Lord Jesus Christ, who didst come into the world to call sinners to
repentance and to enlighten all men unto life eternal, we praise Thee
with our whole heart, and extol Thy great goodness and mercy, that Thou
didst not only enter into this place and into this church and
congregation with Thy divine Word and holy Sacraments, and didst purge
out the leaven of papistic doctrine and idolatry, but that Thou hast also
redeemed us poor sinners from the kingdom of darkness, hast called us
into the light of Thy holy Gospel, and hast transplanted us into Thy
kingdom of grace.
O Lord Jesus, we are not worthy of all Thy goodness and faithfulness, yet
we pray Thee with humble hearts, that Thou wouldst continue among us Thy
grace, with Thy divine Word and holy Sacraments, that Thy holy name may
be known by us, that it alone may be feared and honored by us, and we all
may live, and serve Thee, according to Thy divine pleasure. And what we
have done amiss against Thee and Thy holy Word, by not having been
obedient to the Gospel, do Thou, Lord Jesus Christ, graciously pardon,
and do not on account of our sin take from us this saving treasure, but
preserve it unadulterated unto us and unto our posterity. Yea, Lord
Jesus, preserve unto us Thy Word, for it is the joy and comfort of our
hearts.
Guard and defend us and Thy whole Christian, especially Thy Evangelical
Lutheran, Church against all error, unbelief, and the pernicious doctrine
of others. Restrain all enemies, persecutors and blasphemers, and be Thou
our refuge, our strength, our shield and buckler, that the gates of hell
may not prevail against us. Especially do we beseech Thee, O Lord our
Saviour, that Thou wouldst enter into the house of our heart, that Thou
wouldst enlighten us by Thy Holy Spirit, purify our hearts and graciously
grant, that we may walk worthy of the Gospel, and remain steadfast in the
truth once known and confessed, unto our end. O Lord Jesus, let our souls
obtain Thy salvation, that we may be saved through Thee and in Thy
kingdom behold Thee and Thy great glory forever and ever. Amen, Lord
Jesus, Amen.