John Knox, Prayer for Sunday 9-18-2022

Almighty God and most merciful Father, we do not present ourselves here before your Majesty trusting in our own merits or worthiness, but in your manifold mercies. You have promised to hear our prayers and grant our requests which we shall make to you in the name of your beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and you have also commanded us to assemble ourselves together in his Name, with full assurance that he will not only be among us, but also be our Mediator and Advocate toward your Majesty, so that we may obtain all things which shall seem expedient to your blessed will for our necessities.

Therefore we ask you, most merciful Father, to turn your loving countenance toward us, and impute not unto us our manifold sins and offenses, whereby we justly deserve your wrath and sharp punishment; but rather receive us to your mercy for Jesus Christ’s sake, accepting his death and passion as a just recompense for all our offenses, in whom only you are pleased, and through whom you cannot be offended with us.

Amen.

Elliot Ritzema, ed., 400 Prayers for Preachers (Lexham Press, 2012)