Lord God, heavenly Father,
we thank you
that you have granted us to live
in the time of your favor
when we may hear your holy gospel,
know your fatherly love
and behold your Son, Jesus Christ!
Most merciful Father,
let the light of your holy Word remain with us,
and govern and guide our hearts by your Holy Spirit
that we may never forsake your Word,
but remain steadfast in it
and finally obtain eternal salvation;
through your beloved Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
(Veit Dietrich, d. 1549)
Short Prayer to the God Who is With Us
Father,
You have placed my feet on stable land,
And made my hands to work this ground.
May my heart learn to trust You in the process—
That I never rush beyond the pace You set before me,
That I never quench the Spirit’s still small voice within me,
That I never wish the journey’s end before I’ve seen You:
With me,
Near me,
In me,
Before me,
Around me,
And always ever only for my good.
Amen
(Peter Assad, worshipforworkers.com)\
Keep Us Faithful
Oh Lord God, our creator, redeemer, sustainer,
Father, Son, Holy Spirit,
Hear us when we feebly call upon you
out of our manifold sins and weaknesses,
ignorances, failures, cowardice, bewilderment.
Lord we turn to you and call upon you because we know
that is what you want from us. You love nothing more
than to hear the confession of confused, troubled, insecure,
worn-down people who desire to be your servants.
Because you have called us to be your servants, dear Lord,
we know that you will give us the strength
to do what you have purposed for us to do.
Just, please, Lord, please keep us faithful to that calling.
(Fleming Rutledge)
A Cictercian Prayer
I have found him whom my soul loves: I grasp him and will not let him go. I embrace you,
my Jesus and experience the joy of my love. I encompass you, the treasure of my heart,
from whom I have all that is mine. May my mind feel, I beg you, the power of your presence.
May it taste how sweet you are, O Lord, so that, captivated by your love, it might seek nothing outside of you, and love nothing except because of you.
You are my King: do not forget my indigence and tribulation. You are my Judge: forgive my sins and have mercy on me. You are my Physician: heal all my infirmities. You are the Bridegroom of my soul: wed yourself to me for all eternity. You are my Guide and my Defender: keep me at your side and then any hand can fight against me. You became a Victim for my sake, and I will sacrifice to you an oblation of praise. You are my Redeemer: redeem my soul from the power of hell and save me. You are my God and my All.
What is there for me to seek in the heavens, and, apart from you, what do I desire on earth? The God of my heart and my lot are you, O God, for all eternity!
