Hope Lutheran Church

Like these first century Christians (at right- from a catacomb outside Rome) lifting hands to heaven in prayer, today we also pray to God our Father in the name of Jesus Christ His Son.

Prayer is one of the greatest gifts God has given to His Church. One of the highest callings of the Christian is to pray for one another. Here is the prayer that Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:9-13:

Lord's Prayer (in Jacobean English):
  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.

Lord's Prayer (in contemporary English):
  Our Father in heaven,
  hallowed be Your name,
  Your kingdom come,
  Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
  Give us today our daily bread.
  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.  Amen."

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 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.

Asking a Blessing (before eating)

The eyes of all look to You, [O Lord,] and you give them their food at the proper time.  You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:15-16).Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Returning a Blessing (after eating)
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever.  [He] gives food to every creature.  He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.  His pleasure is not in the srength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Himk who put their hope in His unfailing love (Psalm 136:1, 25, 147:9-11).We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy spirit forever and ever. Amen.