A Prayer for Cleansing

pastorstratman's avatarA Collection of Prayers

jesus-washing-peters-feet-ford-madox-brown

O Jesus, my feet are dirty.
Come even as a slave to me,
pour water into your bowl,
come and wash my feet.
In asking such a thing I know I am overbold
but I dread what was threatened when you said to me,
“If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.”
Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.
And yet, what am I asking?
It was well for Peter to ask you to wash his feet,
for him that was all that was needed for him to be clean in every part.
With me it is different:
though you wash me now I shall still stand in need of that other washing,
the cleansing you promised when you said,
“there is a baptism I must needs be baptized with.”

Source: Origen (c. 185–254)

Source of this version: http://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/02/footwashing-prayer-origen.html

Part also found…

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About the Eucharist, from the Didache

pastorstratman's avatarA Collection of Prayers

Now about the Eucharist, this is how to give thanks: First in connection with the cup:

We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David, your servant, which you have revealed through Jesus, your Son. To you be glory forever.

Then in connection with the piece broken off the loaf:

We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have revealed through Jesus, your Son. To you be glory forever.

As this piece of bread was scattered over the hills  and then was brought together and made one, so let your Church be brought together from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom. For yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.

You must not let anyone eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized in the Lord’s name. For in reference to this the Lord said, “Do not give…

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Litany of the Blessed Sacrament

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

God the Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Jesus,
hidden God and Savior,
Sacrifice once for all,
Lamb without blemish,
living Bread from heaven,
Cup of blessing,
Word made flesh and dwelling within us,
Fullness of divine love,
Priest and Victim,
Hope of penitents,
Refreshment of souls,
Comfort of the dying,
Promise of glory in the life to come, have mercy on us. 

From the desires of the flesh,
from the lust of the eye,
from the pride of life,
from all occasions to sin, good Lord, deliver us.

By your deep humility as you washed your disciples’ feet,
by your great love as you instituted this holy Sacrament,
by your body and blood, which you have given and poured out for us,
by the wounds which you received for us,
and by your death on the cross, good Lord, deliver us.

We sinners pray, hear us, Lord Jesus.

To prepare our hearts whenever we receive your holy Supper,
to move us to a sincere confession of our sins,
to partake of your body and blood often,
to strengthen and preserve us in faith,
to comfort and defend us when our last hour comes; hear us, good Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

The cup of blessing that we bless is a communion of the blood of Christ.
The bread that we break is a communion of the body of Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us your holy Supper so that we could remember you, taste and touch the forgiveness of our sins. Strengthen and preserve us in the true faith, for you have established your covenant of love by giving your own body into death and by shedding your blood on the cross; now you live and reign with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Notes:

Heavily modified from Litany of the Holy Sacrament in The Priest’s Prayerbook, 1906. Closing collect is new, © 2021 Paul C. Stratman.

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Commendation of the Dying

pastorstratman's avatarA Collection of Prayers

When a Christian is near death, the following Order may be used. If no Minister is present it may be used by the head of the family or by any other Christian.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Then shall all present say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

or

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not…

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The Seven Words from the Cross

pastorstratman's avatarA Collection of Prayers

'Christ_Nailed_to_the_Cross'_by_Giovanni_Battista_Cremonini,_LACMA[1].JPG1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”Luke 23:34

O God in heaven,
give us patience
that we do not strike back
with revenge for any false accusations
or ridicule we endure from your enemies.
Guide us to remain faithful to your Word,
to follow your divine will,
and to forgive all who have done us harm;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

matthiasgrunewald_thecrucifixion22. “Woman,behold, your son!” John 19:26

O God,
your Son displayed compassion
for his grieving mother
when he placed her into the care
of his beloved disciple, John.
Take us into your care with compassion.
Guard and shield us
from all the assaults of the evil foe
and from all enemies and persecutors
who seek to take Christian lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

titian_-_christ_and_the_good_thief_-_wga228323. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

O God in heaven,
from this vale of tears

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A Prayer for Love

pastorstratman's avatarA Collection of Prayers

O blessed Lord, you have commanded us to love one another. Just as we have received your undeserved blessings, may we love everyone in you and for you.

We ask your kindness for all, but especially for the friends whom your love has given to us. Love them, O fountain of love, and move them to love you with all their heart, that they may will, and speak, and do only those things which are pleasing to you.

Our prayer is cold, because our love is so feeble, but you are rich in mercy. Do not measure your goodness to them by the dullness of our devotion, but as your kindness surpasses all human affection, so let your hearing transcend our prayer. Do what is best for them, according to your will, that being ruled and protected by you always and everywhere, they may receive eternal life in the end…

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Closing Prayer for Holy (Maundy) Thursday

pastorstratman's avatarA Collection of Prayers

This prayer may be used in place of the prayers “We give thanks, almighty God,…” “O God the Father, source of all goodness…” in the Common Service or “Hear the prayers of your people…” in the Service of Word and Sacrament in Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, on the night before you suffered, you showed your disciples the extent of your love, you gave them this sacrament of forgiveness and remembrance, and you promised them that you would drink it again with them in your Father’s kingdom. As we have partaken of this sacrament, show us your love in your words of invitation, restore our joy in the forgiveness you have won by your death and resurrection, and give us hope in the promise you have given of a feast to come. In this sacrament, live and rule in us, even as you live…

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Meditations for the Days of Holy Week

pastorstratman's avatarA Collection of Prayers

These short meditations may be used as personal devotions, school devotions, or devotions at the beginnings of church meetings.

Monday of Holy Week

Verses and Prayer

All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way,
but the LORD has laid on him the guilt of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Almighty God, grant that in our failures and weaknesses we may be restored through the passion and intercession of your only-begotten Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Reading: Matthew 22:41-46

On Monday of Holy Week, Jesus taught in the Temple courts and was challenged by his enemies.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The Son of David.” He said to them, “Then how can David…

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The Bidding Prayer

pastorstratman's avatarA Collection of Prayers

By ancient usage this Prayer was specially appointed for Good Friday. It may also be used on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent. This prayer is intended to be read by an assisting minister (denoted by A) at a lectern and by the presiding minister or pastor (denoted by M) standing at the altar. A short pause of silence should be observed between the bid and the prayer.

A 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 adversary, and to keep it always on the true foundation, Jesus Christ.

MAlmighty and eternal God, you have revealed your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ and the Word of his truth. Keep the works of your mercy in safety, that your Church, spread throughout all nations, may serve you in true faith and…

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