Lord Jesus Christ,
today and always,
be the beginning of all my work.
Be my comforter, my blessing, my support.
Protect me and those I love from all evil,
that the devil and the wicked
may have no power over us.
Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#107)
Lord Jesus Christ,
I am not worthy that you should enter my sinful heart,
yet you know my poverty and need.
I desire your presence
to nourish, comfort and strengthen my poor soul.
Say the word and I shall be healed!
Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#89)
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 “I Come to You at Your Holy Table” attributed to Martin Luther.
Lord Jesus Christ,
our only comfort, our hope,
our righteousness, our strength and sure defense,
kindle in our hearts a desire, hunger and thirst
for the eternal food of the soul,
your true body and blood,
that we may gladly and frequently receive the Sacrament,
knowing our sins, but relying on you
to strengthen and assure us until life’s journey ends
and we come to you in the true Fatherland,
to see you face to face
and dwell with you through all eternity.
Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#88)
Lord Jesus, you said,
“Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.”
As we have heard your Word, so also empower us to keep it.
Help us, so that in pure and honest hearts
we may retain all we have heard,
and bring forth fruit with patience.
May we consider your Word diligently,
repeat it at home,
and speak of it with our families,
that we may govern our whole lives by it,
and finally, in our last hour,
die in peace with the comfort of your Word.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#80c.)
Everlasting Redeemer, watch over us
so that the ever-resourceful tempter may not overtake us.
You are our helper now and forever. Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#52)
We give you thanks, heavenly Father,
for creating all things by your limitless power,
governing all things by your inexpressible wisdom,
and feeding and prospering all things by your unfailing goodness.
Let us, your children,
at last drink the cup of everlasting life
which you have promised and prepared for all who love you,
with your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#27)
Glory to you, O God most holy!
Glory to you, O God most high!
Glory to you, O King of heaven and earth!
You sustain us with your fatherly kindness.
Fill us with joy and gladness in the Holy Spirit,
that we may be blameless in your sight
through Jesus Christ our Lord
on the day when you reward each according to his deeds.
Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#26)
Also found in The Lutheran Hymnal, p. 106 #45
The repeated doxologies suggest that Löhe may have obtained this prayer from an Eastern Orthodox source.
Lord God, heavenly Father,
we give you praise and thanks
for all your gifts and blessings.
Sustain our souls in true faith and knowledge of you,
just as you have now sustained our bodies.
Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#25)
Note: Seed Grains of Prayer… has the note after this prayer, “(1562.)”
Lord God, heavenly Father,
we praise and bless you
for the many blessings you share with us.
Move us to reflect your faithfulness,
since you have abundantly fed and nourished us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Source: Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#24)
Note: Seed Grains of Prayer… has the note after this prayer, “(1564.)”
Praise God
who has sustained us from birth
and gives food to every living thing.
May he fill our hearts with joy and gladness,
filling all our needs,
and satisfying us with what he provides.
Amen.
Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#21)
“who has sustained us from birth” is a reference to Ecclesiasticus 50:22 (Apocrypha)
“and gives food to every living thing” is a reference to Psalm 145:16
This prayer is likely a translation or adaptation of “Joy and Gladness”
A Collection of Prayers 