We adore and praise Thee, Lord God, Father of heaven and earth, that Thou
hast so bountifully supplied us this day not only with our daily bread to
nourish the body, but also with the heavenly food of Thy word for our
souls. Grant, O faithful God, that it may remain in our hearts, and bring
forth much fruit to Thy honor and our salvation. We also pray Thy
fatherly goodness not to deprive us of Thy pure word and ministry; and
that Thou wouldst not visit upon us the sins wherewith we may have
desecrated this day, but forgive them according to Thy great goodness,
and for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Thy dear Son Jesus
Christ. And finally, let us this day, and all the remaining time of our
mortal life in this vale of tears, be commended to Thy fatherly blessing
and divine protection; and may Thy holy angels keep charge over us, that
the wicked one may have no power over us.
But as the evening of this world is now approaching, and the day is far
spent, grant us the grace of Thy Spirit, that we may constantly watch,
and, in living faith, ardent love, firm hope and a holy walk and
demeanor, wait for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, when He shall come to judge the
quick and the dead, in order that we may then receive Him in a worthy
manner and with joy, enter with Him into eternal life, and celebrate with
all the elect the Sabbath without end. Have mercy, O Lord! upon Thy whole
Christian Church, and deliver Thy poor persecuted flock from all
oppression, mockery and tyranny, comfort all anxious and troubled
consciences by the true comforter, the Holy Spirit, and send us all Thy
peace through Jesus Christ, our Intercessor and only Mediator. Amen.