Lord Jesus, You do not want Your followers to pursue the way to heaven alone, but rather to associate with one another and found congregations; to establish in their midst the office that proclaims the message of reconciliation and administers the holy Sacraments; to gather at Your house to hear Your Word, make use of Your Sacraments, unite in prayer and song; and as spiritual priests to edify, teach, admonish, warn, rebuke, and comfort one another.
We pray You, let this congregation, indeed every member of it, realize what benefits we enjoy in that we are permitted to manage the affairs of a Christian congregation undisturbed.
Create within every one of us a mind and a willingness to cheerfully bring our offerings for the maintenance and extension of this congregation.
Above all, bless our congregation for the good of our souls and the souls of our children and let it be an influence for good in this entire city; indeed, make of our congregation itself a city set on a high hill, which will send its beams of light into the surrounding country by its testimony to the truth, its deeds of love toward all, and especially toward those who are of the household of faith.
Hear us for Your own sake. Amen.
[C.F.W. Walther, For the Life of the Church, 143-144]
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