Prayer on Sunday — Thanksgiving

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. This is the Lord’s Day, and the day of rest granted to me by God. Therefore I will employ it for the glory of God in thanksgiving and prayer.

I thank Thee, O God, for the manifold gifts which Thou hast bestowed upon me on this day. On a Sunday Jesus my Saviour arose from the dead, and the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the apostles. Therefore it behooves me to call to mind today my redemption through Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, who was shed upon me abundantly in Holy Baptism.

I thank Thee for Thy pure and holy Word, which Thou causest to be preached on this day for the instruction and edification of my soul. I thank Thee for all the bodily and spiritual blessings which I have received from Thy Fatherly hand during my lifetime; for from my youth Thou hast been with me, hast led and preserved me, and hast bestowed many benefits upon me in body and soul. O who can count all thy mercies? They are innumerable.

This day shall, however, not only be for me a day of thanksgiving, but a day of prayer. I beseech Thee, my God and Father, let me spend this day in Thy fear. Preserve me from temptation, vain thoughts, and evil company. O that every artery were a tongue, and every drop of blood a voice, to laud and praise Thee, O Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost! O that not a single hour might pass away in which I do not spread abroad Thy praise! Seal in my heart the Word which I hear, that I may ponder it well, and regulate my conduct by it. And as I have now grown to be a week older, grant that I may increase in the knowledge of Thee, in love, and in piety, and may grow in the inward man. Give me, I beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit, that He may remind me of Thy Word during the coming week and all my life, and may rule and guide and lead me in all my ways. Add Thy blessing to my labor and employment, and let me spend all my remaining days and years in Thy grace, till I reach, at last, that happy home above, where, with thanksgiving and prayer, I shall be permitted to keep the eternal Sabbath of heaven. Amen.