Category: Christian Prayer

O Lord God, heavenly Father,
we praise and thank you for your grace
that through your Son Jesus Christ
you established this supper
in which we eat his body and drink his blood.
By your Holy Spirit, help us
to use this gift worthily,
to confess and forsake our sins,
to confidently believe that we are forgiven through Christ,
and to grow in faith and love day by day
until we come at last to the joy of eternal salvation,
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Veit Dietrich, 1506-1549

Source of this version: Freely paraphrased from http://olcc.us/liturgical-resources/collects-veit-dietrich/

Also found here: A Lutheran Prayer Book, ed. Doberstein, © 1960 Muehlenberg Press, Philadelphia

O God of love,
giver of concord,
through your only Son
you have given us a new commandment
that we should love one another
even as you have loved us,
the unworthy and the wandering,
and gave your beloved Son for our life and salvation.
Lord, in our time of life on earth
give us a mind forgetful of past ill-will,
a pure conscience and sincere thoughts,
and hearts to love one another;
for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Coptic Liturgy of St. Cyril

Source of this version: Freely modified from  Prayers of the Early Church,  ed.  J. Manning Potts,  The Upper Room, Nashville, Tennessee, © 1953 (Public domain in the U.S.)

“love one another as you have loved us” is a reference to John 15:12

“and you gave your beloved Son” is a reference to John 3:16 and Matthew 3:17

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…

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…

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…

1. “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.

2. “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.

3. “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

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…

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…