Lord’s Prayer as a Paraphrase for Use in Worship

This Prayer of the Church, based on the Lord’s Prayer, is adapted from Luther’s Deutsches Messe in which he recommends, “After the sermon shall follow a public paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer … in this or a better fashion.” (LW Vol. 53, p. 78-79). The words of the Lord’s Prayer are printed in italics. Since this prayer includes the Lord’s Prayer in it, the Lord’s Prayer need not be used elsewhere in the service.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH / LORD’S PRAYER

M: Dear friends in Christ, since we have come in the name of the Lord to receive his holy Supper, I invite you to lift up your hearts to God and pray with me as Christ has taught us and graciously promised to hear us.

M: God, our Father in heaven, look with mercy on us, your needy children on earth. Grant us grace, so that your holy name be hallowed by us and all the world, through the pure and true teaching of your Word; graciously turn from us all false doctrine and evil living, by which your precious name is being blasphemed and profaned. Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

M: Your kingdom come to us and expand, that all transgressors who are blinded and bound in the devil’s kingdom be brought to know Jesus Christ, your Son, by faith, and that the number of Christians may grow. Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

M: May we be strengthened by your Spirit to do and to respect your will, both in life and death, in good times and bad, and always to break, slay, and sacrifice our own wills. Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

M: Give us our daily bread, preserve us from greed and selfish cares, and help us to trust that you will provide for all our needs. Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

M: Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, so that our hearts may rest and rejoice in a good conscience before you, and that no sin may ever frighten or alarm us. Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

M: Lead us not into temptation but help us by your Spirit to subdue our sinful desires, despise the sinful world and its ways. Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

M: Lastly, O heavenly Father, deliver us from all evil of both body and soul, now and forever. Lord, in your mercy.

C:  Hear our prayer.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: We trust, O Lord, in your great mercy that you will hear and answer us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C:  Amen.

Source: Martin Luther

Source of this version: Modified from Luther’s Works, American edition, Vol. 53, p. 78-79