Tag: wilhelm lohe

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

EvLuthHeritageAd

Christian Prayer, Banner

 

Epiphany Prayer

serve1

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

 

 

EvLuthHeritageAd

 

Remembering Wilhelm Löhe

Wilhelm Loehe.jpg

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 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.

See also Featured Prayers: Pentecost

EvLuthHeritageAdChristian Prayer, Banner

Shine Your Bright Light into Our Hearts

wise-mens-giftsLord 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.

 

EvLuthHeritageAd

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…

 

EvLuthHeritageAd

AncientCollectsAd

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…

 

EvLuthHeritageAd

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.

 

EvLuthHeritageAd

Arise and Shine in My Heart

wilhelm_loeheO Lord Jesus,
Creator of all things,
light of the glory
of the Father in heaven.
I thank you for letting me see
the light of a new day!
Bright Sun of Righteousness,
arise and shine in my heart,
so that I may walk as a child of light as in the day,
and finally see you
in the eternal light of joy everlasting.
Amen.

Source: Wilhelm Löhe. Freely adapted from Seed Grains of Prayer, A Manual for Evangelical Christians, Wartburg Press, Chicago, 1914 (#12)

“O Lord Jesus, Creator of all things,” is a reference to John 1:3

“light of the glory of the Father in heaven” is a reference to John 1:14

“Bright Sun of Righteousness” is a reference to Malachi 4:2

“arise and shine in my heart” is a reference to 2 Peter 1:19

“so that I may walk as a child of light” is a reference to Ephesians 5:8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Original in German:

O Herr Jesu, Du Schöpfer aller Dinge, Du Glanz der Herrlichkeit Deines himmlischen Vaters, ich danke Dir von Herzen, daß Du mich das fröhliche Sonnenlicht wieder schauen lässest. O Du helle Sonne der Gerechtigkeit, geh auch in meinem Herzen auf, damit ich in Deinem Glanze als ein Kind des Lichtes und als am Tage wandeln und Dich dermaleins im ewigen Freudenlichte selig schauen möge! Amen

https://books.google.com/books?id=yw5kAAAAcAAJ&pg=PR12&dq=Samenk%C3%B6rner+des+Gebets&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwijxLn63v7UAhXKPz4KHax4C9UQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

EvLuthHeritageAdChristian Prayer, Banner