O strong and mighty God, great is your wrath against willful sinners who will not permit your kindness to lead them to repentance. For a time You deal with people like a loving father, who seeks with much patience to draw back his disobedient children to himself, but then, when people willfully abuse Your grace, You manifest Yourself as a stern judge. We, too, are experiencing this now, O just God We hear that in many places a contagious disease has appeared, devouring many thousands of people, so that death is a guest in many homes….We are consumed by Your anger, and by Your wrath we are troubled. Have we not strong reasons to fear that You will send this spreading contagion also into our borders and our city? O jealous God, we need not think that those on whom Your heavy rod is now descending are worse sinners than the rest; rather, we confess that we all deserve to perish like them. There is found among us security in our sinfulness, contempt of Your Holy Word, fornication, unrighteousness, worldliness and pride. Yes, there is scarcely any fear of God in our land; the godly ceases and the faithful fail among the children of men. If You, O Lord, kept a record of iniquity, O Lord, who could stand?
O Lord, when you said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’ (Psalm 27:8). You have no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but that the sinner turn from his way and live. Therefore, we abhor ourselves and repent in dust and ashes. Do not look upon our countless sins; graciously pronounce us not guilty. Comfort us in our distresses and remove all punishments from us. We have sinned with our ancestors; we have committed iniquity and done wickedly. Command the destroying angel who is wielding the sword of vengeance to cease, and say to him, ‘It is enough.’ Let us live, and we will glorify Your name. Although we do not deserve any mercy, we are in need of it. Although we are children of death, You have promised the penitent that You would exercise mercy instead of justice toward them.
Oh, grant us Your grace and life, for Jesus’ sake, our only mediator and advocate. Have mercy, have mercy upon us, O God of mercy! Be gracious to us; help us, good Lord! Be gracious to us; help us, good Lord, our God! Have mercy on the poor and afflicted who have been seized with this violent pestilence, who must suffer hunger and grief, [and are in need of great care]. Lead them to the knowledge of Your grace in Christ, Your dear Son. Aid them with Your comfort and let Your Spirit witness to their spirit that they are God’s children, though they have to die of this plague. O Lord, hear our prayer! Protect our country, and we shall say: The Lord has done great things for us. Yes, You can deliver all who come to You.
Since He is ours, We fear no powers, Not of earth nor sin nor death. He sees and blesses In worst distresses; He can change them with a breath. Wherefore the story Tell of His glory With hearts and voices; All heav’n rejoices in Him forever: Alleluia! We shout for gladness, Triumph o’er sadness, Love Him and praise Him, And still shall raise Him Glad hymns forever: Alleluia! Amen. (LSB 818 v. 2)
“Believing Christians Pray in Time of Widespread Sickness,” (Starck’s Prayer Book, Revised Concordia Edition, CPH, 2009.)