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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35737-8.txt b/35737-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4733271 --- /dev/null +++ b/35737-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4110 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Little Treasure of Prayers, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Little Treasure of Prayers + Being a Translation of the Epitome from the German Larger + 'Treasure of prayers' ['Gebets-Schatz'] + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: April 1, 2011 [EBook #35737] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE TREASURE OF PRAYERS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, David Edwards, Peter Vachuska +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + THE + LITTLE TREASURE + OF PRAYERS, + + + 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. + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + 1. Sunday Morning Prayer 7 + 2. Prayer before going to church 8 + 3. Sunday Evening Prayer 9 + 4. Another Sunday Evening Prayer 10 + 5. Monday Morning Prayer 12 + 6. Monday Evening Prayer 13 + 7. Tuesday Morning Prayer 14 + 8. Tuesday Evening Prayer 14 + 9. Wednesday Morning Prayer 16 + 10. Wednesday Evening Prayer 17 + 11. Thursday Morning Prayer 18 + 12. Thursday Evening Prayer 19 + 13. Friday Morning Prayer 20 + 14. Friday Evening Prayer 20 + 15. Saturday Morning Prayer 21 + 16. Saturday Evening Prayer 22 + 17. Prayer for daily renewal of the baptismal covenant 23 + 18. Prayer on a birth day 25 + 19. Prayer for children 29 + 20. Prayer for young persons 31 + 21. Prayer of a servant 32 + 22. Prayer of a husband 35 + 23. Prayer of a wife 37 + 24. Prayer of an aged person 39 + 25. Prayer for a proper performance of one's duties 40 + 26. Prayer before labor 41 + 27. Prayer for divine blessing upon the work of one's calling 42 + 28. Luther's prayer based on the scriptural passage: "Casting all + your care upon Him, for He careth for you" 44 + 29. Prayer before beginning any important work 44 + 30. Thanks returned after labor 46 + 31. Prayer during a journey 46 + 32. Prayer while beginning a journey at sea 47 + 33. Prayer of a seafarer during a storm 49 + _A brief instruction in confession and absolution_ 51 + 34. Complaint of a poor sinner concerning the impenitence of his + heart 56 + 35. Prayer for true conversion 57 + 36. Prayer for the forgiveness of sin 60 + 37. Prayer for reconciliation with our neighbor 64 + _Brief instruction concerning the Holy Supper_ 66 + 38. Morning Prayer of a communicant 72 + 39. Prayer for a worthy partaking of the Holy Supper 74 + 40. Thanksgiving after partaking of the Holy Supper 76 + 41. Prayer that God would hereafter keep us from sin, and if we sin + that he would not reckon it to our account 77 + 42. Prayer in view of the sufferings of Christ 79 + 43. Prayer in time of drought 81 + 44. Prayer for sunshine in a protracted season of wet and rain 83 + 45. Prayer for the precious fruits of the field 84 + 46. Prayer during a storm 85 + 47. Thanksgiving when the storm is over 87 + 48. Prayer in great weakness of faith 88 + 49. Prayer in great trouble and danger 89 + 50. Thanksgiving after a safe journey 90 + 51. Thanksgiving for deliverance out of tribulation 91 + 52. Morning prayer of a sick person 92 + 53. Another morning prayer in sickness 93 + 54. Evening prayer of a sick person 95 + 55. Another evening prayer of a sick person 95 + 56. Prayer in sickness 96 + 57. Prayer of a penitent in sickness 99 + 58. Short prayers in sickness for every hour of the day: + 1. At one o'clock 101 + 2. At two o'clock 102 + 3. At three o'clock 102 + 4. At four o'clock 103 + 5. At five o'clock 103 + 6. At six o'clock 104 + 7. At seven o'clock 104 + 8. At eight o'clock 105 + 9. At nine o'clock 106 + 10. At ten o'clock 107 + 11. At eleven o'clock 108 + 12. At twelve o'clock 108 + 59. Thanksgiving after recovery 109 + 60. Three prayers in the hour of death: + 1. To God the Father 110 + 2. To God the Son 111 + 3. To God the Holy Ghost 112 + 61. Prayer of the attendants upon a dying person 113 + 62. Another prayer 114 + 63. A short litany together with prayers for a dying person 114 + 64. Prayer when the sick person has departed in the Lord 117 + + + APPENDIX I. + FESTIVAL PRAYERS. + + 1. Prayer for the beginning of a new church year 118 + 2. Prayer for the Advent season 122 + 3. Christmas prayer 124 + 4. Prayer on New Year's day 127 + 5. Prayer on Epiphany 131 + 6. Prayer on the day of Purification 133 + 7. Prayer on the day of Annunciation 135 + 8. Prayer on Maundy-Thursday 137 + 9. Prayer on Good-Friday 139 + 10. Prayer on the festival of Easter 141 + 11. Prayer on Ascension day 142 + 12. Prayer on Whitsunday 144 + 13. Prayer on the festival of the Holy Trinity 147 + 14. Prayer on the day of John the Baptist 149 + 15. Prayer on the day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary 151 + 16. Prayer on St. Michael's day 152 + 17. Prayer on the festival of the Reformation 155 + 18. Prayer on Church-Consecration day 157 + 19. Prayer on Harvest festival 158 + 20. Prayer on Mission festival 160 + 21. From Caspar Neuman's substance of all prayers 163 + + + APPENDIX II. + HYMNS. + + Morning hymn 172 + Evening hymn 174 + Hymns of cross and consolation 175 + Hymn of christian life 181 + Hymn of hope in death 182 + Hymn of glad eternity 183 + + + Prayers before and after meat 185 & 186 + + + + + 1. Sunday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 2. Before going to Church. + + +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 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. + + + + + 3. Sunday Evening Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 4. Another Sunday Evening Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 5. Monday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 6. Monday Evening Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 7. Tuesday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 8. Tuesday Evening Prayer. + + +O eternal and merciful God, God of all riches, who art in heaven, I most +heartily thank Thee for Thy great mercy and 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. + + + + + 9. Wednesday Morning Prayer. + + +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 the power of Thy Holy Spirit, for the sake of Thy dear Son, +Jesus Christ. Amen. + + + + + 10. Wednesday Evening Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 11. Thursday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 12. Thursday Evening Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 13. Friday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 14. Friday Evening Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 15. Saturday Morning Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 16. Saturday Evening Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 17. Daily Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant. + + +I hereby renew the covenant of my holy baptism, and renounce, both now +and forever, the devil and all his works and 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 faithfullness, 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. 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. + + + + + 18. Prayer on a Birthday. + + +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 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 +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 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, +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. + + + + + 19. A Prayer for Children. + + +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, 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 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! + + + + + 20. Prayer for Young Persons. + + +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 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! + + + + + 21. Prayer of a Servant. + + +Merciful God! Thou who hast redeemed and liberated me, through the +precious suffering and death of Thy dear 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 +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 and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, +world-without-end. Amen! + + + + + 22. Prayer of a Husband. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 23. Prayer of a Wife. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 24. Prayer of an aged Person. + + +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 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. + + + + + 25. Prayer for a proper Performance of One's Duties. + + +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 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. + + + + + 26. Prayer before Labor. + + +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 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. + + + + + 27. Prayer for Divine Blessing upon the Work of One's Calling. + + +Lord God! Thou hast assigned work to every man according to his +abilities, and it is Thy will, that we should eat our 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. + + + + + 28. Luther's Prayer based on the Scriptural Passage: Casting all + your care upon Him, for He careth for you. + + +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. + + + + + 29. Prayer before beginning any Important Work. + + +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, 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! + + + + + 30. Thanks returned after Labor. + + +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. + + + + + 31. Prayer during a Journey. + + +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 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. + + + + + 32. Prayer while beginning a Journey at Sea. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 33. Prayer of a Seafarer during a Storm. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + A brief Instruction concerning Confession and Absolution. + + +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, 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 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 +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." + + + + +34. Complaint of a poor Sinner concerning the Impenitence of his Heart. + + +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 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. + + + + + 35. Prayer for true Conversion. + + +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, +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 hinderances 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 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. 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! + + + + + 36. Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sin. + + +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 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 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, blot out my +transgressions. Wash me clean with hysop 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 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. + + + + + 37. Prayer for Reconciliation with our Neighbor. + + +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 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 +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. + + + + + Brief Instruction concerning the Holy Supper. + + +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 Lord with devotional and humble hearts and with the +centurion exclaim: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my +roof! + +The benefits derived from the Holy Supper are threefold: first, by a +worthy partaking of the Holy Supper we receive the forgiveness of sin and +are assured of the same. Our gracious God has given many and manifold +means to assure the poor sinner of the forgiveness of his sins; such +means are, the preaching of the Gospel, Holy Baptism, Absolution and the +Holy Supper. We should not ask the impertinent question, why God has +given us _four_ means of grace, instead of _one_, but rather thank him, +that he has so richly blessed us in making us partakers of the +forgiveness of our sins, and that he, through these means, gives unto us +a joyful heart and a certain assurance that we are acceptable unto him. +Whoever knows from own experience, how important it is for one whose +heart is terrified on account of his sins, to believe in the forgiveness +of such sins, will readily conceive the greatness of divine mercy and +care, in not providing only one, but many means, through which we have +the assurance of the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, just as certain +as with your mouth you eat the body of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ +which was given for you in death for the forgiveness of your sins, and +drink that blood which was shed for the remission of your sins, just so +certain also should you be that such forgiveness is your portion and +inheritance. Second, the Holy Supper also confers life. This is not a +temporal, natural life, which we have received through birth and which is +nourished through the ordinary food and drink, but it is that new, +spiritual life, which has been regenerated through the new birth in Holy +Baptism, and which subsists by virtue of faith in the Lord Jesus and in +love to God and our neighbor. But inasmuch as this life is yet weak and +imperfect and constant growth is necessary, the Lord has instituted the +Holy Supper as a spiritual means of nourishment, in order to strengthen +the new spiritual life. Luther says concerning this: The Holy Supper is +rightly regarded as food for the soul which nourishes and strengthens the +new man; for through Baptism we are first born again, but there still +remains the old Adam in our flesh and blood; there are so many +temptations and impediments thrown in the way by the world and the devil, +that we often grow weary and languid and sometimes fall. Hence the Holy +Supper is given us as a daily nourishment and food that our faith may +grow and be strengthened, and that in such contest it may not fall back, +but ever grow stronger and stronger; for the new life must be such as +always to increase and progress; it has on the other hand, to suffer +much; for the devil is such a wrathful enemy, when he sees that one +opposes him and assails the old man, and he is unable to prevail with his +power, then he will sneak and creep around on all sides, making use of +all kinds of artifice and keeps on until he finally has made us weary, +that a person either falls from the faith altogether, or gives way to +disgust and impatience. Thereto then this comfort is given, that the +heart, when it feels the temptations too great to bear, receives new +strength and solace from the Holy Supper. But, thirdly, the Holy Supper +also confers eternal salvation. Just as sin, as long as it is not +forgiven, deprives us of salvation, so sin which is forgiven opens unto +us the door of eternal salvation. Where there is forgiveness of sin, +there is also life and salvation. + +But if we would obtain this threefold blessed benefit from the Holy +Supper, we must receive it worthily and well prepared. This is however +not a worthiness brought about by the law, but by the Gospel, and does +not consist in a perfect life and entire purity of the soul from sin; but +much more in this, that we are conscious of our unworthiness and +sinfulness; that we have a heart poor in spirit and mournful, and long +heartily after the forgiveness of sin, that we also comfort ourselves +with it or wish to comfort; that we regard our sins to be very great, but +that we rejoice in the help which is found in none other than the Lord +Jesus Christ. On the other hand, all those communicants are unworthy and +unfit, who in their self-righteous conceit think it unnecessary to have +the forgiveness of sin, as was the case with the Pharisee, who stood and +prayed thus with himself: God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men +are,--or who entirely doubt the forgiveness of sin, as did Cain, who said +unto the Lord: My punishment is greater than I can bear, and who will not +permit himself to be delivered from his despondent thoughts, or those who +continue in evil purpose and who knowingly go on and serve sin, or who +live in malicious hatred against their neighbor. When such unworthy +communicants receive the Holy Supper, it is true, they also receive the +body and blood of Christ, but they receive it unto judgment and unto the +increase of their own damnation. Hence, too, St. Paul gives the earnest +admonition: Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread +and drink of that cup, for whoso eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth +and drinketh damnation to himself. Now, whoever recognizes in himself the +above named characteristics of an unworthy communicant, should not dare +to approach the table of the Lord in this condition; not that he should +remain away, but in the meanwhile he should examine himself, and instead +of being an impenitent, become a penitent sinner. + +But are not also weak believers to be numbered among the unworthy +communicants? By no means. But much more those who are both weak in faith +and defective in godly life, and who are overtaken in this or that sin, +and who painfully feel their weakness and long to become stronger, are +Christ's right welcome guests at his table; such the Lord does not cast +away, but much more invites to come; for he instituted the Holy Supper +especially for the weak and infirm, that through this spiritual +nourishment they might become stronger. He extends unto all such the +gracious call: Come unto me all ye that are weary and are heavy laden, +and I will give you rest, and whosoever comes, I will in no wise cast +out. + + + + + 38. Morning Prayer of a Communicant. + + +Lord Jesus, I this morning rejoice that I, with other pious Christians, +am permitted to receive Thy body and blood in, with and under the +consecrated bread and wine. O! how my soul longs for the courts of the +Lord and for the holy altar. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, +so panteth my soul after Thee, O my God. For Thou art my Shepherd, I +shall not want. O, Lord Jesus, as Thou hast begun the good work in me a +poor miserable man, so also accomplish the same in mercy, through the +gracious power of the Holy Spirit unto Thy name's glory and unto my own +welfare and eternal salvation. Dear Redeemer, I am, it is true, not +worthy that I should come under Thy roof, but Thy grace, which is +all-sufficient, make me worthy and amply qualify me, that the precious +food and drink of Thy true body and blood may quicken my soul in this +heavenly feast of joy and love. Clothe me with the garment of salvation +and with the robe of Thy righteousness by a true faith, that I may not be +found among the pretending guests and would-be-Christians, but may be a +worthy partaker at Thy table and receive all Thy gracious treasures which +Thou hast acquired for me. O Lord Jesus, may Thy grace be and remain with +me, as I ever put my trust in Thee. May Thy visitation preserve my +spirit, my life and walk. And whatever else is needful, grant Thou, O +Lord, unto me in this life and in the life hereafter. Give me true +repentance, renew my heart, deliver my body and soul. O Lord! hear this +my desire, and do not permit my prayer to remain unanswered, that I may +be acceptable unto Thee in time and in eternity. Amen, in Jesus' name, +Amen. + + + + + 39. Prayer for a worthy Partaking of the Holy Supper. + + +Behold me, Dear Saviour, As I Come Relying on Thy Gracious Invitation. +May I find favor in Thine eyes, Thou Lover of Life. For who am I that +Thou shouldst so friendly call me? Were I even holier than the angels, +yet would I not be worthy of this repast; how then should I be worthy, +seeing that I am of impure lips, yea, an abomination and offensive, if +Thou doest not make me worthy? Therefore come Thou to my succor with Thy +grace, and prepare me. Thou hast said: Whosoever cometh to me, Thou wilt +in no wise cast out. Then take my soul into Thy favor, according to Thy +great mercies. Dear Jesus, remember that of myself I have indeed much +evil, but nothing good; so help me for Thy great goodness' sake. O see +how poor and miserable I am! Remember Thy faithfulness, O Saviour of the +world, and fill my heart with grace. O! how I long to appear at Thy table +with glowing devotion and becoming reverence in full faith, but where is +the power to do, if I do not receive it of Thee, thou Author and Finisher +of my faith? Therefore give Thou unto me whatsoever is pleasing to Thee. +Graciously take from me whatsoever displeases Thee, or cover it, at +least, I most humbly pray Thee, with the cloak of Thy righteousness. O! +blessed is the soul that finds favor with Thee! Open Thou mine eyes that +I may behold the wonders in Thy ordinances. Rouse my heart, and free me +of all strange thoughts, increase my hope, inflame my desire, make ardent +my devotion, purge me of all uncleanness, and sanctify me wholly, that I +may approach with joyful confidence, that I may receive with pure mouth +and holy heart, and with heartfelt desire eat and drink unto the life, +welfare and blessing of my soul. Amen. + + + + + 40. Thanksgiving after Partaking of the Holy Supper. + + +Lord Jesus Christ, I give Thee most hearty thanks and praise, that Thou +hast again washed me, a poor sinful being, of all my transgressions, and, +for the most certain assurance of such washing and forgiveness of all my +sins, hast permitted me to eat of Thy true body, and to drink of Thy true +blood, and, taking me as an impure child after such cleansing, hast again +received me into the fatherly arms of Thy grace and mercy, and doest thus +show and present me blameless, pure and without fault unto Thy heavenly +Father. + +I pray Thee most heartily and from my whole soul, that, after Thy great +benefit, Thou wouldst yet add this in abundance, and graciously grant me +Thy grace through the working of the Holy Ghost, that I may be truly +sensible of Thy great goodness, thankfully receive it, and from my heart +magnify and praise Thee during my whole life. And do Thou further work in +me through Thy Holy Ghost, and effect that I also may heartily forgive my +neighbor anything he may have done against me, as Thou, O Lord, hast +pardoned and forgiven all my great and numerous transgressions, yea, and +hast entirely wiped them out of Thy remembrance; that I may also love my +neighbor, and from my heart show him all manner of good, even as Thou, O +Lord, hast shown unto me more than I am able to thank for; in order that +Thou, O good and faithful God, in us mayest be magnified and praised +together with the Father and Holy Ghost throughout all ages. Amen. + + + + + 41. Prayer that God would hereafter keep us from sin, and if we sin, + that He would not reckon it to our account. + + +O thou kind and merciful God, Thou dear Father in heaven, Thou hast out +of grace and divine love, bestowed upon us Thy dear Son, and with Him all +grace, life and salvation. We pray Thee, dear Father, preserve unto us +this blessed treasure and heavenly gift, the gracious countenance of Thy +dear Son, Jesus Christ, that we may never lose Him through +unthankfulness, or otherwise be deprived of Him. We are indeed poor, +miserable and frail beings, who fall from one sin into another; we now +sin in thought, now in word and deed, and it is with difficulty that we +stand. Here we never find rest and peace; the devil watches our very +thoughts, stirs them up, and fans the passions into flame, the world +watches our words and deeds, walk and life, and gives us much offense and +occasion to sin, our own flesh also never rests, besides yet all the +occasional sins, vices and weaknesses which daily beset us, and which +terribly trouble our conscience, entirely destroy the joy of our heart +and turn it into sorrow and sadness. Therefore we pray Thee, Thou kind +and merciful God, that when, as it may happen, we have become negligent +and unthankful, and do not so walk as we should--O do Thou still remain +our gracious God; be Thou friendly towards us, comfort us in goodness and +mercy, do not hold us accountable or make us suffer for our manifold +sins, but purge our hearts and consciences by Thy word, in order that we +may serve Thee in sorrow and joy, magnify, honor and praise Thee in time +and in eternity. Amen. + + + + + 42. Prayer in view of the Sufferings of Christ. + + +Alas! my Lord Jesus Christ, when I behold Thee, as Thou wast in the +garden bowed down with heartfelt sorrow, and in great anguish didst sweat +drops of blood, as Thou wast afterwards taken prisoner, bound, and during +the whole night and hour of darkness mocked and insulted, in the morning +early as the innocent Lamb accused, whipped with scourges, and finally +sentenced to death, suspended on the cross, pierced in your hands and +feet with ruthless nails, and not a member of Thy most holy body +remaining without a wound:--Alas! when I see all this, I see nothing but +my sins, guilt and iniquities which brought Thee into this plight, and +for the sake of which Thou didst freely enter into such anguish and +distress, into such sadness, pain and suffering. Alas! my Lord, it is all +my guilt for which Thou didst suffer--I am the cause of it all. How +wonderful are the ways and purposes of God! The Innocent One must pay for +the guilt of the guilty, the Good One must suffer the punishments of the +wicked. The Lord must atone the guilt of the servant, and that which +sinful man has brought upon himself God must bear. O Thou Son of the +living God, how great is Thy love and favor towards us mortals! What hast +Thou not done and suffered to redeem me, a poor lost sinner, and to +deliver me from death and eternal damnation. I have done evil, and Thou +art punished; I have sinned, and Thou must atone. I have been +disobedient, and Thou must for my disobedience be overwhelmed with such +anguish and distress. Alas! Thou Lord of Glory, what can I give Thee in +return for this Thy great goodness and faithfulness which Thou hast shown +towards me! Wherewith shall I, poor needy mortal, requite such +unspeakable benefit? Alas! my Lord, it shall forever remain unrequited. +There is no service in heaven or on earth whereby to pay Thee +sufficiently for it. It is Thy pure grace and favor towards me, a poor +sinner, and that remains by me forever unrequited, forever unmerited. And +since I have nothing wherewithall to pay my debt, therefore my heart +shall evermore thank Thee for what Thou hast done to me, and I shall +magnify, glorify and praise Thy name now and forever. Amen. + + + + + 43. Prayer in time of Drought. + + +O Faithful God, Thou God of truth and righteousness, who unto the most +comforting assurance hast shown us in Thy word of truth, how that an +earnest, zealous, faithful and persevering prayer, powerfully penetrates +the clouds of heaven, and not only most certainly comes into Thy +presence, but also that it avails and effects a great deal, we, Thy poor +children, now come, upon Thy comforting promise, in this extraordinarily +protracted season of heat and drought, with our faithful, hearty and +earnest prayer before the face of Thy lofty and divine majesty, and +humbly beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst graciously hear us according to +Thy promise, turn Thy great wrath in mercy from us, give unto the parched +earth again its needed moisture, and cause a propitious shower to fall in +quickening drops upon the earth, in order that it may again bring forth +the ordained fruits so necessary for the support of our temporal life, +which Thou in Thy paternal providence hast already ordained in the first +creation. As of old Thou didst unlock the windows of heaven in answer to +the faithful prayer of Thy servant and prophet Elias, and didst cause it +to rain upon the thirsty earth, so we also confide the same to Thee now, +that Thou wilt let Thy grace reign over us in this season of heat and +drought, and out of Thy fatherly care for us, grant us our earnest +petition and prayer, unto Thy honor and our salvation, through Jesus +Christ, Thy dear Son, our only Redeemer and Saviour. Amen. + + + + + 44. Prayer for Sunshine in a protracted Season of Wet and Rain. + + +Lord God almighty, Thou who doest clothe the heaven with darkness, and +makest their covering as a sack; Thou didst in thy wrath punish the +impenitent old world for their wickedness and vice, with the overflowing +waters of the flood, and didst destroy all the creatures of the earth, +that live and have their being on dry land. We also at this time, +according to Thy strict righteousness, on account of our manifold sins +which we have committed against Thee, are visited with unusual rain, +continued and protracted wet weather by which the land and the fruits +thereof are greatly injured. Merciful Father, Thou who didst close the +fountains of the deep as well as the windows of heaven at the time of the +deluge, and didst command the rain from heaven to cease, take away from +us all our sins and transgressions, and turn away from us the just +punishment of our iniquities, the destructive rain and great waters. For +the earth is sad, and the heavens are mourning. Behold the pledge in the +clouds--the rainbow--and remember Thy promise, give good and fruitful +weather, that the fruits in field and garden may prosper, and not be +destroyed by the abundant and superfluous rain, and thus bring upon us +famine and scarcity. Lord God of truth, Thou who canst not lie, Thou hast +said: There shall henceforth be no more deluge to destroy the earth. +Therefore be merciful, O Lord! and do not out of wrath close up the +bowels of Thy compassion, O do not take Thy favor and mercy from us! Do +Thou not give unto us idle teeth, and lack of bread, bless our bread, +that we may always have something to eat, and praise Thy holy name; thus +shall we know that we are Thy children indeed, for whom Thou dost most +faithfully care, and praise Thee as our heavenly Father all the days of +our lives. Amen. + + + + + 45. Prayer for the precious Fruits of the Field. + + +Dear Lord, do Thou graciously keep the blessed fruits of the field, +purify the air, give fruitful rain and good weather, that the fruits of +the land may prosper; let them not be poisoned, so that by eating them we +together with the cattle be not taken with pestilence, fever or other +plagues; for such plagues come when evil spirits poison the air, and +afterwards the fruits, wine and corn, so that we by Thy infliction eat +and drink sickness and death with our own daily bread. Therefore, dear +Lord, bless Thy gifts that they may redound to our health and prosperity, +and that we also may not abuse them to the injury of our souls or to +greater sinfulness, intemperance and idleness, out of which unchastity, +adultery, profanity, swearing, murder, wars and all manner of evils flow; +but give us grace to use Thy gifts to our souls' salvation, and the +amendment of our lives, and that the fruits of the Land be the means of +furthering and keeping the health of our bodies and souls. Amen. + + + + + 46. Prayer during a Storm. + + +Great God of might and power in heaven and in earth, by Thy thunder and +lightening we are now reminded of Thy great wrath over us sinful mortals. +By such sound of Thy voice which makes all creatures to tremble and to +fear, Thou doest call us, as if it were with a bell of repentance, to the +knowledge of our sins and to true repentance, in order that we may not be +condemned with the wicked world. Thou art such a mighty and powerful +Lord, that if Thou wouldst deal with us according to Thy strict +righteousness, Thou couldst destroy the world with one clap of thunder +and lightening. But we bend our knees in prayer before Thee and humbly +beseech Thee, remit Thy great wrath enkindled against our sins. Have +mercy on us, spare us, lift up Thy gracious countenance upon us, and be +Thou merciful unto us. Preserve our bodies and lives, our homes and +property, our town and land, our goods and possessions, and all that we +have, also the fruits of the field from hail and sleet, from +conflagrations and floods, and from all danger. Guard us also against an +evil and sudden death, and mercifully grant that many sinners may by Thy +word, thunder and lightning, be roused out of their wicked walk and life, +and be truly and heartily converted to Thee. Let us every hour of our +lives think of Thy glorious appearing to judge the quick and the dead, +and be prepared to receive Thee with joy, and with Thee to enter into the +everlasting joys of Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. O Lord, have mercy on us +poor sinners, our bodies and souls, here in this present life and in the +life to come. Amen. + + + + + 47. Thanksgiving when the Storm is over. + + +Almighty God, heavenly Father, Thou hast said: Call upon me in the day of +trouble, I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me: we praise and +thank Thee with our whole heart, that Thou hast, in mercy, heard our +prayer and caused the threatening storm to cease, without injury to body +or property. In this, Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, nor +rewarded us according to our iniquities; but hast dealt with us as a +father with his children. Father of mercies, for the sake of Thine only +begotten Son, Jesus Christ, cause these Thy fearful warnings to move us +to constant amendment, that we may henceforth live in Thy fear and +prepare ourselves for the coming of Thy dear Son, that we may with joy go +forth to meet Him, and with shouts of joy enter heaven, in which dwelleth +righteousness, and possess it forever, even for ever and ever, through +Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. + + + + + 48. Prayer in great Weakness of Faith. + + +O Lord, I know it now of a truth that all men have not faith. I believe, +dear Lord, help my unbelief! Do not break the bruised reed, nor quench +the smoking flax; O Jesus, Thou who sittest at the right hand of God, +make intercession for me, that my faith may not cease. Be the author and +finisher of my faith, wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery +darts of the wicked one. Grant me that I believe, although I do not see, +and thus be saved. Amen. + + + + + 49. Prayer in great Trouble and Danger. + + +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 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. + + + + + 50. Thanksgiving after a safe Journey. + + +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. + + + + + 51. Thanksgiving for Deliverance out of Tribulation. + + +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 the elect, sing everlasting Hallelujahs to the +honor of Thy name. Amen. + + + + + 52. Morning Prayer of a sick Person. + + +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. + + + + + 53. Another Morning Prayer in Sickness. + + +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 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. + + + + + 54. Evening Prayer of a sick Person. + + +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. + + + + + 55. Another Evening Prayer of a sick Person. + + +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 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. + + + + + 56. Prayer in Sickness. + + +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. 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 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, 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. + + + + + 57. Prayer of a penitent in Sickness. + + +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 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 Thee. I am Thine, in +Thee I would remain. Amen. + + + + + 58. Short Prayers in Sickness, for every Hour of the Day. + + + 1. At One O'clock. + +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. + + + 2. At Two O'clock. + +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. + + + 3. At Three O'clock. + +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 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. + + + 4. At Four O'clock. + +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. + + + 5. At Five O'clock. + +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 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. + + + 6. At Six O'clock. + +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. + + + 7. At Seven O'clock. + +O God, heavenly Father, who didst rest on the seventh day of the +creation, do Thou also rest and keep Thy sabbath in my 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. + + + 8. At Eight O'clock. + +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, 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. + + + 9. At Nine O'clock. + +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. + + + 10. At Ten O'clock. + +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 alleviate +my bodily pains according to Thy good will, and help me that I may bear +my afflictions, for Jesus' sake. Amen. + + + 11. At Eleven O'clock. + +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. + + + 12. At Twelve O'clock. + +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 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. + + + + + 59. Thanksgiving after Recovery. + + +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 +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. + + + + + 60. Three Prayers in the Hour of Death. + + + The First to God the Father. + +Almighty God! Thou Father of mercies and God of all consolation! Have +mercy upon me, as a father hath 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. + + + The Second to God the Son. + +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 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. + + + The Third to God the Holy Ghost. + +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. + + + + + 61. Prayer of the Attendants upon a Dying Person. + + +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. + + + + + 62. Another. + + +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. + + + + + 63. A short Litany together with Prayers for a Dying Person. + + + Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy! + Lord have mercy upon this sick person! + + Lord God, the Father in heaven, } + Lord God Son, Redeemer of the world, } Have mercy + Lord God Holy Ghost, } upon him! + Holy Trinity, eternal God, } + + Lord, be merciful and save this dying person! + + Against the wicked spirit, } + Against the cunning and deception of the devil, } Protect him, + Against all evil, } dear Lord God! + Against the torments of hell, } + + 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, } Help him, dear + Through the grace of the Holy Ghost, } Lord God! + At his last end, } + At the last day, } + At the final judgment, } + + We poor sinners pray, that Thou wouldst hear us, dear Lord God! + + And comfort this sick person, } Hear us, dear + Pardon all his sins, } Lord God! + And after this misery give him eternal life. } + + O Christ, hear us! + + O Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy + upon this dying person, and give him eternal peace! + + 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! + + + Prayer. + +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. + + + Another. + +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. + + + + + 64. Prayer, when the sick Person has departed in the Lord. + + +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! + + + + + APPENDIX I. + FESTIVAL PRAYERS. + + + + + 1. Prayer for the Beginning of a new Church-Year. + + +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 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 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 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. + + + + + 2. Prayer for the Advent Season. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 3. Christmas Prayer. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 4. Prayer on New-Year's Day. + + +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 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 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 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 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. + + + + + 5. Prayer on Epiphany. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 6. Prayer on the Day of Purification. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 7. Prayer on the Day of the Annunciation. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 8. Prayer on Maundy-Thursday. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 9. Prayer on Good-Friday. + + +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 +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 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. + + + + + 10. Prayer on the Festival of Easter. + + +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 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. + + + + + 11. Prayer on Ascension Day. + + +Lord Jesus Christ, Thou eternal High Priest and King of all thrones, +after Thou hadst finished all things upon earth, 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 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. + + + + + 12. Prayer on Whitsunday. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 13. Prayer on the Festival of the Holy Trinity. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 14. Prayer on the Day of John the Baptist. + + +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, 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. + + + + + 15. Prayer on the Day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. + + +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. 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. + + + + + 16. Prayer on St. Michael's Day. + + +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 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 +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. + + + + + 17. Prayer on the Festival of the Reformation. + + +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 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 be saved through Thee and in Thy +kingdom behold Thee and Thy great glory forever and ever. Amen, Lord +Jesus, Amen. + + + + + 18. Prayer on Church-Consecration Day. + + +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. + + + + + 19. Prayer on Harvest Festival. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 20. Prayer on Mission Festival. + + +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 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 gentliness 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 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 hinderances, 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. + + + + + 21. From Caspar Neuman's Substance of all Prayers. + + + (Thanksgiving.) + +Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Thou art the almighty God of heaven +and earth, and in Thee we live, move, and 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, 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. + + + (Petition.) + +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 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 floods nor drought, nor destructive +insects destroy the seed in the earth by which we in future are to live. + + + (Prayer.) + +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 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. + + + (Intercession.) + +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 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 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 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. + + + + + APPENDIX II. + HYMNS. + + + Morning Hymn. + + + 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 wandrings 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. + + + Evening Hymn. + + + 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. + + + Hymns of Cross and Consolation. + + + 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 + Deameth 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! + + + Christian Life. + + + 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. + + + Hope in Death. + + + 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. + + + Glad Eternity. + + + 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. + + + + + Prayers before Meat. + + +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. + + + + + Prayers after Meat. + + +O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth +forever. He giveth food to all flesh. His mercies are new unto us every +morning, for his faithfulness eudureth 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. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Little Treasure of Prayers, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE TREASURE OF PRAYERS *** + +***** This file should be named 35737-8.txt or 35737-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/7/3/35737/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, David Edwards, Peter Vachuska +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Little Treasure of Prayers + Being a Translation of the Epitome from the German Larger + 'Treasure of prayers' ['Gebets-Schatz'] + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: April 1, 2011 [EBook #35737] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE TREASURE OF PRAYERS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, David Edwards, Peter Vachuska +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div id="cover"> +<h1><span class="small">THE</span> +<br />LITTLE TREASURE +<br /><span class="small">OF PRAYERS,</span></h1> +<p class="center"><span class="small">BEING</span> +<br /><span class="gs">A TRANSLATION</span> +<br /><span class="small">OF THE</span> +<br />Epitome from the German larger “Treasure +<br />of Prayers” [“Gebets-Schatz”] of the Evangelical +<br />Lutheran Church, published in +<br />St. Louis, Mo.,</p> +<p class="center"><span class="small">WITH</span> +<br /><span class="large">A NEW APPENDIX.</span></p> +<p class="center"><i>FOURTH EDITION.</i></p> +<p class="center"><span class="small">COLUMBUS, OHIO:</span> +<br />THE LUTHERAN BOOK CONCERN. +<br /><span class="small">J. L. TRAUGER, <span class="sc">Agent</span>.</span> +<br /><span class="small">1888.</span></p> +</div> +<div id="toc" title="Contents"> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> +<dl class="toc"> +<dt><a href="#c1">1. Sunday Morning Prayer</a> 7</dt> +<dt><a href="#c2">2. Prayer before going to church</a> 8</dt> +<dt><a href="#c3">3. Sunday Evening Prayer</a> 9</dt> +<dt><a href="#c4">4. Another Sunday Evening Prayer</a> 10</dt> +<dt><a href="#c5">5. Monday Morning Prayer</a> 12</dt> +<dt><a href="#c6">6. Monday Evening Prayer</a> 13</dt> +<dt><a href="#c7">7. Tuesday Morning Prayer</a> 14</dt> +<dt><a href="#c8">8. Tuesday Evening Prayer</a> 14</dt> +<dt><a href="#c9">9. Wednesday Morning Prayer</a> 16</dt> +<dt><a href="#c10">10. Wednesday Evening Prayer</a> 17</dt> +<dt><a href="#c11">11. Thursday Morning Prayer</a> 18</dt> +<dt><a href="#c12">12. Thursday Evening Prayer</a> 19</dt> +<dt><a href="#c13">13. Friday Morning Prayer</a> 20</dt> +<dt><a href="#c14">14. Friday Evening Prayer</a> 20</dt> +<dt><a href="#c15">15. Saturday Morning Prayer</a> 21</dt> +<dt><a href="#c16">16. Saturday Evening Prayer</a> 22</dt> +<dt><a href="#c17">17. Prayer for daily renewal of the baptismal covenant</a> 23</dt> +<dt><a href="#c18">18. Prayer on a birth day</a> 25</dt> +<dt><a href="#c19">19. Prayer for children</a> 29</dt> +<dt><a href="#c20">20. Prayer for young persons</a> 31</dt> +<dt><a href="#c21">21. Prayer of a servant</a> 32</dt> +<dt><a href="#c22">22. Prayer of a husband</a> 35</dt> +<dt><a href="#c23">23. Prayer of a wife</a> 37</dt> +<dt><a href="#c24">24. Prayer of an aged person</a> 39</dt> +<dt><a href="#c25">25. Prayer for a proper performance of one’s duties</a> 40</dt> +<dt><a href="#c26">26. Prayer before labor</a> 41</dt> +<dt><a href="#c27">27. Prayer for divine blessing upon the work of one’s calling</a> 42</dt> +<dt><a href="#c28">28. Luther’s prayer based on the scriptural passage: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you”</a> 44</dt> +<dt><a href="#c29">29. Prayer before beginning any important work</a> 44</dt> +<dt><a href="#c30">30. Thanks returned after labor</a> 46</dt> +<dt><a href="#c31">31. Prayer during a journey</a> 46</dt> +<dt><a href="#c32">32. Prayer while beginning a journey at sea</a> 47</dt> +<dt><a href="#c33">33. Prayer of a seafarer during a storm</a> 49</dt> +<dd><a href="#c34"><i>A brief instruction in confession and absolution</i></a> 51</dd> +<dt><a href="#c35">34. Complaint of a poor sinner concerning the impenitence of his heart</a> 56</dt> +<dt><a href="#c36">35. Prayer for true conversion</a> 57</dt> +<dt><a href="#c37">36. Prayer for the forgiveness of sin</a> 60</dt> +<dt><a href="#c38">37. Prayer for reconciliation with our neighbor</a> 64</dt> +<dd><a href="#c39"><i>Brief instruction concerning the Holy Supper</i></a> 66</dd> +<dt><a href="#c40">38. Morning Prayer of a communicant</a> 72</dt> +<dt><a href="#c41">39. Prayer for a worthy partaking of the Holy Supper</a> 74</dt> +<dt><a href="#c42">40. Thanksgiving after partaking of the Holy Supper</a> 76</dt> +<dt><a href="#c43">41. Prayer that God would hereafter keep us from sin, and if we sin that he would not reckon it to our account</a> 77</dt> +<dt><a href="#c44">42. Prayer in view of the sufferings of Christ</a> 79</dt> +<dt><a href="#c45">43. Prayer in time of drought</a> 81</dt> +<dt><a href="#c46">44. Prayer for sunshine in a protracted season of wet and rain</a> 83</dt> +<dt><a href="#c47">45. Prayer for the precious fruits of the field</a> 84</dt> +<dt><a href="#c48">46. Prayer during a storm</a> 85</dt> +<dt><a href="#c49">47. Thanksgiving when the storm is over</a> 87</dt> +<dt><a href="#c50">48. Prayer in great weakness of faith</a> 88</dt> +<dt><a href="#c51">49. Prayer in great trouble and danger</a> 89</dt> +<dt><a href="#c52">50. Thanksgiving after a safe journey</a> 90</dt> +<dt><a href="#c53">51. Thanksgiving for deliverance out of tribulation</a> 91</dt> +<dt><a href="#c54">52. Morning prayer of a sick person</a> 92</dt> +<dt><a href="#c55">53. Another morning prayer in sickness</a> 93</dt> +<dt><a href="#c56">54. Evening prayer of a sick person</a> 95</dt> +<dt><a href="#c57">55. Another evening prayer of a sick person</a> 95</dt> +<dt><a href="#c58">56. Prayer in sickness</a> 96</dt> +<dt><a href="#c59">57. Prayer of a penitent in sickness</a> 99</dt> +<dt><a href="#c60">58. Short prayers in sickness for every hour of the day:</a></dt> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c61">1. At one o’clock</a> 101</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c62">2. At two o’clock</a> 102</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c63">3. At three o’clock</a> 102</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c64">4. At four o’clock</a> 103</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c65">5. At five o’clock</a> 103</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c66">6. At six o’clock</a> 104</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c67">7. At seven o’clock</a> 104</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c68">8. At eight o’clock</a> 105</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c69">9. At nine o’clock</a> 106</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c70">10. At ten o’clock</a> 107</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c71">11. At eleven o’clock</a> 108</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c72">12. At twelve o’clock</a> 108</dd> +<dt><a href="#c73">59. Thanksgiving after recovery</a> 109</dt> +<dt><a href="#c74">60. Three prayers in the hour of death:</a></dt> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c75">1. To God the Father</a> 110</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c76">2. To God the Son</a> 111</dd> +<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c77">3. To God the Holy Ghost</a> 112</dd> +<dt><a href="#c78">61. Prayer of the attendants upon a dying person</a> 113</dt> +<dt><a href="#c79">62. Another prayer</a> 114</dt> +<dt><a href="#c80">63. A short litany together with prayers for a dying person</a> 114</dt> +<dt><a href="#c81">64. Prayer when the sick person has departed in the Lord</a> 117</dt> +</dl> +<dl class="toc"> +<dt class="sect"><br />APPENDIX I. +<br /><span class="small">FESTIVAL PRAYERS.</span></dt> +<dt><a href="#c82">1. Prayer for the beginning of a new church year</a> 118</dt> +<dt><a href="#c83">2. Prayer for the Advent season</a> 122</dt> +<dt><a href="#c84">3. Christmas prayer</a> 124</dt> +<dt><a href="#c85">4. Prayer on New Year’s day</a> 127</dt> +<dt><a href="#c86">5. Prayer on Epiphany</a> 131</dt> +<dt><a href="#c87">6. Prayer on the day of Purification</a> 133</dt> +<dt><a href="#c88">7. Prayer on the day of Annunciation</a> 135</dt> +<dt><a href="#c89">8. Prayer on Maundy-Thursday</a> 137</dt> +<dt><a href="#c90">9. Prayer on Good-Friday</a> 139</dt> +<dt><a href="#c91">10. Prayer on the festival of Easter</a> 141</dt> +<dt><a href="#c92">11. Prayer on Ascension day</a> 142</dt> +<dt><a href="#c93">12. Prayer on Whitsunday</a> 144</dt> +<dt><a href="#c94">13. Prayer on the festival of the Holy Trinity</a> 147</dt> +<dt><a href="#c95">14. Prayer on the day of John the Baptist</a> 149</dt> +<dt><a href="#c96">15. Prayer on the day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary</a> 151</dt> +<dt><a href="#c97">16. Prayer on St. Michael’s day</a> 152</dt> +<dt><a href="#c98">17. Prayer on the festival of the Reformation</a> 155</dt> +<dt><a href="#c99">18. Prayer on Church-Consecration day</a> 157</dt> +<dt><a href="#c100">19. Prayer on Harvest festival</a> 158</dt> +<dt><a href="#c101">20. Prayer on Mission festival</a> 160</dt> +<dt><a href="#c102">21. From Caspar Neuman’s substance of all prayers</a> 163</dt> +</dl> +<dl class="toc"> +<dt class="sect"><br />APPENDIX II. +<br /><span class="small">HYMNS.</span></dt> +<dt><a href="#c103">Morning hymn</a> 172</dt> +<dt><a href="#c104">Evening hymn</a> 174</dt> +<dt><a href="#c105">Hymns of cross and consolation</a> 175</dt> +<dt><a href="#c106">Hymn of christian life</a> 181</dt> +<dt><a href="#c107">Hymn of hope in death</a> 182</dt> +<dt><a href="#c108">Hymn of glad eternity</a> 183</dt> +</dl><hr /><dl class="toc"> +<dt><a href="#c109">Prayers before and after meat</a> 185 & 186</dt> +</dl> +</div> +<div id="prayers" title="Prayers"> +<div class="pb" id="Page_7">[7]</div> +<div id="p1" title="1. Sunday Morning Prayer."> +<h2 id="c1">1. Sunday Morning Prayer.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p2" title="2. Before going to Church."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_008">[008]</div> +<h2 id="c2">2. Before going to Church.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_009">[009]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p3" title="3. Sunday Evening Prayer."> +<h2 id="c3">3. Sunday Evening Prayer.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_010">[010]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p4" title="4. Another Sunday Evening Prayer."> +<h2 id="c4">4. Another Sunday Evening Prayer.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_011">[011]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p5" title="5. Monday Morning Prayer."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_012">[012]</div> +<h2 id="c5">5. Monday Morning Prayer.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p6" title="6. Monday Evening Prayer."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_013">[013]</div> +<h2 id="c6">6. Monday Evening Prayer.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p7" title="7. Tuesday Morning Prayer."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_014">[014]</div> +<h2 id="c7">7. Tuesday Morning Prayer.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p8" title="8. Tuesday Evening Prayer."> +<h2 id="c8">8. Tuesday Evening Prayer.</h2> +<p>O eternal and merciful God, God of +all riches, who art in heaven, I most +heartily thank Thee for Thy great mercy and +<span class="pb" id="Page_015">[015]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p9" title="9. Wednesday Morning Prayer."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_016">[016]</div> +<h2 id="c9">9. Wednesday Morning Prayer.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_017">[017]</span> +the power of Thy Holy Spirit, for the sake +of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.</p> +</div> +<div id="p10" title="10. Wednesday Evening Prayer."> +<h2 id="c10">10. Wednesday Evening Prayer.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p11" title="11. Thursday Morning Prayer."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_018">[018]</div> +<h2 id="c11">11. Thursday Morning Prayer.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p12" title="12. Thursday Evening Prayer."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_019">[019]</div> +<h2 id="c12">12. Thursday Evening Prayer.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p13" title="13. Friday Morning Prayer."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_020">[020]</div> +<h2 id="c13">13. Friday Morning Prayer.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p14" title="14. Friday Evening Prayer."> +<h2 id="c14">14. Friday Evening Prayer.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_021">[021]</span> +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.</p> +<p>Unto this help me, O faithful God! blessed +forevermore with Thy dear Son and the +Holy Spirit. Amen.</p> +</div> +<div id="p15" title="15. Saturday Morning Prayer."> +<h2 id="c15">15. Saturday Morning Prayer.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_022">[022]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p16" title="16. Saturday Evening Prayer."> +<h2 id="c16">16. Saturday Evening Prayer.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_023">[023]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p17" title="17. Daily Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant."> +<h2 id="c17">17. Daily Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant.</h2> +<p>I hereby renew the covenant of my +holy baptism, and renounce, both now +and forever, the devil and all his works and +<span class="pb" id="Page_024">[024]</span> +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. +<span class="pb" id="Page_025">[025]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p18" title="18. Prayer on a Birthday."> +<h2 id="c18">18. Prayer on a Birthday.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_026">[026]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_027">[027]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_028">[028]</span> +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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_029">[029]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p19" title="19. A Prayer for Children."> +<h2 id="c19">19. A Prayer for Children.</h2> +<p>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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_030">[030]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_031">[031]</span> +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!</p> +</div> +<div id="p20" title="20. Prayer for Young Persons."> +<h2 id="c20">20. Prayer for Young Persons.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_032">[032]</span> +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!</p> +</div> +<div id="p21" title="21. Prayer of a Servant."> +<h2 id="c21">21. Prayer of a Servant.</h2> +<p>Merciful God! Thou who hast redeemed +and liberated me, through the +precious suffering and death of Thy dear +<span class="pb" id="Page_033">[033]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_034">[034]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_035">[035]</span> +and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, +world-without-end. Amen!</p> +</div> +<div id="p22" title="22. Prayer of a Husband."> +<h2 id="c22">22. Prayer of a Husband.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_036">[036]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_037">[037]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p23" title="23. Prayer of a Wife."> +<h2 id="c23">23. Prayer of a Wife.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_038">[038]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_039">[039]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p24" title="24. Prayer of an aged Person."> +<h2 id="c24">24. Prayer of an aged Person.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_040">[040]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p25" title="25. Prayer for a proper Performance of One’s Duties."> +<h2 id="c25">25. Prayer for a proper Performance of One’s Duties.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_041">[041]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p26" title="26. Prayer before Labor."> +<h2 id="c26">26. Prayer before Labor.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_042">[042]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p27" title="27. Prayer for Divine Blessing upon the Work of One’s Calling."> +<h2 id="c27">27. Prayer for Divine Blessing upon the Work of One’s Calling.</h2> +<p>Lord God! Thou hast assigned work +to every man according to his abilities, +and it is Thy will, that we should eat our +<span class="pb" id="Page_043">[043]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p28" title="28. Luther’s Prayer based on the Scriptural Passage: Casting all"> +<div class="pb" id="Page_044">[044]</div> +<h2 id="c28">28. Luther’s Prayer based on the Scriptural Passage: Casting all +your care upon Him, for He careth for you.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p29" title="29. Prayer before beginning any Important Work."> +<h2 id="c29">29. Prayer before beginning any Important Work.</h2> +<p>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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_045">[045]</span> +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!</p> +</div> +<div id="p30" title="30. Thanks returned after Labor."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_046">[046]</div> +<h2 id="c30">30. Thanks returned after Labor.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p31" title="31. Prayer during a Journey."> +<h2 id="c31">31. Prayer during a Journey.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_047">[047]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p32" title="32. Prayer while beginning a Journey at Sea."> +<h2 id="c32">32. Prayer while beginning a Journey at Sea.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_048">[048]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_049">[049]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p33" title="33. Prayer of a Seafarer during a Storm."> +<h2 id="c33">33. Prayer of a Seafarer during a Storm.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_050">[050]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_051">[051]</span> +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.</p> +<h2 class="interlude" id="c34">A brief Instruction concerning Confession and Absolution.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_052">[052]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_053">[053]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_054">[054]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_055">[055]</div> +<p>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.”</p> +</div> +<div id="p34" title="34. Complaint of a poor Sinner concerning the Impenitence of his Heart."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_056">[056]</div> +<h2 id="c35">34. Complaint of a poor Sinner concerning the Impenitence of his Heart.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_057">[057]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p35" title="35. Prayer for true Conversion."> +<h2 id="c36">35. Prayer for true Conversion.</h2> +<p>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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_058">[058]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_059">[059]</span> +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. +<span class="pb" id="Page_060">[060]</span> +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!</p> +</div> +<div id="p36" title="36. Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sin."> +<h2 id="c37">36. Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sin.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_061">[061]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_062">[062]</span> +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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_063">[063]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_064">[064]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p37" title="37. Prayer for Reconciliation with our Neighbor."> +<h2 id="c38">37. Prayer for Reconciliation with our Neighbor.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_065">[065]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_066">[066]</span> +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.</p> +<h2 class="interlude" id="c39">Brief Instruction concerning the Holy Supper.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_067">[067]</div> +<p>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 <i>is</i> my body; take, drink, this <i>is</i> 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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_068">[068]</span> +Lord with devotional and humble hearts and +with the centurion exclaim: Lord, I am not +worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof!</p> +<p>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 <i>four</i> means of +grace, instead of <i>one</i>, 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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_069">[069]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_070">[070]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_071">[071]</span> +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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_072">[072]</div> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p38" title="38. Morning Prayer of a Communicant."> +<h2 id="c40">38. Morning Prayer of a Communicant.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_073">[073]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_074">[074]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p39" title="39. Prayer for a worthy Partaking of the Holy Supper."> +<h2 id="c41">39. Prayer for a worthy Partaking of the Holy Supper.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_075">[075]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p40" title="40. Thanksgiving after Partaking of the Holy Supper."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_076">[076]</div> +<h2 id="c42">40. Thanksgiving after Partaking of the Holy Supper.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_077">[077]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p41" title="41. Prayer that God would hereafter keep us from sin, and if we sin,"> +<h2 id="c43">41. Prayer that God would hereafter keep us from sin, and if we sin, +that He would not reckon it to our account.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_078">[078]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_079">[079]</span> +may serve Thee in sorrow and joy, magnify, +honor and praise Thee in time and in eternity. +Amen.</p> +</div> +<div id="p42" title="42. Prayer in view of the Sufferings of Christ."> +<h2 id="c44">42. Prayer in view of the Sufferings of Christ.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_080">[080]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_081">[081]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p43" title="43. Prayer in time of Drought."> +<h2 id="c45">43. Prayer in time of Drought.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_082">[082]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p44" title="44. Prayer for Sunshine in a protracted Season of Wet and Rain."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_083">[083]</div> +<h2 id="c46">44. Prayer for Sunshine in a protracted Season of Wet and Rain.</h2> +<p>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. +<span class="pb" id="Page_084">[084]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p45" title="45. Prayer for the precious Fruits of the Field."> +<h2 id="c47">45. Prayer for the precious Fruits of the Field.</h2> +<p>Dear Lord, do Thou graciously keep +the blessed fruits of the field, purify +the air, give fruitful rain and good weather, +<span class="pb" id="Page_085">[085]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p46" title="46. Prayer during a Storm."> +<h2 id="c48">46. Prayer during a Storm.</h2> +<p>Great God of might and power in +heaven and in earth, by Thy thunder +and lightening we are now reminded of Thy +<span class="pb" id="Page_086">[086]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_087">[087]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p47" title="47. Thanksgiving when the Storm is over."> +<h2 id="c49">47. Thanksgiving when the Storm is over.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_088">[088]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p48" title="48. Prayer in great Weakness of Faith."> +<h2 id="c50">48. Prayer in great Weakness of Faith.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p49" title="49. Prayer in great Trouble and Danger."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_089">[089]</div> +<h2 id="c51">49. Prayer in great Trouble and Danger.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_090">[090]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p50" title="50. Thanksgiving after a safe Journey."> +<h2 id="c52">50. Thanksgiving after a safe Journey.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p51" title="51. Thanksgiving for Deliverance out of Tribulation."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_091">[091]</div> +<h2 id="c53">51. Thanksgiving for Deliverance out of Tribulation.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_092">[092]</span> +the elect, sing everlasting Hallelujahs to the +honor of Thy name. Amen.</p> +</div> +<div id="p52" title="52. Morning Prayer of a sick Person."> +<h2 id="c54">52. Morning Prayer of a sick Person.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p53" title="53. Another Morning Prayer in Sickness."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_093">[093]</div> +<h2 id="c55">53. Another Morning Prayer in Sickness.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_094">[094]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p54" title="54. Evening Prayer of a sick Person."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_095">[095]</div> +<h2 id="c56">54. Evening Prayer of a sick Person.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p55" title="55. Another Evening Prayer of a sick Person."> +<h2 id="c57">55. Another Evening Prayer of a sick Person.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_096">[096]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p56" title="56. Prayer in Sickness."> +<h2 id="c58">56. Prayer in Sickness.</h2> +<p>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. +<span class="pb" id="Page_097">[097]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_098">[098]</span> +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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_099">[099]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p57" title="57. Prayer of a penitent in Sickness."> +<h2 id="c59">57. Prayer of a penitent in Sickness.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +Thee. I am Thine, in Thee I would remain. +Amen.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58" title="58. Short Prayers in Sickness, for every Hour of the Day."> +<h2 id="c60">58. Short Prayers in Sickness, for every Hour of the Day.</h2> +<div id="p58a" title="1. At One O’clock."> +<h3 id="c61">1. At One O’clock.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58b" title="2. At Two O’clock."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_102">[102]</div> +<h3 id="c62">2. At Two O’clock.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58c" title="3. At Three O’clock."> +<h3 id="c63">3. At Three O’clock.</h3> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_103">[103]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58d" title="4. At Four O’clock."> +<h3 id="c64">4. At Four O’clock.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58e" title="5. At Five O’clock."> +<h3 id="c65">5. At Five O’clock.</h3> +<p>In my affliction and pain, where, O dear +Jesus, could I make my refuge, but in +Thy <i>five</i> sacred wounds? In these I will be +secure when I shall have lost my mind and +my senses. I will abide in Thee, abide +<span class="pb" id="Page_104">[104]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58f" title="6. At Six O’clock."> +<h3 id="c66">6. At Six O’clock.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58g" title="7. At Seven O’clock."> +<h3 id="c67">7. At Seven O’clock.</h3> +<p>O God, heavenly Father, who didst rest +on the seventh day of the creation, do +Thou also rest and keep Thy sabbath in my +<span class="pb" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58h" title="8. At Eight O’clock."> +<h3 id="c68">8. At Eight O’clock.</h3> +<p>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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58i" title="9. At Nine O’clock."> +<h3 id="c69">9. At Nine O’clock.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58j" title="10. At Ten O’clock."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_107">[107]</div> +<h3 id="c70">10. At Ten O’clock.</h3> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_108">[108]</span> +alleviate my bodily pains according to Thy +good will, and help me that I may bear my +afflictions, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58k" title="11. At Eleven O’clock."> +<h3 id="c71">11. At Eleven O’clock.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p58l" title="12. At Twelve O’clock."> +<h3 id="c72">12. At Twelve O’clock.</h3> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +</div> +<div id="p59" title="59. Thanksgiving after Recovery."> +<h2 id="c73">59. Thanksgiving after Recovery.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_110">[110]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p60" title="60. Three Prayers in the Hour of Death."> +<h2 id="c74">60. Three Prayers in the Hour of Death.</h2> +<h3 id="c75">The First to God the Father.</h3> +<p>Almighty God! Thou Father of +mercies and God of all consolation! +Have mercy upon me, as a father hath +<span class="pb" id="Page_111">[111]</span> +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.</p> +<h3 id="c76">The Second to God the Son.</h3> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_112">[112]</span> +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.</p> +<h3 id="c77">The Third to God the Holy Ghost.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p61" title="61. Prayer of the Attendants upon a Dying Person."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_113">[113]</div> +<h2 id="c78">61. Prayer of the Attendants upon a Dying Person.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p62" title="62. Another."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_114">[114]</div> +<h2 id="c79">62. Another.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p63" title="63. A short Litany together with Prayers for a Dying Person."> +<h2 id="c80">63. A short Litany together with Prayers for a Dying Person.</h2> +<div class="pb" id="Page_115">[115]</div> +<table> +<tr><td colspan="3"> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy!</p> +<p class="t0">Lord have mercy upon this sick person!</p> +</div> +</td></tr> +<tr><td> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Lord God, the Father in heaven,</p> +<p class="t0">Lord God Son, Redeemer of the world,</p> +<p class="t0">Lord God Holy Ghost,</p> +<p class="t0">Holy Trinity, eternal God,</p> +</div> +</td> +<td><span class="xxxxl">} </span></td><td><span class="notext">Have mercy upon him!</span> +</td></tr> +<tr><td class="colspan" colspan="3"> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Lord, be merciful and save this dying person!</p> +</div> +</td></tr> +<tr><td> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Against the wicked spirit,</p> +<p class="t0">Against the cunning and deception of the devil,</p> +<p class="t0">Against all evil,</p> +<p class="t0">Against the torments of hell,</p> +</div> +</td> +<td><span class="xxxxl">} </span></td><td><span class="notext">Protect him, dear Lord God!</span> +</td></tr> +<tr><td> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Through Thy holy incarnation and birth,</p> +<p class="t0">Through Thy death-struggle and bloody sweat,</p> +<p class="t0">Through Thy cross and bitter death,</p> +<p class="t0">Through Thy holy resurrection and ascension,</p> +<p class="t0">Through the grace of the Holy Ghost,</p> +<p class="t0">At his last end,</p> +<p class="t0">At the last day,</p> +<p class="t0">At the final judgment,</p> +</div> +</td> +<td><span class="xxxxl">} </span></td><td><span class="notext">Help him, dear Lord God!</span> +</td></tr> +<tr><td class="colspan" colspan="3"> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="wj">We poor sinners pray, that Thou wouldst +hear us, dear Lord God!</p> +</div> +</td></tr> +<tr><td> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">And comfort this sick person,</p> +<p class="t0">Pardon all his sins,</p> +<p class="t0">And after this misery give him eternal life.</p> +</div> +</td> +<td><span class="xxxxl">} </span></td><td><span class="notext">Hear us, dear Lord God!</span> +</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="3"> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">O Christ, hear us!</p> +</div> +</td></tr> +<tr><td class="colspan" colspan="3"> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="wj">O Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the +sins of the world, have mercy upon this +dying person, and give him eternal peace!</p> +</div> +</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="3"> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Lord, have mercy!</p> +<p class="t0">Christ, have mercy!</p> +<p class="t0">Lord, have mercy upon him!</p> +</div> +</td></tr> +</table> +<div class="pb" id="Page_116">[116]</div> +<p>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!</p> +<h3>Prayer.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_117">[117]</div> +<h3>Another.</h3> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p64" title="64. Prayer, when the sick Person has departed in the Lord."> +<h2 id="c81">64. Prayer, when the sick Person has departed in the Lord.</h2> +<p>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!</p> +</div> +</div> +<div title="APPENDIX I."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_118">[118]</div> +<h2 class="appendix"><span class="large">APPENDIX I.</span> +<br />FESTIVAL PRAYERS.</h2> +<div id="p65" title="1. Prayer for the Beginning of a new Church-Year."> +<h2 id="c82">1. Prayer for the Beginning of a new Church-Year.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_119">[119]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_121">[121]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p66" title="2. Prayer for the Advent Season."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_122">[122]</div> +<h2 id="c83">2. Prayer for the Advent Season.</h2> +<p>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!</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_123">[123]</span> +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!</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_124">[124]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p67" title="3. Christmas Prayer."> +<h2 id="c84">3. Christmas Prayer.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_125">[125]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p68" title="4. Prayer on New-Year’s Day."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_127">[127]</div> +<h2 id="c85">4. Prayer on New-Year’s Day.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_128">[128]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_129">[129]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_130">[130]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_131">[131]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p69" title="5. Prayer on Epiphany."> +<h2 id="c86">5. Prayer on Epiphany.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_132">[132]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p70" title="6. Prayer on the Day of Purification."> +<h2 id="c87">6. Prayer on the Day of Purification.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_134">[134]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p71" title="7. Prayer on the Day of the Annunciation."> +<h2 id="c88">7. Prayer on the Day of the Annunciation.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_136">[136]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p72" title="8. Prayer on Maundy-Thursday."> +<h2 id="c89">8. Prayer on Maundy-Thursday.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_138">[138]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_139">[139]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p73" title="9. Prayer on Good-Friday."> +<h2 id="c90">9. Prayer on Good-Friday.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p74" title="10. Prayer on the Festival of Easter."> +<h2 id="c91">10. Prayer on the Festival of Easter.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_142">[142]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p75" title="11. Prayer on Ascension Day."> +<h2 id="c92">11. Prayer on Ascension Day.</h2> +<p>Lord Jesus Christ, Thou eternal High +Priest and King of all thrones, after +Thou hadst finished all things upon earth, +<span class="pb" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +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?</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p76" title="12. Prayer on Whitsunday."> +<h2 id="c93">12. Prayer on Whitsunday.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p77" title="13. Prayer on the Festival of the Holy Trinity."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_147">[147]</div> +<h2 id="c94">13. Prayer on the Festival of the Holy Trinity.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +<p>Give us, O holy Father, a knowledge of +<span class="pb" id="Page_148">[148]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p78" title="14. Prayer on the Day of John the Baptist."> +<h2 id="c95">14. Prayer on the Day of John the Baptist.</h2> +<p>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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_150">[150]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p79" title="15. Prayer on the Day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_151">[151]</div> +<h2 id="c96">15. Prayer on the Day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary.</h2> +<p>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. +<span class="pb" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p80" title="16. Prayer on St. Michael’s Day."> +<h2 id="c97">16. Prayer on St. Michael’s Day.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_153">[153]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p81" title="17. Prayer on the Festival of the Reformation."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_155">[155]</div> +<h2 id="c98">17. Prayer on the Festival of the Reformation.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_156">[156]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +be saved through Thee and in Thy kingdom +behold Thee and Thy great glory forever +and ever. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.</p> +</div> +<div id="p82" title="18. Prayer on Church-Consecration Day."> +<h2 id="c99">18. Prayer on Church-Consecration Day.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p83" title="19. Prayer on Harvest Festival."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_158">[158]</div> +<h2 id="c100">19. Prayer on Harvest Festival.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_159">[159]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_160">[160]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p84" title="20. Prayer on Mission Festival."> +<h2 id="c101">20. Prayer on Mission Festival.</h2> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_161">[161]</span> +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.</p> +<p>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.</p> +<div class="pb" id="Page_162">[162]</div> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p85" title="21. From Caspar Neuman’s Substance of all Prayers."> +<h2 id="c102">21. From Caspar Neuman’s Substance of all Prayers.</h2> +<div id="p85a" title="(Thanksgiving.)"> +<h3>(Thanksgiving.)</h3> +<p>Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, +Thou art the almighty God of heaven +and earth, and in Thee we live, move, and +<span class="pb" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +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, +<span class="pb" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p85b" title="(Petition.)"> +<h3>(Petition.)</h3> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_167">[167]</span> +floods nor drought, nor destructive insects +destroy the seed in the earth by which we +in future are to live.</p> +</div> +<div id="p85c" title="(Prayer.)"> +<h3>(Prayer.)</h3> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p85d" title="(Intercession.)"> +<h3>(Intercession.)</h3> +<p>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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_169">[169]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +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 +<span class="pb" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +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.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div title="APPENDIX II."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_172">[172]</div> +<h2 class="appendix"><span class="large">APPENDIX II.</span> +<br />HYMNS.</h2> +<div id="p86" title="Morning Hymn."> +<h3 id="c103">Morning Hymn.</h3> +<div class="hymn" id="h1" title="Gott des Himmels und der Erden"> +<p class="firstl">Gott des Himmels und der Erden</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">God who madest earth and heaven,</p> +<p class="t0">Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,</p> +<p class="t0">Who the day and night hast given,</p> +<p class="t0">Sun and moon and starry host,</p> +<p class="t0">All things wake at thy command,</p> +<p class="t0">Held in being by thy hand.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">2. God, I thank thee! In thy keeping</p> +<p class="t0">Safely have I slumbered here;</p> +<p class="t0">Thou hast guarded me while sleeping</p> +<p class="t0">From all danger, pain, and fear:</p> +<p class="t0">And the cunning of my foe</p> +<p class="t0">Hath not wrought my overthrow.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">3. Let the night of sin that shrouded</p> +<p class="t0">All my life, with this depart;</p> +<p class="t0">Shine on me with beams unclouded,</p> +<p class="t0">Jesus! In thy loving heart</p> +<p class="t0">Is my help and hope alone,</p> +<p class="t0">For the evil I have done.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_173">[173]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">4. Help me as the morn is breaking,</p> +<p class="t0">In the spirit to arise,</p> +<p class="t0">So from careless sloth awaking,</p> +<p class="t0">That when o’er the aged skies</p> +<p class="t0">Shall the morn of Doom appear,</p> +<p class="t0">I may see it free from fear.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">5. Lead me, and forsake me never,</p> +<p class="t0">Guide my wand’rings by thy Word;</p> +<p class="t0">As thou hast been, be thou ever</p> +<p class="t0">My defence, my refuge, Lord.</p> +<p class="t0">Never safe except with thee,</p> +<p class="t0">Thou my faithful Guardian be.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">6. O my God, I now commend me</p> +<p class="t0">Wholly to thy mighty hand;</p> +<p class="t0">All the powers that thou dost lend me</p> +<p class="t0">Let me use at thy command;</p> +<p class="t0">Thou my boast, my strength divine,</p> +<p class="t0">Keep me with thee, I am thine.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">7. Thus afresh, with each new morning</p> +<p class="t0">Save me from the power of sin,</p> +<p class="t0">Hourly let me feel thy warning</p> +<p class="t0">Ruling, prompting me within,</p> +<p class="t0">Till my final rest be come,</p> +<p class="t0">And thine Angel bear me home.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="p87" title="Evening Hymn."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_174">[174]</div> +<h3 id="c104">Evening Hymn.</h3> +<div class="hymn" id="h2" title="Nun sich der Tag geendet hat."> +<p class="firstl">Nun sich der Tag geendet hat.</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Since now the day hath reached its close,</p> +<p class="t0">And sun-light shines no more,</p> +<p class="t0">In sleep the toil-worn find repose,</p> +<p class="t0">And all who wept before.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">2. But thou, my God, no rest doth know,</p> +<p class="t0">No slumber locks thy sight,</p> +<p class="t0">Thou hatest darkness as thy foe,</p> +<p class="t0">Since thou, thyself, art Light.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">3. O Lord, I pray, remember me</p> +<p class="t0">In this beclouded night,</p> +<p class="t0">And grant to me most graciously</p> +<p class="t0">The shield of thy great might.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">4. And foil thou satan’s purpose fell</p> +<p class="t0">Through thy swift angel-arm;</p> +<p class="t0">Then free from care I’ll rest me well</p> +<p class="t0">And safe from every harm.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">5. I feel indeed through guilt undone,</p> +<p class="t0">It cries aloud to thee;</p> +<p class="t0">But, yet, the mercy of thy Son</p> +<p class="t0">Hath full atoned for me.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">6. Him I present thee as my Bail,</p> +<p class="t0">As suppliant at thy feet;</p> +<p class="t0">With such Assurance I’ll not fail</p> +<p class="t0">Before thy Judgment-seat.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_175">[175]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">7. And hereupon my eyes I close,</p> +<p class="t0">And fall asleep heart-glad,</p> +<p class="t0">My God doth watch o’er my repose,</p> +<p class="t0">Why should my heart be sad?</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">8. Depart vain thoughts and fancies, flee!</p> +<p class="t0">Draw not my mind abroad,</p> +<p class="t0">My heart, as temple, shall now be</p> +<p class="t0">Devoted to my God.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">9. And thus I live and die to thee,</p> +<p class="t0">Thou Sabaoth strong, indeed!</p> +<p class="t0">In life and death thou helpest me</p> +<p class="t0">From every fear and need!</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">10. Should this night prove the last for me</p> +<p class="t0">In this sad vale of tears,</p> +<p class="t0">Then lead me, Lord, in heaven to thee</p> +<p class="t0">And thy elect compeers.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="p88" title="Hymns of Cross and Consolation."> +<h3 id="c105">Hymns of Cross and Consolation.</h3> +<div class="hymn" id="h3" title="Wer nur den lieben Gott læsst walten."> +<p class="firstl">Wer nur den lieben Gott læsst walten.</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">If thou but suffer God to guide thee,</p> +<p class="t0">And hope in Him through all thy ways,</p> +<p class="t0">He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee,</p> +<p class="t0">And bear thee through the evil days.</p> +<p class="t0">Who trusts in God’s unchanging love</p> +<p class="t0">Builds on the Rock that naught can move.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_176">[176]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">2. What can these anxious cares avail thee,</p> +<p class="t0">These never-ceasing moans and sighs?</p> +<p class="t0">What can it help, if thou bewail thee</p> +<p class="t0">O’er each dark moment as it flies?</p> +<p class="t0">Our cross and trials do but press</p> +<p class="t0">The heavier for our bitterness.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">3. Only be still and wait His leisure</p> +<p class="t0">In cheerful hope, with heart content</p> +<p class="t0">To take whate’er thy Father’s pleasure</p> +<p class="t0">And all-deserving love hath sent,</p> +<p class="t0">Nor doubt our inmost wants are known</p> +<p class="t0">To Him who chose us for His own.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">4. He knows the time for joy, and truly</p> +<p class="t0">Will send it when He sees it meet,</p> +<p class="t0">When He has tried and purged thee throughly</p> +<p class="t0">And finds thee free from all deceit,</p> +<p class="t0">He comes to thee all unaware</p> +<p class="t0">And makes thee own His loving care.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">5. Nor think amid the heat of trial</p> +<p class="t0">That God hath cast thee off unheard,</p> +<p class="t0">That he whose hopes meet no denial</p> +<p class="t0">Must surely be of God preferred;</p> +<p class="t0">Time passes and much change doth bring,</p> +<p class="t0">And sets a bound to everything.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">6. All are alike before the Highest.</p> +<p class="t0">’Tis easy to our God, we know,</p> +<p class="t0">To raise thee up though low thou liest,</p> +<p class="t0">To make the rich man poor and low;</p> +<p class="t0">True wonders still by Him are wrought</p> +<p class="t0">Who setteth up and brings to naught.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_177">[177]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">7. Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,</p> +<p class="t0">So do thine own part faithfully,</p> +<p class="t0">And trust His Word, though undeserving,</p> +<p class="t0">Thou yet shalt find it true for thee;</p> +<p class="t0">God never yet forsook at need</p> +<p class="t0">The soul that trusted Him indeed.</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="hymn" id="h4" title="Warum sollt ich mich denn græmen?"> +<p class="firstl">Warum sollt ich mich denn græmen?</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Why should sorrow ever grieve me?</p> +<p class="t0">Christ is near,</p> +<p class="t0">What can here</p> +<p class="t0">E’er of Him deprive me?</p> +<p class="t0">Who can rob me of my heaven</p> +<p class="t0">That God’s Son,</p> +<p class="t0">As mine own,</p> +<p class="t0">To my faith hath given?</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">2. Naked was I and unswathed</p> +<p class="t0">When on earth</p> +<p class="t0">At my birth</p> +<p class="t0">My first breath I breathed.</p> +<p class="t0">Naked hence shall I betake me,</p> +<p class="t0">When I go</p> +<p class="t0">From earth’s woe,</p> +<p class="t0">And my breath forsake me.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_178">[178]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">3. Nought, not e’en the live I’m living,</p> +<p class="t0">Is mine own,</p> +<p class="t0">God alone</p> +<p class="t0">All to me is giving.</p> +<p class="t0">Must I then His own restore Him?</p> +<p class="t0">Though bereft</p> +<p class="t0">Of each gift,</p> +<p class="t0">Still shall I adore Him.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">4. Though a heavy cross I’m bearing,</p> +<p class="t0">And my heart</p> +<p class="t0">Feels the smart,</p> +<p class="t0">Shall I be despairing?</p> +<p class="t0">God can help me, who doth send it,</p> +<p class="t0">He doth know</p> +<p class="t0">All my woe</p> +<p class="t0">And how best to end it.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">5. God oft gives me days of gladness,</p> +<p class="t0">Shall I grieve</p> +<p class="t0">If He give</p> +<p class="t0">Seasons too of sadness?</p> +<p class="t0">God is good and tempers ever</p> +<p class="t0">Every hurt,</p> +<p class="t0">Me desert</p> +<p class="t0">Wholly can He never.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">6. Though united world and devil</p> +<p class="t0">All their power</p> +<p class="t0">Can no more</p> +<p class="t0">Do than mock and cavil.</p> +<p class="t0">Let derision now employ them,</p> +<p class="t0">Christ e’en here</p> +<p class="t0">Will appear</p> +<p class="t0">And ’fore all destroy them.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_179">[179]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">7. True believers shrinking never,</p> +<p class="t0">Where they dwell</p> +<p class="t0">Should reveal</p> +<p class="t0">Their true colors ever.</p> +<p class="t0">When approaching death would scare them,</p> +<p class="t0">Still should they</p> +<p class="t0">Patient stay</p> +<p class="t0">And with courage bear them.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">8. Death can never kill us even,</p> +<p class="t0">But relief</p> +<p class="t0">From all grief</p> +<p class="t0">To us then is given.</p> +<p class="t0">It doth close life’s mournful story,</p> +<p class="t0">Make a way</p> +<p class="t0">That we may</p> +<p class="t0">Pass to heavenly glory.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">9. There I’ll reap enduring pleasure,</p> +<p class="t0">After woe</p> +<p class="t0">Here below</p> +<p class="t0">Suffer’d in large measure.</p> +<p class="t0">Lasting good we find here never,</p> +<p class="t0">All the earth</p> +<p class="t0">Deemeth worth</p> +<p class="t0">Vanisheth forever.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_180">[180]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">10. What is all that life possesseth?</p> +<p class="t0">But a hand</p> +<p class="t0">Full of sand</p> +<p class="t0">That the heart distresseth.</p> +<p class="t0">Noble gifts that tire me never,</p> +<p class="t0">Christ so free</p> +<p class="t0">There gives me</p> +<p class="t0">To enjoy forever.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">11. Shepherd! Lord! joy’s fountain ever,</p> +<p class="t0">Thou art mine,</p> +<p class="t0">I am thine,</p> +<p class="t0">No one can us sever.</p> +<p class="t0">I am thine, because thou gavest</p> +<p class="t0">Life and blood</p> +<p class="t0">For my good,</p> +<p class="t0">By thy death me savest.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">12. Thou’rt mine, for I love and own thee,</p> +<p class="t0">Ne’er shall I,</p> +<p class="t0">Light of joy,</p> +<p class="t0">From my heart dethrone thee.</p> +<p class="t0">Let me, let me soon behold thee</p> +<p class="t0">Face to face,</p> +<p class="t0">Thy embrace</p> +<p class="t0">May it soon enfold me.</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="hymn" id="h5" title="Hilf, Helfer, hilf in Angst und Noth."> +<p class="firstl">Hilf, Helfer, hilf in Angst und Noth.</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Help, helper, help in fear and need,</p> +<p class="t0">Have mercy, faithful God, give heed!</p> +<p class="t0">I know thou lov’st me still as thine,</p> +<p class="t0">Though ’gainst me world and hell combine.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_181">[181]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">2. I trust in thee—whom I adore;</p> +<p class="t0">If I have thee, what need I more?</p> +<p class="t0">And, my Lord Jesus, this I laud:</p> +<p class="t0">That thou art mine, my Saviour-God.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">3. This blest assurance cheers my heart,</p> +<p class="t0">To bide thy time—till clouds depart;</p> +<p class="t0">I’ll rest the while me on thee, then,</p> +<p class="t0">Cry: Helper, help! and say: Amen!</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="p89" title="Christian Life."> +<h3 id="c106">Christian Life.</h3> +<div class="hymn" id="h6" title="Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir."> +<p class="firstl">Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir.</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Lord, as thou wilt, be it with me,</p> +<p class="t0">No other wish I cherish,</p> +<p class="t0">I, living, dying, seek but thee,</p> +<p class="t0">O Lord, let me not perish;</p> +<p class="t0">Let but thy grace ne’er from me part,</p> +<p class="t0">Else as thou wilt, grant patient heart,</p> +<p class="t0">Thy will the best is ever.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">2. Grant honor, truth, and self-control,</p> +<p class="t0">And love thy Word to ponder,</p> +<p class="t0">From errors false preserve my soul;</p> +<p class="t0">And grant, both here and yonder,</p> +<p class="t0">What will but tend to blessed days,</p> +<p class="t0">Keep far all wrong and crooked ways</p> +<p class="t0">From all my life and doings.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_182">[182]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">3. When once, according to thy will,</p> +<p class="t0">I pass the bourne of sadness,</p> +<p class="t0">Then let thy grace my bosom fill,</p> +<p class="t0">That I may go with gladness;</p> +<p class="t0">My body, soul, commend I thee,</p> +<p class="t0">O Lord, a blessed end grant me</p> +<p class="t0">Through Jesus Christ, yea, Amen.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="p90" title="Hope in Death."> +<h3 id="c107">Hope in Death.</h3> +<div class="hymn" id="h7" title="Wenn mein Stuendlein vorhanden ist."> +<p class="firstl">Wenn mein Stuendlein vorhanden ist.</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">When once in turn my hour is here,</p> +<p class="t0">And I shall hence betake me,</p> +<p class="t0">Then, O Lord Jesus, keep thou near,</p> +<p class="t0">With help do not forsake me;</p> +<p class="t0">My soul then at my final end</p> +<p class="t0">Into thy hand I do commend:</p> +<p class="t0">Thou wilt, Lord, safely guard it.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">2. My sins will press my heart with care,</p> +<p class="t0">My conscience will accuse me,</p> +<p class="t0">For they are many, yet despair</p> +<p class="t0">With doubts shall not confuse me;</p> +<p class="t0">I will remember, Lord, thy death,</p> +<p class="t0">And wounds, and words of thy last breath:</p> +<p class="t0">Yea, these will then sustain me.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_183">[183]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">8. Lord, of thy body I am part:</p> +<p class="t0">This membership doth cheer me,</p> +<p class="t0">’Mid woe and throes of death, my heart</p> +<p class="t0">Inseparate is near thee.</p> +<p class="t0">And though I die, I die to thee,</p> +<p class="t0">Eternal life hast thou for me,</p> +<p class="t0">Lord, by thy dying purchased.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">4. Since thou art risen from the tomb,</p> +<p class="t0">I shall not therein languish;</p> +<p class="t0">Thy Ascent cheers me in the gloom,</p> +<p class="t0">Doth even death-fear vanquish;</p> +<p class="t0">For where thou art, there shall I be,</p> +<p class="t0">That I may ever live with thee:</p> +<p class="t0">Hence I depart rejoicing.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">5. ’Tis well! I part, by Jesus blest;</p> +<p class="t0">To Him will I betake me:</p> +<p class="t0">Thus fall asleep and gently rest,</p> +<p class="t0">No mortal can awake me.</p> +<p class="t0">And Christ, the Lord, to whom I flee,</p> +<p class="t0">Will open heaven’s door to me,</p> +<p class="t0">Lead me to life eternal.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="p91" title="Glad Eternity."> +<h3 id="c108">Glad Eternity.</h3> +<div class="hymn" id="h8" title="Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme."> +<p class="firstl">Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme.</p> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Wake, awake, for night is flying,</p> +<p class="t0">The watchmen on the heights are crying;</p> +<p class="t0">Awake, Jerusalem, at last!</p> +<p class="t0">Midnight hears the welcome voices,</p> +<p class="t0">And at the thrilling cry rejoices:</p> +<p class="t0">Come forth, ye virgins, night is past!</p> +<p class="t0">The bridegroom comes, awake,</p> +<p class="t0">Your lamps with gladness take;</p> +<p class="t0">Hallelujah!</p> +<p class="t0">And for His marriage feast prepare,</p> +<p class="t0">For you must go to meet Him there.</p> +</div> +<div class="pb" id="Page_184">[184]</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">2. Zion hears the watchmen singing,</p> +<p class="t0">All her heart with joy is springing,</p> +<p class="t0">She wakes, she rises from her gloom;</p> +<p class="t0">For her Lord comes down all-glorious,</p> +<p class="t0">The strong in grace, in truth victorious,</p> +<p class="t0">Her star is risen, her light is come!</p> +<p class="t0">Ah come, thou blessed Lord,</p> +<p class="t0">O Jesus, Son of God,</p> +<p class="t0">Hallelujah!</p> +<p class="t0">We follow till the halls we see</p> +<p class="t0">Where thou hast bid us sup with thee.</p> +</div> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">3. Now let all the heavens adore thee,</p> +<p class="t0">And men and angels sing before thee,</p> +<p class="t0">With harp and cymbal’s clearest tone;</p> +<p class="t0">Of one pearl each shining portal,</p> +<p class="t0">Where we are with the choir immortal</p> +<p class="t0">Of angels round thy dazzling throne;</p> +<p class="t0">Nor eye hath seen, nor ear</p> +<p class="t0">Hath yet attained to hear</p> +<p class="t0">What there is ours,</p> +<p class="t0">But we rejoice and sing to thee</p> +<p class="t0">Our hymn of joy eternally.</p> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div id="p92" title="Prayers before Meat."> +<div class="pb" id="Page_185">[185]</div> +<h2 id="c109">Prayers before Meat.</h2> +<p>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.</p> +<hr /> +<div class="verse"> +<p class="t0">Come, Lord Jesus, be Thou our guest,</p> +<p class="t0">And let all Thou giv’st us be blest. Amen.</p> +</div> +<hr /> +<p>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.</p> +<hr /> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +<div id="p93" title="Prayers after Meat."> +<h2 id="c110">Prayers after Meat.</h2> +<p>O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is +good; for His mercy endureth forever. He +<span class="pb" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +giveth food to all flesh. His mercies are +new unto us every morning, for his faithfulness +endureth unto all generations. Amen.</p> +<hr /> +<p>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.</p> +<hr /> +<p>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.</p> +</div> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Little Treasure of Prayers, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE TREASURE OF PRAYERS *** + +***** This file should be named 35737-h.htm or 35737-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/7/3/35737/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, David Edwards, Peter Vachuska +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Little Treasure of Prayers + Being a Translation of the Epitome from the German Larger + 'Treasure of prayers' ['Gebets-Schatz'] + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: April 1, 2011 [EBook #35737] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE TREASURE OF PRAYERS *** + + + + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, David Edwards, Peter Vachuska +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + THE + LITTLE TREASURE + OF PRAYERS, + + + 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. + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + 1. Sunday Morning Prayer 7 + 2. Prayer before going to church 8 + 3. Sunday Evening Prayer 9 + 4. Another Sunday Evening Prayer 10 + 5. Monday Morning Prayer 12 + 6. Monday Evening Prayer 13 + 7. Tuesday Morning Prayer 14 + 8. Tuesday Evening Prayer 14 + 9. Wednesday Morning Prayer 16 + 10. Wednesday Evening Prayer 17 + 11. Thursday Morning Prayer 18 + 12. Thursday Evening Prayer 19 + 13. Friday Morning Prayer 20 + 14. Friday Evening Prayer 20 + 15. Saturday Morning Prayer 21 + 16. Saturday Evening Prayer 22 + 17. Prayer for daily renewal of the baptismal covenant 23 + 18. Prayer on a birth day 25 + 19. Prayer for children 29 + 20. Prayer for young persons 31 + 21. Prayer of a servant 32 + 22. Prayer of a husband 35 + 23. Prayer of a wife 37 + 24. Prayer of an aged person 39 + 25. Prayer for a proper performance of one's duties 40 + 26. Prayer before labor 41 + 27. Prayer for divine blessing upon the work of one's calling 42 + 28. Luther's prayer based on the scriptural passage: "Casting all + your care upon Him, for He careth for you" 44 + 29. Prayer before beginning any important work 44 + 30. Thanks returned after labor 46 + 31. Prayer during a journey 46 + 32. Prayer while beginning a journey at sea 47 + 33. Prayer of a seafarer during a storm 49 + _A brief instruction in confession and absolution_ 51 + 34. Complaint of a poor sinner concerning the impenitence of his + heart 56 + 35. Prayer for true conversion 57 + 36. Prayer for the forgiveness of sin 60 + 37. Prayer for reconciliation with our neighbor 64 + _Brief instruction concerning the Holy Supper_ 66 + 38. Morning Prayer of a communicant 72 + 39. Prayer for a worthy partaking of the Holy Supper 74 + 40. Thanksgiving after partaking of the Holy Supper 76 + 41. Prayer that God would hereafter keep us from sin, and if we sin + that he would not reckon it to our account 77 + 42. Prayer in view of the sufferings of Christ 79 + 43. Prayer in time of drought 81 + 44. Prayer for sunshine in a protracted season of wet and rain 83 + 45. Prayer for the precious fruits of the field 84 + 46. Prayer during a storm 85 + 47. Thanksgiving when the storm is over 87 + 48. Prayer in great weakness of faith 88 + 49. Prayer in great trouble and danger 89 + 50. Thanksgiving after a safe journey 90 + 51. Thanksgiving for deliverance out of tribulation 91 + 52. Morning prayer of a sick person 92 + 53. Another morning prayer in sickness 93 + 54. Evening prayer of a sick person 95 + 55. Another evening prayer of a sick person 95 + 56. Prayer in sickness 96 + 57. Prayer of a penitent in sickness 99 + 58. Short prayers in sickness for every hour of the day: + 1. At one o'clock 101 + 2. At two o'clock 102 + 3. At three o'clock 102 + 4. At four o'clock 103 + 5. At five o'clock 103 + 6. At six o'clock 104 + 7. At seven o'clock 104 + 8. At eight o'clock 105 + 9. At nine o'clock 106 + 10. At ten o'clock 107 + 11. At eleven o'clock 108 + 12. At twelve o'clock 108 + 59. Thanksgiving after recovery 109 + 60. Three prayers in the hour of death: + 1. To God the Father 110 + 2. To God the Son 111 + 3. To God the Holy Ghost 112 + 61. Prayer of the attendants upon a dying person 113 + 62. Another prayer 114 + 63. A short litany together with prayers for a dying person 114 + 64. Prayer when the sick person has departed in the Lord 117 + + + APPENDIX I. + FESTIVAL PRAYERS. + + 1. Prayer for the beginning of a new church year 118 + 2. Prayer for the Advent season 122 + 3. Christmas prayer 124 + 4. Prayer on New Year's day 127 + 5. Prayer on Epiphany 131 + 6. Prayer on the day of Purification 133 + 7. Prayer on the day of Annunciation 135 + 8. Prayer on Maundy-Thursday 137 + 9. Prayer on Good-Friday 139 + 10. Prayer on the festival of Easter 141 + 11. Prayer on Ascension day 142 + 12. Prayer on Whitsunday 144 + 13. Prayer on the festival of the Holy Trinity 147 + 14. Prayer on the day of John the Baptist 149 + 15. Prayer on the day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary 151 + 16. Prayer on St. Michael's day 152 + 17. Prayer on the festival of the Reformation 155 + 18. Prayer on Church-Consecration day 157 + 19. Prayer on Harvest festival 158 + 20. Prayer on Mission festival 160 + 21. From Caspar Neuman's substance of all prayers 163 + + + APPENDIX II. + HYMNS. + + Morning hymn 172 + Evening hymn 174 + Hymns of cross and consolation 175 + Hymn of christian life 181 + Hymn of hope in death 182 + Hymn of glad eternity 183 + + + Prayers before and after meat 185 & 186 + + + + + 1. Sunday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 2. Before going to Church. + + +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 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. + + + + + 3. Sunday Evening Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 4. Another Sunday Evening Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 5. Monday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 6. Monday Evening Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 7. Tuesday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 8. Tuesday Evening Prayer. + + +O eternal and merciful God, God of all riches, who art in heaven, I most +heartily thank Thee for Thy great mercy and 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. + + + + + 9. Wednesday Morning Prayer. + + +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 the power of Thy Holy Spirit, for the sake of Thy dear Son, +Jesus Christ. Amen. + + + + + 10. Wednesday Evening Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 11. Thursday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 12. Thursday Evening Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 13. Friday Morning Prayer. + + +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. + + + + + 14. Friday Evening Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 15. Saturday Morning Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 16. Saturday Evening Prayer. + + +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 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. + + + + + 17. Daily Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant. + + +I hereby renew the covenant of my holy baptism, and renounce, both now +and forever, the devil and all his works and 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 faithfullness, 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. 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. + + + + + 18. Prayer on a Birthday. + + +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 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 +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 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, +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. + + + + + 19. A Prayer for Children. + + +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, 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 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! + + + + + 20. Prayer for Young Persons. + + +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 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! + + + + + 21. Prayer of a Servant. + + +Merciful God! Thou who hast redeemed and liberated me, through the +precious suffering and death of Thy dear 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 +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 and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, +world-without-end. Amen! + + + + + 22. Prayer of a Husband. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 23. Prayer of a Wife. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 24. Prayer of an aged Person. + + +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 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. + + + + + 25. Prayer for a proper Performance of One's Duties. + + +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 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. + + + + + 26. Prayer before Labor. + + +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 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. + + + + + 27. Prayer for Divine Blessing upon the Work of One's Calling. + + +Lord God! Thou hast assigned work to every man according to his +abilities, and it is Thy will, that we should eat our 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. + + + + + 28. Luther's Prayer based on the Scriptural Passage: Casting all + your care upon Him, for He careth for you. + + +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. + + + + + 29. Prayer before beginning any Important Work. + + +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, 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! + + + + + 30. Thanks returned after Labor. + + +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. + + + + + 31. Prayer during a Journey. + + +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 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. + + + + + 32. Prayer while beginning a Journey at Sea. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 33. Prayer of a Seafarer during a Storm. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + A brief Instruction concerning Confession and Absolution. + + +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, 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 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 +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." + + + + +34. Complaint of a poor Sinner concerning the Impenitence of his Heart. + + +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 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. + + + + + 35. Prayer for true Conversion. + + +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, +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 hinderances 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 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. 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! + + + + + 36. Prayer for the Forgiveness of Sin. + + +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 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 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, blot out my +transgressions. Wash me clean with hysop 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 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. + + + + + 37. Prayer for Reconciliation with our Neighbor. + + +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 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 +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. + + + + + Brief Instruction concerning the Holy Supper. + + +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 Lord with devotional and humble hearts and with the +centurion exclaim: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my +roof! + +The benefits derived from the Holy Supper are threefold: first, by a +worthy partaking of the Holy Supper we receive the forgiveness of sin and +are assured of the same. Our gracious God has given many and manifold +means to assure the poor sinner of the forgiveness of his sins; such +means are, the preaching of the Gospel, Holy Baptism, Absolution and the +Holy Supper. We should not ask the impertinent question, why God has +given us _four_ means of grace, instead of _one_, but rather thank him, +that he has so richly blessed us in making us partakers of the +forgiveness of our sins, and that he, through these means, gives unto us +a joyful heart and a certain assurance that we are acceptable unto him. +Whoever knows from own experience, how important it is for one whose +heart is terrified on account of his sins, to believe in the forgiveness +of such sins, will readily conceive the greatness of divine mercy and +care, in not providing only one, but many means, through which we have +the assurance of the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, just as certain +as with your mouth you eat the body of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ +which was given for you in death for the forgiveness of your sins, and +drink that blood which was shed for the remission of your sins, just so +certain also should you be that such forgiveness is your portion and +inheritance. Second, the Holy Supper also confers life. This is not a +temporal, natural life, which we have received through birth and which is +nourished through the ordinary food and drink, but it is that new, +spiritual life, which has been regenerated through the new birth in Holy +Baptism, and which subsists by virtue of faith in the Lord Jesus and in +love to God and our neighbor. But inasmuch as this life is yet weak and +imperfect and constant growth is necessary, the Lord has instituted the +Holy Supper as a spiritual means of nourishment, in order to strengthen +the new spiritual life. Luther says concerning this: The Holy Supper is +rightly regarded as food for the soul which nourishes and strengthens the +new man; for through Baptism we are first born again, but there still +remains the old Adam in our flesh and blood; there are so many +temptations and impediments thrown in the way by the world and the devil, +that we often grow weary and languid and sometimes fall. Hence the Holy +Supper is given us as a daily nourishment and food that our faith may +grow and be strengthened, and that in such contest it may not fall back, +but ever grow stronger and stronger; for the new life must be such as +always to increase and progress; it has on the other hand, to suffer +much; for the devil is such a wrathful enemy, when he sees that one +opposes him and assails the old man, and he is unable to prevail with his +power, then he will sneak and creep around on all sides, making use of +all kinds of artifice and keeps on until he finally has made us weary, +that a person either falls from the faith altogether, or gives way to +disgust and impatience. Thereto then this comfort is given, that the +heart, when it feels the temptations too great to bear, receives new +strength and solace from the Holy Supper. But, thirdly, the Holy Supper +also confers eternal salvation. Just as sin, as long as it is not +forgiven, deprives us of salvation, so sin which is forgiven opens unto +us the door of eternal salvation. Where there is forgiveness of sin, +there is also life and salvation. + +But if we would obtain this threefold blessed benefit from the Holy +Supper, we must receive it worthily and well prepared. This is however +not a worthiness brought about by the law, but by the Gospel, and does +not consist in a perfect life and entire purity of the soul from sin; but +much more in this, that we are conscious of our unworthiness and +sinfulness; that we have a heart poor in spirit and mournful, and long +heartily after the forgiveness of sin, that we also comfort ourselves +with it or wish to comfort; that we regard our sins to be very great, but +that we rejoice in the help which is found in none other than the Lord +Jesus Christ. On the other hand, all those communicants are unworthy and +unfit, who in their self-righteous conceit think it unnecessary to have +the forgiveness of sin, as was the case with the Pharisee, who stood and +prayed thus with himself: God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men +are,--or who entirely doubt the forgiveness of sin, as did Cain, who said +unto the Lord: My punishment is greater than I can bear, and who will not +permit himself to be delivered from his despondent thoughts, or those who +continue in evil purpose and who knowingly go on and serve sin, or who +live in malicious hatred against their neighbor. When such unworthy +communicants receive the Holy Supper, it is true, they also receive the +body and blood of Christ, but they receive it unto judgment and unto the +increase of their own damnation. Hence, too, St. Paul gives the earnest +admonition: Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread +and drink of that cup, for whoso eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth +and drinketh damnation to himself. Now, whoever recognizes in himself the +above named characteristics of an unworthy communicant, should not dare +to approach the table of the Lord in this condition; not that he should +remain away, but in the meanwhile he should examine himself, and instead +of being an impenitent, become a penitent sinner. + +But are not also weak believers to be numbered among the unworthy +communicants? By no means. But much more those who are both weak in faith +and defective in godly life, and who are overtaken in this or that sin, +and who painfully feel their weakness and long to become stronger, are +Christ's right welcome guests at his table; such the Lord does not cast +away, but much more invites to come; for he instituted the Holy Supper +especially for the weak and infirm, that through this spiritual +nourishment they might become stronger. He extends unto all such the +gracious call: Come unto me all ye that are weary and are heavy laden, +and I will give you rest, and whosoever comes, I will in no wise cast +out. + + + + + 38. Morning Prayer of a Communicant. + + +Lord Jesus, I this morning rejoice that I, with other pious Christians, +am permitted to receive Thy body and blood in, with and under the +consecrated bread and wine. O! how my soul longs for the courts of the +Lord and for the holy altar. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, +so panteth my soul after Thee, O my God. For Thou art my Shepherd, I +shall not want. O, Lord Jesus, as Thou hast begun the good work in me a +poor miserable man, so also accomplish the same in mercy, through the +gracious power of the Holy Spirit unto Thy name's glory and unto my own +welfare and eternal salvation. Dear Redeemer, I am, it is true, not +worthy that I should come under Thy roof, but Thy grace, which is +all-sufficient, make me worthy and amply qualify me, that the precious +food and drink of Thy true body and blood may quicken my soul in this +heavenly feast of joy and love. Clothe me with the garment of salvation +and with the robe of Thy righteousness by a true faith, that I may not be +found among the pretending guests and would-be-Christians, but may be a +worthy partaker at Thy table and receive all Thy gracious treasures which +Thou hast acquired for me. O Lord Jesus, may Thy grace be and remain with +me, as I ever put my trust in Thee. May Thy visitation preserve my +spirit, my life and walk. And whatever else is needful, grant Thou, O +Lord, unto me in this life and in the life hereafter. Give me true +repentance, renew my heart, deliver my body and soul. O Lord! hear this +my desire, and do not permit my prayer to remain unanswered, that I may +be acceptable unto Thee in time and in eternity. Amen, in Jesus' name, +Amen. + + + + + 39. Prayer for a worthy Partaking of the Holy Supper. + + +Behold me, Dear Saviour, As I Come Relying on Thy Gracious Invitation. +May I find favor in Thine eyes, Thou Lover of Life. For who am I that +Thou shouldst so friendly call me? Were I even holier than the angels, +yet would I not be worthy of this repast; how then should I be worthy, +seeing that I am of impure lips, yea, an abomination and offensive, if +Thou doest not make me worthy? Therefore come Thou to my succor with Thy +grace, and prepare me. Thou hast said: Whosoever cometh to me, Thou wilt +in no wise cast out. Then take my soul into Thy favor, according to Thy +great mercies. Dear Jesus, remember that of myself I have indeed much +evil, but nothing good; so help me for Thy great goodness' sake. O see +how poor and miserable I am! Remember Thy faithfulness, O Saviour of the +world, and fill my heart with grace. O! how I long to appear at Thy table +with glowing devotion and becoming reverence in full faith, but where is +the power to do, if I do not receive it of Thee, thou Author and Finisher +of my faith? Therefore give Thou unto me whatsoever is pleasing to Thee. +Graciously take from me whatsoever displeases Thee, or cover it, at +least, I most humbly pray Thee, with the cloak of Thy righteousness. O! +blessed is the soul that finds favor with Thee! Open Thou mine eyes that +I may behold the wonders in Thy ordinances. Rouse my heart, and free me +of all strange thoughts, increase my hope, inflame my desire, make ardent +my devotion, purge me of all uncleanness, and sanctify me wholly, that I +may approach with joyful confidence, that I may receive with pure mouth +and holy heart, and with heartfelt desire eat and drink unto the life, +welfare and blessing of my soul. Amen. + + + + + 40. Thanksgiving after Partaking of the Holy Supper. + + +Lord Jesus Christ, I give Thee most hearty thanks and praise, that Thou +hast again washed me, a poor sinful being, of all my transgressions, and, +for the most certain assurance of such washing and forgiveness of all my +sins, hast permitted me to eat of Thy true body, and to drink of Thy true +blood, and, taking me as an impure child after such cleansing, hast again +received me into the fatherly arms of Thy grace and mercy, and doest thus +show and present me blameless, pure and without fault unto Thy heavenly +Father. + +I pray Thee most heartily and from my whole soul, that, after Thy great +benefit, Thou wouldst yet add this in abundance, and graciously grant me +Thy grace through the working of the Holy Ghost, that I may be truly +sensible of Thy great goodness, thankfully receive it, and from my heart +magnify and praise Thee during my whole life. And do Thou further work in +me through Thy Holy Ghost, and effect that I also may heartily forgive my +neighbor anything he may have done against me, as Thou, O Lord, hast +pardoned and forgiven all my great and numerous transgressions, yea, and +hast entirely wiped them out of Thy remembrance; that I may also love my +neighbor, and from my heart show him all manner of good, even as Thou, O +Lord, hast shown unto me more than I am able to thank for; in order that +Thou, O good and faithful God, in us mayest be magnified and praised +together with the Father and Holy Ghost throughout all ages. Amen. + + + + + 41. Prayer that God would hereafter keep us from sin, and if we sin, + that He would not reckon it to our account. + + +O thou kind and merciful God, Thou dear Father in heaven, Thou hast out +of grace and divine love, bestowed upon us Thy dear Son, and with Him all +grace, life and salvation. We pray Thee, dear Father, preserve unto us +this blessed treasure and heavenly gift, the gracious countenance of Thy +dear Son, Jesus Christ, that we may never lose Him through +unthankfulness, or otherwise be deprived of Him. We are indeed poor, +miserable and frail beings, who fall from one sin into another; we now +sin in thought, now in word and deed, and it is with difficulty that we +stand. Here we never find rest and peace; the devil watches our very +thoughts, stirs them up, and fans the passions into flame, the world +watches our words and deeds, walk and life, and gives us much offense and +occasion to sin, our own flesh also never rests, besides yet all the +occasional sins, vices and weaknesses which daily beset us, and which +terribly trouble our conscience, entirely destroy the joy of our heart +and turn it into sorrow and sadness. Therefore we pray Thee, Thou kind +and merciful God, that when, as it may happen, we have become negligent +and unthankful, and do not so walk as we should--O do Thou still remain +our gracious God; be Thou friendly towards us, comfort us in goodness and +mercy, do not hold us accountable or make us suffer for our manifold +sins, but purge our hearts and consciences by Thy word, in order that we +may serve Thee in sorrow and joy, magnify, honor and praise Thee in time +and in eternity. Amen. + + + + + 42. Prayer in view of the Sufferings of Christ. + + +Alas! my Lord Jesus Christ, when I behold Thee, as Thou wast in the +garden bowed down with heartfelt sorrow, and in great anguish didst sweat +drops of blood, as Thou wast afterwards taken prisoner, bound, and during +the whole night and hour of darkness mocked and insulted, in the morning +early as the innocent Lamb accused, whipped with scourges, and finally +sentenced to death, suspended on the cross, pierced in your hands and +feet with ruthless nails, and not a member of Thy most holy body +remaining without a wound:--Alas! when I see all this, I see nothing but +my sins, guilt and iniquities which brought Thee into this plight, and +for the sake of which Thou didst freely enter into such anguish and +distress, into such sadness, pain and suffering. Alas! my Lord, it is all +my guilt for which Thou didst suffer--I am the cause of it all. How +wonderful are the ways and purposes of God! The Innocent One must pay for +the guilt of the guilty, the Good One must suffer the punishments of the +wicked. The Lord must atone the guilt of the servant, and that which +sinful man has brought upon himself God must bear. O Thou Son of the +living God, how great is Thy love and favor towards us mortals! What hast +Thou not done and suffered to redeem me, a poor lost sinner, and to +deliver me from death and eternal damnation. I have done evil, and Thou +art punished; I have sinned, and Thou must atone. I have been +disobedient, and Thou must for my disobedience be overwhelmed with such +anguish and distress. Alas! Thou Lord of Glory, what can I give Thee in +return for this Thy great goodness and faithfulness which Thou hast shown +towards me! Wherewith shall I, poor needy mortal, requite such +unspeakable benefit? Alas! my Lord, it shall forever remain unrequited. +There is no service in heaven or on earth whereby to pay Thee +sufficiently for it. It is Thy pure grace and favor towards me, a poor +sinner, and that remains by me forever unrequited, forever unmerited. And +since I have nothing wherewithall to pay my debt, therefore my heart +shall evermore thank Thee for what Thou hast done to me, and I shall +magnify, glorify and praise Thy name now and forever. Amen. + + + + + 43. Prayer in time of Drought. + + +O Faithful God, Thou God of truth and righteousness, who unto the most +comforting assurance hast shown us in Thy word of truth, how that an +earnest, zealous, faithful and persevering prayer, powerfully penetrates +the clouds of heaven, and not only most certainly comes into Thy +presence, but also that it avails and effects a great deal, we, Thy poor +children, now come, upon Thy comforting promise, in this extraordinarily +protracted season of heat and drought, with our faithful, hearty and +earnest prayer before the face of Thy lofty and divine majesty, and +humbly beseech Thee, that Thou wouldst graciously hear us according to +Thy promise, turn Thy great wrath in mercy from us, give unto the parched +earth again its needed moisture, and cause a propitious shower to fall in +quickening drops upon the earth, in order that it may again bring forth +the ordained fruits so necessary for the support of our temporal life, +which Thou in Thy paternal providence hast already ordained in the first +creation. As of old Thou didst unlock the windows of heaven in answer to +the faithful prayer of Thy servant and prophet Elias, and didst cause it +to rain upon the thirsty earth, so we also confide the same to Thee now, +that Thou wilt let Thy grace reign over us in this season of heat and +drought, and out of Thy fatherly care for us, grant us our earnest +petition and prayer, unto Thy honor and our salvation, through Jesus +Christ, Thy dear Son, our only Redeemer and Saviour. Amen. + + + + + 44. Prayer for Sunshine in a protracted Season of Wet and Rain. + + +Lord God almighty, Thou who doest clothe the heaven with darkness, and +makest their covering as a sack; Thou didst in thy wrath punish the +impenitent old world for their wickedness and vice, with the overflowing +waters of the flood, and didst destroy all the creatures of the earth, +that live and have their being on dry land. We also at this time, +according to Thy strict righteousness, on account of our manifold sins +which we have committed against Thee, are visited with unusual rain, +continued and protracted wet weather by which the land and the fruits +thereof are greatly injured. Merciful Father, Thou who didst close the +fountains of the deep as well as the windows of heaven at the time of the +deluge, and didst command the rain from heaven to cease, take away from +us all our sins and transgressions, and turn away from us the just +punishment of our iniquities, the destructive rain and great waters. For +the earth is sad, and the heavens are mourning. Behold the pledge in the +clouds--the rainbow--and remember Thy promise, give good and fruitful +weather, that the fruits in field and garden may prosper, and not be +destroyed by the abundant and superfluous rain, and thus bring upon us +famine and scarcity. Lord God of truth, Thou who canst not lie, Thou hast +said: There shall henceforth be no more deluge to destroy the earth. +Therefore be merciful, O Lord! and do not out of wrath close up the +bowels of Thy compassion, O do not take Thy favor and mercy from us! Do +Thou not give unto us idle teeth, and lack of bread, bless our bread, +that we may always have something to eat, and praise Thy holy name; thus +shall we know that we are Thy children indeed, for whom Thou dost most +faithfully care, and praise Thee as our heavenly Father all the days of +our lives. Amen. + + + + + 45. Prayer for the precious Fruits of the Field. + + +Dear Lord, do Thou graciously keep the blessed fruits of the field, +purify the air, give fruitful rain and good weather, that the fruits of +the land may prosper; let them not be poisoned, so that by eating them we +together with the cattle be not taken with pestilence, fever or other +plagues; for such plagues come when evil spirits poison the air, and +afterwards the fruits, wine and corn, so that we by Thy infliction eat +and drink sickness and death with our own daily bread. Therefore, dear +Lord, bless Thy gifts that they may redound to our health and prosperity, +and that we also may not abuse them to the injury of our souls or to +greater sinfulness, intemperance and idleness, out of which unchastity, +adultery, profanity, swearing, murder, wars and all manner of evils flow; +but give us grace to use Thy gifts to our souls' salvation, and the +amendment of our lives, and that the fruits of the Land be the means of +furthering and keeping the health of our bodies and souls. Amen. + + + + + 46. Prayer during a Storm. + + +Great God of might and power in heaven and in earth, by Thy thunder and +lightening we are now reminded of Thy great wrath over us sinful mortals. +By such sound of Thy voice which makes all creatures to tremble and to +fear, Thou doest call us, as if it were with a bell of repentance, to the +knowledge of our sins and to true repentance, in order that we may not be +condemned with the wicked world. Thou art such a mighty and powerful +Lord, that if Thou wouldst deal with us according to Thy strict +righteousness, Thou couldst destroy the world with one clap of thunder +and lightening. But we bend our knees in prayer before Thee and humbly +beseech Thee, remit Thy great wrath enkindled against our sins. Have +mercy on us, spare us, lift up Thy gracious countenance upon us, and be +Thou merciful unto us. Preserve our bodies and lives, our homes and +property, our town and land, our goods and possessions, and all that we +have, also the fruits of the field from hail and sleet, from +conflagrations and floods, and from all danger. Guard us also against an +evil and sudden death, and mercifully grant that many sinners may by Thy +word, thunder and lightning, be roused out of their wicked walk and life, +and be truly and heartily converted to Thee. Let us every hour of our +lives think of Thy glorious appearing to judge the quick and the dead, +and be prepared to receive Thee with joy, and with Thee to enter into the +everlasting joys of Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. O Lord, have mercy on us +poor sinners, our bodies and souls, here in this present life and in the +life to come. Amen. + + + + + 47. Thanksgiving when the Storm is over. + + +Almighty God, heavenly Father, Thou hast said: Call upon me in the day of +trouble, I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me: we praise and +thank Thee with our whole heart, that Thou hast, in mercy, heard our +prayer and caused the threatening storm to cease, without injury to body +or property. In this, Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, nor +rewarded us according to our iniquities; but hast dealt with us as a +father with his children. Father of mercies, for the sake of Thine only +begotten Son, Jesus Christ, cause these Thy fearful warnings to move us +to constant amendment, that we may henceforth live in Thy fear and +prepare ourselves for the coming of Thy dear Son, that we may with joy go +forth to meet Him, and with shouts of joy enter heaven, in which dwelleth +righteousness, and possess it forever, even for ever and ever, through +Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. + + + + + 48. Prayer in great Weakness of Faith. + + +O Lord, I know it now of a truth that all men have not faith. I believe, +dear Lord, help my unbelief! Do not break the bruised reed, nor quench +the smoking flax; O Jesus, Thou who sittest at the right hand of God, +make intercession for me, that my faith may not cease. Be the author and +finisher of my faith, wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery +darts of the wicked one. Grant me that I believe, although I do not see, +and thus be saved. Amen. + + + + + 49. Prayer in great Trouble and Danger. + + +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 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. + + + + + 50. Thanksgiving after a safe Journey. + + +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. + + + + + 51. Thanksgiving for Deliverance out of Tribulation. + + +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 the elect, sing everlasting Hallelujahs to the +honor of Thy name. Amen. + + + + + 52. Morning Prayer of a sick Person. + + +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. + + + + + 53. Another Morning Prayer in Sickness. + + +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 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. + + + + + 54. Evening Prayer of a sick Person. + + +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. + + + + + 55. Another Evening Prayer of a sick Person. + + +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 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. + + + + + 56. Prayer in Sickness. + + +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. 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 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, 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. + + + + + 57. Prayer of a penitent in Sickness. + + +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 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 Thee. I am Thine, in +Thee I would remain. Amen. + + + + + 58. Short Prayers in Sickness, for every Hour of the Day. + + + 1. At One O'clock. + +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. + + + 2. At Two O'clock. + +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. + + + 3. At Three O'clock. + +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 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. + + + 4. At Four O'clock. + +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. + + + 5. At Five O'clock. + +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 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. + + + 6. At Six O'clock. + +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. + + + 7. At Seven O'clock. + +O God, heavenly Father, who didst rest on the seventh day of the +creation, do Thou also rest and keep Thy sabbath in my 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. + + + 8. At Eight O'clock. + +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, 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. + + + 9. At Nine O'clock. + +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. + + + 10. At Ten O'clock. + +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 alleviate +my bodily pains according to Thy good will, and help me that I may bear +my afflictions, for Jesus' sake. Amen. + + + 11. At Eleven O'clock. + +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. + + + 12. At Twelve O'clock. + +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 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. + + + + + 59. Thanksgiving after Recovery. + + +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 +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. + + + + + 60. Three Prayers in the Hour of Death. + + + The First to God the Father. + +Almighty God! Thou Father of mercies and God of all consolation! Have +mercy upon me, as a father hath 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. + + + The Second to God the Son. + +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 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. + + + The Third to God the Holy Ghost. + +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. + + + + + 61. Prayer of the Attendants upon a Dying Person. + + +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. + + + + + 62. Another. + + +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. + + + + + 63. A short Litany together with Prayers for a Dying Person. + + + Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy! + Lord have mercy upon this sick person! + + Lord God, the Father in heaven, } + Lord God Son, Redeemer of the world, } Have mercy + Lord God Holy Ghost, } upon him! + Holy Trinity, eternal God, } + + Lord, be merciful and save this dying person! + + Against the wicked spirit, } + Against the cunning and deception of the devil, } Protect him, + Against all evil, } dear Lord God! + Against the torments of hell, } + + 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, } Help him, dear + Through the grace of the Holy Ghost, } Lord God! + At his last end, } + At the last day, } + At the final judgment, } + + We poor sinners pray, that Thou wouldst hear us, dear Lord God! + + And comfort this sick person, } Hear us, dear + Pardon all his sins, } Lord God! + And after this misery give him eternal life. } + + O Christ, hear us! + + O Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy + upon this dying person, and give him eternal peace! + + 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! + + + Prayer. + +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. + + + Another. + +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. + + + + + 64. Prayer, when the sick Person has departed in the Lord. + + +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! + + + + + APPENDIX I. + FESTIVAL PRAYERS. + + + + + 1. Prayer for the Beginning of a new Church-Year. + + +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 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 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 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. + + + + + 2. Prayer for the Advent Season. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 3. Christmas Prayer. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 4. Prayer on New-Year's Day. + + +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 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 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 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 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. + + + + + 5. Prayer on Epiphany. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 6. Prayer on the Day of Purification. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 7. Prayer on the Day of the Annunciation. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 8. Prayer on Maundy-Thursday. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 9. Prayer on Good-Friday. + + +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 +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 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. + + + + + 10. Prayer on the Festival of Easter. + + +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 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. + + + + + 11. Prayer on Ascension Day. + + +Lord Jesus Christ, Thou eternal High Priest and King of all thrones, +after Thou hadst finished all things upon earth, 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 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. + + + + + 12. Prayer on Whitsunday. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 13. Prayer on the Festival of the Holy Trinity. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 14. Prayer on the Day of John the Baptist. + + +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, 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. + + + + + 15. Prayer on the Day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. + + +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. 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. + + + + + 16. Prayer on St. Michael's Day. + + +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 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 +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. + + + + + 17. Prayer on the Festival of the Reformation. + + +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 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 be saved through Thee and in Thy +kingdom behold Thee and Thy great glory forever and ever. Amen, Lord +Jesus, Amen. + + + + + 18. Prayer on Church-Consecration Day. + + +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. + + + + + 19. Prayer on Harvest Festival. + + +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 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 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. + + + + + 20. Prayer on Mission Festival. + + +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 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 gentliness 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 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 hinderances, 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. + + + + + 21. From Caspar Neuman's Substance of all Prayers. + + + (Thanksgiving.) + +Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Thou art the almighty God of heaven +and earth, and in Thee we live, move, and 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, 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. + + + (Petition.) + +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 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 floods nor drought, nor destructive +insects destroy the seed in the earth by which we in future are to live. + + + (Prayer.) + +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 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. + + + (Intercession.) + +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 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 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 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. + + + + + APPENDIX II. + HYMNS. + + + Morning Hymn. + + + 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 wandrings 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. + + + Evening Hymn. + + + 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. + + + Hymns of Cross and Consolation. + + + Wer nur den lieben Gott laesst 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 graemen? + + 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 + Deameth 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! + + + Christian Life. + + + 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. + + + Hope in Death. + + + 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. + + + Glad Eternity. + + + 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. + + + + + Prayers before Meat. + + +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. + + + + + Prayers after Meat. + + +O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth +forever. He giveth food to all flesh. His mercies are new unto us every +morning, for his faithfulness eudureth 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. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Little Treasure of Prayers, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE TREASURE OF PRAYERS *** + +***** This file should be named 35737.txt or 35737.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/7/3/35737/ + +Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, David Edwards, Peter Vachuska +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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