Rite – A Collection of Prayers

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.

The Itinerarium

The Itinerarium is a short service similiar to the Suffrages, which included special prayers for travel.

Into the way of peace.

THE BENEDICTUS (Luke 1:68-79)

Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited us and prepared redemption for his people.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,
just as he said long ago through the mouth of his holy prophets.
He raised up salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
in order to show mercy to our fathers by remembering his holy covenant,
the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,
to grant deliverance to us from the hand of our enemies,
that we are able to serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
because you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins,
because of God’s tender mercies,
by which the Rising Sun from on high will visit us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

May the almighty and merciful Lord lead us into the way of peace, and may his holy angels be with us on our way that that we may come to our home again in peace, health, and gladness.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

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

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

PRECES (Responsive Verses)

O God, save your servants who trust in you. (Psalm 86:2)
O Lord, send us help from the holy place. Support us from Zion. (Psalm 20:2)

You have been a refuge for us, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy. (Psalm 61:3)
Do not let the enemy overcome us. Do not let our foes rejoice when we fall. (from Psalm 13:4)

Blessed be the Lord.
Day by day he bears our burdens. He is the God who saves us. (Psalm 68:19)

Make known to us your ways, O Lord.
Teach us your paths. (Psalm 25:4)

If only our ways were unwavering in keeping your statutes! (Psalm 119:5)
The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain. (Isaiah 40:4)

He will give a command to his angels concerning you,
to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)

O Lord, hear my prayer,
and let my cry for help come to you. (Psalm 102:1)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

(One or more of the following prayers may be read.)

O God, you made the children of Israel walk with dry feet through the midst of the sea, and by the guiding of a star you showed the wise men from the east the way that led to you. Grant us a safe and quiet journey. Let your holy angel accompany us during our pilgrimage, that in the end we may attain the haven of eternal salvation.

O God, you called your servant Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, and you kept him from evil on all the paths of his pilgrimage. O Lord, keep us. Be our help when we go forward, our comfort by the way, our shadow from the heat, our covering from the rain and the cold, our chariot when we are weary, our refuge in trouble, our staff on uncertain paths, our safety in disaster. Lead us that we may happily reach our destination and return home safely.

O Lord, direct our journeys in the safe path that leads to salvation in you, that with the many changes of this life’s pilgrimage your protection may always shield us.

O almighty God, guide your family on the path of salvation, and by listening to the preaching of the blessed forerunner John the Baptist, we may behold the Lamb whom John pointed to, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Let us go forth in peace.
In the name of the Lord. Amen.

Source: Freely modified from http://preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/Varia/Itinerarium.html. See the article on the Itinerarium in the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia.

The same rite is also found in the Breviary Offices of Sarum.

Scripture is from the Evangelical Heritage Version (www.wartburgproject.org).

The couplet, “Blessed be the Lord. Day by day …” in the original is “V. Blessed be the Lord daily. R. The God of our salvation maketh our way prosperous.”

The end of the prayer “O God, you called your servant Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees…” “our safety in disaster” in the original reads “our refuge in shipwreck.”

The Lutheran Hymnary

The Lutheran Hymnary was published in 1913 by American Lutheran church bodies that were of Norwegian heritage. The first setting of the Divine Service is quite different from the Common Service tradition, reflecting the traditions in Norwegian Lutheran worship.

The second setting of the Divine Service, along with Vespers were taken and slightly modified from the Evangelical-Lutheran Hymn-Book (1913), from Concordia Publishing House, and have mostly the same music that would later appear in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941).

The Lutheran Hymnary did not have a large liturgical or prayer section like The Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church. However, it did have some unique gems such as the prayers in the first setting of the Divine Service and the Exhortation in both settings tlhy_title_page of the communion services. So we make the texts available here. Along with the services below, The Lutheran Hymnary also included a musical version of the Litany, nearly identical in text to the one in Common Service Book, and a selection of psalms. Along with the traditional introits and collects, The Lutheran Hymnary also included the collects of Veit Dietrich, which are also included below, and are also available here on A Collection of Prayers in revised form.

The Lutheran Hymnary is available in graphic pdf format on Google Books and on Archive.org.

The Lutheran Hymnary

The Order of Morning Service (I) [pdf] [docx]
The Evening Service (I) [pdf] [docx]
The Order of Morning Service, or The Communion (II) [pdf] [docx]
- Updated version in contemporary English [pdf] [docx]
Order of Evening Service, or Vespers (II) [pdf] [docx]
- Updated version in contemporary English [pdf] [docx]
The Collects of Veit Dietrich (Traditional English) [pdf] [docx]

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.

A Morning Commendation

Short prayers to be committed unto perfect memory for our first Holy Exercise in the beginning of the day.

__________

When we first awake.

Light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. (Psalm 13:3)

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. (Ephesians 5:14)

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (Psalm 119:18)

At our uprising.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity now and for evermore.

Or this.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified for me, I arise from my own rest to do him service. By His Cross and Passion, may he save me, bless me, govern me and keep me this day and forever. Amen.

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. (Psalm 3:5)

At apparelling.

Clothe me with the garments of salvation; cover me with the robe of righteousness. (From Isaiah 61:10)

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:14)

At the washing of our hands.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (Psalm 51:2)

Cleanse me, O Lord, in the bright fountain of your mercy, and water me with the dew of your abundant grace, that being purified from my sins I may grow up in good works truly serving you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.

And then humbly commending ourselves to God’s protection upon our knees.

Into the hands of your blessed protection and boundless mercy, O Lord, I commend this day my soul and my body,with all the faculties, powers and actions of them both. Always be with me to direct, sanctify and govern me in the ways of your laws and in the works of your commandments, that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, I may be preserved in body and soul to serve you, the only true God, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen

Source: Modified from Collection of Private Devotions in the Practice of the Ancient Church, Called the Hours of Prayer, Ed. John Cosin, James Parker & Co, 1867, p. 47-49

The final prayer is also found in the Sarum Psalter.

Mozarabic Evening Prayer

In the name of Jesus + Christ our Lord, light and peace be with us.
Amen.

Sentence for Advent:
The Lord comes,
who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

Sentence for Christmas to Epiphany:
The sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness. (Luke 1:78-79)

Sentence for Epiphany to Septuagesima:
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Sentence for Septuagesima to Lent:
Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes. (Psalm 119:135)

Sentence for Lent:
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us. (Psalm 67:1)

Sentence for Easter to Ascension:
Christ Jesus, has abolished death
and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:10)

Sentence for Ascension to Pentecost:
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! (Psalm 43:3)

Sentence for Pentecost to Trinity:
With you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light. (Psalm 36:9)

Sentence for Trinity to Advent:
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5,7)

Sentence for Minor Festivals:
Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart. (Psalm 97:11)

One of the Penitential Psalms may be said with accompanying prayers.
The Psalm concludes:

Glory and honor be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised! (Psalm 113:3)

Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forevermore.
the name of the Lord is to be praised!

A Psalm may be said, followed by the Gloria.

An Old Testament Lesson may be read. Before it shall be said:

The blessing of God almighty, who long ago spoke to our fathers by the prophets, be on you who hear his holy Word.
And upon you who read it.

A New Testament Lesson may be read. Before it shall be said:

The blessing of God almighty, who in these last days has spoken to us by his Son, be on you who hear his holy Word.
And upon you who read it.

After the Lesson, the Benedictus or a suitable hymn may be sung.

Then the Apostles’ Creed shall be said:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

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

Then the Lord’s Prayer shall be said.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. [1] Amen.

Deliver us from evil, and confirm in us your faith, O Triune God, and let us constantly serve you, our God and Lord, who lives and governs all things, forever and ever.
Amen.

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation. (Psalm 85:7)

O Lord, save our country,
And hear us when we call to you.

Let your servants be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy. (Psalm 132:9)

Oh, save your people
and bless your heritage! (Psalm 28:9)

Give peace in our time, O Lord.
You alone, O Lord, make us dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

A Prayer for Peace
O God, all good things come from you.
Strengthen your people against all troubles
and fill them with your peace,
so they may worship you with a quiet mind,
and forgetting all earthly troubles,
may give you honor and praise;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

A Prayer for Help in Troubles
O Lord, you have preserved us during the labors of the day.
Guard us through the dangers of the night.
Let your Holy Spirit watch over us,
and be our defense, now and forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Other prayers may be said, after which follows:
May the Lord hear us and bless us.
May he save us from our spiritual enemy and from all that is evil,
and keep us under the shadow of his wings, this night, and forevermore;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

In the name of Jesus + Christ our Lord, let us have quiet sleep this night, and rest in peace.
Amen.

[1] In some liturgical traditions, the doxology of the Lord’s Prayer is omitted, or when used, it is used as a response.

Source: Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 61

Mozarabic Morning Prayer

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, light and peace be with us.
Amen.

Sentence for Advent:
The Lord comes,
who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

Sentence for Christmas to Epiphany:
The sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness. (Luke 1:78-79)

Sentence for Epiphany to Septuagesima:
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Sentence for Septuagesima to Lent:
Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes. (Psalm 119:135)

Sentence for Lent:
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us. (Psalm 67:1)

Sentence for Easter to Ascension:
Christ Jesus, has abolished death
and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:10)

Sentence for Ascension to Pentecost:
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! (Psalm 43:3)

Sentence for Pentecost to Trinity:
With you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light. (Psalm 36:9)

Sentence for Trinity to Advent:
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5,7)

Sentence for Minor Festivals:
Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart. (Psalm 97:11)

One of the Penitential Psalms may be said with accompanying prayers.
The Psalm concludes:

Glory and honor be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised! (Psalm 113:3)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

Deliver us from evil, and confirm in us your faith, O Triune God, and let us constantly serve you, our God and Lord, who lives and governs all things, forever and ever.
Amen.

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation. (Psalm 85:7)

O Lord, save our country,
And hear us when we call to you.

Let your servants be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy. (Psalm 132:9)

Oh, save your people
and bless your heritage! (Psalm 28:9)

Give peace in our time, O Lord.
You alone, O Lord, make us dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

Create in us clean hearts, O God,
Do not take your Holy Spirit from us. (Psalm 51:10-11)

The Prayer of the Day follows, after which another prayer for the season may be said.

Then the following prayers shall be said:

A Prayer for Peace
O God, you are the author of peace.
Spread abroad your peace in our hearts and minds,
guard and protect us in all danger,
and lead us to always trust in your defense,
that we may serve you without fear
all the days of our life;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

A Prayer for Grace
O Lord Jesus Christ,
you took on yourself the weakness of our mortal nature.
Grant that we may pass this day in safety without sin,
resisting all the temptations of the enemy,
that in the evening, we may joyfully praise you,
O King eternal, through your mercy.
O our God, you are blessed, and live and rule over all things,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Other prayers may be said, after which follows:
May the everlasting God bless us this day.
May he save and defend us from all that is evil,
and make us partakers of his heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

In the name of Jesus + Christ our Lord, let us go to the work to which we are called this day, in peace.
Amen.
[1] In some liturgical traditions, the doxology of the Lord’s Prayer is omitted, or when used, it is used as a response.

Source: Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 61

Commendation of the Dying

When a Christian is near death, the following Order may be used. If no Minister is present it may be used by the head of the family or by any other Christian.

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

Then shall all present say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

The Minister says:

O Lord God, our heavenly Father, graciously look on this your servant, [name]. Forgive him all his sins, mercifully defend him in the hour of his death, and grant him eternal life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

O Christ, Son of God, for [name] you bore the pain of the cross and died for his sins, have mercy on him, forgive him all his sins, and keep him steadfast in faith.
Amen.

or the Litany for the Dying may be said:

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

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

From your wrath,
from an evil death,
from the pains of hell,
from the power of the devil,
from all evil, good Lord, deliver him.

By your holy nativity,
by your agony and bloody sweat,
by your cross and passion,
by your glorious resurrection and ascension,
by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, help him, good Lord.

In the hour of death,
and in the day of judgment, help him, good Lord.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, Lord God.
We pray that you would spare him. Hear us, good Lord.

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

Then one or more Psalms or Scripture Lessons may be read.

Psalm 16

Guard me, O God, for I take refuge in you.
²I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.
I have no good apart from you.”
³The holy ones who are in the land are glorious.
All my delight is in them.
⁴Those who chase after another god will increase their sorrows.
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood.
I will not take up their names on my lips.
⁵Lord, you are the cup that has been given to me.
You have secured an allotment for me.
⁶The property lines chosen for me fall in pleasant places.
Yes, a delightful inheritance is mine.
⁷I will bless the Lord, who guides me.
Even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
⁹Therefore my heart is glad,
and my whole being rejoices.
Even my flesh will dwell securely
¹⁰ because you will not abandon my life to the grave.
You will not let your favored one see decay.
¹¹You have made known to me the path of life,
fullness of joy in your presence,
pleasures at your right hand forever.

Psalm 23 (ESV)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
³He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
⁴Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
⁵You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

John 10:14-18, 27-30

¹⁴“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me ¹⁵(just as the Father knows me and I know the Father). And I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I also have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. ¹⁸No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This is the commission I received from my Father.” … ²⁷My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰I and the Father are one.”

John 14:1-4

“Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that you may also be where I am. ⁴You know where I am going, and you know the way.”

When the end is near, the Agnus Dei and/or the Nunc Dimittis may be said.

Agnus Dei

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

Nunc Dimittis

Lord, now you let your servant
depart in peace according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all people,
a light to lighten the Gentiles
and the glory of your people Israel.

The Minister lays his hand on the head of the dying believer, and says:

Depart in peace, ransomed soul,
in the name of God the Father almighty who created you,
in the name of Jesus + Christ, the Son of the living God, who redeemed you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit, who sanctified you.

Come now to Mount Zion, the city of the living God;
to the heavenly Jerusalem;
to tens of thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
to the church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven. (Hebrews 12:21-23)

The Lord will watch over your your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen. (Psalm 121:8)

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and + give you peace.
Amen.

When the soul has departed, the following Prayer may be said:

Lord Jesus, Prince of Life, we thank you that you kept our brother steadfast in repentance and faith, and that you have now taken him to yourself. Comfort us who remain. Help us to the end of life to bear its burdens and trials patiently, and when our last hour comes, be the strength of our heart and our portion forever; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

or:

Almighty, eternal and most merciful God, you summon and take us out of this sinful and corrupt world to yourself through death so that we may not perish or continue in sin, but pass through death to life eternal. Help us to know and believe this with our whole heart that we may rejoice in our departure and at your call cheerfully enter your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.

The blessing of almighty God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen.

Source: Modified from Common Service Book, 1888, 1917. Elements from other commendation rites are also included.

Litany for the Dying: 16th century Kirchenordnung, the Church Book, in Oremus, 1925, ed. by Paul Zeller Strodach, freely modified.

Scripture (except for Psalm 23 and Psalm 121:8) is taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version, www.wartburgproject.com.

“O Christ, Son of God, for _____ you bore…” “Depart in peace, ransomed soul…” through Psalm 121:8, and the prayer “Almighty, eternal and most merciful God…” are modified from The Lutheran Hymnal, p. 119

A version of this rite may be imported into Christian Worship: Service Builder.

A version of this rite is also available in Christian Worship: Service Builder with selectable options.

This is available as a pdf, formatted for printing as a booklet. The margins that appear uneven and wide make it possible to print as a booklet and insert it into the front or back cover of a small Bible or prayer book. After folding into a booklet, trim to about 4.25″ x 6″.

The Evening Suffrages

INVOCATION

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

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

LORD’S PRAYER

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

LESSONS AND PSALM

PRECES (Responsive Verses)

Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our ancestors,
and to be praised and highly exalted forever; (Song of the Three Holy Children, 29)

Let us praise the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
We praise and magnify him forever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven
and worthy of great praise, to be sung and glorified forever. (Psalm 145:3 and Song of the Three Holy Children, 34)

The almighty and merciful Lord bless and preserve us.
Amen.

O Lord, preserve us this night,
and keep us from all sin.

Have mercy on us, Lord,
have mercy on us.

May your mercy, O Lord, be on us,
even as we wait confidently for you. (Psalm 33:22)

O Lord, hear my prayer,
and let my cry for help come to you. (Psalm 102:1)

PRAYER FOR PEACE

O God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you. Give your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. Defend us from the fear of our enemies, that we may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.
Amen.

Additional prayers may be prayed here.

EVENING PRAYER

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day. Forgive me all my sins, and graciously keep me this night. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

BLESSING

The grace of our Lord + Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen.

This version of the suffrages combines elements from Common Service Book (1919) and The Lutheran Hymnal (1941)

Scriptures are from the Evangelical Heritage Version (www.wartburgproject.org)

Quotes from The Song of the Three Holy Children are from The Apocrypha, The Lutheran Edition with Notes.

The Morning Suffrages

INVOCATION

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

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

LORD’S PRAYER

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

LESSONS AND PSALM

PRECES (Responsive Verses)

I cry to you, O Lord,
and in the morning my prayer comes before you. (Psalm 88:13)

My mouth is filled with praise for you
and with your splendor all day long. (Psalm 71:8)

Hide your face from my sins.
Erase all my guilty deeds. (Psalm 51:9)

Create in me a pure heart, O God.
Renew an unwavering spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Do not cast me from your presence.
Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalm 51:11)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
Sustain me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:12)

O Lord, preserve us this day,
and keep us from all sin.

Have mercy on us, Lord,
have mercy on us.

May your mercy, O Lord, be on us,
even as we wait confidently for you. (Psalm 33:22)

O Lord, hear my prayer,
and let my cry for help come to you. (Psalm 102:1)

PRAYER FOR GRACE

Lord God, almighty Father, eternal God, you have brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us today with your saving power so that we neither fall into sin nor run into any danger, but in everything we do, subject our words and direct our thoughts to what is right in your sight; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Additional prayers may be prayed here.

MORNING PRAYER

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

BLESSING

The grace of our Lord + Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen.

This version of the suffrages combines elements from Common Service Book (1919) and The Lutheran Hymnal (1941)

Scriptures are from the Evangelical Heritage Version (www.wartburgproject.org)