21st Century – Page 8 – A Collection of Prayers

Rites for the Lighting of an Advent Wreath

This set of rites for the lighting of an Advent wreath follows the thematic pattern used by many lectionaries for the Advent season: Readiness, Repentance, Rejoicing, and Christ Revealed in the Flesh. The third set of versicles in each rite emphasizes that it is Christ himself who makes his people ready by his Word and work. The rites are intended to be used after a general welcome and before the opening hymn. The rites may be used at other times in a worship service. The rubric “N Advent candle(s) is/are lit during the OPENING HYMN” may be adapted as needed. Please contact for any commercial usage.

CW.Advent 1

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Readiness”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

Our Savior Jesus said, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44)
All will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)

Christ himself has given apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers to make God’s people ready for works of service. (Ephesians 4:11)
He will strengthen our hands to do his work and open our lips to declare his praise. (Psalm 51:15)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you strengthen us that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. With Word and Sacrament, make ready our hearts. Make us ready to receive your Word and live by it daily. Make us ready to live our faith through love and service. And finally, make us ready to meet you face to face on the day your Son comes to judge the living and the dead; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

One Advent candle is lit during the opening hymn.
__________

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Repentance”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

John the Baptist called out in the wilderness: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matthew 3:2,3)

Christ himself has given us the power for repentance. By his holy life and innocent death he has conquered Satan and sin and is able to help us when we are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
He reigns in our lives with his grace and bring us to eternal life. (Romans 5:21)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your holy Word has called us to repent of sin and walk in your path of righteousness. For the sake of Jesus Christ, you have not quickly judged the world for sin, but have given all a time of grace, and a call to turn from evil ways. By the power of your Spirit, turn our hearts to you. Make us grow in our obedience to your Word. In Jesus, you have revealed to us your holy love. Move us to love one another as he has loved us, and to serve one another as if we were serving you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Two Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.
__________

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Rejoicing”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest. (Isaiah 9:3)

Christ himself has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, shattering the yoke of sin that burdened us. (Isaiah 53:4)
He restores to us the joy of salvation and grant us willing spirits. By his stripes our weary souls are healed. (Psalm 51:12, Isaiah 53:5)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you give strength to the weary and pronounce blessings on those who mourn. You have sent us a Savior. You have made us your people. Fill our hearts with joy that flows from the forgiveness of our sins, joy powered by the resurrection of our living Savior, that we may shine like the stars of the heavens, bringing glory to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Three Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.
__________

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Christ Revealed in the Flesh”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Christ himself has come down from heaven, has become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and has become truly human.
He shared in our humanity. By his death destroyed the devil and the power of death, and freed us from fear and slavery forever. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your Son, our Savior, Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among us. In him you have revealed yourself, your love, and your plan for all humanity. By his Word, make us ready for his coming. Keep our hearts repentant, constantly turning to your path of righteousness. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and uphold us with your free Spirit; through him who came to give himself to us and to make us his own, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Four Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.

Prayer Before a Funeral

Lord Jesus,
help us to remember you,
your holy life,
your innocent death,
your glorious resurrection,
all that you did to redeem us
and make us your own.

Lord Jesus,
help us to remember your holy Word,
that those who believe in you
have crossed over from death to life,
and that you will raise us up on the last day.

Lord Jesus,
help us to remember
what your gracious promises tell us
about what is to come,
that nothing in all creation
will separate us from your love,
and that one day you will wipe away all our tears
in your kingdom
where there will be no more mourning
or crying or pain.

Make these your truths our solid, and unmovable comfort,
so that with steadfast faith
we face any hardship,
and in spite of our tears,
find joy in you, your Word, your promise.
Amen.

This translation is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for permission for any commercial use.

Prayer Reflecting on Violence in Milwaukee, August 13-14, 2016

O, dear Lord Jesus Christ,
you told your disciples,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
When we see violence instead of peace,
it is so tempting to let our hearts be troubled and afraid.
That Thursday night in that upper room
the peace you spoke of was the peace of forgiveness,
the peace of being connected to you,
the peace of being children of God in faith.
Turn our eyes to your cross
to remember how from the violence of your cross
you brought forth peace and reconciliation for the world.
Renew in our hearts the peace you promised,
and make us your people who share that peace.
Guide us so that when we feel frustrated and angry,
we still seek to glorify you
and love and serve our neighbors.
From your holy Gospel,
bring your peace and reconciliation
to individual hearts,
and so dispel trouble and calm fear;
in your most holy name we ask it.
Amen.

Shortened:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you told your disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.’ (John 14) When we see violence instead of peace, we are tempted to let our hearts be troubled and afraid. Turn our eyes to your cross and remind us how from the violence of your cross you brought forth peace and reconciliation for the world. Renew in our hearts the peace you promised, and make us your people who share that peace. From your holy Gospel, bring your peace to people’s hearts, and so dispel trouble and calm fear; in your most holy name we ask it. Amen.

Prayer Reflecting on Violence in Milwaukee, August 13-14, 2016 by Paul C. Stratman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for any commercial usage.

Prayer Reflecting on Luke 12:32-40

Gracious Father, your Son Jesus told us that you are pleased to give us your kingdom. Let your rule in our hearts transform us from people who live to serve self to obedient subjects of you, our King, ready and willing to serve.

Lord Jesus, you told us to be dressed and ready for service. Clothe us in your righteousness and in your power. Transform our wills so that we are willing, able and ready to do the tasks you have given us, and to fulfill the roles you have given us.

Holy Spirit, with your gift of faith in the Word, promise, and command of God, you make us ready: ready to praise, ready for service, and ready for our Master’s glory. Move us to open this Word before our eyes and hear it with our ears and take it to heart so that our faith may have its food and fuel to trust and to act, to will and to do your good, gracious and perfect will.

Most Holy Trinity, we live in a world where we see self-service, self-indulgence, and anger everywhere, even within our own hearts. Remind us daily that you have called us out and set us apart to be your own to live, love, and serve as your servants and your children. Make us heralds and witnesses of your Word and instruments of your peace.

Special petitions and intercessions may be prayed here.

With your promise and with your calling, renew faith, hope and love in us. Renew our devotion and our desire to serve you as our gracious Master and King, for all kingdom, power and glory are yours, even as you have taught us to pray:

C: Our Father in heaven….

“Prayer Reflecting on Luke 12:32-40” by Paul C. Stratman licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for any commercial usage.

Lord Jesus…

Lord Jesus, be my rest.
Lord Jesus, be my pardon.
Lord Jesus, be my peace.
Lord Jesus, be my comfort.
Lord Jesus, be my assurance.
Lord Jesus, be my hope.
Lord Jesus, be my power.
Lord Jesus, be my life.

Source: Paul C. Stratman

This prayer reflects on Matthew 11:28 (“rest”), Matthew 9:2 (“pardon”), John 14:27 (“peace”), Matthew 5:4 (“comfort”), Acts 17:31 (“assurance”), Romans 12:12 (“hope”), Luke 24:49 (“power”), Matthew 10:39 (“life”)

“Lord Jesus” prayer by Paul C. Stratman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for any commercial usage.

Watch, Lord, with Us

Watch, Lord, with us,
lest we fall into temptation and despair
in the darkness of this world.
Watch, Lord, with us,
lest we fall into any kind of danger
in the darkness of this night.
Let your Word be the lamp to our feet
and the light for our path,
our guide through the darkness
and our hope in the midst of despair.
Keep the lamp of your Word
shining brightly in our hearts
in the dark night of the world.
You, Jesus, are the light no darkness can overcome,
and you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman, 2016

“Watch, Lord, with us” is a reference to Matthew 26:41

“Let your Word be the lamp to our feet” is a reference to Psalm 119:105

“You, Jesus, are the light no darkness can overcome” is a reference to John 1:5

This prayer is inspired in part by the poetic prayers of Georg Christian Dieffenbach (1822-1901) and some elements of prayers from the Antiphonary of Bangor (9th Century).

Latin version:

Vigilate, Domine, nobiscum,
ne incidamus in desperationem
in tentationem et tenebrarum mundi.
Vigilate, Domine, nobiscum,
ne incidamus in aliquam periculo noctis
huius caliginem destruendam.
Verbum tuum lux pedibus nostris
verbum tuum et lumen semitis nostris,
lux in medio tenebras,
spes in medio desperatio.
Effulgens custodi verbum tuum in cordibus nostris
lucerna mundi tenebris noctis excitabatur.
Tu, Jesu sis lux tenebrae non conprehendit,
etcum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas Deus,
per omnia sæcula sæculorum.

Prayer for Healing while Hospitalized

Gracious Father,
all health and healing are gifts from your hand.
We pray for N,
give his doctors and nurses the wisdom and skill
as they work for his healing*.
While he waits and faces many unknowns,
calm all doubts and fears with the Word of your promise
that nothing can separate us from your love
that is ours in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39).
Speed N’s healing if it is your will,
and give him an extra measure of patience
as he waits for you to work all these things for his good (Romans 8:28);
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Paul C. Stratman

* “as they work for his healing” can be made more specific, “as they do tests to find what is wrong,” or “as they perform surgery”

Prayer for Healing while Hospitalized by Paul C. Stratman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for any commercial usage.

Prayer Reflecting on the Terror Attack in Nice, France

O God,
gracious God,
when you first spoke to Noah before the great flood,
you said, “This earth is full of violence
because of the people” (Genesis 6:13).
We know that the violence we see now,
you have seen, too.
Lord, have mercy.

You holy Word also says
you are slow in bringing judgment
because you are patient
and do not want any to perish
but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Christ, have mercy.

Soften the hearts
of those who would cause terror
and lead them to you, and to repentance and peace.
Open the eyes and ears
of those who have forgotten about you,
that they may call on you and be saved.
Lord, have mercy.

Move our hearts to mercy,
comfort the victims,
heal the wounded,
bring evildoers to justice,
soften our hearts,
open our eyes;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer Reflecting on the Terror Attack in Nice, France July 14, 2016 by Paul C. Stratman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for any commercial usage.

In block paragraphs:

O God, gracious God, when you first spoke to Noah before the great flood, you said, “This earth is full of violence because of the people” (Genesis 6:13). We know that the violence we see now, you have seen, too. Lord, have mercy.

You holy Word also says you are slow in bringing judgment because you are patient and do not want any to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Christ, have mercy.

Soften the hearts of those who would cause terror and lead them to you, and to repentance and peace. Open the eyes and ears of those who have forgotten about you, that they may call on you and be saved. Lord, have mercy.

Move our hearts to mercy, comfort the victims, heal the wounded, bring evildoers to justice, soften our hearts, open our eyes; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Reflecting on the Terror Attack in Nice, France July 14, 2016 by Paul C. Stratman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Prayer Reflecting on the Shooting in Dallas, Texas, July 8, 2016

Father in heaven, your holy Word tells us to mourn with those who mourn, and to not repay evil with evil, but to overcome evil with good (Romans 12).

Your Word also tells us that those who serve to guard and protect us are your servants who work and act for our good (Romans 13).

Day by day your people pray “Deliver us from evil.” It grieves us to see evil and violence. We are grieved once again by the shooting of police officers Dallas, Texas.

We pray for those who live with anger—move them to seek help and move friends, family and others who sense that anger to help them.
We pray for those who were injured—if it is your will, speed the healing of wounds to body and mind.
We pray for those who have the duty to protect and serve—give them strength to do their work with perseverance and patience.
We pray for the friends and families of those who were killed—draw them to yourself. Lead them to find comfort, hope, healing and peace in you.
We also pray that we may give faithful witness for the hope that we have, with gentleness and respect, that those around us may be led by us to you, and that they may be moved and enlightened by your gospel of peace.

…through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer Reflecting on the Shooting in Dallas, Texas, July 8, 2016 by Paul C. Stratman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for any commercial usage.

Intercession for those who Struggle with Loss or Crisis

Compassionate Father,
we pray for those who struggle with loss
and are weighed down by temptations to despair.
Drive away their darkness with the light of Christ
who came to bear our griefs and carry our sorrows.
Cheer their hearts with the goodness
of your many blessings they still enjoy.
Remind them despite their losses
that they will not lose the treasure of Christ
or his gospel that declares them his own.

Source: From The St. Stephen’s Breviary: Short Prayers for Many Occasions, St. Stephen’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Prayers were written by Pastor Paul C. Stratman.

This work is licensed by Pastor Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please contact for any commercial usage.