19th Century – Page 2 – A Collection of Prayers

Litany of the Holy Spirit (1)

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.

Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
Spirit of counsel and might,
Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord,
Spirit of love,
Spirit of joy,
Spirit of peace,
Spirit of patience, kindness and goodness,
Spirit of faith, humility and chastity, have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit, who who probes minds and hearts.
Dispenser of heavenly grace,
Joy of the angels,
Comfort of the sorrowing,
Light of the prophets,
Wisdom of the apostles,
Victory of the holy martyrs,
Anointing of the saints, have mercy on us.

Be gracious to us, Spare us, good Lord.
Be gracious to us, Help us, good Lord.

From every sin,
from the crafts and assaults of the Devil,
from heresy and pernicious doctrine,
from envy and ill-will to the brethren,
from impurity of body and soul,
from indifference in the service of God,
and from all evil spirits, deliver us, good Lord.

You proceed from the Father and the Son,
you overshadowed the Blessed Virgin.
you descended on the Son of God in the form of a dove,
you were poured out on the holy apostles,
you regenerated us in holy baptism,
you dwell in us,
you intercede for us through wordless groans. help us, good Lord.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, good Lord.

To cleanse and sanctify all the 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 govern and sanctify our thoughts, words and actions,
to adorn our lives with patience and humility,
to kindle in us love and mercy,
to clothe us with purity,
to work in us the peace of God,
to keep us in your grace and to bring us to everlasting life, hear us, good Lord.

Lord God, Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Lord God, Son of the Father, 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…

Source: Loehe’s Agenda, in Liturgy for Christian Congregations of the Lutheran Faith, by William Loehe, Third Edition edited by J. Deinzer, 1902.

Subjects for Daily Intercession

[It is suggested that these should be taken after the General Subjects for each day.]

1. Special Persons: Relations, Friends, Benefactors, Bereaved

2. Special Claims: People, Needs, Obligations, Guilds, &c.

3, All whom I shall meet (or have met) today; all who pray for me or desire my prayers.

Remember, O Lord my God all your servants [whose names you know], pour on them all the riches of your mercy and give to all what they ask for in prayer, as it is beneficial for salvation.

Remember, O Lord, all those whose names I have not recalled through my ignorance or forgetfulness, or because of many distractions, for you know the name and condition of each one. You know each one from his mother’s womb.

For you, O Lord, are the help of the helpless, the hope of the hopeless, the healer of the sick, a shelter in the tempest, a refuge from the storm.

Be their all in all, for you are conscious of each one’s request and circumstances and need. Through the grace and mercy and loving-kindness of your only Son, with whom in the unity of the Holy and life-giving Spirit you are blessed and glorified now and forever.

Source: Modified from Sursum Corda: A Handbook of Intercession and Thanksgiving arranged by W. H. Frere and A. L. Illingworth, 1894, p. 41

Litany of the Resurrection (1)

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

O Christ, hear us.

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, Redeemer of mankind,
Jesus, Conqueror of sin and Satan,
Jesus, triumphant over Death,
Jesus, the Holy and the Just,
Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life,
Jesus, the Giver of grace,
Jesus, the Judge of the world,
who laid down your life for your sheep,
who rose again the third day,
who showed yourself to your chosen,
appearing to Mary Magdalene while she wept,
sending your angels to the holy women,
comforting the Eleven,
saying to them, “Peace,”
breathing on them the Holy Spirit,
confirming the faith of Thomas,
commanding Peter to feed your lambs and sheep,
speaking of the Kingdom of God, have mercy on us.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, Lord God.

That we may walk in newness of life,
that we may advance in the knowledge of you,
that we may grow in grace,
that we may always have the bread of life,
that we may persevere to the end,
that we may have confidence before you at your coming,
that we may behold your face with joy,
that we may be placed at your right hand in the judgment,
that we may have our place with the saints, hear us, good Lord.

O Christ, hear us.

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

Christ is risen, Alleluia.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Let us pray

O God, by your only Son you overcame death and opened the way to eternal life for us. Confirm us by your grace, that we may always walk as your people who who have been redeemed from their sins; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Based on ‘Litany of the Resurrection’ by John Henry Newman.

Litany of Repentance

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

O Christ, hear us.

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.

Incarnate Lord,
Lover of souls,
Savior of sinners,
who came to seek and save those who were lost,
who fasted for them forty days and nights, have mercy on us.

By your tenderness towards Adam when he fell,
by your faithfulness to Noah in the ark,
by your remembrance of Lot in the midst of sinners,
by your mercy on the Israelites in the desert,
by your forgiveness of David after his confession,
by your patience with the Ninevites when they repented in sackcloth and ashes,
by sending John to go before you as the preacher of repentance,
by your testimony about the tax collector who hung his head and smote his breast,
by your welcome given to the returning Prodigal,
by your gentleness with the woman of Samaria,
by your mercy towards Zacchæus, leading him to return what he had stolen,
by your pity on the woman taken in adultery,
by your mercy to Magdalene, who loved much,
by your converting look, at which Peter wept,
by your gracious words to the thief on the cross, have mercy on us.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, Lord God.

That we may submit to your loving discipline,
that we may bring forth fruits of repentance,
that sin may not reign in our mortal bodies,
that we may work out our salvation with fear and trembling, hear us, Lord God.

Son of God, hear us.

O Christ, hear us.

O Lord, hear our prayer.
and let our cry come before you.

Let us pray.

O Lord, give your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their offences and serve you with a quiet mind; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Based on ‘Litany of Penance’ by John Henry Newman.

Shine Your Bright Light into Our Hearts

wise-mens-gifts Lord God,
you are the light of all the Gentiles,
and on this day
you revealed your only Son
to the Gentiles
by the leading of a star.
Grant that your people
may rejoice in your unending peace
and shine your bright light
into our hearts,
just as you blessed the Wise Men
and their children;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Wilehelm Loehe, Agende für christliche Gemeinden des lutherischen Bekenntnisses, 1844

Original in German:

Herr Gott, Du Licht aller Heiden, der Du am heutigen Tage Deinen Eingebornen den Heiden durch Leitung des Sterns offenbart hast, verleihe Deinen Völkern, sich in beständigem Frieden zu freuen, und gieß auch in unsre Herzen das helle Licht aus, welches Du den Weisen und ihren Geschlechtern vergönnt hast, durch Jesum Christum, unsern Herrn. Amen.

New Birth and Freedom in Christ

geertgen_tot_sint_jans2c_the_nativity_at_night2c_c_1490

Almighty God,
grant that the new birth
of your Son in the flesh
redeems us from the old slavery
under the yoke of sin,
so we may receive him with joy
as our Redeemer,
and that when when he comes to judge
we may see Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Wilehelm Loehe, Agende für christliche Gemeinden des lutherischen Bekenntnisses, 1844

Original in German:

Allmächtiger Gott, wir bitten Dich, verleihe, daß die neue Geburt Deines Sohnes im Fleische uns erlöse, welche die alte Dienstbarkeit unterm Joch der Sünden gefangen halt, auf daß wir Ihn als einen Erlöser mit Freuden aufnehmen, auch, wenn Er zum Gericht kommen wird, sicher mögen anschauen JEsum Christum, unsern Herrn, der mit Dir in Einigkeit des heiligen Geistes lebt und herrschet, wahrer Gott, immer und ewiglich! Amen.

This is a German translation of the Gelasian collect for Christmas Day:

Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut Unigeniti tui nova per carnem nativitas liberet quos sub peccati iugo vetusa servitus tenet; per…

Christmas Communion Prayer

O merciful God,
open the depths of our souls
that we may receive
the immortality of our spirits
through the new birth of your Son
by the power of his body
and precious blood;
for he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Wilehelm Loehe, Agende für christliche Gemeinden des lutherischen Bekenntnisses, 1844

Original in German:

O gütiger Gott, eröffne uns den Abgrund unsrer Seelen, daß wir die Unsterblichkeit unsers Gemüthes mögen vernehmen durch die neue Geburt Deines Sohnes, in der Kraft Seines Fleisches und theuern Blutes, der mit Dir lebt und herrschet…

Prepare Our Hearts

Advent 1

O merciful God,
you sent your eternal Word
to take on human nature
in the womb of the virgin Mary.
Grant that your chosen people
may put off fleshly desires,
to prepare their hearts
for the visitation of your dear Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Wilhelm Loehe, Agende für christliche Gemeinden des lutherischen Bekenntnisses, 1844

Original in German:

O milder Gott, der Du Dein ewiges Wort vom reinen Leibe der Jungfrau Maria hast menschliche Natur annehmen laßen, verleihe Deinen Auserwählten, den fleischlichen Lüsten Urlaub (Abschied), Deiner Heimsuchung aber Raum zu geben, durch denselben, Deinen lieben Sohn Jesum Christum, unsern Herrn, der mit Dir in Einigkeit des heil. Geistes lebt und herrschet von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit! Amen.

Not the God of the Dead but of the Living

In some branches of Christianity, November 2 is celebrated as ‘All Souls Day,’ or ‘Commemoration of the Faithful Departed.’ In some countries it is also called ‘The Day of the Dead.’ This prayer reminds us that those who die in faith live in Christ.

O eternal God and Father,
you are not the God of the dead but of the living,
and all who put their trust in you,
who rest in their chambers under the earth,
live in you.
Be merciful to us, dear Father,
do not let us be afraid of the power and sting of death,
but keep us in the true faith in your dear Son,
who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Uphold us with your Holy Spirit,
and give us a clear conscience,
that we may live our Christian lives,
and finally fall asleep in peace and joy
when we leave this valley of tears,
and rest in peace until you open our graves
and awaken us with the sound of the last trumpet;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Order for Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 760#2.

A similar prayer appears in Christian Worship: Occasional Services in the burial rite.

Original in German:

O ewiger Gott und Vater, der Du nicht bist ein Gott der Todten, sondern der Lebendigen, denn in Dir leben alle, so unter der Erden in ihren Kammern ruhen: wir bitten Deine väterliche Güte, Du wollest uns des Todes Gewalt und Stachel nicht lassen erschrecken, sondern uns in Deinem Sohne, welcher ist der Weg, die Wahrheit und das Leben, in rechtem Glauben und gutem Gewissen gnadiglich mit Deinem Geiste erhalten, damit wir christlich leben, und seliglich von diesem Iammerthal abscheiden und in Fried und Freude einschlafen, und sanft ruhen können, bis Du unsere Graber eröffnest, und durch der Posaunen Stimme uns wieder zum Leben aufweckest, durch Jesum Christum unsern Herrn. Amen.

All Saints Day

On November 1, the Christian church remembers those who have died in faith, and now enjoy eternal pleasures at Christ’s right hand as his church triumphant. We, too, are his saints, but in the church militant.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the Resurrection and the Life,
and through your victory
you have attained
eternal righteousness, joy,
and holiness for us.
As you have promised,
we pray,
come soon to judge,
and bring us
a joyful resurrection to life
and a homecoming
in the eternal paradise
of our Father’s kingdom.
You, Jesus, are arisen from death,
and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Prayer for the Order of Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 758.

O Herr Jesu Christe, der Du bist die Auferstehung und das Leben, und hast uns durch Deinen Sieg eine ewige Gerechtigkeit, Freude und Heiligkeit erworben: wir bitten Deine milde Güte, Du wollest bald zum Gerichte kommen, und uns eine fröhliche Auferstehung des Lebens verleihen, und in das ewige Paradies und Vaterland uns heimholen, der Du vom Tode bist erstanden, und herrschest mit dem Vater und heiligem Geiste, von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit. Amen.