Let Your Word be Freely Proclaimed

Almighty God,
grant to your Church the Holy Spirit
and the wisdom that comes from above.
Let nothing hinder your Word
from being freely proclaimed
to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people,
so that we may serve you in steadfast faith
and confess your name as long as we live;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Attributed to Martin Luther, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch, Hamburg, 1846, p. 430. English translation from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, 1993, Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Allmachtiger, Herr und Gott, wir bitten Dich, gieb Deiner Gemeinde Deinen Geist und göttliche Weisheit, daß Dein Wort unter uns laufe und wachse, mit aller Freudigkeit, wie sichs gebühret, gepredigt, und Deine christliche Gemeine dadurch gebessert werde, auf  daß wir mit beständigem Glauben Dir dienen, und im Bekenntniß Deines Namens, bis an unser Ende verharren: durch Iesum Christum, Deinen lieben Sohn, unserm Herrn. Amen.

Below is a more literal translation of the German:

Almighty Lord and God,
give your congregation your Spirit
and divine wisdom,
that your Word may have free course
and grow among us with all joy
as it is duly preached,
and your Christian communion
is improved through it,
so that we may remain in steadfast faith in you,
and confess your name until the end;
through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, our Lord. Amen.