PRAYER FROM LUTHER’S PRAYERS

O gracious God, I am fully aware that I am unworthy.I deserve to be a brother of Satan and not of Christ.But Christ, your dear Son, died and rose for me. I amhis brother. He earnestly desires that I should believehim, without doubt and fear. I need no longer regardmyself as unworthy and full of sin. For this I love andthank him from my heart. Praise be to the faithfulSavior, for he is so gracious and merciful as are youand the Holy Ghost in eternity. Amen.

FROM LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM:

The Apostle’s Creed

The First Article

I believe in God, the Father AlmightyCreator of heaven and earth.

What is this?

I believe that God has created metogether with all creatures. God has given meand still preserves my body and soul: eyes,ears, and limbs and senses; reason and allmental faculties.In addition, God daily and abundantly provides shoes and clothing, food and drink,house and home, spouse and children, fields,livestock, and property – along with all thenecessities and nourishment for this body andlife. God protects me against all danger andshields and preserves me from all evil.God does all this out of pure, fatherly,and divine goodness and mercy, without anymerit or worthiness of mine at all! For all of this I owe it to God to thank and praise, serveand obey him. This is most certainly true.

THIRD SUNDAYIN LENT

Eternal Lord, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your Word and obey it, so that we become instruments of your redeeming love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the HolySpirit, one God, now and forever.