Sacred Meditations

The believing Christian meditates on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the Feast of Pentecost. In today’s meditation, we join Johann Starck as he prays to the Holy Spirit in this “Morning Prayer.” Source: Starck’s Prayer-Book, by Johann Starck (translated and edited by W. H. T. Dau, 1921), pages …

On the Day of Pentecost God opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by sending the promised gift of His Holy Spirit. Today we pray that, by the same Holy Spirit, the preaching of the Gospel may go out to the ends of the earth. The …

In today’s prayer, we call upon the Creator (Holy) Spirit to come to our aid and pour out His joys on us. This from the hymn, “Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid,” attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856) and translated by John Dryden (1631-1700). Source: Lutheran Service Book, 500:1.

In previous meditations (#1, #2, #3, #4), Johann Gerhard explored how God feeds our souls with the heavenly manna of His forgiveness of sins. Gerhard also warned us against filling ourselves on the pleasures of this fallen world. In today’s meditation, Gerhard concludes his “Spiritual Refreshment of the Godly” (Meditation …

God, the King of glory, has exalted His Son Jesus Christ to His heavenly kingdom. We pray that He would not leave us without comfort, but send His Holy Spirit to strengthen us. Seventh Sunday of Easter, from The Book of Common Prayer.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Today we pray that we may live in His righteousness and holiness all our days. “At Baptism,” from The Book of Common Prayer.

Our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that He may fill all things. We pray that we may trust His promise that He still abides with His Church on earth. Ascension Day (first option), from The Book of Common Prayer.

What happens when we feast on the pleasures of this fallen world? We miss out on the true feast that God gives—the eternal feast of His mercy and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. In today’s meditation, Johann Gerhard continues commenting on the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Luke 14 and …

God has prepared such good things that surpass our understanding, and so we pray that He may pour into our hearts such love towards Him that we may love Him and obtain His promises. Sixth Sunday of Easter, from The Book of Common Prayer.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Today we cry out with praise to our King immortal, praying verse 5 of “Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain,” by John of Damascus. Source: Lutheran Service Book, 487:5.