DEVOTION FOR THE LORD’S DAY
when unable to attend the Divine Service
Before beginning the Devotion, the head of the house should take note of the Day in the Church Year so that the appropriate Lessons may be used.
A Hymn may be sung.
The sign of the holy cross + may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism, saying:
I call upon Your name, O Lord God—Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the morning:
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.
In the evening:
O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh faints for You, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips, when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night; for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. I will lie down in peace and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
THE EPISTLE
THE HOLY GOSPEL
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
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, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
a holy Christian Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
MEDITATION
A portion of Luther’s Small or Large Catechism, or a sermon by Martin Luther may be read, or the pastor’s sermon for the day may be heard or read.
PRAYERS
Specific prayers may be said, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer:
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.
In the morning, Luther’s Morning Prayer may be said:
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.
In the evening, Luther’s Evening Prayer may be said:
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.
A Hymn may be sung.
