A Prayer After the Sermon

We thank you, merciful God and Father, that you have brought us to know you and your Son by your Spirit and Word and have caused your Word to be proclaimed to us. Grant that we, having received Christ Jesus the Lord, may live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith, as we were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. But since we, through ignorance, unthankfulness, and discontent, do not obey you as we should, we implore you, O Lord, remember your great mercy and have compassion on us. Teach us truly to know our sins, sincerely to repent, and to amend our life. Strengthen the ministers to preach your holy Word faithfully and steadfastly. Likewise, Lord, give strength to all civil authorities, that they may use the sword entrusted to them in justice and equity.

Keep us, we implore you, from all hypocrisy and unfaithfulness, and frustrate all evil and subtle designs against your Word and your church. O Lord, do not withdraw from us your Word and Spirit, but grant us a strong faith, patience, and steadfastness in all suffering and adversity. Help and sustain your church, and deliver your people from opposition, ridicule, and tyranny. We pray in particular for _____ . Strengthen those who are weak and burdened with sorrow. Grant us your peace through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who gave us this sure promise: I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Amen.

(Or: … who taught us to pray, Our Father … )

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