The Small Catechism. Evening
[Appendix I.] Evening Prayer. Blessing at Table.
Prayer.
In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say: LC In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer: I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus
Christ, Thy dear
Son, that Thou
hast
graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may
have no power over me. Amen. Then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.
HOW
THE
Should
HEAD
Teach
a Blessing
FAMILY
Household
and Return
[Asking The children
OF THE
His
to Ask
Thanks.
a Blessing.]
and servants
shall go to the
table with folded hands and reverently, and say: The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord; and Thou givest them their meat in due season; Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Note.
To satisfy the desire means that all animals receive so much to eat that they are on this aecount joyful and of good cheer; for care and avarice hinder such satisfaction.
(Then the Lord's Prayer, and the prayer here following: Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts, which we take from Thy bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our
Lord.
Amen. Returning
Thanks.
Likewise also after the meal they shall reverently and with folded hands say:
‘O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. He giveth food to all flesh; He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse; He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. Then the Lord's Prayer and the prayer here following: We thank Thee, Lord God, Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
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