O Lord, we beseech Thee, remember Thy holy church that is from one end of the earth to the other, and pacify her that Thou hast purchased with Thy precious blood, and stablish her even unto the end of the world; remember them that bring forth fruit and do good works in Thy holy churches and are mindful of the poor and needy; recompense them with Thy rich and heavenly gifts; remember every Christian soul, especially the afflicted and oppressed and struggling and those needing Thy mercy and helping hand, supplying return to the wanderers, health to the sick, and rest to them that have fallen asleep in Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.
Published by CPH in 1965. Why, it is almost as though whoever composed that prayer believed what we say in our Book of Concord: “Epiphanius testifies that Aerius believed that prayers for the dead were useless. This he rejects. We do not support Aerius either.” Ap XXIV:96
2 comments:
It's like praying, "Hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done..." They don't need our prayers for God to give them peaceful rest. Nevertheless...
It's interesting the Lutheran Confessions appear to condone prayers for the dead. I don't know what efficacy they could have for them, as though they could changed the dead's condition, but only the we thank God for their memory and ask Him to provide them rest which they already possess.
Post a Comment