The Bidding Prayer

By ancient usage this Prayer was specially appointed for Good Friday. 

This prayer is intended to be read by an assisting minister at a lectern and by the presiding minister or pastor standing at the altar.

A short pause of silence should be observed between the bid and the prayer.

The congregation responds with Amen after each section.

Brothers and sisters, let us pray for the whole Christian Church, that our Lord God would keep and defend it against all the assaults and temptations of the devil, and keep it always on the true foundation, Jesus Christ.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ and the Word of his truth. Keep your people in safety, that your church, spread throughout all nations, may serve you in true faith and remain steadfast in the confession of your name; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Let us pray for all servants of the Word and for all the people of God.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you govern and sanctify the whole body of the church by your Holy Spirit. Receive the prayers we offer you, that all members of your church in their vocations and ministries may serve you in truth and godliness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Let us pray for those instructed in the Christian faith, that our Lord God would open their hearts and pour out his mercy, that having received the forgiveness of all their sins by the washing of rebirth, they may remember their baptism and remain firm in the faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you always cause your Church to grow, and with your light and grace you strengthen the hearts of those you have given new birth through water and the Spirit. Grant that those instructed in the Christian faith increase in faith and knowledge, that they may rejoice in their baptism and grow as members of the holy body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Let us pray for all in authority, and especially for the government of the United States, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Silent prayer.

O merciful Father in heaven, you hold in your hand all the might of the nations, and you have established the authorities that exist for the punishment of evildoers and for the commending of those who do what is right. Yours is all rule and authority in the kingdoms of the world. Graciously regard your servants, the President of the United States, the governor of this state, our judges  and officers, and all the rulers of the earth, that all who receive the sword as your servants, may bear it according to your commands; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Let us pray to our Lord God almighty, that he would deliver the world from all error, take away disease, ward off famine, free those in bondage, grant a safe return to the travelers, health to the sick, and a safe harbor for those at sea.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, the comfort of the sorrowful and the strength of the weak: Graciously hear the prayers of those who cry to you in any trouble or distress, that in all their needs they may see and receive your great help and comfort; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Let us pray for those who do not know Christ, that those who walk in darkness may see his glorious light.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, you do not desire the death of a sinner but want all people to repent and live. Hear our prayers for those who do not know you. Turn their hearts from idols and empty things to the living and true God, and gather them into your holy Church for the glory of your name; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Let us pray for peace, that we may come to the knowledge of God’s holy Word, and walk before him as is fitting for Christians.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, King of Glory, and Lord of heaven and earth, by your Spirit all things are governed, by your providence all things are ordered. You are the God of peace, and the Author of all concord. Grant us your heavenly peace and unity, that we may serve you in true fear, to the praise and glory of your name; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Let us pray for our enemies, that God would remember them in mercy, and graciously give them whatever is needful for them and profitable for their salvation.

Silent prayer.

Almighty and eternal God, through your only Son, our blessed Lord, you commanded us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us and to pray for those who persecute us. Lead all our enemies to true repentance, that they may have the same love and be of one mind and heart with us and with your whole Christian Church; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Let us pray for the fruits of the earth, that God would send down his blessing on them, and graciously move our hearts to enjoy them in submission to his holy will.

Silent prayer.

O Lord, Father almighty, by your Word you created and bless and uphold all things. Reveal to us your Word, our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would dwell in our hearts, and that by your grace we may receive your blessing on all the fruits of the earth and whatever we need for body and life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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Finally, let us pray for all those things for which our Lord would have us ask, saying:

Our Father…

Notes:

Source: The Bidding Prayer is modified from The Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, 1917, 1918 The United Lutheran Church in America, now in the public domain.

This modification © 2021 Paul C. Stratman and http://www.acollectionofprayers.com.

The bid and petition for the catechumens was reworked and newly composed in part for this version of the Bidding Prayer.

The bid and petition for the those who do not know Christ was reworked and newly composed for this version of the Bidding Prayer.

This modification of the Bidding Prayer from The Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.