Prayer in Times of Dearth and Famine

Almighty and gracious God, Who makest the earth to yield its increase for the sustenance and nourishment of man and beast: We have turned away from us Thy blessing through our sins, and the land is languishing from hunger. Lord God, look upon our need. O Lord, graciously lighten this punishment that we despair not. Make us patient and submissive. Bless our small provision. Bless the earth again with fruitfulness; grant seasonable weather; supply our need; and help us ever henceforth to use Thy gifts with thankfulness and moderation. Give us also with our daily bread nourishment for the soul, and we shall praise Thee now and throughout all eternity; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Sick

Almighty and eternal God, Thou art the health and strength of them that trust in Thee. We pray Thee that Thou wouldst look in mercy upon the sick and the needy. Turn their distress unto good, and if it be Thy will, restore them to health. But above all give them healing for the soul through Thy Holy Word. Help them by the remembrance of the bitter passion of Thy Son patiently to bear the affliction with which Thou hast visited them. And finally, when their hour is come, deliver them from all evil and bring them safe to Thy heavenly kingdom; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer in Times of Plagne

Eternal and righteous God! We bow before Thee and confess our sins with penitent hearts. We are deserving of the affliction of this plague with which Thou hast visited us. But we invoke Thy mercy; O Lord, be gracious unto us and spare us. Deal not with us after our sins, nor reward us after our iniquities. Save us from the visitation which is spreading terror, bereavement, and sorrow among us. Teach us to bear Thy discipline in patience and always to be ready for the summons to stand before Thy presence. Into Thy hands do we commit ourselves, for Thy mercy is great. Grant us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that neither death nor life may separate us from Thy love, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer at the Laying of the Corner-stone for a New Church

Almighty and merciful God, graciously bless the work which we have now commenced in this place to Thy glory. Grant that the sanctuary to be raised upon this foundation may be a place wherein Thy people shall be gathered together to worship Thee, and where they may be fed with Thy living Word and Thy holy Sacraments. Take into Thy gracious protection all who shall work in this place, and grant unto them a spirit of godliness, that they may accomplish their task in a manner well pleasing to Thee. Let no adversity hinder the progress of their work. But as we pray Thee, O Lord, for Thy help in the building of this earthly temple, so we beseech Thee the more that Thou wouldst Thyself build up Thy Church into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer in a Congregation Where a Church is Being Erected

Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Who hast founded Thy Church, and through Thy servants still buildest up Thy spiritual Zion! Prosper, O Lord, our endeavor to build Thee a sanctuary in this place where Thy redeemed shall gather to hear Thy Word and partake of Thy Holy Sacraments, and to worship and praise Thy Holy Name. Establish Thou the work of our hands, for except Thou build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Preserve from harm and danger all that are here engaged. Bestow upon Thy Church unity of mind and will, and above all things grant that the temple of Thy Holy Spirit may be built and established in our hearts. Amen.

Prayer for Church Conventions

Almighty, eternal, and merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thou hast set Thy Son to be the Head and Lord of Thy Church, and through Thy Holy Spirit gatherest together into Thy Church the children of God that are scattered abroad: We humbly beseech Thee to grant Thy Spirit to us (those) who are now assembled to take counsel for the affairs of Thy kingdom, that our (their) deliberations may tend to the glory of Thy Name and the enlargement of Thy kingdom. Do Thou govern us (them) by Thy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, and of peace, and of love, to the end that we (they) may faithfully perform the work entrusted to our (their) care; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen,

Holy Baptism

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Beloved in the Lord! From the Word of God we learn that all men are born in sin, but also that Jesus Christ has come into the world to save sinners. Our Lord and Saviour has testified and said: "Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3. 5.) Therefore, according to His commandment,* we receive this child (these children) into the Christian Church through the washing of regeneration, and beseech our Lord and Saviour graciously to receive him (her, or them) and endue him (her, or them) with the power of the Holy Spirit unto a living faith and true godliness. To this end may God grant His blessing for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lift up your hearts unto God!

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself instituted Holy Baptism, when He said to His disciples:

"All authority hath been given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Mt. 28. 18-20.)

Hear also the holy and comforting Gospel according to St. Mark:

"They were bringing unto Him little children, that He should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. And He took them in His arms, and blessed them, laying His hands upon them." (Mk. 10. 13-16.)

* At a foundling's baptism insert here the words: "Since it is uncertain whether this child has received Holy Baptism."

Then the Minister shall place his hand upon the head of the Child and pray:

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. Amen.

The Merciful and Eternal God, Who alone saves from all evil; and Who has graciously called thee to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, through our Saviour Jesus Christ, deliver thee from the power of darkness and preserve thee in His truth and fear, now and forevermore. Amen.

Let us hear the Christian faith, which we confess, and into which this child is (these children are) to be baptized.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth;

And 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, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick 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.

The Minister shall continue:

Do you desire that this child (these children) shall upon this confession be baptized, and by baptism be received into the Communion of Christ and His Church?

The Parents or Sponsors answer;

Yes.

Then the Minister shall three times pour water upon the Child's head and say:

I baptize thee, N. N., into the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say:

Let us give thanks and pray:

Almighty, Eternal God, our Heavenly Father, we give Thee hearty thanks that Thou dost continually preserve and increase Thy holy Christian Church, and that Thou hast now permitted this child (these children) to receive the washing of regeneration unto eternal life. We pray Thee to preserve him (her, or them) in the grace of baptism, so that he (she, or they) may grow up in Thy fear, and in the power of Christ's resurrection walk in newness of life, ever pleasing to Thee, and finally receive the inheritance of the saints in heaven; through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Minister shall pronounce the Benediction upon the Child:

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon Thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thereupon the Minister shall admonish the Sponsors as follows:

Dearly Beloved! This child (these children), through the washing of regeneration, has (have) become a child (children) of God and joint-heir(s) with Jesus Christ. It becomes you who have witnessed this sacred act diligently to assist this child (these children) with Christian love and faithful prayers. Take solemnly to heart the obligation of the Church, especially in the event of the death of the parents before the child is (these children are) of age, to rear this child (these children) in the fear and admonition of the Lord, to the end that it (they) may faithfully keep the gifts of grace received in Holy Baptism.

The Minister shall continue:

Let us now hear the exhortation of God's Word to us who have received the grace of baptism:

"As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and builded up in Him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Col. 2. 6, 7.)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Then the Minister shall say to the Sponsors:

Depart in peace.