Heavenly Father,You created the universe and that is it in it with the power of Your Word. By that same creative Word, you speak life into our spiritually dead lives to give us new life in Jesus. Thank you for our lives both body and spirit.

Though You are my creator and redeemer, I confess that I have sinned against You and against my neighbor. I have not always loved my brothers and sisters in Christ as I should and I have not always used the gifts, resources, and talents You have given me for Your Kingdom.

(take a moment to reflect on the past day and confess your sins.)

I am sorry for my sins and pray for Your great mercy. For the sake of Jesus Christ, please forgive me of all my sins.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

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 forever and ever.

Amen

Prayer of the Day:

Heavenly Father,

You have rescued us from the kingdom of the world and made us citizens of the Kingdom of God. You have gathered Your people from all nations and joined us together as one body, unified in Christ Jesus.

Bind Your church together. Help us to love one another with the same selfless love You have showed us. Help us to forgive one another as You have forgiven us. Help us to speak Your Word to each other to build each other up, sharpen our understanding, grow in our faith, and grow in love.

You have given each of us talents, spiritual gifts, unique resources, and purpose. As a body has many parts which work together for the good of the whole body, help us, as your church to work together for Your glory and the good of Your church. Give us strength to use the talents, gifts, and resources for Your purposes and trust You will work through them.

You have also put us in a specific location. Help us to see the needs of our community and serve them in Your Name that they may glorify You. Individually, help us to see the opportunities You have provided in our work and neighborhoods to be Your ambassadors. May we bring Your message of reconciliation.

We ask for Your blessings upon the church around the world and the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church. Strengthen us in our faith and bless the ministries we engage in. 

Amen.

The Psalms:

The Psalms have long been considered the prayer book of the Bible and have been used as prayers by countless Christians over the centuries. So, we join them in this practice and pray a Psalm.

Psalm 67

(Take a few moments to lift up any other things that may be on your heart today.)

Conclude your time of prayer with either Luther’s morning or evening prayer, depending on what time of day it is.

Luther’s 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; 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.

Luther’s Evening Prayer:

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray You to 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 wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.