Author: pastorstratman

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

A Benediction

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May our Lord + Jesus Christ
be near you to defend you,
within you to refresh you,
around you to preserve you,
before you to guide you,
behind you to justify you,
above you to bless you;
and the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Source: 10th Century manuscript, from The New Ancient Collects, #575, (Bright’s Ancient Collects, p. 193.3)

In Bright’s Ancient Collects, this was printed as a prayer with this ending:

…above you to bless you;
who lives and reigns
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

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Two Marriage Prayers

 

Lord God, heavenly Father,
we pray that you would bless all married couples
that they might live and serve you in joy and unity,
and bring up their children according to your will.
Provide for all their needs
and comfort them in all misfortune,
cross and affliction;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Pomeranian Agenda, p. 286.1, translated for A Collection of Prayers.

O Lord God,
you created man and woman
and ordained them for the marriage bond
and have typified therein the mystical union
of your dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Church, his Bride.
We ask of your boundless goodness and mercy
that you would not permit this,
your creation, ordinance, and blessing,
to be disturbed or destroyed,
but graciously preserve it
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Source: Saxon Agenda of 1541, Marriage #9, translated for A Collection of Prayers.

 

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John the Baptist

The Christian Church remembers St. John the Baptist on his ‘birthday,’ June 24, and also on the commemoration of his death, August 29.

Lord God, dearest Father,
through St. John the Baptist
you have pointed us all
to our one true comfort,
that Jesus Christ, Son of Mary,
is the true Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world.
May we always rejoice in his preaching
and find our comfort in it,
and finally receive eternal blessedness
with John the Baptist and all believers;
through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Die pommersche Kirchen-Ordnung und Agenda, p. 293#2. Translated for A Collection of Prayers.

Original in German:

Herr Gott, lieber Vater, der du durch den heiligen Taufer Johannen, uns Allen zu Trost hast bezeugen lassen, daß Jesus Christus, Marien Sohn, das wahre unschuldige Lamm Gottes sei, welches der ganzen Welt Sünde tragen sollte; gib uns, daß wir allezeit solches seines Zeugnisses uns von Herzen freuen und trösten und endlich mit Johanne dem Täufer und allen Gläubigen die ewige Seligkeit erlangen mögen, durch den selbigen deinen Sohn, u.

 

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A Prayer of St. Augustine

220px-sandro_botticelli_050Lord, when I look on my own life it seems
you have led me so carefully, so tenderly,
that you have attended to no one else;
but when I see how wonderfully
you have led the world and are still leading it,
I am amazed that
you have time to attend to such as I.

Source: Augustine of Hippo, 354-430, possibly from his Confessions.

 

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Prayer for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

O merciful God,
you justified the tax collector
who stood at a distance,
and while beating his breast,
confessed his sins to you.
As we acknowledge our unworthiness,
and ask for your mercy,
forgive all our sins;
through your mercy,
and for the sake of Jesus Christ,
your Son, our Savior.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Rite, from The New Mozarabic Collects, [63] (Trinity 11)

 

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St. Bartholomew

On August 24 the Christian Church remembers St. Bartholomew. The Mozarabic prayer refers to Jesus’ great commission to all his disciples at the end of the Gospel of Mark (Mark 16:16-18). 

St. Bartholomew by El Greco

Christ,
the Power of God,
and the Wisdom of God,
you gave your holy apostle
Saint Bartholomew
power to tread on serpents and scorpions.
Strengthen us by your grace,
that in your might
we may vanquish and overcome
all our spiritual enemies,
and with pure hearts serve you,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
we worship and glorify you,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Collects.

 

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Never Let Us Wander into Darkness

File:Solar eclipse 1999 4.jpgJesus our Master,
walk with us on the road
as we yearn to reach the heavenly country,
so that following your light,
we may stay on the way of righteousness
and never wander in the horrible darkness of this world’s night
while you, the way, the truth, and the life,
are shining within us.

Source: Mozarabic Rite, from The New Ancient Collects, #289, also in Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1953.

 

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Reflection on Psalm 46

This prayer reflects on the violence and tension in Virginia in August 2017, and of the promise, assurance and guidance in Psalm 46.

O God,
you are our refuge and strength.
You promise your help in trouble,
and you give it.

The earth still stands,
the mountains aren’t shaken,
but our hearts are troubled.
People roar and shout loudly
like the raging sea.

Be our river of calm.
Remind us
that without you
we are worthless.
Our value
comes from being purchased
with the blood of your Son.
Your church sings,
“Come, Lord, and help your people
bought with the price of your own blood.”

Lord of hosts,
be our refuge,
our fortress,
our unchanging rock.

You are not to blame
for violence,
oppression,
terrorism
or war.
Those the human race
has inflicted on itself.
The desolation
comes from our anger,
selfishness,
and hate.
This sin
infects us all.
Have mercy.

You call us to peace,
and you call us
to draw near to you
with sincere hearts
and repent.

Be exalted,
and bring your stillness,
your peace,
to our hearts.
Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, based on Psalm 46, Hebrews 10:22, with a line from the Te Deum laudamus.