“You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I extol You.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is
everlasting.” (Psalm 118:28-29)

My Lord and my God, is what
Thomas said. His testimony is our testimony. Let the presence of the Lord forever
be in the center of your life. Be thankful for all the benefits that come by
being in relationship with the Lord. Know that He Who is forever is the only
One who will fulfill all that He has promised. Come into the presence of the
Lord with thanksgiving and rejoice in Him always.

Lord, the worries and cares of this world sometimes overwhelm me so
that I do not see through them to the promise that You are working all things
together for good for those who love You. Guide me, dear Lord, that I would live
in the faith You have given me. Keep me from the wicked one and lift me up in
Christ’s image that I would learn and grow to become like Him forever.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
the way for all who have come into the gift of faith. Lead me, O Lord, that like
Thomas I can proclaim the truth that God is with me, for You are Lord of lords,
Keep me from straying that I would not worship any but you. You know what I
need this day. Thank You for providing all that is needed today and every day. Thank
You for your graciousness and love. Amen.

“O Lord, do save, we beseech You; O Lord, we beseech You, do send
prosperity! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; we have
blessed you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and He has given us
light; bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.” (Psalm
118:25-27)

What is the prosperity you seek?
Is it fame and fortune, which is fleeting, or prospering in the righteousness
that the Lord offers through grace? Do not be deceived by the wiles of this
world, but come into the Lord’s presence and seek what is right and good. Seek
first righteousness and then all things necessary shall be added unto you. Know
that the Lord’s love endures forever.

Lord, set me upon the right path that I would be led by the
righteousness You grant to those who come into the love relationship made
possible through grace. Lead me in the faith You have given me that I might now
and always abide in the truth of Your presence and purpose. Keep me from the
distractions in this world that would get in the way that I might grow in the
likeness of Christ and His righteousness.

Lord Jesus, Guide me this day in
the way of righteousness. Lead me to see more clearly all that You offer in
this gift of faith You have given me. Move me beyond the elemental things to
live into the eternal life given through grace. Teach me this day all that I
can learn that I would grow this day. Help me to see as You grow in me Your
image, Jesus, that I might prosper in the gift of faith. Amen.

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner
stone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day
which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:22-23)

Those who want it to be their
way have rejected the Lord. Rather than hearing the Word of truth, they
continue in their rebellion with an attitude of self-righteousness. It should
not be so among you. This is a day the Lord has made and He calls for you to
rejoice and be glad in it. All that the Lord does is good and righteous. He
invites those who will follow to come and know His goodness.

Lord, I often do not rejoice in the day You have given me. Guide me
away from myself and ever deeper into You. Help me through all the obstacles
that come my way that I may abide in You and You in me. You are the cornerstone
and the only hope through the mire of this wicked world. Lift me up to be with
You always that through You I may taste of the eternal life You offer.

Lord Jesus, You are the cornerstone which many have rejected. Yet I do not desire to reject You, but to live into Your likeness. Guide me this day in the journey of faith You have created for me that I may do those things which are pleasing in the Father’s sight. Help me, Good Shepherd, to know Your goodness and to be a willing sheep in Your loving hands. You are my Savior, save me this day and every day. Amen.

“Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I
shall give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous will
enter through it. I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You
have become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:19-21)

The Lord has provided the narrow
gate which leads to righteousness through the grace of Jesus Christ. He is the
narrow way and leads the way for all who follow. God Himself is our salvation
and has come that we might have the life He intends for the faithful. Come
through the narrow gate and begin the journey which never ends. In Him is light
and the light is the life which leads to righteousness.

Lord, I have heard so many conflicting things. Help me, I pray, to come
into the life which You have created that I might understand more fully the
wisdom You grant to the faithful. Remove the obstacles that get in the way. Help
me each step of the way on the journey upon which You have placed me. You must
be the author and finisher of my faith for only You know the steps needed.

Lord Jesus, You are the door, the
gate, the way of everlasting life. You have come that we may drink of the
wellspring of the water of life. Guide me this day, Lord Jesus, in all the ways
You know I need to go. Keep me on the narrow way that I may grow in
righteousness and in Your likeness. I give thanks for all that You have done
for the faithful that we may become what the Father intends. Amen.

Editor’s Note: this article first appeared in the March 2019 edition of CORE Voice.

Lutheran CORE strives to be a voice and network for “confessing Lutherans.”  But just what is a confessing Lutheran?  People sometimes ask that question, and it deserves a good answer.

Historically, the terms “confessing” or “confessional” hearken back to the Lutheran confessions, or statements of doctrine, published in the Book of Concord in 1580.  These documents, which include writings by Martin Luther, his friend and colleague, Phillip Melanchthon, and their successors, have served as touchstones of Lutheran orthodoxy across place and time. 

Most if not every Lutheran pastor has vowed some kind of allegiance to this set of documents at ordination, and Lutheran laity will (hopefully) recognize one of its most beloved portions, Luther’s Small Catechism.  At the book’s very start stands perhaps its second most famous document, the Augsburg Confession.   This document was written by Melanchthon in 1530 to set forth the doctrine of the churches in Germany (the “evangelicals”) that had embraced Luther’s teachings.  For this reason it carries the label of confession: it publicly states, or confesses, what the evangelical Germans believed. 

This history brings us to a simple definition: confessing or confessional Lutherans are Lutherans who adhere to the teaching of the Book of Concord over against all doubts and doctrinal assaults.  They stand in line with those earliest confessors of the Lutheran church and say, “Our churches teach thus and so.”  Lutherans do disagree over the status of some of the writings in the Book of Concord (notably, the Formula of Concord), but all would agree that confessing or confessional describes a Lutheran’s fidelity to the contents of this book.

Digging a bit deeper, we may look at the term confess in light of Scripture.  There we find that the term most frequently connected with “confess” is the Greek term homologeō: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).  The term used here and in similar passages is a simple combination of two words, logeō (to say or speak) and homo (same).  To confess is to “say the same thing.”  

A beloved Lutheran theologian named Norman Nagel expressed this aspect of confession in his description of Lutheran worship from 1982:

Our Lord speaks and we listen.  His Word bestows what it says.  Faith that is born from

what is heard acknowledges the gifts received with eager thankfulness and praise . . . .

Saying back to him what he has said to us, we repeat what is most true and sure.

(Lutheran Worship [St. Louis: CPH, 1982] page 6).

The Book of Concord and the churches that cherish it seek to confess or say the same thing that the Lord has said through His prophets and apostles, trusting that word to be “what is most true and sure.”  We could therefore say that confessing Lutherans say the same thing as the Lutheran confessors before them because those confessors said the same thing as God says in His word. 

One famous use of the term confessing comes from May 1934, when German Protestants, under the leadership of such men as Karl Barth and Martin Niemöller, adopted the Barmen Declaration, resisting the racist, Nazi-inspired “German Christian” movement.  The Declaration condemned the attempt of National Socialism to change church doctrine and dictate church polity in support of Hitler’s “Aryan” ideology.  Indeed, whenever the church resists changes to the doctrines of its Lord, it becomes a confessing church, saying what God has said over against all falsehood.

With churches across America struggling to know and believe what God has spoken, and with attempts at changing church doctrine multiplying daily, Lutheran CORE exists to support Lutherans engaged in this act of confession.  As the Danish pastor and hymnwriter, Nicholas S. Grundtvig, teaches us to sing,  

             God’s Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever;
		to spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavor.
		Through life it guides our way, in death it is our stay.
		Lord, grant while worlds endure, we keep its teachings pure
		throughout all generations. 

May God grant us the strength to will and to do this good and loving work.

“The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does
valiantly. I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord. The
Lord has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.” (Psalm
118:16-18)

Jesus sits at the right hand of
the Father. It is He of whom the prophets spoke that has accomplished our
salvation. He has done valiantly, for He thanked the Father that not one was
lost who was already known by the Father. Though you die, yet shall you live
and from your own flesh you will see the eternal truth of Almighty God. Live in
the good news which is yours through Christ.

Lord, many times I hear these words, but my heart doubts. Bad things
happen and I do not understand. Lead me, O Lord, through the pollution of this
world to come to You for the breath of fresh air which Your Spirit gives. Let
me rejoice in the salvation which is mine through the grace of Jesus. Help me
not fear the little death of this world, but trust that death has been forever
conquered.

Lord Jesus, though You were
crucified, yet You live. I have been united with You in death in order that I
might be united with You in Your resurrection. Lead me, my Savior, that I may
walk in the way of salvation You have prepared for all who believe. Guide me,
Lord Jesus, in Your grace to live this day in hope, love and thanksgiving for
all the goodness You have revealed to the faithful. Amen.

“You pushed me violently so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. The sound of
joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand
of the Lord does valiantly.” (Psalm 118:13-15)

The world has the wicked who
push violently and seek destruction. Great is the Lord, for He protects those
who love Him. He will purpose all things together for good for those whom He
foreknew would be conformed to the image of Christ. Rejoice in the salvation
which is yours through our Savior, Jesus. He is the right hand of the Father
who works valiantly on behalf of the redeemed.

Lord, guide me to see through the nonsense of this age that I would
forever hold fast to the truth You have spoken from the beginning. Lead me, O
Lord, to see through the haze of this age knowing that You will accomplish all
that You have promised. Keep my eyes upon You, dear Savior, that I would not be
led astray by the obfuscations of this age. Keep my eyes off the wicked and
upon You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save
because we need saving. Lead me in the salvation You have prepared for me that
I would live this day fully in Your arms of grace. Lead me in Your mercy to
hear as the Holy Spirit speaks. The world means it for violence, but You have
conquered sin, death and the devil. Lead me to walk always with You keeping
Your presence ever before me. Amen.

The Prayers of the Church

The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day, April 21, 2019

Let us pray to our risen Savior on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

You have done gloriously, O Lord Jesus; you have risen victorious over our ancient foes – sin, death, and the devil. When this good news seems too good to be true, show us your wounded hands and side, and renew our faith. Fill us with the Holy Spirit, so we may firmly believe, rightly proclaim, generously share, and beautifully live this gigantic truth: that because death has no dominion over you, neither shall it have the last word over anyone whom you have redeemed.

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

This day, your Church is adorned with flowers and banners, music and light. Adorn it also, dear Lord, with the beauty of your holiness and the light of your love. Make it resplendent with faith, hope, and charity. Clothe it in festal robes of righteousness and truth. Betroth it as your Bride; and make its worship a foretaste of your eternal marriage feast, shared with everyone who comes in repentant faith.

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Impart your deathless love to Christians who suffer bitter persecution even on this holy day. Grant them the joy of your saving help; purge the leaven of hatred and evil from the hearts of their tormentors; and hasten the day when all may fall before your feet in repentance, faith and joy.

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Crown this congregation with unfading joy, unfailing kindness, and unceasing praise for your eternal and victorious love. Give us grace to share the hope that is within us with gentleness and respect, so that others may learn to love and trust you, their Savior and Lord.

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Graciously bless the guests and visitors among us this day. Kindle the hearts of those who do not yet believe that you have conquered sin and death in your own body. Grant them faith to know that you live to bestow faith, righteousness, and salvation upon them forever.

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let peace and righteousness kiss; let mercy and healing overflow; and let wisdom and faith abound throughout the world. Bestow joy, comfort and wholeness upon all people, especially those afflicted by human malice or natural catastrophe; and bring us all into a right relationship with you forever.

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Keep safe those who risk their lives on behalf of others. Equip them with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sandals of peace, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Heal them when they fall; and fill their loved ones with unconquerable confidence in your triumph over every foe.

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Raise up all who sit in the shadows of pain, despair, grief, and death. Bring comfort and forgiveness to those who cry out for mercy, especially those we name before you now: {List}. Impart your life and love to them, so they may join us in the Psalmist’s words, “I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

O risen Lord Jesus, those who died trusting you already experience that Easter morning that knows no end. Wipe away our tears, banish our doubts, and fill us with courage and joy. “Lord Jesus, from all evil forever make us free – from sin and from the devil, and all adversity; from sickness, pain and sadness, from troubles, cares and fears; and grant us heavenly gladness, and wipe away our tears. O, let us see in glory, your blest, redeeming face; and sing the old, old story of your amazing grace. Join us, with angels’ voices, and saints, from great to least, ‘til all the world rejoices, and with you, keeps the feast!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Prayers of the Church

The Vigil of Easter, April 20, 2019

Let us, with joyful confidence, pray to our risen Savior for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, “thanks” is too small a word! We hear the long story of salvation, and are humbled by your forbearance toward your wayward people. We enter into the mystery of your death and resurrection in our Baptism. We feast on the sweetness of your victorious life at your Table. “Thanks” is too small a word, except that your Spirit searches our hearts and in that small word, utters what we cannot express for all you have done, and all that you are.

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Fill the Church with light of your crucified and risen life. Make it resplendent with holiness, charity, and truth. Cause it to shed the light of your love upon those who dwell in the shadows of sin and death, so with one voice we sing, “Christ is risen, Alleluia!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Shatter the hateful words and malicious acts of all who persecute your followers for naming you as Savior. Raise up your suffering servants, and grant them courage and joy. By their faithful witness, bring their tormentors to repentance, so together they sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Feed the people of this congregation with the milk and honey of sincerity and truth. Make us lovely with your mercy, forgiveness, and goodness. Use us to draw many who are afar off into your welcoming embrace, so together we sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Clothe the newly baptized in the festal robes of faith and innocence. Lead them in the pathways of faith toward you and fervent love toward others. And teach them to constantly sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Let peace and righteousness kiss; let mercy and healing overflow; and let wisdom and faith abound throughout the world. Grant that all people, in every nation, might come to saving knowledge of you, their Shepherd, Healer, and Lord, so that with one voice they sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Keep safe those who risk their lives on behalf of others. Equip them with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sandals of peace, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, so that they accomplish your will in places of danger and injustice, and may rightly sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Raise up all who sit in the shadows of pain, despair, grief, and death. Bring comfort and forgiveness to those who cry out for mercy. Bestow your reconciling grace upon all who are estranged from you and from their loved ones. Grant them and all who love them, your perfect peace, so together all may sing: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

O risen Lord Jesus, those who died trusting you already experience that Easter morning that knows no end. Wipe away our tears, banish our doubts, and fill us with dauntless courage and joy. Give us loving hearts, gracious words, and tireless hands to help one another along the way. Lead us through the waters of death, as if on dry ground. By your grace and favor, let us stand with you and with all whom you have redeemed, in your promised Kingdom that has no end, there to sing for all eternity: “Christ is risen! Alleluia!”

Alleluia, risen Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Grant to us all that is in accordance with your will, dear Jesus, and accomplish your salvation among us; for you are risen from the dead and dwell in majesty with your Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Prayers of the Church, 

Good Friday, Cycle C (April 19, 2019)

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

A brief silence

Forgive and save your Church, O God, for heeding anything that distracts it from knowing, proclaiming, and sharing the love of Jesus, its crucified and risen Redeemer.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and renew pastors, bishops, theologians, and other church leaders when by treacherous words and shameful deeds they crucify Christ anew, and turn people from his salvation.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and guide each of us in this congregation, for the small and great ways in which we fail to love you with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, and do not love one another as Jesus has loved each of us.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and challenge everyone who says they believe in you, but have more pressing obligations than worship, prayer, forgiveness, or service in your name.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and enlighten all who believe in other gods, or who have limited and distorted notions of who you are.   

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and rescue all who say they are “spiritual but not religious,” or who are fascinated by the occult or dark spiritual arts.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and teach those who do not believe in you at all, especially those who persecute believers.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and bring to repentance our enemies, personal and communal. Forgive all who slander, lie, and spew hate, as did their spiritual ancestors toward your beloved Son.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and transform all who break promises, break laws, and break hearts, especially when we still struggle to forgive.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and energize all who whine, complain, make excuses, and shift blame to others.

          Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and reform everyone who seeks to divide, not build up; to sow suspicion, not trust; and who insists on their own way at any cost.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and liberate those who are enslaved by their desires, passions, fears, addictions, or by their attraction to evil for its own sake.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive and heal all who are caught in snares of illness and pain, depression and anxiety, regret and shame.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

Forgive, save, transform, and redeem all of us – for if we are honest, we know we must number ourselves in the great and miserable fellowship of sinners. Forgive, dear Lord, forgive us who despair; who seek revenge; who are cruel and selfish; who are bored and apathetic; who are thoughtless, clueless, heedless, merciless, and faithless.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy and hear our prayer.

By the suffering and passion, of your holy and beloved Son; by his prayers from the Cross for our sake; by his sinless death and his descent into the depths of hell for the sake of sinners; by his glorious resurrection and ascension, and by his promise to come again as victorious Lord of all, forgive us our sins, heavenly Father. Crucify our sins and burn them in hell; but hide us, your poor sinful creatures, in the life-giving wounds of Jesus, and shelter us in his outstretched arms. Anoint us with the same Spirit he committed to you with his dying breath. Raise us, in the power of that Spirit, to share in the glorious resurrection life of Christ. And speed the coming of that great eternal day when everyone whom you have forgiven and healed, transformed and redeemed, is made fit to stand together before your throne, there to praise and adore you in the unity you share with your Son, our Savior and Lord, and with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.