O God,
you are as rich in pity as you are in power,
merciful and mighty.
See your whole creation,
as it has been groaning
in the pains of childbirth until now.
As you have broken the power of evil
by the cross of Christ
and by his endless sacrifice
you take away the sin of the world,
hasten the time
when the last enemy of humanity
shall be completely defeated
and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning,
nor crying, nor pain anymore,
and you will wipe away every tear from our eyes;
through your redeeming love
in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
Source: The Order of Divine Service for Public Worship … Compiled by W.E. Orchard, Etc. London, 1921, p. 115 (Litany of the Sick)
Also found here: Collects and Prayers for use in Church, United Lutheran Church in America, 1935, #244
“hasten the time” may be a reference to Matthew 24:22
“See your whole creation, as it has been groaning in the pains of childbirth until now” is a reference to Romans 8:22
“by his endless sacrifice, you take away the sin of the world” is a reference to John 1:29
“the last enemy of humanity shall be completely destroyed” is a reference to 1 Corinthians 15:26
“death shall be no more, … and you will wipe away every tear from our eyes” is a reference to Revelation 21:4
Reblogged this on A Collection of Prayers.
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