Our Congregation at Prayer

An Order of Meditation and Prayer

(If you are a family meeting together, say the words in bold together.)

(At the name of Jesus () each person may make the sign of the cross over the heart, remembering that we are baptized in the name of the Triune God.)

Invocation

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

The 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.

(Everyone says the verse together. Spend up to two minutes learning the verse by heart. Then the leader reads the Bible lesson.)

Bible Readings

Date / The Gospel of John
January 8 / The Epiphany of our Lord
Monday / John 11:1-16
Tuesday / John 11:17-44
Wednesday / John 11:45-57
Thursday / John 12:1-11
Friday / John 12:12-19
Saturday / John 12:20-36
January 15 / The Baptism of our Lord
See you in church! 8:00 or 10:30

Weekly Prayer: Lord God, by the leading of a star You once made known to the nations Your one and only Son. Guide us, also, who know Him now by faith, to come at last to the perfect joy of Your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

The 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

Petitions for Daily Prayer:

·  Sunday: You guided the Wise Men from the East to Your holy Son, that they might believe and worship their King. Preserve us in the faith so that we are not led astray by cultural trends or man-made philosophies.

·  Monday: By Your holy Word, strengthen us always to believe that Jesus is the Christ, Your Son and our Savior; and believing, grant that we might thankfully make use of Your gifts in accordance with Your will.

·  Tuesday: You preserved the lives of Jesus and His parents when Herod schemed to destroy Him. Protect Your Church from trouble and persecution; and where it is given to Your people to suffer, preserve them by Your grace and Word, that they might trust fully in Christ who has died and is risen to shepherd them.

·  Wednesday: We thank You that You have revealed Jesus to be the Savior of both Jew and Gentile. Bless those whom You have made to be ministers of Your Word, and grant that all of Your people might rejoice to believe in the unsearchable riches of Christ.

·  Thursday: Bless Your Supper among us, that they might receive Your Son’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

·  Friday: Jesus died on a Friday. For Your holy birth and sacrificial death, we thank You, Lord Jesus.

Saturday: Bless Your Supper among us, that they might receive Your Son’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Continue to gather us in until that day when we stand before Your throne in glory forever.

Luther's Morning Prayer

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

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

Catechism for the Week

The Apostle’s Creed – Article 3

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. / All learn
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. / Grade 1+
But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. / Grade 2+
In this Christian Church He daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers. / Grade 3+
On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. / Grade 4+
This is most certainly true. / All