Merciful Father, You gave Your Son Jesus as the heavenly bread of life. Grant us faith to feast on Him in Your Word and Sacraments that we may be nourished unto life everlasting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Jesus Is the Bread of Life Read More »
Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Lord Jesus Christ, whose grace always precedes and follows us, help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain and to find in You our heavenly treasure; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Merciful Father, Your patience and loving-kindness toward us have no end. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may always think and do those things that are pleasing 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!
The Reason for Everything Read More »
O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
Resurrection Wonder Read More »
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!
“In Him was life” (John 1:4). If you have ever had the opportunity to witness the birth of a child, it’s difficult to not be in awe of a new life entering the world. A newborn baby is full of life! Yet the Christ Child born that first Christmas is full of life in an even greater way. This child, the Word made flesh, is born, lives, dies, and rises to give life to the world. “In Him was life.” In Jesus is life for Mary, life for Joseph, life for the shepherds, life for those in Bethlehem, life for the Jews, life for the Gentiles, life for all, life for you. This Christmas, when you see the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger, rejoice that “in Him was life”! Amen.
Jesus, The Firstfruit of Jesse’s Tree Read More »
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the coming solemnity of your Son may bestow healing upon us in this present life and bring us the rewards of life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen!
Jesse’s Tree: The Water of Life Read More »
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He has chosen believers to be His own through faith. We are indeed a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). Even so, as we traverse our days on this sinful earth, we can expect trials and tribulations to come our way. One of God’s chosen disciples, Stephen, experienced such trials in the ultimate way. As he preached the law, he was rejected and stoned to death. However, God was preparing a home for Stephen as He is for all believers. Jesus promises that He will come again and take us home to Himself in heaven. Rejoice in our resurrected Savior as we focus our eyes heavenward!
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
