The Congregation at Prayer: Oculi
The Congregation at Prayer
A guide for daily meditation and prayer
Oculi 2018
Invocation
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Apostle’s Creed Catechism on pg. 15, and inside back cover of LSB
Psalm Psalm 136:1-16
Daily Readings (Also found in LSB on pg. 299)
Day
Old Testament
New Testament
Sunday
Genesis 27:30-45; 28:10-22
Mark 9:1-13
Monday
Genesis 29:1-30
Mark 9:14-32
Tuesday
Genesis 35:1-29
Mark 9:33-50
Wednesday
Genesis 37:1-36
Mark 10:1-12
Thursday
Genesis 39:1-23
Mark 10:13-31
Friday
Genesis 40:1-23
Mark 10:32-52
Saturday
Genesis 41:1-27
Mark 11:1-19
Catechism: Confession
What is the Office of the Keys?
The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His Church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness form the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.
Where is this written?
This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciple and said, “ Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
What do you believe according to these words?
I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.
Hymn Lord of Our Life LSB 659
Prayers
In Our Prayers This Week
Jeanie Johnson (Karen’s Moe sister, congestive heart failure), Dorothy Berger, Dawn Raabe, Martin Plecki (Missionary to Phillipines), Christine Behan (deployed to Guam), Shayne Warmann (newborn great grandson of Richard and Lucy Nelson), Nancy Beguhn-Duboise (friend of Pat Nelson), Alex Warmann (Lucy’s Grandson), Howard Thiel, Ashley Chrisinger, Skylah Tekemkpe, Paula Sorensen, Matt Kruse, Sue Barton
Collect of the Week
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Morning Prayer
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.
Evening Prayer
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.
Mealtime Prayer
The eyes of all look to You, O Lord, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Next Weekend’s Readings
Laetare (Lent 4)
Exodus 16:2-21
Psalm 138:8-18
Galatians 4:21-31
John 6:1-15
The Lord provided bread from heaven for His people in the wilderness (Ex. 16:2–21). Now He who is Himself the living bread from heaven miraculously provides bread for the five thousand (John 6:1–15). This takes place near the time of the Passover, after a great multitude had followed Jesus across the sea, and when He went up on a mountain. Seen in this way, Jesus is our new and greater Moses, who releases us from the bondage of Mount Sinai and makes us free children of the promise (Gal. 4:21–31). Five loaves become twelve baskets—that is, the five books of Moses find their goal and fulfillment in Christ, whose people continue steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship of the twelve apostles, and in the breaking and receiving of the bread of life, which is the body of Christ together with His precious blood, and in the prayers. So it is that God’s people “shall not hunger or thirst.” For He abundantly provides for us in both body and soul.