An Ash Wednesday Prayer

ash_crossLord God, heavenly Father,
as the result of his rebellion,
you told father Adam,
“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
We have followed Adam in his rebellion,
and have earned the same reward.
Lift us up from this dust of death
by the rising of your Son Jesus Christ.
Restore us to life with you
by forgiveness through his blood.
Empower us to walk with him in newness of life,
and in the obedience that leads to righteousness.
Finally, on the Last Day,
raise us from the dust of death
to live in the joy of your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman © 2017

Parts are written in imitation of the style of the Collects of Veit Dietrich.

“You are dust, …” is a reference to Genesis 3:19

“…the same reward” is a reference to Romans 6:23

“Lift us up from this dust of death… ” is a reference to Psalm 22:15 and Romans 6:4

“Restore us to life…” is a reference to Colossians 2:13

“…forgiveness through his blood” is a reference to Romans 5:9

“Empower us to walk  … ” is a reference to Romans 6:4

“and in the obedience of righteousness” is a reference to Romans 6:16

“Finally, on the Last Day, raise us…” is a reference to Daniel 12:2 and John 6:40

“joy of your presence, eternal pleasures” is a reference to Psalm 16:11

Ash Wednesday cross graphic from http://churchgraphics.blogspot.com/p/clip-art.html

Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects

New Prayer Book from Northwestern Publishing House, ‘There’s a Prayer for That’

A new book of prayers is available from Northwestern Publishing House. There’s a Prayer for That. It contains 494 prayers, with many of them newly composed for this book. Two of them, 18. Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, and 84. Thanks for Freedom from Satan’s Power are by Pastor Paul Stratman, the editor of A Collection of Prayers.

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The book can be ordered through Amazon.com at the following link:  https://smile.amazon.com/Theres-Prayer-That-Various/dp/081002893X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516888635&sr=8-1&keywords=There%27s+a+prayer+for+that

Description from Amazon:

The Word encourages you to pray in every circumstance. Whether life leads you to bring thanks, praise, or troubles before God, he will listen.

There’s a Prayer for That guides you in this continual conversation with God. This collection contains over 450 prayers, including some from Meditations Daily Devotional, for the people and situations in your life. Whether you are thinking about your family and friends, your future, or your faith, this book will guide you in prayer.

God may not always respond in obvious or expected ways. Yet, the messages from Scripture included in There’s a Prayer for That assure you that his answers are lovingly given for the good of your soul.

No matter what tomorrow brings, there’s a prayer for that, and there’s a loving Father who wants you to talk to him.

Advent 4

Advent 1

O Lord,
you have established your house and your kingdom forever
through your Son Jesus Christ.
Reveal your saving purpose and your holy love to us,
and move our hearts to faith and obedience;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, newly composed, © 2017

Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects

Prayer Reflecting on the Nunc Dimittis

Old Simeon had peace
for one reason.
He had seen you,
the one he had hoped for
all his life,
the one he waited to see
for many years.
That’s why
he held you in his arms
and sang,
“O baby Jesus,
you are the shining light
of the whole world.
You are Abraham’s
shield and great reward
and the glory of all his children.
Now I can go.
You kept your promise to me.
My tired, old eyes see you now,
but I will see you again
in the greater glory that is coming.”

Source: Paul C. Stratman © 2017

Advent 1

Advent 1

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come.
Keep us watchful and ready for the day and hour of your return.
Empower us with the gifts and strength we need,
and keep us faithful to the end;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, newly composed, © 2017

Now and Forever: Contemporary Collects

A Home Liturgy for All Saints Day

In the history of the Christian Church, All Saints Day, November 1, is a time for visiting graves and remembering the faithful departed. The following may be used at home or when visiting the grave of a family member or friend.

We know that the one who raised the Lord + Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us into his presence. (2 Corinthians 4:14)
Amen.

The following Scriptures or other passages may be read:

Now we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, which is not made by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you told Mary and Martha
that you are the Resurrection and the Life.
You promised your disciples
that you would prepare a place for them.
You promised the repentant thief
that he would be with you in Paradise.
And through the disciple John,
you revealed to us
that you will wipe away every tear from our eyes
in the Day when there is no death or sorrow or crying or pain.
Fill our hearts
with these firm and certain promises.
Comfort us with the assurance
that those who have died in faith
now see you face to face.
Strengthen us
with these words of your gospel;
you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
surrounded by a great multitude that no one can count,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

How blessed are those who live in your house.
They are always praising you.

How blessed is everyone whose strength is found in you.
The highways to Jerusalem are in their hearts.

As they pass through the Valley of Weeping,
it becomes full of springs. 

They go from strength to strength.
Each one will appear before God in Zion.

O LORD, God of Armies, hear my prayer.
Give ear, O God of Jacob.

One day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather wait at the doorway of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

The LORD is a sun and shield.
God gives grace and glory.

The LORD does not withhold any good thing from those who walk with integrity.
O LORD of Armies, how blessed is everyone who trusts in you. (from Psalm 84)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. (Revelation 5:13)

How blessed are those who live in your house.
They are always praising you.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ + Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Amen.

__________

This short rite is based in part on the outline of a short rite in Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers © 2007 by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, you told Mary and Martha…” and the responsory from Psalm 84 are newly composed. “Valley of Weeping” is in the footnote. Biblical text reads “Valley of Baca.” All Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version, © 2017.  www.wartburgproject.com

This “Home Liturgy for All Saints Day” has been translated into Portugese, available at lecionario.com website, and viewable below:

Na história da Igreja Cristã, o Dia de Todos os Santos e o Dia de Finados, 1º e 2 de novembro, são momentos para visitar túmulos e lembrar os fiéis que partiram. A liturgia seguinte pode ser usada em casa ou ao visitar o túmulo de um membro da família ou de um amigo.

Sabemos que Aquele que ressuscitou o Senhor + Jesus também nos ressuscitará com Jesus e nos levará à sua presença. (2 Coríntios 4:14 )
Amém.

As seguintes escrituras ou outras passagens podem ser lidas:

Sabemos que, se esta nossa tenda, nossa casa terrena, for destruída, temos um edifício da parte de Deus, uma casa eterna no céu, não feita por mãos humanas. (2 Coríntios 5:1)

Pois tenho certeza de que nem morte, nem vida, nem anjos, nem autoridades celestiais, nem coisas do presente nem do futuro, nem poderes, nem altura, nem profundidade, nem qualquer outra criatura poderá nos separar do amor de Deus, que está em Cristo Jesus, nosso Senhor. (Romanos 8:38–39)

Palavra do Senhor.
Graças a Deus.

Oremos
Senhor Jesus Cristo,
tu disseste a Maria e a Marta
que tu és a ressurreição e a vida.
Tu prometeste aos teus discípulos
que tu prepararias um lugar para eles.
Tu prometeste ao ladrão arrependido
que ele estaria contigo no paraíso.
E através do discípulo João,
tu nos revelaste
que enxugarás cada lágrima dos nossos olhos
no dia em que não haverá morte, nem tristeza, nem choro, nem dor.
Enche nossos corações
com essas firmas e certas promessas.
Conforta-nos com a garantia
de que aqueles que morreram na fé
agora te veem face a face.
Fortalece-nos
com estas palavras do teu evangelho;
tu, que vives e reinas com o Pai e o Espírito Santo,
cercado por uma grande multidão que ninguém pode contar,
um só Deus, agora e sempre.
Amém.

Como são felizes os que habitam em tua casa,
sempre cantando louvores a ti!

Como são felizes os que de ti recebem forças,
os que decidem percorrer os teus caminhos.

Quando passarem pelo vale do Choro,
ele se transformará num lugar de fontes revigorantes;

Eles continuarão a se fortalecer,
e cada um deles se apresentará diante de Deus, em Sião.

Ó Senhor, Deus dos Exércitos, ouve minha oração;
escuta, ó Deus de Jacó!

Um só dia em teus pátios é melhor que mil dias em qualquer outro lugar.
Prefiro ser porteiro da casa de meu Deus
a viver na morada dos perversos.

Pois o Senhor Deus é nosso sol e nosso escudo;
ele nos dá graça e honra.

O Senhor não negará bem algum àqueles que andam no caminho certo.
Ó Senhor dos Exércitos, como são felizes os que confiam em ti!
(do Salmo 84, NVT)

Glória ao Pai e ao Filho e ao Espírito Santo.
Ao que está assentado no trono e ao Cordeiro sejam o louvor,
a honra, a glória e o domínio pelos séculos dos séculos! 
(Apocalipse 5:13)

Como são felizes os que habitam em tua casa,
sempre cantando louvores a ti!

A paz de Deus, que ultrapassa todo entendimento, guardará o vosso coração e os vossos pensamentos em Cristo + Jesus. (Filipenses 4:7).
Amém.

© 2017 Paul C. Stratman and A Collection of Prayers.

Christian Prayer, Banner

Prayer Reflecting on the Shooting in Las Vegas, October 1

Guard us, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve us from violent men.
Psalm 140

O Lord, you know the minds of all,
and your plans are often hidden from us.
But you have given us this promise:
“For those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28)
We cry out to you,
calm the rage of all who plan evil.
Heal the wounded.
Comfort those who mourn.
Strengthen those who serve.
Draw us closer to you.
Move our hearts to love and mercy,
and our actions to compassion and service.
Remind us all that
“the present form of this world is passing away,” (1 Corinthians 7:31)
and that around your throne,
Good Shepherd,
you will wipe every tear from our eyes. (Revelation 7:17)
Amen.

© 2017 Paul C. Stratman
on A Collection of Prayers

A Wedding Table Prayer

The Wedding of Cana by James Tissot

O dearest Lord Jesus Christ,
you joined a happy couple
at the feast at the wedding of Cana,
and by simply saying, “Fill the jars with water,”
you blessed them with the very best wine.
You revealed your glory,
and your disciples put their faith in you.
Because of your promise
about where two or three gather in your name,
we know you have also joined us today
for the wedding of Renata and Eric.
We pray, in your grace and mercy,
bless them also with your very best.
Reveal your glory to them in Word, Sacrament,
and in the many blessings you give them all their lives.
Always bring them closer to you,
and closer to one another
in the bonds of your love.
Your heavenly Father
is the giver of every good and perfect gift,
and in your name we give him thanks
for the food we are about to receive;
for you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Specially composed prayer for the wedding reception of Renata C. Stratman and Eric Cook, September 2, 2017. © 2017 Paul C. Stratman.