Daily Prayer

Sunday
For the joy of the resurrection among us; for the fruit of faith nourished by the Word and the Sacraments, and for true and godly worship throughout the world.

Monday
For faith to live in the promises of Holy Baptism; for one's calling and daily work; for the unemployed; for the salvation and well-being of our neighbors; for schools, colleges and seminaries; for good government and for peace.

Tuesday
For deliverance against temptation and evil; for the addicted and despairing, the tortured and oppressed; for those struggling with sin.

Wednesday
For marriage and family, that husbands and wives, parents and children live in ordered harmony according to the Word of God; for students and their families, that they might grow in mutual appreciation and trust while separated; for parents who must raise children alone; for our communities and neighborhoods.

Thursday
For the Church and her pastors; for teachers, deacons, and deaconesses, for missionaries, and for all who serve the Church; for fruitful and salutary use of the blessed Sacrament of Christ's body and blood.

Friday
For the preaching of the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the spread of His knowledge throughout the whole world; for the persecuted and oppressed; for the sick, for the wounded and the dying.

Saturday
For faithfulness to the end; or the renewal of those who are withering in the faith or have fallen away; for receptive hearts and minds to God's Word on the Lord's Day; for pastors and people as they prepare to receive Christ's Word and Sacraments.

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

Morning
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the
beginning of this day.  Defend us in the same with Your mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Evening
I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that you would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night.  For into your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things.  Let your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me.  Amen.

Evening
O Lord God, the life of all the living, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, the repose of the blessed dead, grant us a peaceful night free from all disturbance that after a time of quiet slumber we may by Your goodness be endued in the new day with the guidance of Your Holy Spirit and enabled in peace to render thanks to You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Occasional Prayers

For Inspiration
Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that by patience and comfort of Your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

For Inspiration
Grant, we implore You, almighty God, to Your Church, Your Holy Spirit and the wisdom which comes down from above, that Your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ's holy people, so that in steadfast faith we may serve You and in the confession of Your name abide 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.  Amen.

For Peace
O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

For Courage
Lord God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

For Travel
Lord God our Father, You kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, You led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a star You led the Wise Men to the infant Jesus.  Protect and guide us now in this time as we set out to travel, make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home, where You dwell in glory with You Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

For the Lonely
Almighty God, merciful Father, by Word and Sacrament You have created Your Church in this world to be a godly communion and family.  Grant Your blessing to those who dwell in loneliness that they may find a place of solace and pleasant fellowship among people faithful to You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

For Home and Family
Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger.  Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

For the Sick
O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need, look with favor upon Your servant(s), (name[s]).  Assure him/her/them of Your mercy, comfort him/her/them with the awareness of Your goodness, preserve him/her/them from the temptations of the evil one, and give him/her/them patience in his/her/their tribulation.  If it please You, restore him/her/them to health, or give him/her/them grace to accept this affliction; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

For Those who Mourn
Lord God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Giver of life, we thank You for all the mercies You granted to our brother(s) / sister(s), (name[s]), during his/her/their earthly life (lives), especially for calling him/her/them to faith in Jesus Christ.  Comfort the survivors who mourn his/her/their death(s) with the hope of the glorious resurrection and a happy reunion in heaven.  Lead all of us to remember that we are mortal so that we will ever prepare our hearts to fall asleep in faith and finally receive the glory promised to all who trust in Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Prayer of St. Francis
O Lord, make me the instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Lord, grant that we seek
not to be consoled, but to console;
not to be understood, but to understand;
not to be loved, but to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
in forgetting that we find ourselves,
in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen.

St. Patrick's Breastplate
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in the hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind myself unto the name,
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three-in-One and One-in-Three,
Of Whom all nature has creation;
Eternal, Father, Word, and Spirit:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.  Amen.