Ascension Lutheran Church

Appendix: Devotions

Morning Devotions

As soon as you get out of bed in the morning, you should bless yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say:

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

Then, kneeling or standing, say the Creed and pray the Lord's Prayer. If you wish, then you may pray this little prayer as well:

My Heavenly Father, I thank you, through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, that you kept me safe from all evil and danger last night. Save me, I pray, today as well, from every evil and sin, so that all I do and the way that I live will please you. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let your holy Angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.

After that, with joy go about your work and perhaps sing a song inspired by the Ten Commandments or your own thoughts.

Evening Devotions 

When you go to bed in the evening, you should bless yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say:

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

Then, kneeling or standing, say the Creed and pray the Lord's Prayer. If you wish, then you may pray this little prayer as well:

My Heavenly Father, I thank you, through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, that you have protected me by your grace. Forgive, I pray, all my sins and the evil I have done. Protect me, by your grace, tonight. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let your holy angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.

After this, go to sleep immediately with joy.

Saying Grace and Returning Thanks at Meals

The children and servants should come to the table modestly and with folded hands and say:

All eyes look to you, O Lord, and you give everyone food at the right time. You open your generous hands and satisfy the hunger of all living things with what they desire. (Psalm 145:15-16)

Note: ``What they desire'' means that all animals get so much to eat, that they are happy and cheerful. Because, worry and greed interferes with such desires.

After this, pray the Lord's Prayer and the following prayer:

"Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these gifts, which we receive from your generous hand, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Originally translated in 1994 by the Rev. Robert E. Smith; language significantly altered.

Public domain.

 

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