By Remembering Christ, We Endure

19_x_Grunewald_Resurrection-615x1024.jpgAlmighty and eternal God,
merciful Father,
you gave your Son
for our sins,
and raised him up again
for our righteousness.
Through him you have overcome death
and have opened up for us the way to eternal life.
Through your Holy Spirit,
grant that we may rely on this in true faith,
that our bodies also will arise
with Christ to eternal life,
and that by remembering this comfort
we may endure
all kinds of sorrow in this life
with patience
through the power of the resurrection
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Die pommersche Kirchen-Ordnung und Agenda,  p. 289, #2, Martin Luther, [Die Gebete Luthers, #13]

Original in German:

Allmächtiger ewiger Gott, barmherziger Vater, der du deinen Sohn um unsrer Sünde willen dahin gegeben und zu unsrer Gerechtigkeit auferwecket, durch ihn den Tod überwunden, und uns den Zugang zum ewigen Leben geöffnet hast: wir bitten dich, gieb uns durch deinen Geist, daß wir in wahrem Glauben uns hierauf verlassen, und unsre Körper mit Christo auch zum ewigen Leben erwecket werden, und daß wir in Betrachtung dieses Trostes allerlei Ungemach dieses Lebens mit Geduld mögen ertragen, durch die Kraft der Auferstehung deines Sohnes, unsers Herrn Jesu Christi, der mit dir und dem heiligen Geiste lebet und regieret von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit. Amen. Pommersche Agende.

 

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An Easter Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you died for the sins of the whole world,
and on this day you rose from the dead.
By your Resurrection put the sin within us to death.
As you destroyed the power of death by your cross and passion,
share with us your blessed life;
through your merits, O blessed Savior,
you live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 26 #1 (Easter Day)

“you died for the sins of the whole world” John 1:29, 1 John 2:2

“As you destroyed the power of death” 1 Corinthians 15:26, Hebrews 2:14

Mozarabic, ad.

 

 

An Easter Eve Prayer

O Lord Jesus Christ,
for our sins you endured the cross and the grave,
and on the third day you rose again from the tomb.
Just as you have cleansed us from our sin by your blood,
and as we are buried with you in baptism,
so by your grace, let us share in your resurrection;
through your mercy,
O our God, you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 25 #3

“cleansed us from our sin by your blood” is a reference to 1 Peter 1:19, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 7:14

“buried with you in baptism” is a reference to Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12

Mozarabic, ad.

 

 

Give Our Hearts Faith in Christ’s Work

matthiasgrunewald_thecrucifixion2Merciful, eternal God,
you did not spare your own Son,
but gave him up for us all
to bear our sins on the cross.
Give our hearts such faith
that we may never be frightened
or despair;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Martin Luther

Source of this version: Translated for A Collection of Prayers. German source: Gebetbuch, enthaltend die sämtlichen Gebete und Seufzer Martin Luther’s, ….Evangelischer Bücher-Verein, 1866, #600.  [Die Gebete Luthers, #293]

Also found in Die pommersche Kirchen-Ordnung und Agenda, p. 288(1).

Original in German:

Barmherziger, ewiger Gott, der du deines einigen Sohnes nicht verschonet hast, sondern für uns alle dahingegeben, daß er unsre Sünde am Kreuz tragen sollte; verleihe, daß unser Herz in solchem Glauben nimmermehr erschrecke noch verzage, durch denselben deinen Sohn, Jesum Christum, unsern Herrn. Amen. Luther.

 

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Look on Us with Mercy

matthiasgrunewald_thecrucifixion2Christ was pierced for our transgressions;
and was crushed for our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)

O Lord God, Father of all mercy,
graciously look on your people and household
for whom your dear Son Jesus Christ
did not refuse to be betrayed
into the hands of sinners,
and endured the shameful pain of the cross;
who lives and reigns with you,
true God, in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever.
Amen.

Source: Coburger Agende

Source of this version: Translated for A Collection of Prayers. German source: Gebetbuch, enthaltend die sämtlichen Gebete und Seufzer Martin Luther’s, ….Evangelischer Bücher-Verein, 1866, #601.

Original in German:

Christus ist um unsrer Missethat willen verwundet und um unsrer Sünde willen zerschlagen.

O Herr Gott, Vater aller Barmherzigkeit: wir bitten dich, du wollest gnädig sehen auf diefes dein Volk und Hausgesind, um welches willen dein lieber Sohn Jesus Christus sich nicht geweigert hat übergeben zu werden in die Hände der Sünder,und zu dulden die schmähliche Pein des Kreuzes; der mit dir lebet und regieret, wahrer Gott in Einigkeit des heiligen Geistes ewiglich. Amen. Coburger Agende

A similar prayer is found in the Pomeranian Agenda.

I Have Sinned…

I, a poor sinful person,
confess to you, O almighty God,
my maker and redeemer,
that I have sinned,
not only with thoughts, words and actions,
but that I am by nature unclean,
conceived and born in sin,
and inclined to all evil.
I have not earned anything but your wrath,
and for this I am sorry with all my heart,
that I have provoked you,
O God, my Lord.
But I have access to your steadfast love,
O God, my heavenly Father.
I seek and desire your grace
for the sake of your dear Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, be merciful to me, a poor sinner.
Forgive my sins and give me your Holy Spirit,
that I may obey your divine will,
and in my station in life
produce much fruit to your glory.
Amen.

Source: Die pommersche Kirchen-Ordnung und Agenda, p. 75

Original in German:

Ich armer sündiger Mensch bekenne vor Dir, o allmächtiger Gott meinem Schöpfer und Erlöser, daß ich gesündiget habe, nicht allein mit Gedanken, Worten und Werken, sondern daß ich auch von Natur unrein bin, in Sünden empfangen und geboren, zu allem Bösen geneigt, und nichts verdiene, denn eitel Zorn,– und ist mir von Herzen leid, daß ich Dich, o Gott, mein Herr, erzürnet habe. Ich habe aber Zuflucht zu Deiner grundlosen Barmherzigkeit, o Gott, mein himmlischer Vater; ich suche und begehre Gnade, um Deines lieben Sohnes, unsers Herrn Jesu Christi willen. Herr, sei mir armen Sünder gnädig; vergib mir meine Sünde, und gib mir Deinen heil Geist, daß ich Deinem göttlichen Willen gehorsam sei und in meinem Amte viel Frucht schaffe zu Deinen Ehren. Amen.

Evangelisches Brevier, herausg. von G. C. Dieffenbach und C. Müller, prayer 117.

“by nature unclean, conceived and born in sin, and inclined to all evil” is a reference to Psalm 51:5, Genesis 6:5 and Genesis 8:21

“Steadfast love” in the original is “grundlosen Barmherzigkeit,” (boundless mercy) but the wording was chosen to give a reference to Psalm 51:1

“Lord, be merciful to me, a poor sinner” is a reference to Luke 18:13

“produce much fruit” is a reference to John 15:8

 

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Good Friday Prayer

O God, Son of God,
you suffered for us,
the righteous for the unrighteous.
Save us by the shame of your Passion,
and clothe us with the robe of your righteousness.
Through the suffering and death you did not deserve,
we have escaped the punishment our sins have deserved.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 25 #1

“the righteous for the unrighteous” is a reference to 1 Peter 3:18

“robe of righteousness” is a reference to  Job 29:14, Isaiah 61:10, Galatians 3:27

“Through the suffering and death you did not deserve…” may be a reference to  Isaiah 53:5

Mozarabic, ad.

 

 

Refresh Us, Strengthen Faith, Increase Love

V. For as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup,
R. We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

We thank you, almighty Lord God, that you have refreshed us through the body and blood of your dear Son. We pray that through this, you would make us prosper with strong faith toward you and with fervent love among us all, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Source: Coburg Agende

Source of this version: Translated for A Collection of Prayers. German source: Gebetbuch, enthaltend die sämtlichen Gebete und Seufzer Martin Luther’s, ….Evangelischer Bücher-Verein, 1866, #597.

Original in German:

So oft ihr von diesem Brot esset und von diesem Kelch trinket, sollt ihr des Herrn Tod verkündigen, bis daß er kommt.

Wir danken dir, allmächtiger Herr Gott, daß du uns durch den Leib und das Blut deines lieben Sohnes lässest erquicken, und bitten dich, daß du uns solches gedeihen lassest zu starkem Glauben gegen dich, und zu brünstiger Lieb unter uns allen, durch denselben deinen Sohn, Jesum Christum, unsern Herrn. Amen. Coburg Agende.

This prayer is very similar to Luther’s post-communion prayer in his German Mass.

 

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A Prayer for Love

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; to you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

Source: St. Anselm, eleventh century Source of this version: Freely modified from Prayers of the Middle Ages, edited by J. Manning Potts, 1954.

Variant:

O blessed Lord, who hast commanded us to love one another, grant us grace that having received thine undeserved bounty, we may love everyone in thee and for thee. We implore thy clemency for all; but especially for the friends whom thy love has given to us. Love thou them, O thou fountain of love, and make them to love thee with all their heart, that they may will, and speak, and do those things only which are pleasing to thee.

 

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