This is one of those gems that sadly did not make it from Lutheran Worship into Lutheran Service Book. Yet, if one is using the order of Matins, as we are, that morning, this makes a fine collect (well, using a rather elastic definition of collect!). As do so many of our great prayers, this one comes to us from the Eastern liturgy, where the priest prays it quietly (fourth of a series of 12 prayers) as the choir is singing the six psalms during Orthros [Matins]. What is sad is that means very few people get to hear and join their amen to these glorious words of praise, thanksgiving and intercession:
O Lord our God, You have commanded the light to shine out of darkness, and You have again brought us to Your house of prayer to praise Your goodness and ask for Your gifts. Accept now in Your endless mercy the sacrifice of our worship and thanksgiving, and grant us those requests which will be wholesome for us. Make us children of the light and of the day and heirs of Your everlasting inheritance. Remember, O Lord, according to the multitude of Your mercies, Your whole Church, all who join with us in prayer, all our sisters and brothers wherever they may be in Your vast kingdom who stand in need of Your help and comfort. Pour out upon them the riches of Your mercy, so that we, redeemed in soul and body and steadfast in faith, may ever praise Your wonderful and holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and always through all ages of ages. Amen. (Lutheran Worship, page 195)
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