This Saving Gift

We give you thanks, almighty Lord God,
that you have refreshed us
with this saving gift
of your Son’s body and blood.
We pray, in your mercy,
that you would bless us with these
for the strengthening our faith in you
and for increasing the warmth of our love
toward one another;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Martin Luther, Deutsches Messe (p. 14), also in Pommersche Agende (p. 380#1).  [Die Gebete Luthers, #2]

 

Original German from the Pommersche Agende:

Wir danken dir, allmächtiger Herr Gott, daß du uns durch diese heilsame Gabe des Leibes und Blutes deines Sohns hast erquicket, und bitten deine Barmherzigkeit, daß du uns Solches gedeien lassest, zum starken Glauben gegen dir und zu feuriger Liebe unter uns allen, durch Jesum Christum deinen Sohn, unsern Herrn, Amen.

As it was in Luther’s Deutsches Messe:

Wir dancken dir almechtiger Herr Gott das du vns durch dise heylsame gabe hast erquicket vnd bitten deyne barmherzigkeyt das du vns solchs gedeyen lassest zu starckem glauben gegen dir vnd zu brunstiger liebe vnter uns allenn ümb Jesus Christus vnsers herrn willen. Amen.

Translation note:

Sometimes the word heilsam is rendered as “salutary,” a word meaning “producing a beneficial effect,” “remedial,” or “promoting health.” Theologically it can mean “beneficial for salvation.”

 

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pastorstratman

Lutheran pastor and musician serving St. Stephen's in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

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