I Come to You at Your Holy Table

Dear God and Father,
it is altogether true
that I am not worthy
that you should come under my roof,
but at your own command and invitation
I come to you at your holy table.
I fully and firmly believe
that you have mercifully forgiven my sins.
Preserve me in faith
and in unbroken communion with you.
I do not doubt your word of power.
You have fulfilled it in me,
a poor wretched sinner,
to your glory.
Amen.

Source: Martin Luther

Source of this version: Freely modified The Hymnal and Order of Service, The Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod, 1925, p. 682 #1

This prayer is similar to prayer 158 in Luther’s Prayers, Augsburg Publishing House, © 1967

This prayer paraphrases Matthew 8:8 and is similar to a prayer in the Latin Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” See this article in America: National Catholic Review about the return of the prayer  in the most recent revision of the Mass.

See also “Say the Word and I Shall Be Healed” by Wilhelm Löhe.