O God, Holy Ghost, Thou heavenly teacher, Thou spirit of prayer, do Thou kindle in me constant devotion to prayer, that in the Lord’s prayer, in the seven penitential Psalms, and other prayers and sighs, I may bring my wants to God, and be graciously heard by Him. Amen.
Dearest Lord Jesus, who didst upon the eighth day begin to suffer pain and to shed Thy blood: O, give me a willing spirit, patiently to bear my bodily infirmities to Thy glory, and the hope, that Thou wouldst graciously preserve me and my soul in the waters of tribulation, as Thou didst preserve the eight souls in Noah’s ark. Let me be among the eight multitudes whom Thou callest blessed, that I may be poor in spirit, patient in tribulation, meek toward my enemies, hunger and thirst after righteousness, [106] merciful toward suffering Christians, pure in heart, peaceful toward my neighbor, steadfast in persecution. O, let me advance in the school of patience through all its grades, until through perseverance, I will be promoted to the joyful school of everlasting life, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit, I will praise and love Thee evermore. Amen.
O my dearest Lord Jesus, Thy great sufferings reached a desired end, in that Thou wast delivered from them through a blessed death. O grant unto me a blessed departure, and make an end to my wearisome afflictions.. For this I will thank, praise, and glorify Thee with my whole heart. I know, Thou wilt not forget me, and my hope will not be lost forever. Here upon earth I am a member of Thy church militant, O let me be a member of Thy church triumphant. Amen.
O righteous and gracious God, I heartily acknowledge, that I am not only conceived and born in sin, but have on account of human weakness in various ways transgressed Thy holy ten commandments in thoughts, words and actions, so that I have not only deserved this my sickness and other temporal affliction, but have also deserved everlasting punishment. But since Thy dear Son, my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, has made satisfaction for all my sins, original and actual, with His precious merits and holy blood; I beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst for His sake be gracious unto me, and of Thy great mercy, forgive my temporal and eternal punishment. Guide me by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may separate myself from the great multitude of the ungodly, that I may strive after the true faith showing itself in good works; but especially that I may be patient under afflictions, fight a good fight, keep the faith and a good conscience, and finally live in Thy tabernacle forever. Do Thou [108] alleviate my bodily pains according to Thy good will, and help me that I may bear my afflictions, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
O faithful Lord Jesus, who didst often and powerfully comfort Thy disciples after Thy resurrection, and doest invite the weary and heavy-laden to Thee, and doest promise to comfort them: O do Thou visit me in my sickness, comfort and refresh me; Thou alone art my refuge, my counsel and my help. I yearn for the evening time of a blessed death, and long for the joyful resurrection of my body. O let me early experience these my requests, then will I forever praise Thee with the Father and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Dearest Lord Jesus, I heartily thank Thee, that Thou hast revealed Thyself to me in the writings of the holy Prophets and Apostles, so that I can believe in Thee, and through faith obtain everlasting life. I beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst preserve [109] me steadfast in true faith, that I may attain the end thereof, everlasting salvation. Make me cheerful and ready, so that when Thou, my dear bridegroom, doest come, that I may meet Thee with joy; lead me to Thy heavenly wedding-feast, where I will love and praise Thee. Amen.
I thank Thee, Lord, almighty God, that Thou hast so paternally visited and chastised me on account of my sins. Yea, Lord, I am glad that Thou hast humiliated me, that I might learn Thy ways. O my God, how often have I, like Hezekiah, thought: Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd’s tent; I have cut off like a weaver my life; he will cut me off with pining sickness; from day even to night wilt Thou make an end of me. But, my God, I see that my sickness was not unto death, but unto the glory of God, that Thou, my Lord Jesus Christ, mightest thereby be glorified. For Thou hast had mercy upon me, and hast cast all my sins [110] behind Thee, and hast prolonged my life. I heartily thank Thee, my God, that Thou hast revived and strengthened me, that I can behold Thy holy temple, and attend to my duties. Thy goodness it is, Lord, else I should long since have perished. O, how often will I think of Thy chastening rod, and will fear Thee all my life and guard against Thy wrath. Help now, O Lord my God, that with renewed health I may also begin a new life. Grant, that I may always glorify Thy name, and Thy praise be continually found in my mouth. Guide me by Thy Holy Spirit, that I may live to Thy honor, and not yield my members as instruments of unrighteousness to serve sin, but as instruments of righteousness to serve Thee my God, that I may sing Thy hymns, and praise and glorify Thee in Thy church. Amen.
Almighty God! Thou Father of mercies and God of all consolation! Have mercy upon me, as a father hath [111] mercy upon his children. Remember that Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, became man for my sake. Remember that Thou didst so love the world, that Thou gavest Thine only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. In this faith my soul comes to Thee and brings with it Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast given me; for His sake do Thou remember me and receive me into Thy grace. To Thee I commend my soul. Let me, Thy dear child, remain in Thy grace, and have mercy upon me while I live, and when I die, for the sake of Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, my only consolation and help! Thou hast borne my griefs and wast wounded for my transgressions. Thou Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world! be Thou my righteousness, my sanctification and my salvation. Heal my pains through Thy wounds. Let not Thy innocent blood be shed in vain for [112] me; take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Forsake me not in my last agony, but help me on to life everlasting. Remember that I am Thy poor sheep, and Thou art my faithful Shepherd. Take me into Thy arms, and carry me into Thy blessed Paradise. Let me behold Thy gracious countenance and Thy glory. Amen.
O God Holy Spirit, Thou only consolation for the distressed! Strengthen and comfort my faint and sorrowful heart. Preserve my faith, which Thou hast wrought in me, and quench not the smoking flax. Protect me from the temptations of the wicked enemy. Let not my heart be terrified at death nor despair; restrain all impatience, make me willing to obey the Lord my God. Help me to close my life joyfully and happily. Keep my heart and mind in the peace of my Lord Jesus Christ. When I can no more speak, keep and seal the memory of the holy name of Jesus Christ in my heart, and with the same let me peacefully fall asleep. Amen.
Almighty, gracious God, who doest preserve our life in death, we beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst turn the eyes of Thy mercy to this sick person; comfort him in body and in soul, and in mercy forgive him all sins. Receive the offering of the innocent death of Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, for the payment of his transgressions, for he is baptized in His name, and washed and purified by His blood. Deliver him from his bodily griefs, preserve him against the accusations of conscience, and against all the temptations of the wicked enemy, so that he may fight the good fight of faith and obtain the victory. Grant him a blessed journey to everlasting life, send Thy holy angels, that they may escort him to the assembly of the elect, in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy! Lord have mercy upon this sick person! | ||
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Lord God, the Father in heaven, Lord God Son, Redeemer of the world, Lord God Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity, eternal God, |
} | Have mercy upon him! |
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Lord, be merciful and save this dying person! | ||
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Against the wicked spirit, Against the cunning and deception of the devil, Against all evil, Against the torments of hell, |
} | Protect him, dear Lord God! |
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Through Thy holy incarnation and birth, Through Thy death-struggle and bloody sweat, Through Thy cross and bitter death, Through Thy holy resurrection and ascension, Through the grace of the Holy Ghost, At his last end, At the last day, At the final judgment, |
} | Help him, dear Lord God! |
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We poor sinners pray, that Thou wouldst hear us, dear Lord God! | ||
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And comfort this sick person, Pardon all his sins, And after this misery give him eternal life. |
} | Hear us, dear Lord God! |
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O Christ, hear us! | ||
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O Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon this dying person, and give him eternal peace! | ||
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Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy upon him! | ||
Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen!
Almighty, eternal God, heavenly, faithful, dear Father! comfort and strengthen this Thy poor creature, and spare it through Thy goodness; help it out of all agony and distress, release it in Thy grace, and take it to Thee, in Thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our only Lord, Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.
Almighty, eternal God, have mercy upon the anxious sighings and lamentations of this dying person; receive him into Thy kingdom, which Thou hast in mercy prepared for him and all believers since the beginning of the world. Release him graciously, O Lord, comfort him with the elect eternally through Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
To Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, and Prince of life, be praise and thanks now and evermore, that He has so graciously helped and received this blessed person into His holy hands. May He at the last day graciously unite soul and body in heavenly brightness, and grant us all together in His own appointed time a happy following and in the mean time a godly walk; comfort all distressed persons with His sweet consolation, and preserve us all in His eternal grace, according to His eternal goodness and mercy. Amen, O thou holiest and most glorious Trinity. Amen! Amen!
O Eternal God! faithful Father, at the beginning of our Church-year, we, in deepest humility, thank Thee, first of all, for all Thy special spiritual benefits shown us during the past Church-year. Thou hast thus far granted unto us Thy holy Word and its public preaching, also the use of the holy sacraments, although on account of our unthankfulness we have indeed deserved that Thou shouldst have withheld such goodness. We are indeed no better and have not sinned against Thee less than so many of our brethren in the faith elsewhere, from whom Thou, through Thy just judgment, hast either entirely or measurably withheld the word of Thy gospel and its public preaching; and it appears that Thou, through Thy judgment, wouldst yet at many [119] more places take away the light of Thy Word. O Lord! we are indeed too insignificant for all Thy mercies, which Thou hast hitherto shown us unworthy servants, and that Thou doest still deal with us so sparingly. Forgive us in mercy all our sins by which we, whether by the neglect and incomplete performance of good or the committing of evil, have offended Thee during the past Church-year. Grant this to be our first blessing in this Church-year, that Thou wilt with the blood of Thy dear Son blot out all our sins of the past year, and in order that we may be worthy of such grace, do Thou work true repentance in all our hearts, so that we may not bear into the new Church-year any of our old sins unforgiven and which we do not by Thy power mean entirely to abandon. Preserve unto us still further Thy holy word and sacraments and thus the kingdom of Thy Son among us, and do not bestow such power upon the enemy, that will enable him to rob us of such gifts and that the kingdom of darkness be extended among us. In this however, dear Father, look not upon that [120] what we are deserving, but that the honor of Thy Son be not blasphemed by the enemies who may imagine to have destroyed His kingdom among us. Preserve all our faithful teachers and ministers, whom Thou hast given us, and bestow upon them, at this beginning of the Church-year, new light and strength in Thy Holy Spirit, that they may present unto us, by Thy power and presence, Thy Word in its purity and simplicity without the admixture of human wisdom; also may they at all times have the wisdom and light rightly to conceive the most needful things to be treated of before their christian congregations. Permit them therefore not to speak what they desire, but do Thou alone rule their tongues and hearts, that they may always speak what is pleasing unto Thee. Give such efficacy to Thy Word and Thy holy Sacraments, that we may also in this Church-year experience that they are still the blessed means of our salvation, that they will save our souls. Seal anew the good Thou hast already wrought in the hearts of Thy children during the past year, and the Word Thou hast [121] made effectual among them; and let it still further manifest its power in teaching the ignorant, in converting the unregenerate, in convicting the malicious, in strengthening the souls that already know Thee, whose number Thou wilt also in the ways known to Thee largely increase during this year. Grant also unto all hearers, that they not only receive the Word out of the mouth of their pastors with attention and meekness, but also at all times, whilst hearing, present their hearts unto Thee in such stillness and resignation, that Thy Holy Spirit may complete the work of faith in them, and by whose influence they may during this Church-year lead a more holy life before Thee than heretofore. Especially grant Thy grace that we make Thy Word the firm foundation of our knowledge of the truth among us, in order that it may become a living knowledge, which in its fruits will praise Thee, and we indeed experience that, to know, here by faith and there by sight, that Thou Father art the only true God and whom Thou hast sent is Jesus Christ, is everlasting life. Amen.
O Lord of glory and God over all, blessed forever! I heartily thank Thee for all Thy great and inexpressible benefits, also that Thou out of unspeakable love didst leave Thy throne of divine glory and condescend to us poor creatures in this vale of tears, to release us lost and condemned sinners from the prison of affliction. I praise Thee, Jesus! Thou King of glory! with all my strength and powers, that Thou didst not appear upon earth for any other purpose than to deliver us from the power of our enemies, of sin, of death, hell and the devil; to effect by Thy precious blood eternal reconciliation between us and Thy heavenly Father, and to regain for us, through Thy precious merits, the lost righteousness. Hosanna! Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord, Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity!
I cast myself in deepest humility before Thee and ask Thee with all my heart to gladden at this time also by Thy gracious advent Thy church which is everywhere [123] oppressed; always dwell and abide with and among us in this land and place at all times, and in our hearts, with Thy pure Word and most holy Sacraments, and let goodness and mercy come upon us. Be gracious unto us, most beloved Saviour! and bless us, bestow upon us temporal and eternal peace. Our enemies however cast into the prison which they have prepared for us, change their counsels directed against us into foolishness, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Hosanna! Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord, Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity!
Dear Jesus! grant unto me and all christians Thy Spirit, that He may cleanse and purify our hearts of all impurity and sin, in order that Thou mayest desire to enter in and dwell among us. Help us to receive Thee with true faith, heartily to rejoice with Thy spiritual Zion for Thy benefits, to follow Thee constantly with christian patience and humility and confidently await Thy second coming with constant repentance and believing hope, also at the same time serve Thee here in the kingdom of grace with a holy [124] walk, and finally in the kingdom of glory we shall with glorified tongues everlastingly sing our Hosannas to Thy honor, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost. Hosanna! Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord, Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity! Amen.
Merciful and eternal God, heavenly Father! we Thy children thank Thee from the depth of our hearts that Thou didst so faithfully keep Thy promise and turn to us Thy kind and paternal heart, didst send unto us Thine only-begotten Son, the highest Good, to be our Saviour, and to assume our human nature, and thus didst render us acceptable through Thy Beloved. O Lord Jesus! Thou eternal Son of God, we honor, praise and glorify Thee, that Thou to-day didst become our brother and Emmanuel, that is: God with us, didst out of unspeakable love befriend us and clothe Thyself with our poor flesh and blood. Thou didst in nowise assume the nature of angels, but didst [125] honor the seed of Abraham, our human nature, this poor earth, wretched ashes and worthless dust even so much as to connect Thyself personally and inseparably with the same to all eternity. Thou wast conceived holy and without sin, and born into this world of a pure and chaste virgin; whereby Thou didst sanctify and consecrate our Adamic, sinful and impure conception and birth, so that it may not be harmful to us who by nature are children of wrath, conceived in sin, and flesh born of flesh. Thou wast born in a stable, poor and lowly; Thou in a manger didst lie, in poverty great, and of Thy crib, though hard, no offence didst take, in order that Thou couldst enrich our souls and make us lords in Thy heavenly mansion. Thou didst humble Thyself, in order to exalt us; Thou didst appear upon earth, in order that we in turn might come unto Thee in heaven. O God, Holy Spirit! our most exalted teacher and comforter, we to-day offer unto Thee the sacrifices of our lips and thank Thee with our hearts that Thou didst reveal this exalted mystery of godliness; and as [126] the angels proclaimed it to the shepherds and chanted it on the plain, so let it still be preached unto us through Thy Word and its servants. Glory be to Thee, O God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost! in the highest, peace on earth and good will towards men. Help, O faithful God and father! that we may be partakers of the new birth of Thy dear Son, be relieved of our old sinful nature, and be and remain new born children of Thy grace and heirs of Thy kingdom. My Jesus, whom I count most dear, a clean soft bed prepare Thou here, to take within my heart Thy rest, so shall I hold Thy memory best. Grant, O God, Holy Spirit! that thus our Saviour be now and forevermore spiritually born and developed within us. Help also, that by virtue of this birth we may rejoice and be comforted amidst all temptations, patiently endure and overcome all things, and with all the angels of God praise, honor and glorify Thee, here in time and in heaven forever. Amen.
O triune God, Thus have we again by Thy grace brought a year of our wretched life and weary pilgrimage upon earth to a close, and to-day in Thy name begin another. Lord! how unspeakably great is Thy goodness, how innumerable are Thy benefits which Thou hast shown unto me and mine in the past, though on account of our sins we have deserved nothing at Thy hands but wrath and punishment! Thou hast graciously preserved Thy precious Word and holy sacraments in Thy holy congregation, peace and unity in the government, prosperity and blessing in material comforts, and didst richly bestow for our enjoyment all manner of blessings for body and soul. Thou with paternal care didst protect Thy church from false doctrine and persecution on account of the true faith, our land from hostile invasion and evil contagion, our houses and property from fire and water, and didst by Thy care faithfully avert from us all dire calamities. How shall I find words to express the inestimable [128] value of these blessings? How can I according to my obligations be sufficiently thankful? Behold, Lord, I offer to Thee, at the close of the old year, the fruits of my lips, and glorify Thy grace and mercy with all my strength and powers. My soul must honor Thee, my spirit must praise Thee, my mouth shall thank Thee, and all that is within me must proclaim Thy glory. I prostrate myself in heartfelt sorrow before Thy feet and confess unto Thee with a penitent heart all my sins in which I was conceived and born, and with which I have offended Thee during the past year, as well as during the whole of my past life.
Most beloved Father! do not now reckon such past sins to my condemnation, and do not remember in Thy wrath my past transgressions, but graciously forgive and forget the same for the sake of the sufferings of Thy dearly beloved Son. Jesus, my beloved Saviour, be merciful to me, a poor sinner, blot out like a cloud and mist all my transgressions by Thy merit, cast them into the sea of Thy innocent blood, that they may never more come to light or before the [129] judgment of God. O God, Holy Spirit! create within me the new man, that I may not bring into the new year old sins and impurities, but to-day begin a new life and partake anew of Thy grace. Withhold from me, O Triune God! all long and well deserved punishment, and continue to bless me and mine with all manner of bodily and spiritual, temporal and eternal gifts. Let Thy grace rest upon us anew every morning, and renew Thy good will to all who in this new year seek their refuge with Thee and wait upon Thy goodness. Grant unto us still further Thy precious Word, which is a joy and comfort to our hearts. Enlighten our teachers and pastors, and grant unto their holy work the blessing of heaven; strengthen our faithful rulers and prosper all their good undertakings, which are pleasing to Thee. Bless our parents, and prosper Thou the work of their hands. Fill our souls with true fear of God, and our hearts with joy in the Holy Ghost. Bestow unto our bodies health, and grant peace within our borders. Crown this year with Thy goodness and grant unto us that [130] which is necessary to the support of life. Protect Thy church from error in the faith and from scandalous living, our land from war, famine and pestilence, our homes from consuming flames and all damage and danger, the products of the field from hail and tempest. Curb the wrath and fury of satan, and send Thy heavenly hosts that they may guard and protect us in all our ways. Convert our enemies and check all our persecutors, help the oppressed, provide for the poor, feed the hungry, give drink unto the thirsty, clothe the naked, free the innocent captives, comfort the distressed, gladden the sorrowing, strengthen the weak, care for the sick, be merciful to the widows and orphans, deliver the oppressed, guide the traveler and accompany the dying through death unto life.
Lord! teach us to act according to Thy good pleasure, and Thy good Spirit direct our footsteps, that we may walk before Thee in faith, patience and hope, in godliness and honesty, in meekness, humility and chastity, and all Christian virtues. But when we sin, then chastise us gently; when [131] our sins trouble us, comfort us with Thy grace, and Thy joyful Spirit uphold us. When satan assails us, do Thou support us, when the world persecutes us, then protect us; when our flesh and blood would overpower us, then strengthen our spirit; when we err, set us aright again. When we fall, lift us up by Thy hand. When we become weak and weary in our calling, refresh us. When we are in necessity and danger, relieve us. When we are sick and weak, then be our physician. Should we according to Thy will during this year depart from hence, grant that our spirits be commended into Thy hands. O Lord! hear; Lord! be merciful; Lord! take heed and grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Most merciful Saviour! Thou didst indeed show Thyself to be the God of the Jews and the Gentiles, and as the true light that desires to enlighten all men who come into this world unto everlasting life, as Thou didst not only by a bright and wonderful [132] star lead unto Thyself the wise men of the east, who were induced to honor and worship Thee as their king, but didst also lead us poor heathen by the enlightening power of Thy holy Word into Thy gracious kingdom and unto the saving knowledge of Thee. O my Saviour! Thy faithfulness and mercy shown unto us are so great, that we can never sufficiently praise Thee. We were without God strangers and excluded from the commonwealth of Israel. But Thou hast made us Thy people, fellow-citizens with the saints and a household of God. On account of our blindness we were not enabled to know Thee and to find the way to everlasting life; but Thou, Lord Jesus! didst enlighten our minds and enrich us in all knowledge. We sat in darkness and in the shadow of death; but Thou didst let Thy glory shine upon us, so that now we walk in Thy light, and finally enter eternal blessedness in heaven. For this we justly worship and praise Thee with thankful hearts and tongues on this holy day, and will sing of Thy grace and goodness all the days of our life. But we pray Thee, O [133] most faithful Saviour! with our whole soul, that Thou wouldst so multiply Thy grace unto us, as to preserve us and our posterity to the end of time in a saving knowledge of Thee, and by Thy Holy Spirit wouldst so lead and direct us as no more to walk like the heathen in the vanity of our minds and our own fleshly lusts, but rather live godly as children of light, and with humble obedience serve Thee all our days as our King. As Thou, most beloved Saviour, didst so gloriously deliver us from the kingdom of darkness and mercifully received us into the kingdom of grace—into Thy Christian church, grant us also to be blessed saints of heaven, and heirs of Thine eternal glory, for the sake and honor of Thy great name. Amen.
Lord Jesus! Thou highly exalted and beloved Son of God! I thank Thee with all my heart, that for my good Thou didst not only become true man, but also for my sake didst become subject to the [134] law, and at Thy presentation didst participate in the offering of purification, in order that Thou mightest redeem me from the curse of the law, and cleanse my soul from its abominable impurities. I acknowledge myself therefore under obligations also to present myself unto Thee, and offer myself a living and acceptable sacrifice to God. But whilst I cannot do so of my own self, I ask Thee, beloved Saviour, to sanctify me by Thy innocent blood and holy Spirit, in order that I may henceforth earnestly guard myself against all sins, keep my body and soul unpolluted and serve Thee during my life in holiness and righteousness. Most beloved Saviour! Grant, that, following the example of the devout Simeon, I may amidst all distress and misery of this life, in all fear and anguish of conscience, with the arms of true faith, embrace and press Thee to my heart, yea, enclose Thee in my heart and never permit Thee to depart therefrom. May my eyes ever be directed toward Thee, O desirable Light of the world! and behold in Thee their only delight. Infuse into my heart a knowledge of Thy holy will and a [135] heartfelt confidence in Thy precious merit, and grant, that I may manifest the same through good works before men. Banish from my heart, O Thou Brightness of glory! all innate darkness and evil propensities, and may I with Simeon believe aright, live holy and die happy. When the end of my life draws nigh, then, O beloved Redeemer, bear me up in Thy strong arm and merciful hands, that satan may nevermore separate me from Thee. Grant unto me with Simeon a joyous departure from this world and bestow unto me, Thy servant, such grace that I may depart in peace, and with all the elect behold Thee, face to face, in eternal bliss. Amen, dear Jesus! Amen.
Awake, my soul, and rejoice in the Lord, thy Saviour, thank the Most High, who so faithfully fulfilled his prophecy and sent his Son into the world. Rejoice and be glad that God himself out of love to thee became man and related to thee through [136] blood. Who can sufficiently praise His mercy and loving-kindness? O Lord! what is man that Thou art mindful of him; and the son of man that Thou doest thus receive him unto Thyself? O dear Jesus! I thank Thee with all my heart, that Thou in the blessed womb of Thy mother Mary didst so intimately unite Thyself with our human nature, and in the assumed humanity didst reconcile me with Thy heavenly Father. Thou, my Saviour! didst humble Thyself so deeply in order that I should be exalted; Thou didst become the son of man in order that I might become a child of God, Thy brother (sister) and a beloved spouse. Thou didst descend from Thy throne unto us, that Thou mightest render it possible for me to partake of Thy great glory in heaven. How couldst Thou indeed have shown greater love to me? Therefore, most beloved Saviour! do I rejoice in my heart and know truly that I stand in Thy grace, for Thou canst not despise nor be angry with Thy own flesh and blood. Though I am sinful and unholy, yet do I comfort myself by Thy holiness and innocence. Though I offended [137] God with sins, yet I know that Thou art the Mediator between God and me, and that Thou wilt appease His wrath and deliver me from all evil, which I have to fear on account of my misdeeds. Jesus, my brother, although I have deserved death and hell, Thou canst make me holy and receive me unto eternal life. Where my flesh and blood reigns, there I hope also to be and remain eternally. To this help me, most beloved Saviour! for the sake of Thy blessed incarnation. Amen.
Most beloved Jesus! I thank Thee with all my heart, in the council of the pious and congregation of the Lord, that Thou, before Thy entrance into death, hast been so mindful of us, Thy christian people, and didst prepare such a glorious feast for our souls. I praise Thee, O most merciful Saviour! with all my powers and abilities, that Thou didst not only present Thyself as an offering, that Thou wast sacrificed upon the cross for my sins and those of the [138] whole world, but also doest feed us poor creatures in Thy Holy Supper with Thy body and blood, through which Thou doest appropriate unto us all Thy purchased gifts of grace and benefits. Lord! the bread we break is indeed the communion of Thy body that died for us upon the cross, and the cup we drink at the holy altar, is the communion of the most precious blood, which Thou in all Thy painful sufferings hast shed for us. In what respects indeed are we worthy that Thou doest manifest such grace unto us? Who are we that Thou doest draw so nigh unto us and unite with us in such a manner as to be and dwell within us, and also we, as members of Thy body, shall remain with Thee forever! How can we compensate Thee that Thou doest so heartily receive our souls unto Thyself and freest them from all transgression and threatening condemnation; on the other hand doest bestow upon them Thy perfect obedience, merit and righteousness, yea, doest give Thy own Self as a pledge for their salvation! Most beloved Jesus! as Thou hast instituted by Thy Holy Supper a memorial of Thy wonderful [139] gifts of grace, so it shall be a lasting memorial in my heart of Thy love and mercy. As oft as I shall eat of this bread and drink of this cup, will I proclaim Thy death and with a thankful heart praise what Thou hast done for us. O help! my Saviour and Redeemer, that I may be confirmed more and more in my faith by this blessed food and glorious cup, that I be forever united with Thee and strengthened to lead a holy life upon earth and be positively assured of the eternal life of joy in heaven, for the sake of Thy holy merit. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou innocent and spotless Lamb of God, who didst suffer for us the ignominious death of the cross, which it is Thy will that it never be forgotten by us. From the depth of our hearts we again give Thee praise, honor and thanks for this Thy love and mercy, that Thou didst so dearly purchase us poor sinners by Thy innocent sufferings and [140] death, and didst become obedient to Thy heavenly Father, unto death on the cross. Thou didst also shed Thy precious blood to wash away and blot out our sins, and didst lay down Thy life in order to rescue us from eternal death. O faithful Saviour! how much didst Thou suffer in our behalf; what unspeakable torture and pain didst Thou endure in body and soul in order that we might be free from it forever. O Lord Jesus! Thou patient Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, we confess, that with our manifold and gross sins we have caused Thee such pains and labors and brought about this Thy death. Be gracious and merciful unto us and let this Thy bitter and painful suffering not be in vain for us. Grant unto us Thy grace that daily we may think of Thy death, heartily praise and thank Thee for the same, and by the contemplation of these Thy sufferings and crucifixion we may crucify and mortify in us all lusts of the flesh and evil passions of our corrupt nature, and since Thou didst suffer for us, help therefore also, that we may obediently follow [141] Thee with the cross, which we daily deserve on account of our sins, and for Thy sake, bear all things patiently, that, finally, we may, with all the elect, be and forever remain with Thee in heavenly joy and bliss. Amen.
We thank Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, Thou blessed Prince of life, that Thou out of divine love, didst give Thyself into death for us, and didst offer Thyself as a propitiation for our sins unto Thy heavenly Father; whereby Thou didst deliver us from the power of death, of the devil and of everlasting damnation, and in proof whereof Thou, as the Prince of life and as the Conqueror of death, didst lift up Thy head on the third day, didst rise again, and didst bring forth righteousness, innocence and eternal life. We beseech Thee, give us grace, and so operate in us through Thy Holy Spirit, that we may heartily rejoice and find comfort in Thy death and resurrection, and thereby quiet our consciences [142] and overcome all fear of death. Do Thou also permit Thy resurrection to be a cause and an incitement to us to do good works and to bring forth fruits of righteousness, so that we, as Thy people, may be willing to worship Thee in the beauty of holiness. Help that we may daily die unto sin, crucify and slay the old Adam with his evil lusts and desires, and, on the other hand, spiritually arise, begin to live in righteousness, to walk in newness of life, to purge out the old leaven, and to become a new unleavened bread. Help also that we may await with comfort and joyful hope the resurrection of our deceased bodies, which shall come forth in virtue of Thy resurrection, on the last day, and that we may enter into Thy presence with body and soul in the kingdom of Thy everlasting heavenly glory and excellence. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Thou eternal High Priest and King of all thrones, after Thou hadst finished all things upon earth, [143] which had been written concerning Thee, Thou didst enter into the heaven of glory in and according to Thy exalted humanity, and didst sit down at the right hand of God upon the throne of majesty; yet Thou art everywhere and Thy kingdom is over all. We, however, are still pilgrims here below, in the valley of misery, in a world which lies in wickedness, and of which Thou didst say, that Thou hast overcome it. Where now is the way which will lead us safely through to Thee? O Lord, how shall we find the way, unless Thou teachest us through Thy Spirit, and through Him leadest and preservest us upon it?
Lord, the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, and all its best glory is as perishable as the day that was yesterday. Our stay in it, moreover, is of few days that pass away swiftly indeed, more swiftly than water. O, lead us on the way to heaven, into Thy glory, where we can remain with Thee forever. Behold, we die, one after the other, and pass away as a shadow. But we ourselves with difficulty take it to heart: each one travels the road that [144] seems to him to be right. Do Thou therefore make our heart certain, that we may not walk upon any other road than the one that leads us to Thee and to Thy imperishable glory.
Lord, Thou sittest as our Redeemer and Mediator at the right hand of Majesty in heaven, in order to save us eternally and to make us happy in Thy kingdom. Be Thou therefore mindful of us even when we forget ourselves, and save us mightily, and make us happy, not for our sake, but for Thy sake. For the kingdom which we shall inherit, is Thine; Thine is the power to lead us into it; and Thine shall be all the honor and glory forever, when we, as Thy rescued children, shall be happy in Thy kingdom. Amen. Hear us for the sake of Thy eternal love and mercy. Amen.
O God, who didst visit and endow the hearts of Thy saints so graciously and richly with Thy Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, O pour out this Thy Spirit and [145] merciful shower also upon our barren and drooping hearts, refresh Thy inheritance and comfort the miserable. Come, O Holy Spirit, and adorn us with Thy manifold gifts, that we may truly perceive and praise the great deeds of God, which were accomplished through Jesus Christ, and that we may speak, glorify and spread Thy Word with new tongues; enkindle us with the fire of Thy wholesome fervor, burn out all internal malice, together with all other fleshly lusts and desires; light the lamp of Thy truth, so that we may serve our God fervently in spirit and in faith, and with true earnestness and zeal.
O Thou God of peace, bind our hearts with the bonds of Thy peace, that we may remain and live with each other in meekness and humility, in peace and unity. O Thou God of patience, give us patience during the time of our life, and firmness unto the end. O Thou Spirit of prayer, awaken our hearts, that we may lift them together with holy hands up to God, and call upon him in every time of need; and as we do not know what we should pray for [146] as we ought, O do Thou, as our faithful Interceder, make intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered. O Thou gentle wind, cool and refresh our hearts in every fiery trial and anguish, be our protection and shelter in time of need, our help in affliction, our comfort in adversity.
Come, Thou mighty God, and comfort the weak, teach the miserable Thy way, help those also who have fallen, put those aright who err, hold them with Thy right hand. Come, O Thou eternal Light, Salvation and Comfort, be our Light in darkness, be our Salvation in life, be our Comfort in death, and lead us upon the straight path unto life everlasting, in order that we may praise, extol and glorify Thee, O Holy Ghost, together with our heavenly Father and His beloved Son, our only Saviour, with truly new tongues on the true day of Pentecost in heaven for ever and ever. Amen.
O Thou incomprehensible, eternal God, Thou King of kings, and Lord of lords, Thou, who only hast immortality and dwellest in the light which no man can approach unto, we thank Thee in humility of heart, that Thou didst come forth out of Thy light and reveal Thyself as one God in three persons. But because this exalted mystery of the holy Trinity transcends all our conception and understanding, do Thou Thyself bring our reason, which thinks itself to be wise, into captivity to Thy obedience, and do not permit its foolishness to set itself against Thy wisdom. But do Thou impress upon our hearts the living and believing knowledge, that Thou art Three and One, in order that we may steadfastly preserve this truth as a precious treasure against all error, and with the deepest humility may worship Thee, O Triune God, with equal honor, according to Thy revelation.
Give us, O holy Father, a knowledge of [148] Thee, that Thou comest from no one, but didst beget Thy Son from eternity and together with Him lettest the Holy Spirit proceed from Thee; but also how Thou didst give Thyself to us as our Father, in order that we might, in childlike obedience and confidence, consecrate unto Thee every thing in us that is Thy work. Eternal Son of God, Lord Jesus Christ, reveal Thyself unto us also; how Thou wast begotten from eternity by Thy heavenly Father as the brightness of His glory and as the image of His essence, Light of Light, very God of very God; how Thou out of love to us didst become our brother and didst redeem us with Thy obedience, suffering and death, that we might in Thee learn to know the Father aright, and through Thee come to Him, and also enjoy the fruits of Thy salvation, here in righteousness and holiness, hereafter in the communion of Thy glory. Lord God Holy Ghost, put Thy light into our souls, in order that we may know how Thou proceedest as the essential Breath from the Father and the Son from eternity, as the true God and as a true person, also how Thou laborest [149] faithfully at the work of our sanctification. O continue the same in power, to enlighten, purify, comfort and keep us, and to urge us to do all that is good, in order that we may through Thy operation at last appear altogether holy and pure before the throne of Thy glory.
To Thee, O Thou holy Trinity, be ascribed, by us and all creatures, praise, honor, glory and thanks to all eternity, for Thy eternal majesty and glory which Thou hast revealed unto us in Thy Word, and for all the grace and benefits with which Thou hast blessed us. Amen.
Merciful God and Father in heaven, to Thee I give the humblest thanks with heart and lips, that Thou didst so mercifully visit us poor human beings through the giving of Thy dearest Son, and didst raise up our Lord Jesus as a horn of salvation in Thy church, in order that we should lay hold of the same in true faith, [150] receive comfort, joy and salvation from the same, and sustain ourselves by it in danger and in death. Equal thanks do I owe Thee, Lord Jesus, Thou day-spring from on high, that Thou didst so gloriously enlighten, through Thy appearing, us poor, blind people who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, and didst direct our feet upon the way of divine peace. No less do I thank Thee, O God Holy Ghost, that Thou didst raise up John as a prophet of the Highest, and didst give through him the knowledge of salvation which consists in the forgiveness of sins. O holy Trinity, give me Thy grace, that I may worthily acknowledge such great benefits, and be thankful to Thee always for the same, not only in words, but also in a Christian life, and serve Thee all the days of my life in holiness and righteousness, which are pleasing to Thee, until in the land of eternity I shall behold Thee face to face, and sing, with the assembly of the chosen, the never-ending hymns of praise and thanks. Amen.
Gracious God, heavenly Father, how great is Thy grace, how unsearchable Thy mercy toward me, a poor sinner! Thou didst send Thy only Son and permit Him to become a true man, in order that I might, through the blessed fruit of the womb of a virgin, receive the divine blessing, and be and remain one of the blessed of the Lord. For such Thy great kindness I give Thee hearty thanks, and humbly beseech Thee at the same time, that Thou wouldst be pleased to enkindle my heart with the fire of the Holy Spirit, in order that my soul may also magnify Thee, and my spirit rejoice at all times in my Saviour. O why should I not magnify Thee with due praise, how could my spirit refrain from rejoicing? Thou, kind God, hast done great things for me, not only in my creation and preservation, but also in the salvation of my soul, which Thy dearest Son Jesus Christ snatched from death, with which He united Himself, and which He has promised to love eternally. [152] O Lord, continue to look upon me with the eyes of Thy mercy, as Thou didst look upon the Virgin Mary, and permit Thy grace to be ever with me, and I shall glorify and praise Thee forever and ever. Amen.
O thou faithful God! Lover, Protector and Preserver of the human race, Thou Lord of Hosts, unto whom thousand thousands minister, and before whom ten thousand times ten thousand stand, by whom all things were created, both the visible and the invisible, the thrones and dominions; how great is Thy love to men, that from their infancy Thou hast ordered to be with them Thy holy angels, these constant, humble, friendly, God-loving, obedient, true, good spirits, these beautifully resplendent, heavenly flaming fires, these strong heroes, these holy watchmen, who encamp round about us that fear Thy name, who always behold the face of our Father in heaven, and stand before Thy throne; by means of whom Thou dost protect the three estates [153] which Thou Thyself hast ordained on earth. O God, what is man, that Thou art thus mindful of him! We render unto Thee everlasting praise and thanks for Thy goodness, that Thou hast sent forth the ministering spirits, to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. We pray Thee, give Thy angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways, to bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone; that we may tread upon the lion and adder, and trample under our feet the young lion and the dragon. Drive away from us all evil spirits, which are murderers and liars from the beginning. Protect us against their anger and rage, their lies and blasphemies, their cunning and deceit, that they may not sow their tares among the wheat in our hearts. Restrain the lying spirits in the mouth of all false prophets, the murderous spirit in all tyrants, the spirit of pride and avarice in the family. Let Thy holy angels always accompany us like Jacob, protect us like the prophet Elisha, bring us bread and water and furnish us with fiery horse and chariot like Elias, let them give unto us wholesome [154] counsel and comfort. Let them be with us in our tribulation, as they were with the three men in the fiery furnace and with Daniel in the lion’s den; let them deliver us, and lead us out, from all our troubles, as they led out Lot from burning Sodom, Peter from the prison, Paul from the shipwreck. Let our house and land, our children and all that we possess, be protected by Thy holy angels, as was the house of Job, that the enemy may not molest us. Let us live in Thy fear, love Thy Word and Gospel, into which the angels desire to look. Work true repentance in our hearts, that the angels in heaven may rejoice over us. Kindle in us fervent prayer and praise of Thy name, that we may perform an angel’s office and sing with them: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. And finally let also our souls be carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom, and in the resurrection on that day make us like unto the holy angels, that we may be in their society. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, who didst come into the world to call sinners to repentance and to enlighten all men unto life eternal, we praise Thee with our whole heart, and extol Thy great goodness and mercy, that Thou didst not only enter into this place and into this church and congregation with Thy divine Word and holy Sacraments, and didst purge out the leaven of papistic doctrine and idolatry, but that Thou hast also redeemed us poor sinners from the kingdom of darkness, hast called us into the light of Thy holy Gospel, and hast transplanted us into Thy kingdom of grace.
O Lord Jesus, we are not worthy of all Thy goodness and faithfulness, yet we pray Thee with humble hearts, that Thou wouldst continue among us Thy grace, with Thy divine Word and holy Sacraments, that Thy holy name may be known by us, that it alone may be feared and honored by us, and we all may live, and serve Thee, according to Thy divine pleasure. And what we have [156] done amiss against Thee and Thy holy Word, by not having been obedient to the Gospel, do Thou, Lord Jesus Christ, graciously pardon, and do not on account of our sin take from us this saving treasure, but preserve it unadulterated unto us and unto our posterity. Yea, Lord Jesus, preserve unto us Thy Word, for it is the joy and comfort of our hearts.
Guard and defend us and Thy whole Christian, especially Thy Evangelical Lutheran, Church against all error, unbelief, and the pernicious doctrine of others. Restrain all enemies, persecutors and blasphemers, and be Thou our refuge, our strength, our shield and buckler, that the gates of hell may not prevail against us. Especially do we beseech Thee, O Lord our Saviour, that Thou wouldst enter into the house of our heart, that Thou wouldst enlighten us by Thy Holy Spirit, purify our hearts and graciously grant, that we may walk worthy of the Gospel, and remain steadfast in the truth once known and confessed, unto our end. O Lord Jesus, let our souls obtain Thy salvation, that we may [157] be saved through Thee and in Thy kingdom behold Thee and Thy great glory forever and ever. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Lord God, our heavenly Father, who dost through Thy Word and Thy Holy Spirit gather for Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, a church and holy congregation in our midst, and hast hitherto preserved pure doctrine and the true worship of God against the devil and all enemies, yea, against the gates of hell: do Thou, O good and faithful God, continue to preserve unto us this dear and precious treasure, do Thou also make our descendants partakers of the same, so that we, instructed in saving knowledge, may grow and increase, until we shall receive an everlasting habitation in the kingdom of Thy Son, and be saved through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be praise and glory forever and ever. Amen.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy and truth endure forever. Let Israel now say, that His mercy endureth forever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth forever. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endureth forever. O, how we feared the destruction of the precious grain in the fields! O, how we took thought and troubled ourselves, lest the bread which God has yet given us in these hard times might be snatched away before our eyes and out of our hands! But it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. Now all, to God give thanks, who has everywhere done marvelous things, who has preserved us alive from our birth, and has done countless favors. May He grant us a joyful heart, and in these times continual peace in Israel, and that His grace remain always with us, and uphold us, as long as we live. O God, give peace to Thy land, prosperity and salvation [159] to every estate. Lord God, heavenly Father, who dost create holy courage, good counsel and good works, give to Thy servants peace, which the world cannot give, so that our hearts may cling to Thy commandment, and that we may, by Thy protection, live through our days quietly and securely against our enemies, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord. Amen.
And now, O God, we know and confess with grateful hearts, that Thou hast given us the early and the latter rain in due season, and hast faithfully and annually protected our harvests. Thou hast watered our ridges abundantly: Thou hast settled our furrows: Thou makest it soft with showers: Thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou hast prospered our grain, and tilled our land. Thanks, praise, glory and honor be unto God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
We also pray Thee, O our God and Father, from the depth of our hearts, that Thou wouldst give unto us all Thy Holy Spirit, so that we may receive with thanksgiving [160] what Thou bestowest upon us, and may sanctify it with Thy Word and prayer, that it may be employed and used to Thy glory and for our temporal support, for the benefit of churches and schools, and of our needy neighbor, and that thereby the shameful and hurtful worship of mammon may be most diligently avoided. Protect this place and also the entire country against war and danger, against dangerous and hostile invasion and destruction. Give to our government the spirit of wisdom, of counsel, of power and strength. Confirm and preserve peace among us. Let us pass the days of our earthly life in true knowledge of Thy holy name and in Thy fear, also in health, peace and union, and finally grant to us all everlasting salvation, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Almighty God, Thou who created the world and all that is therein, and hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth: Thou [161] who art not far from every one of us; for in Thee we live and move and have our being: Thou, who in times past didst suffer the gentiles to walk in their own ways, but now commandest all men everywhere to repent and with Thy grace doest visit their hearts.
Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us, that Thy salvation may everywhere abound, and the glory of Thy name extend itself unto the ends of the earth. Look down from Thy height upon the misery of so many nations, who yet sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, who are ignorant of their divine origin, and lie under the cruel tyranny of satan. The Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, hath not yet risen upon them. They walk in the vanity of their minds. Their reason is clouded because of great darkness. They are estranged from the life that is of God, through the ignorance that is in them and through the blindness of their heart. The god of this world hath blinded their understanding, and the common enemy of souls has taken them captive according to his will.
Grant, merciful God, that by the misfortune of others we may realize our own blessedness, and bewail the lamentable state of blindness, with which Thou hast smitten the gentiles, and worthily apply the greater light so graciously presented unto us to so much the greater holiness. O do Thou finally suffer the light of the Gospel to rise unto those, who are yet far from Christ, the true Sun, and who have hitherto altogether groped in thick darkness of idolatry. Through the loving voice of the Gospel, bring back these scattered sheep into Thy spiritual fold. Grant such shepherds, who will not rule vigorously and harshly over the sheep, nor devour their substance and clothe themselves with their wool; but who, in the spirit of love and gentleness will wait upon the weak, heal the sick, bind up the wounded, bring back the erring, seek the lost, and in walk and life present themselves a living example to the gentiles. And inasmuch as the word of the Gospel, concerning the love of God as revealed in Christ, is the only means to reconcile man with God, and to gather the [163] erring sheep into the fold of Christ, do Thou grant, that all who go forth to proclaim the Gospel unto the heathen, may, with divine wisdom, make known the word of reconciliation, with boldness overcome all hindrances, and disregarding all selfish motives in the discharge of so holy an office, may seek nought but the glory of Thy name, and the extension of the kingdom of heaven. Grant, that they themselves may plainly know and acknowledge the mystery of the cross, as the central point of Evangelical doctrine, may not pretend to know anything among the gentiles, save Christ Jesus and Him crucified, and worthily extol Him to others as the only hope of glory and fountain of salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. Amen.
Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Thou art the almighty God of heaven and earth, and in Thee we live, move, and [164] have our being. Thou, however, doest desire that man should live by bread, and therefore didst, in the beginning of the world, make the earth fruitful through Thy almighty Word, and after the days of the flood, didst declare that while the earth remaineth seed-time and harvest shall not cease. Behold, Lord, this Thy order, once established, continueth yet, and Thou still doest ever crown the year with Thy goodness. Thou doest cause grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man. Thus Thou bringest bread out of the earth and doest fill our hearts with joy and gladness. Most loving God, how wisely indeed hast Thou ordered all things! How great is Thy goodness toward us, who are not worthy of Thy bread. And how wonderfully infinite Thy omnipotence, when Thou doest increase the little grain which moulders in the earth, into a hundredfold! It is Thy unsearchable wisdom, this Thine unutterable goodness, mercy and omnipotence, which hath again this year visited our land. Men had sowed their seed in hope, but Thou hast hitherto blessed the seed in the fields, [165] and hast moreover permitted us to live to the time, when men everywhere reap and gather into barns what Thou hast given. O Lord, Thou God of riches, all that men harvest is indeed Thine; for we of ourselves can bring forth nothing out of the earth, and be it little or much, it is still more than we have merited. Thanks be also unto Thy holy name for each and every gift, which Thou hast bestowed on our fields during this year. Thou alone art the God, who doest sustain us from the day of our birth, and shower Thy blessings upon us. Wherefore unto Thee alone be all the praise, honor and thanksgiving now and in eternity.
We beseech Thee, O kind Father, that Thou wouldst not again take from us in Thy wrath, what Thou in Thy grace hast given. Thou Thyself hast said in Thy Word, that rain is not seemly in harvest. So do Thou not permit that the blessings of the fields, which Thou hast hitherto spread out before our eyes, may perish by unfavorable weather. Do Thou also henceforth guard [166] that which has been gathered into barns and garners, against danger by fire and water, against thieves and unfaithful stewards, against usurers and unscrupulous grain-speculators, and against all else that might rob us, or destroy Thy gifts. Moreover let us not forget that all we receive comes from Thee and is Thine. Do Thou likewise help that because of this we may never be discontented with what Thou givest, never uselessly squander aught of it through luxury and wantonness, never lock up any of Thy gifts unmercifully against our needy neighbor through avarice or envy; nor in mistrust against Thee brood over it with cares, as though that which Thou hast given be not sufficient for our wants. Inasmuch as we in future will have need of Thy providing care, do Thou not in Thy wrath let our land remain uncultivated, lest it lie waste and become unfruitful when forsaken. Prevent every thing which might hinder the tilling of the fields after harvest. And, that no years may come, in which man sows but does not reap, do Thou provide that neither frost nor heat, neither [167] floods nor drought, nor destructive insects destroy the seed in the earth by which we in future are to live.
Be Thou with us, O gracious loving Father, and preserve unto us our daily bread, which Thou during the present harvest doest everywhere distribute. Above all grant favorable weather and constant sunshine, that the ripening grain may all fully mature, so that which yet remains in the fields may be stored away in good condition. Bless that which has been gathered into barns, that it may be prepared for our daily use, increase it while passing through our hands in preparing it, may it be blessed to our nourishment; grant us life and health, peace and quietude, to enjoy all that Thou hast given in such a manner, that it may not only give strength to the body, but also be good and wholesome to the soul, so that Thy temporal blessing may thus in manifold ways redound to our welfare. When Thou hast heard these our petitions and prayers, then remind us also of our obligations, and [168] grant that we acknowledge all our substance to be the gift of Thy goodness, that we heartily thank Thee for it, savingly use it, serve our bodies with it, as is meet, willingly impart of it to others, and finally devote and use all we have received of Thee alone unto Thy honor. Do Thou continue in future to bless our land with Thy gracious visitation, improve and enrich it with great fertility. Give warmth to the dust of the earth. Refresh the fields with fruitful showers, water their furrows, moisten the plowed ground, and do Thou prosper the grain to be sown therein, that the land may continue to yield forth its increase, the valleys be covered with corn, so that we may shout for joy and sing Thy praise forevermore.
Yea, Thou art God, Who Daily Openest Thy liberal hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Therefore do Thou during this season of harvest provide for all people, and let every one receive his proportion of food. Remind each one of his duties, that the indolent may not sleep in [169] time of harvest and neglect the necessary interests of himself and his household. But do Thou likewise grant strength to those, who in the sweat of their face gather their daily bread; refresh them when they are weary, and permit each one with his household to enjoy in good health what his fields have produced, that we all may be truly glad because of Thy benefits. But do Thou also help that the rich may not depend upon their barn bursting with plenty, and thereby forget that their souls may be taken from them unawares, and another obtain possession of that which they have gathered. Remember the poor, who have nothing to harvest. Grant that others may help gather also for them, and do Thou thyself recompense those who permit them to glean ears in their fields, or who impart unto them of their abundance. In short, where there is but little, do Thou bless the small supply, that it may be sufficient for the wants to whom it is given, and where Thou hast given a large supply, do Thou so control it, that it may not be abused unto evil. Preserve tranquility and peace in all lands, that strangers [170] come not unto us and devour our harvests. Do Thou everywhere guard against failures, hard times and famine. And do Thou also ward off from us everything which might render it difficult for us to obtain the necessary things for the support of temporal life. On the other hand, do Thou permit every one to enjoy what Thou hast allotted to him, that rich and poor alike may acknowledge and praise Thee for evermore. Finally, O Thou Saviour of all men, we ourselves are the spiritual stewards in Thy church, and Thou art the Lord of the harvest; we therefore pray Thee to send laborers into Thy harvest, and let Thy harvest among men likewise become great in all places. Grant that good seed may everywhere be sown, and pure doctrine be preached among all christians. Protect the world against the tares, which the devil is busy in scattering forth. Convert those who sow in unrighteousness and reap in sorrow, or sow unto the flesh and of the flesh reap destruction. Sanctify us all together, that we may be of one mind in Christ, and may sow unto the spirit, and of the spirit once reap eternal [171] life. Yea, when once the entire world shall be sufficiently ripe for the last harvest, then grant that we all, as pure wheat, may be bound into sheaves and gathered into Thy garners, and be preserved in heaven unto eternal joys. There shall we as those whom Thou hast promised, reap without ceasing what we have sown here, and rejoice as they that rejoice in harvest, with unspeakable joy. Hear us, O God, and grant us all what we ask, for the sake of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Gott des Himmels und der Erden
God who madest earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Who the day and night hast given,
Sun and moon and starry host,
All things wake at thy command,
Held in being by thy hand.
2. God, I thank thee! In thy keeping
Safely have I slumbered here;
Thou hast guarded me while sleeping
From all danger, pain, and fear:
And the cunning of my foe
Hath not wrought my overthrow.
3. Let the night of sin that shrouded
All my life, with this depart;
Shine on me with beams unclouded,
Jesus! In thy loving heart
Is my help and hope alone,
For the evil I have done.
4. Help me as the morn is breaking,
In the spirit to arise,
So from careless sloth awaking,
That when o’er the aged skies
Shall the morn of Doom appear,
I may see it free from fear.
5. Lead me, and forsake me never,
Guide my wand’rings by thy Word;
As thou hast been, be thou ever
My defence, my refuge, Lord.
Never safe except with thee,
Thou my faithful Guardian be.
6. O my God, I now commend me
Wholly to thy mighty hand;
All the powers that thou dost lend me
Let me use at thy command;
Thou my boast, my strength divine,
Keep me with thee, I am thine.
7. Thus afresh, with each new morning
Save me from the power of sin,
Hourly let me feel thy warning
Ruling, prompting me within,
Till my final rest be come,
And thine Angel bear me home.
Nun sich der Tag geendet hat.
Since now the day hath reached its close,
And sun-light shines no more,
In sleep the toil-worn find repose,
And all who wept before.
2. But thou, my God, no rest doth know,
No slumber locks thy sight,
Thou hatest darkness as thy foe,
Since thou, thyself, art Light.
3. O Lord, I pray, remember me
In this beclouded night,
And grant to me most graciously
The shield of thy great might.
4. And foil thou satan’s purpose fell
Through thy swift angel-arm;
Then free from care I’ll rest me well
And safe from every harm.
5. I feel indeed through guilt undone,
It cries aloud to thee;
But, yet, the mercy of thy Son
Hath full atoned for me.
6. Him I present thee as my Bail,
As suppliant at thy feet;
With such Assurance I’ll not fail
Before thy Judgment-seat.
7. And hereupon my eyes I close,
And fall asleep heart-glad,
My God doth watch o’er my repose,
Why should my heart be sad?
8. Depart vain thoughts and fancies, flee!
Draw not my mind abroad,
My heart, as temple, shall now be
Devoted to my God.
9. And thus I live and die to thee,
Thou Sabaoth strong, indeed!
In life and death thou helpest me
From every fear and need!
10. Should this night prove the last for me
In this sad vale of tears,
Then lead me, Lord, in heaven to thee
And thy elect compeers.
Wer nur den lieben Gott læsst walten.
If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the Rock that naught can move.
2. What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never-ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help, if thou bewail thee
O’er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.
3. Only be still and wait His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate’er thy Father’s pleasure
And all-deserving love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.
4. He knows the time for joy, and truly
Will send it when He sees it meet,
When He has tried and purged thee throughly
And finds thee free from all deceit,
He comes to thee all unaware
And makes thee own His loving care.
5. Nor think amid the heat of trial
That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred;
Time passes and much change doth bring,
And sets a bound to everything.
6. All are alike before the Highest.
’Tis easy to our God, we know,
To raise thee up though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low;
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.
7. Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
So do thine own part faithfully,
And trust His Word, though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee;
God never yet forsook at need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.
Warum sollt ich mich denn græmen?
Why should sorrow ever grieve me?
Christ is near,
What can here
E’er of Him deprive me?
Who can rob me of my heaven
That God’s Son,
As mine own,
To my faith hath given?
2. Naked was I and unswathed
When on earth
At my birth
My first breath I breathed.
Naked hence shall I betake me,
When I go
From earth’s woe,
And my breath forsake me.
3. Nought, not e’en the live I’m living,
Is mine own,
God alone
All to me is giving.
Must I then His own restore Him?
Though bereft
Of each gift,
Still shall I adore Him.
4. Though a heavy cross I’m bearing,
And my heart
Feels the smart,
Shall I be despairing?
God can help me, who doth send it,
He doth know
All my woe
And how best to end it.
5. God oft gives me days of gladness,
Shall I grieve
If He give
Seasons too of sadness?
God is good and tempers ever
Every hurt,
Me desert
Wholly can He never.
6. Though united world and devil
All their power
Can no more
Do than mock and cavil.
Let derision now employ them,
Christ e’en here
Will appear
And ’fore all destroy them.
7. True believers shrinking never,
Where they dwell
Should reveal
Their true colors ever.
When approaching death would scare them,
Still should they
Patient stay
And with courage bear them.
8. Death can never kill us even,
But relief
From all grief
To us then is given.
It doth close life’s mournful story,
Make a way
That we may
Pass to heavenly glory.
9. There I’ll reap enduring pleasure,
After woe
Here below
Suffer’d in large measure.
Lasting good we find here never,
All the earth
Deemeth worth
Vanisheth forever.
10. What is all that life possesseth?
But a hand
Full of sand
That the heart distresseth.
Noble gifts that tire me never,
Christ so free
There gives me
To enjoy forever.
11. Shepherd! Lord! joy’s fountain ever,
Thou art mine,
I am thine,
No one can us sever.
I am thine, because thou gavest
Life and blood
For my good,
By thy death me savest.
12. Thou’rt mine, for I love and own thee,
Ne’er shall I,
Light of joy,
From my heart dethrone thee.
Let me, let me soon behold thee
Face to face,
Thy embrace
May it soon enfold me.
Hilf, Helfer, hilf in Angst und Noth.
Help, helper, help in fear and need,
Have mercy, faithful God, give heed!
I know thou lov’st me still as thine,
Though ’gainst me world and hell combine.
2. I trust in thee—whom I adore;
If I have thee, what need I more?
And, my Lord Jesus, this I laud:
That thou art mine, my Saviour-God.
3. This blest assurance cheers my heart,
To bide thy time—till clouds depart;
I’ll rest the while me on thee, then,
Cry: Helper, help! and say: Amen!
Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir.
Lord, as thou wilt, be it with me,
No other wish I cherish,
I, living, dying, seek but thee,
O Lord, let me not perish;
Let but thy grace ne’er from me part,
Else as thou wilt, grant patient heart,
Thy will the best is ever.
2. Grant honor, truth, and self-control,
And love thy Word to ponder,
From errors false preserve my soul;
And grant, both here and yonder,
What will but tend to blessed days,
Keep far all wrong and crooked ways
From all my life and doings.
3. When once, according to thy will,
I pass the bourne of sadness,
Then let thy grace my bosom fill,
That I may go with gladness;
My body, soul, commend I thee,
O Lord, a blessed end grant me
Through Jesus Christ, yea, Amen.
Wenn mein Stuendlein vorhanden ist.
When once in turn my hour is here,
And I shall hence betake me,
Then, O Lord Jesus, keep thou near,
With help do not forsake me;
My soul then at my final end
Into thy hand I do commend:
Thou wilt, Lord, safely guard it.
2. My sins will press my heart with care,
My conscience will accuse me,
For they are many, yet despair
With doubts shall not confuse me;
I will remember, Lord, thy death,
And wounds, and words of thy last breath:
Yea, these will then sustain me.
8. Lord, of thy body I am part:
This membership doth cheer me,
’Mid woe and throes of death, my heart
Inseparate is near thee.
And though I die, I die to thee,
Eternal life hast thou for me,
Lord, by thy dying purchased.
4. Since thou art risen from the tomb,
I shall not therein languish;
Thy Ascent cheers me in the gloom,
Doth even death-fear vanquish;
For where thou art, there shall I be,
That I may ever live with thee:
Hence I depart rejoicing.
5. ’Tis well! I part, by Jesus blest;
To Him will I betake me:
Thus fall asleep and gently rest,
No mortal can awake me.
And Christ, the Lord, to whom I flee,
Will open heaven’s door to me,
Lead me to life eternal.
Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme.
Wake, awake, for night is flying,
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
Awake, Jerusalem, at last!
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past!
The bridegroom comes, awake,
Your lamps with gladness take;
Hallelujah!
And for His marriage feast prepare,
For you must go to meet Him there.
2. Zion hears the watchmen singing,
All her heart with joy is springing,
She wakes, she rises from her gloom;
For her Lord comes down all-glorious,
The strong in grace, in truth victorious,
Her star is risen, her light is come!
Ah come, thou blessed Lord,
O Jesus, Son of God,
Hallelujah!
We follow till the halls we see
Where thou hast bid us sup with thee.
3. Now let all the heavens adore thee,
And men and angels sing before thee,
With harp and cymbal’s clearest tone;
Of one pearl each shining portal,
Where we are with the choir immortal
Of angels round thy dazzling throne;
Nor eye hath seen, nor ear
Hath yet attained to hear
What there is ours,
But we rejoice and sing to thee
Our hymn of joy eternally.
The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord: Thou givest them their meat in due season, Thou openest Thy liberal hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus, be Thou our guest,
And let all Thou giv’st us be blest. Amen.
We thank Thee, dear Son, that Thou hast again opened Thy bountiful hand to supply our wants; grant that we may receive this food with thanksgiving and gratitude and in Thy fear, and grant, O Lord! that whatsoever we do, whether we eat or drink, all may be done to Thy name’s honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.
O Lord God, heavenly Father, bless unto us these Thy gifts, which of Thy tender kindness Thou hast bestowed upon us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. He [186] giveth food to all flesh. His mercies are new unto us every morning, for his faithfulness endureth unto all generations. Amen.
We give thanks to Thee, O God our Father, for all Thy benefits, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.
We return thanks unto Thee, O Lord! that Thou hast again vouchsafed to feed these perishable bodies, and we beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst also feed our souls with the bread of eternal life. Amen.