Tag: 19th Century

Before Communion

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 our heavenly homeland to see you face to face and dwell with you through all eternity.

Wilhelm Loehe, Samenkoerner des Gebets, p. 139, #88

Original in German:

Herr Jesu Christe, mein einziger Trost, meine Hoffnung, mein Leben, meine Gerech tigkeit, meine Stärke und meine Burg, ich bitte dich, du wollest mein Herz entzünden mit herzlichem Verlangen, Hunger und Durst nach der ewigen Speise meiner Seele, nach deinem wahren Leibe und Blute, daß ich in wahrer Erkenntniß meiner Sünden und starker Zuversicht zu dir dies dein hochwürdiqes Sakrament oft und ohne Ueberdruß möge gebrauchen, daß ich damit ohne Unterlaß meine Seele und Gewissen möge stärken und versichern, bis ich dermaleins meine Reise vollende, das rechte Vaterland erlange, zu du komme, dich von Angesicht zu Angesicht schaue, und ewig bei dir bleibe. Amen.

Early translation in traditional English:

Lord Jesus Christ, our only comfort, our hope, our righteousness, our strength and sure defence, we beseech Thee, kindle in our breasts a fervent desire, hunger, and thirst for that eternal food of the soul,—Thy true body and blood,— that we may gladly and frequently receive the glorious Sacrament in true realization of our sins and strong reliance upon Thee, unto the strengthening and assurance of our souls, until at last life’s pilgrimage ended, we come to Thee in the true Fatherland, to see Thee face to face, and abide with Thee through all eternity. Amen. (Wilhelm Loehe, Seed Grains of Prayer, English edition, #88.)

Litany of the Holy Spirit (2)

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.

Holy Spirit,
by your power, you worked the incarnation of our Lord in the virgin’s womb,
you teach us all things and guide us into all truth,
you intercede for us groans that cannot be expressed in words,
you have given us new birth and have made us heirs of eternal life,
you help us in our weakness,
you bring us to life and purify our hearts with faith,
you judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, have mercy on us.

From all evil. Deliver us, Holy Spirit.
Be merciful to us. Spare us, Holy Spirit.
Be merciful to us. Hear us, Holy Spirit.

From all sins of thought, word, and action,
from the crafts and assaults of the devil,
from pride and despair,
from unbelief and hardness of heart,
from uncleanness of heart and life,
from anger, hatred and ill will,
from impurity of body and soul,
from obstinacy and impenitence,
from indifference to the service of God, deliver us, Holy Spirit.

You proceed from the Father and the Son,
you overshadowed the virgin,
you descended on the Son in the form of a dove,
you were poured out on the holy apostles,
you are the Spirit of love,
you are the Spirit of joy,
you are the Spirit of peace,
you dwell in us, help us, good Lord.

By your inward anointing,
by the abundance of your grace, hear us, good Lord.

We sinners pray, hear us, Holy Spirit.

To cleanse and sanctify all members of your holy Church,
to adorn the Bride of Christ with abundant gifts,
to bless and protect our synod [church body], together with all its clergy and institutions,
to grant all of us the spirit of prayer and sincere worship,
to adorn our lives with patience and humility,
to kindle love and mercy in us,
to clothe us with purity,
to help us so that we do not grieve you, Holy Spirit, for you have sealed us for the day of redemption,
to work in us your grace and bring us to eternal life, hear us, Holy Spirit.

Lord God, Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us your peace.

O Christ, hear us.

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

Our Father in heaven…

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Almighty God, send the Holy Spirit into our hearts that he may rule and direct us according to your will, comfort us in all temptations and afflictions, defend us from all error, lead us into all truth, keep us steadfast in the true faith, and help us increase in love and in all good works, that in the end we obtain eternal life; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Loehe’s Agenda, in Oremus, ed. Paul Zeller Strodach, 1925.

See also Featured Prayers: Pentecost

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Epiphany Prayer

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O Lord Jesus Christ, heavenly King, we thank you that you have brought both Jews and Gentiles to hear your voice, and from their number you have gathered and established your Holy Church, and perfected your praise out of their mouths. Keep us in that wisdom which you revealed to the Wise Men. Grant us your Holy Spirit, that we may always seek you and your kingdom. Enable us to follow your holy Word, as those from the East followed the leading of a star. Give us grace at all times and in all places to confess your holy name. Rule us by your Spirit, so that the joys of your birth may increase in us. Hear our prayers and cries. Accept our offerings, which you yourself have given us: the gold of our faith, the incense of our prayers and the myrrh of our contrite hearts. Deliver us from the destructive ways of error and sin, and by your Holy Spirit lead us in the ways of peace and in the paths of righteousness. Grant us all, when this life is done, a participation in the joys of the Year of Jubilee in heaven, where we shall praise and serve you and the Father who live and reign in unity with the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Wilhelm Loehe, in Liturgy for Christian Congregations of the Lutheran Faith, 1902

 

 

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Cover My Soul with the Shadow of Your Wing

Thanks to you, O God, that I have risen today,
to the rising of life itself;
may it be to your own glory,
O God of every gift,
and to the glory of my soul likewise.
O great God, aid my soul
with the aiding of your own mercy;
even as I clothe my body with wool,
cover my soul with the shadow of your wing.
Help me to avoid every sin,
and the source of every sin to forsake;
and as the mist scatters
on the crest of the hills,
may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.

Source: Adapted from Carmina Gadelica.

 

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In Your Arms I Am Safe

O my Lord and Savior,
in your arms I am safe.
Keep me and I have nothing to fear.
Give me up and I have nothing to hope for.
I do not know what will come upon me before I die.
I know nothing about the future,
but I rely upon you.
I pray that you would give me what is good for me.
I pray that you would to take from me whatever would imperil my salvation.
I do not pray that you would make me rich.
I do not pray that you would make me very poor.
I leave it all to you, because you know and I do not.
If you bring pain or sorrow on me,
give me grace to bear it well—
keep me from fretfulness and selfishness.
If you give me health and strength and success in this world,
keep me always on my guard
lest these great gifts carry me away from you.
O Christ, you died on the Cross for me,
even for me, sinner as I am.
Help me to know you,
to believe in you,
to love you,
to serve you,
to always aim at bringing you glory,
to live to and for you,
to set a good example to all around me.
Allow me to die just at that time and in that way
which is best for your glory,
and best for my salvation.

Source: John Henry Newman, 1801-1890

Source of this version: Freely modified from The Newman Reader, #200

Table Prayers

Prayers at Table
Before the Meal

Almighty God, the eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. Bless the earthly bounty you have provided now before us. Let these nourish and strengthen our frail bodies, that we may better serve you; through Jesus Christ. Amen. [1]

or thus:

Let your blessing, almighty God, descend on this portion of your bounty, and on us, your unworthy servants; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [2]

or thus:

Almighty God, pardon our sins, bless the refreshment now before us to our use, and bless us to your service; through Jesus Christ. Amen. [3]

or thus:

Father of lights, every good and perfect gift comes down from you. Enable us to receive these fruits of your bounty with humility and gratitude, and give us grace, that whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we may do all to your glory, and be accepted  through the great Redeemer. Amen. [4]

or thus:

Bounteous God, we acknowledge our dependence on you and our unworthiness of your benefits. Forgive our sins, bless us in the reception of this food, and enable us to improve the strength we may derive from it to your glory, for Christ’s sake. Amen. [5]

or thus:

O Lord, sanctify your gifts to our use, and us to your service, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [6]

or thus:

We praise you, O God, for covering our table with plenty, and for the present opportunity of partaking of your bounties. Nourish our bodies with these provisions of your hand, and our souls with the bread of life, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [7]

or thus:

We thank you, heavenly Father, for this portion of your bounty. You daily supply our returning wants, despite our ungratefulness. Help us to be deeply sensible of your goodness and mercy. Bless the provision now before us to our use, forgive our sins, and in the end save us through Christ, our Lord. Amen. [8]

or thus:

Father of mercies, we praise you for permitting us again to sit down and partake of the provisions of your earthly bounty. Feed our souls with the bread of life. Pardon our numerous offenses, and own us at last in heaven for Christ’s sake. Amen. [9]

or thus:

Bountiful giver of all good and perfect gifts, you are never weary of supplying our returning wants. Grant that the food of which we are about to partake may contribute to the comfort and support of our bodies, and enable us to engage with more zeal in your service, we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen. [10]

After the Meal

What shall we return to you, O God, for all your benefits? Every day of our lives we are receiving fresh tokens of your favor. Oh, let your goodness lead us to repentance. And if we can do no more than express our gratitude, help us to do that in the sincerity of our souls, and yours shall be the glory, forever; through Jesus Christ. Amen. [11]

or thus:

Accept, heavenly Father, our humble thanks for this and for all your blessings; through Jesus Christ. Amen. [12]

or thus:

We praise you , O Lord, for the provisions of your providence and grace, and in particular for this renewed token of your favor. May we feel our increased obligations to be your, and be prepared at last to eat bread in your heavenly kingdom; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [13]

or thus:

We praise you, O Lord, for this kind refreshment. Continue your favors, and feed us with the bread of life. Supply the wants of the needy; and enable us, while we live on your bounty, to live to your glory; for Christ’s sake. Amen. [14]

or thus:

We praise and magnify your holy name, O Lord, for this and all other blessings bestowed on us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [15]

or thus:

O God, for all your mercies, for the food that supports our bodies and the grace that sustains our souls we bless and praise your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [16]

Source: Prayers for the use of families… by Albert Barnes, 1850

In traditional English:

Prayers at Table
Before Meat

Almighty God ! the eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season. Bless, we beseech thee, the provisions of thine earthly bounty, which are now before us; and let them nourish and strengthen our frail bodies, that we may the better serve thee, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

or thus:

Let thy blessing, Almighty God, descend on this portion of thy bounty, and on us, thy unworthy servants, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

or thus:

Almighty God, we beseech thee to pardon our sins, to bless the refreshment now before us to our use, and us to thy service, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

or thus:

Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift, enable us to receive these fruits of thy bounty with humility and gratitude, and give us grace, that whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we may do all to thy glory, and be accepted
through the great Redeemer. Amen.

or thus:

Bounteous God, we acknowledge our dependence on thee, and our unworthiness of thy benefits. We pray thee to forgive our sins ; to bless us in the reception of this food, and enable us to improve the strength we may derive from it to thy glory, for Christ’s sake. Amen.

or thus:

Sanctify, O Lord, we beseech thee, these thy productions to our use, and us to thy service, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

or thus:

We bless thee, O God, for covering our table with plenty, and for the present opportunity of partaking of thy bounties. Nourish our bodies with these provisions of thy hand, and our souls with the bread of life, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

or thus:

We thank thee, heavenly Father, for this portion of thy bounty. Thou dost daily supply our returning wants, notwithstanding our ungratefulness. Oh help us to be deeply sensible of thy goodness and mercy. Bless the provision now before us to our use, forgive our sins, and in the end save us through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

or thus:

Father of mercies, we praise thee for permitting us again to sit down and partake of the provisions of thine earthly bounty. Do thou feed our souls with the bread of life. Pardon our numerous offenses, and own us at last in heaven for Christ’s sake. Amen.

or thus:

Bountiful giver of all good and perfect gifts! thou art never weary of supplying our returning wants. Grant, we pray thee, that the food of which we are about to partake, may contribute to the comfort and support of our bodies, and enable us to engage with
more zeal in thy service, which we ask, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

AFTER MEAT.
What shall we render to thee, O God, for all thy benefits? Every day of our lives we are receiving fresh tokens of thy favor. Oh, let thy goodness lead us to repentance. And if we can do no more than express our gratitude, help us to do that in the sincerity of our souls, and thine shall be the glory, forever, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

or thus:

Accept, heavenly Father, our humble thanks for this and for all thy blessings, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

or thus:

We praise thee, O Lord, for the provisions of thy providence and grace, and in particular for this renewed token of thy favor. May we feel our increased obligations to be thine, and be fitted at length to eat bread in thy heavenly kingdom, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

or thus:

We bless thee, O Lord, for this kind refreshment. Be pleased to continue thy favors, and feed us with the bread of life. Supply the wants of the needy; and enable us, while we live on thy bounty, to live to thy glory, for Christ’s sake. Amen.

or thus:

We would praise and magnify thy holy name, O Lord, for this and all other blessings bestowed upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

or thus:

O God, for all thy mercies for the food that supports our bodies and the grace that sustains our souls, we bless and praise thy holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Litany of the Resurrection (2)

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.

Lord Jesus Christ, true Passover Lamb, have mercy on us.

Jesus, who rebuilt the temple of your body in three days,
Jesus, who arose on the third day in fulfillment of your word,
Jesus, whose resurrection an angel announced to the women at the empty tomb,
Jesus, who showed yourself to your disciples after your resurrection,
Jesus, who displayed the truth of your resurrection with many miracles,
Jesus, whose resurrection the apostles preached, and confirmed with their blood,
Jesus, who has given us a sure hope of eternal life by your resurrection,
Jesus, who remained with your disciples forty days after your resurrection,
Jesus, who ascended from the Mount of Olives to your Father and ours,
Jesus, who has prepared mansions in your Father’s house for your servants,
Jesus, who will come again at the end of time to judge the living and the dead, have mercy on us.

We sinners pray, hear us, Lord Jesus.

That we may truly rise from the grave of our sins,
that we may conquer our evil desires, and die to our sins,
that we may grow in knowledge and love of your holy teaching,
that we may serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life,
that our sorrows may, like yours, one day be turned into eternal joy,
that we may not desire things on earth, but things in heaven,
that we may awake at last from the grave to the resurrection to eternal life,
that at the general resurrection we may have a share in your kingdom,
we pray, hear us, Lord Jesus.

Son of God, we pray, hear us, Lord Jesus.

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.

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

Our Father…

Light up my eyes, O Lord,
lest I sleep the sleep of death.

Save us, we pray, O Lord!
O Lord, we pray, give us success!

Lord, hear my prayer,
and let my cries come before you.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, through your only Son Jesus Christ you overcame death and opened to us the gate of eternal life. Grant that we who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Slightly modified from Litany of the Resurrection in The Priest’s Prayerbook, 1906. Final collect is from the Book of Common Prayer.

See also Litany of the Resurrection (1)

Litany of the Passion (4)

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, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
From all evil, Jesus, deliver us.

From sudden, unprepared, or evil death,
from the snares of the devil,
from anger, hatred, or ill will,
from eternal death, Jesus, deliver us.

By the mystery of your holy incarnation,
by your holy life and work,
by your bitter passion and death,
by your agony and bloody sweat,
by your fervent prayer,
by the submission of your human will,
by your bonds and stripes,
by your holy body beaten and smitten,
by your cruel mocking and scourging,
by the spitting in your face,
by the false judgment pronounced on you by Caiaphas,
by being disregarded by Herod,
by your painful crown of thorns,
by the purple robe and mockery,
by your unjust condemnation,
by your bearing of the cross,
by your footprints traced in blood,
by the tearing off of your garments,
by the straining of your limbs,
by your dread crucifixion,
by the raising of your cross,
by the anguish you suffered,
by the insults you endured,
by your prayers and tears,
by the shedding of your holy, precious blood,
by your patience and humility,
by loving us to the end, Jesus, deliver us.

We sinners pray, hear us, Lord Jesus.

That being dead to sin, we may live for righteousness,
that we may not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that we may take up our crosses daily and follow you,
that your blood may cleanse us from dead works, to serve the living God,
that following your example, we may walk as you walked,
that sharing in your sufferings, we may also share of your glory, Jesus, hear us.

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

We adore you, Jesus, and we bless you.
By your cross and passion you have redeemed the world.

Remember your mercy, Lord,
and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.

Lord, hear my prayer,
and let my cries come before you.

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

Our Father…

Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, you were lifted up on the cross for the redemption of the world, and you shed your blood for the forgiveness of our sins. By virtue of the merits of your most holy life, passion and death, let us enter the gates of paradise with joy; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Modified from Litany of the Passion in The Priest’s Prayerbook, 1906.

Remembering Wilhelm Löhe

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Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe (or Loehe) was a German Lutheran pastor who supported mission efforts in America. (He died January 2, 1872, and is remembered on January 2.) He not only raised funds and sent missionaries, he also published many materials on Christian education, prayer and worship, which were a great influence on the framers of the Common Service (which later led to the development of The Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church.)

Follow the links below for some of Loehe’s works on liturgy and prayer:

Read more about Wilhelm Loehe at his Wikipedia article:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Konrad_Wilhelm_L%C3%B6he

Loehe is represented well on A Collection of Prayers. His contributions can be seen at the link below:

https://acollectionofprayers.wordpress.com/tag/wilhelm-lohe/

Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

This litany from an Irish prayer book asks Jesus for mercy appealing to who he is, his attributes, his virtue, his love and his work. A shorter Litany on the Name of Jesus is found at Litany (Name of Jesus).

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

Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

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

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy.

Jesus, Son of the living God,
Jesus, Splendor of the Father,
Jesus, Brightness of eternal light,
Jesus, King of glory,
Jesus, Sun of justice,
Jesus, Son of the virgin Mary, have mercy on us.

Jesus most lovable,
Jesus, most adorable,
Jesus, most admirable,
Jesus, the mighty God,
Jesus, Father of the world to come,
Jesus, Angel of great counsel,
Jesus, most powerful,
Jesus, most patient,
Jesus, most obedient.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Lover of chastity,
Jesus, Lover of us,
Jesus, God of peace,
Jesus, Author of life,
Jesus, example of all virtues,
Jesus, zealous Lover of souls,
Jesus, our God,
Jesus, our Refuge,
Jesus, Father of the poor,
Jesus, Treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Good Shepherd,
Jesus, True Light,
Jesus, Eternal Wisdom,
Jesus, Infinite Goodness,
Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
Jesus, Joy of angels,
Jesus, Master of apostles,
Jesus, Teacher of evangelists,
Jesus, Strength of martyrs,
Jesus, Light of confessors,
Jesus, Purity of virgins,
Jesus, Crown of all saints, have mercy on us.

Be merciful to us: Spare us, O Jesus,
Be merciful to us: Hear us, O Jesus.

From all evil,
From all sin,
From your wrath,
From the snares of the devil,
From the spirit of fornication,
From everlasting death,
From neglect of your holy inspirations, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

Through the mystery of your holy Incarnation,
through your nativity,
through your divine infancy,
through your sacred life,
through your labors,
through your agony and passion,
through your cross and dereliction,
through your pains and torments,
through your death and burial,
through your glorious resurrection,
through your ascension,
through your joys and glory,
in the day of judgment, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Spare us, Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Hear us, Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, Lord Jesus.

Christ Jesus, hear us.
Christ Jesus, graciously hear us.

V. May the name of the Lord be praised.
R. Now and forever.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, you said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Mercifully hear our prayers and give us your gift of divine charity, that we may always love you with all our heart, and always praise your holy name; for you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Modified from The Irish Handbook of the Holy League, called the Apostleship of Prayer, Dublin, 1890, p. 59-62

Source of this version: Prayers from the Ancient Celtic Church, © 2018, Paul C. Stratman

 

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