We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving, LSB, Divine Service Setting III

We pray this prayer towards the end of the Divine Service, after we have been fed with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, our Savior. We pray that almighty God would use this heavenly food to make us strong in faith toward Him, and in love towards each other. We ask Him to bless our life through the gifts we receive from the altar. He feeds us also each week with the living bread of His Word that we receive in Scripture and in preaching. We ask Him to let this food carry us home.

After the Sermon

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

It’s good to spend some time later in the day reflecting on what we heard at church. It helps to cement it in our memory. You probably also had some times during the service where your mind wandered. That’s okay. Think back on that too. Then we these things in mind, use these questions to ask yourself: How did God speak to me in Church today?

  • What parts of the sermon can I remember?
  • What was I thinking about when I got distracted or was daydreaming?
  • Is there anything I wished the pastor would have talked about?
  • Were there any Bible stories or verses that came to mind for me during the sermon?
  • Was there anything that made me feel guilty?
  • Was there anything that made me feel angry?
  • Was there anything that brought me joy?
  • Was there anything that made me feel relieved?
  • Was there a particular person or event that I thought about?
  • Were there any tasks for the week ahead that I was thinking about?

These are all ways that the Holy Spirit speaks to us while we hear His Word. These things can help shape our prayers in the weeks to come, as well as the work we do, and the visits and phone calls that we make. If you noticed you were feeling guilty about a sin that you have committed, or felt hurt, angry, or ashamed where someone has sinned against you, bring that sin and lay it down at the altar, so that He can make it right with His blood. He takes away the sin of the world and is our Good Shepherd. Thank Him for the good things you were thinking about, ask for His help with the problems that troubled you and the things you were thinking about for the week ahead. Pray for the people that you think about during the service, and maybe give them a call later to let them know you’re praying for them.  Ask the Lord to guide you by His Spirit in the work He gives to you this week.

Planning my Week Based on the Divine Service

The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Here is a helpful guide for letting the Lord establish your steps, guiding you as you serve Him in faith, and your neighbor in love.

  • Make the sign of the cross and say “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” and remember that I am baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection.
  • Recite the 10 Commandments and the Apostles’ Creed. Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
  • List all the places where God has called me to serve (Child, Spouse, Parent, Friend, Worker, Employer, etc.)
  • List the different people that God calls me to serve in those vocations: what do they need me to do?
  • List anyone that I thought about during the Divine Service today? What can I pray for them? Is there anything that I can do for them this week beyond prayer?
  • Pray this prayer or something like it:

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this [week]. Defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this week we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous and pleasing in Your sight. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for peace, LSB, Matins